We are fortunate in our day and age to have a device or tool for almost any household task. Some of these tools are very helpful and others seem to take more time and effort to operate and clean than save any real time.
I have discovered the Carey Electric Pressure Canner. This tool has been very helpful for me in this busy season of life.
Another version is the Presto Digital Pressure Canner. I have heard great things about this one, but it is more expensive, and I do not own one. Therefore, I cannot recommend it if I haven't used it.
Now, back to the Carey Electric Pressure Canner.
I have seen various canning pictures of beautiful kitchens with mounds of produce being processed at the same time. They are followed with descriptions of a long day of hard work being rewarded with rows of beautifully preserved jars. Ideally, I would like to follow in those footsteps and utilize these methods for higher efficiency. However, my life is not at the stage to allow this to happen. I have to be satisfied with getting a few jars completed in between various other activities and scheduled commitments.
Since I have limited time to dedicate to preserving food, I have to get creative. One way that I manage to get some of our produce and herbs preserved is by utilizing all of my machines/tools at the same time. An example is that if I have apples to be preserved, I place some apples in each device. I will set up the freeze dryer with sliced apples, then I will set up the dehydrator with sliced apples followed by peeling and cutting apples to be placed into a crockpot on a low simmer for apple butter. Once all of these machines are doing their work, I will take the remaining apples and can them with a few spices, similar to a baked apples or apple pie filling. These can be immediately canned in jars. By this time, I am ready to escape the kitchen and/or have other demands of my time.
This is where the electric pressure canner comes in as my new favorite tool. The electric pressure canner is a more hands-off type of machine. I am cautious when pressure canning and will not leave the room when using a traditional canner. I have some personal attention issues and have the propensity to become distracted. While the electric pressure canner isn't completely hands-off, it has self-monitoring features.
Pros
- The electric pressure canner is more fail-safe. For me, this is the biggest pro for the recommendation of this device. With electronic features, the device will warn you if you do not have all of the settings prepared. The device has its own timer and will shut off at your specified time. This does not mean that you do not have to monitor it. For example, I wouldn't set the machine and run to the store, but it will allow you to tackle a task in another room with less fear of missing a warning sign.
- It sits on your counter instead of your stove. Being able to multitask in the kitchen is helpful. This device will allow you to process canning jars on the counter and still utilize your kitchen stove for dinner preparation.
- It is easier to clean. Some may disagree with me on this one, but I think the electric canner is easier to clean. There is a removable pot inside of the electric canner. When removed for cleaning, this portion of the device is not as heavy as traditional canners. I find it easier to wash in the sink than the larger, heavier, more traditional canners.
- It processes smaller batches. If you are in a phase in harvesting your garden where you have more than you can eat fresh but not enough to spend a day processing, this device is the perfect middle ground.
- It can water bath and pressure can. You can utilize this device to be your timer and water bath can high acidity items such as jams. I enjoy the fact that I do not have to stand in the kitchen to wait for it to boil before setting the timer. With this device, I can set up the water bath canning, set the timer and walk away.
Cons
- It uses electric. I have heard stories of people during power outages taking some of the food in their freezers and canning them over a gas stove in order to prevent spoilage. If your power is out, this device isn't going to be helpful to you.
- It is another appliance in the kitchen. It happens to all of us. We collect kitchen appliances and devices to help save us time and effort, but we can find ourselves wasting that supposed saved time by searching for the item or devising the proper space to store it. This device has other functions such as steaming and slow cooking. I have never used these functions as I have found the canning function alone to be worth its designated space in my kitchen.
- It can only process 5 pints or 4 quarts in one batch. This can be a positive or a negative. If you have a small amount of produce to process, it is helpful to avoid dragging out the larger, heavier canning equipment. If this is your only canning equipment and you have a large amount to preserve, it will take you a much longer time to complete the task.
- It cannot water bath any jars larger than pint-sized. Due to its size, you can pressure can up to a quart-sized jar but can only water bath can up to a pint-sized jar. This is due to the space needed above the jars to be fully submerged under water. The device simply isn't tall enough.
Personally, I think this is a great beginning canner if you are new to canning. The electronic components can help a newbie feel safer tackling this new skill. The electric pressure canner can also be a great addition to current canning regimens by providing another option when you are short on time or product. The electric pressure canner has become a great tool in my effort of preserving food in small batches and in short time periods.
If you are in the market for an electric pressure canner and feel that this one may work for you, please consider using my link as I will earn a small commission from your purchase.