How to Clean, Maintain, and Store Your All American 1930 Pressure Canner

Your All American 1930 pressure canner is an investment in safe, reliable home food preservation. With proper care, it is built to provide decades—even generations—of dependable service. To ensure your pressure canner performs at its best, it’s important to follow correct cleaning, maintenance, and storage practices after every use.

Below, we’ll walk through the recommended steps.

Cleaning Your Pressure Canner

1. Allow the Pressure Canner to Cool
   • After processing, let the pressure canner cool naturally. Never run cold water over it or force-cool the unit.
2. Wash the Pressure Canner Unit and Cover
   • Hand-wash the pressure canner unit and cover in hot, soapy water.
   • Never put the pressure canner in a dishwasher; harsh detergents can damage the finish.
   • Avoid abrasive cleaners or steel wool, which can scratch the precision-machined metal-to-metal sealing surfaces.
3. Thoroughly dry the pressure canner inside and out
4. Clean the Vent Pipe
   • Use a thin pipe cleaner or paper clip to ensure the vent pipe is clear of food particles or mineral buildup. This is a critical safety step.

Maintaining Your Pressure Canner

Altitude impacts more than just your pressure cooker. Here are other areas to watch.

1. Check the Steam Gauge
   • Be sure to inspect the entrance to the steam gauge is clear ahead of every use.
   • If the steam gauge doesn’t display the pressure of your set pressure regulator weight or properly return to 0 after a set cool down period, it may need to be replaced.
   • A good practice is to replace the steam gauge yearly.
2. Lubricate Metal-to-Metal Seal
   • Remove the cover and inspect for any damage on the seal surface of both the cover and the bottom of the unit.
   • Apply a thin layer of food-safe lubricant or olive oil (recommended) to the sealing surface of both the cover and the bottom of the unit.
   • With use, imperfections on the sealing surfaces can happen over time and may not affect performance. If your unit has visible cracks or is unable to build or maintain proper pressure, please contact customer support.
3. Inspect Overpressure Plug
   • Inspect before every use for cracks, wear, & debris accumulation.
   • Replace your existing overpressure plug with a new one if you see any of those conditions.
   • Never replace your overpressure plug with a used one.
   • We recommend yearly replacement even without visible signs of wear & tear.
4. Inspect the Pressure Regulator Weight & Vent Pipe
   • Ensure the vent pipe entrance is clean and unobstructed. Replace any parts that show wear, damage, or corrosion.
   • Inspect the vent pipe entrance by holding it up to the light. You should be able to see light penetrate through the vent pipe.
5. Inspect Remaining Components – Wing Nuts, Pins, & Bayonet Clamps
   • Inspect all other components such as the wing nuts, pins, and bayonet clamps for any wear & tear, bending, or cracking.
   • Although not common, we still recommend inspecting these components and replacing them when necessary.

Storing Your Pressure Canner

1. Store With the Cover Loose
   • Never tighten the wing nuts for storage. Instead, place the cover upside down on the bottom of the unit.
2. Choose a Clean, Dry Environment
   • Store your pressure canner in a dry location to avoid corrosion. Avoid damp basements or areas with fluctuating temperatures.

Long-Term Care for Generational Use

With proper cleaning, maintenance, and safe storage practices, your All American 1930 pressure canner will provide unmatched performance for years to come. Many families pass their canner from one generation to the next—a testament to the durability and craftsmanship of every unit we produce.

By taking just a few minutes before and after each use of your pressure canner, you are protecting your investment and ensuring continued safe, reliable home canning.

Thank you for reading!