Product Description

Heavy Cast Aluminum Pressure Cooker/Canner

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #990 in Kitchen & Housewares
• Brand: All American
• Model: 921
• Released on: 2008-05-22
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 17.00" h x 15.00" w x 16.00" l, 20.00 pounds

Features

• 21-1/2-quart pressure cooker/canner holds 19 pint jars or 7 quart jars
• Made of durable, hand-cast aluminum with attractive satin finish
• Exclusive "metal-to-metal" sealing system for a steam-tight seal; no gaskets
• Geared steam gauge, automatic overpressure release; settings of 5 psi, 10 psi, and 15 psi
• 15-3/8 inches high with 12-1/4-inch inside diameter; made in USA

Amazon.com Review
This heavy-duty pressure cooker's large capacity is probably best utilized for canning (though it would also be great for a number of cooking tasks). A pressure cooker is generally recommended when canning vegetables and nonacid fruit, since the high heat that can be generated will kill more bacteria than a regular hot water bath. Made from cast aluminum, with sturdy screws to seal the lid to the pot, this pressure cooker requires no rubber or plastic gaskets or rings. Its 21-1/2-quart capacity holds 19 pint jars or 7 quart jars. A three-setting pressure regulator valve is included, and the pressure gauge gives a clear reading. Made in Wisconsin, this is an American classic. --Julija Gelazis

Amazon.com Product Description
The high heat generated by a pressure cooker can kill more bacteria than a regular hot water bath, making this pressure cooker the ideal tool for canning vegetables and non-acid fruit. All-American's 21-1/2-quart pressure cooker/canner holds up to 19 pint jars or seven quart jars, and includes two canning racks. Only All-American pressure cookers/canners feature an exclusive, precision-machined "metal-to-metal" sealing system. Clamping locks align the cover to the base, forming a steam-tight seal. This means no gaskets to crack, burn, replace, and clean. At the same time, the metal-to-metal seal permits venting under unusual pressure conditions, making the seal safer than conventional rubber or composition gasket cookers.

Crafted of the finest hand-cast aluminum, this durable cooker/canner features a stay-cool Bakelite top handle, geared steam gauge, automatic overpressure release, and pressure regulator weight with settings of 5 psi, 10 psi, and 15 psi. The attractive satin finish is smooth and easy to clean. Double thick edges provide added protection on points of heaviest wear. The total measurements are 15-3/8 inches high with a 12-1/4-inch inside diameter. All-American pressure cookers are made in the USA. This cooker/canner is not suitable for glass or flat top ranges.

Customer Reviews

Great pressure canner
This is a very high quality, heavy weight canner. It practically screams, "Industrial strength!" The slide clips and screw-downs securely fasten the lid to the pot. No blow-outs with this baby. The weighted pressure gauge makes operation almost foolproof. And no gasket required! Before purchasing a canner, I did a lot of reading in the rec.food.preserving news group. I saw endless inquiries about sources for gaskets for canners ranging from a few years old to many decades old. It was clear some of these people had spent many, many hours in search of a gasket. Avoiding the need for a gasket became a major criteria for my purchase.

I've had my canner for a couple years and am still impressed with the quality. There are only two negatives I can think of. The heavy weight of the canner is a plus for strength and longevity, but it can work against you. The canner weighs 20 pounds when it's empty. Unless you work out regluarly, you're not going to fill the canner on the counter and then carry it to the stove. The other potential negative is the height. This canner requires at least a 16 inch clearance over your range. If your range has an upper oven the canner might not fit.

Excellent pressure Canner, pretty good pressure cooker
I've had my Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry All American pressure canner for a couple of years, and I'm still very happy with the purchase. I can use it to make a humongous batch of chicken stock, then turn around and can that very batch... I agree with the comments made by the first two reviewers concerning its weight, size, etc. This will outlast you and your kids. Very well made, and the company has a full line of replacement parts should they ever be needed.

I give this five stars as a canner, and three as a cooker. The only reason I downrate it slightly as a cooker is that it is so big and unwieldy. If you regularly have to cook huge batches of food, though, this may be just what you need. If you don't ordinarily cook up enough to feed an army, you might be happier with a smaller (say, 6 to 8 quart) pressure cooker (I love my Kuhn Rikon 6 quart stockpot). Also: if you are planning to can a LOT of stuff, you might consider getting the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry model 930--it can handle 14 quart jars at a time, whereas this one can only handle 7 quart jars.

All in all, a very well made item. Get this and a copy of Lorna Sass's "Cooking Under Pressure", a copy of the Ball Blue Book, and go conquer the (canning) world.

If you are considering buying any other canner.........
send me the money and I'll throw it away for you. I received my Grandmother's when she passed away and have more that pleased with it. I can't add anything the other reviews other that mine is over 30 year old it is in perfect shape. I've been told that my Grandmother sent 1000's of cans through this in her day and I intend to do the same. The company's web site is very good if you need replacement parts but I doubt you'll ever need them. I had my local Ag extension agent test my gauge (the original) and it is still accurate enough for canning. This is the only part that should ever really need replacing since it does not have a seal. I am fortunate enough to have the old school Instruction and Recipes book (list price ¢60) that has canning recipes that I have not been able to find anywhere else. Buy this and pass it on to your grandchildren!!!