Not all cans are created equal — and neither is what goes inside them. Whether you’re preserving dry goods for long-term storage or canning your latest craft brew, it’s important to choose the right can and sealer for the job, as this decision makes a big difference in quality, shelf life, and results.

The can and sealer you choose also play a key role in shaping your brand identity and product design, helping your product stand out with visual appeal and effective differentiation. Here’s a breakdown of what works best in each type of can and which sealers are built for the task.

Food & Dry Goods Cans

Best For: #1, #2, #2.5, #3, and #10 Cans

Open-top food cans — the kind you’d find on a grocery store shelf — are designed for sealing dry goods, wet foods, and anything in between. Here’s what seals especially well in each size:

#1 Cans (10 oz.) are great for a bit or smaller portion of dry goods like spices, herbs, coffee, tea, powdered drink mixes, or single-serve quantities of beans, rice, or oats. Their compact size also makes them popular for emergency preparedness kits where variety and portion control matter.

#2 Cans (16 oz.) are one of the most versatile food can sizes. They’re well-suited for fruits, vegetables, soups, sauces, chili, and stews, as well as dry goods like flour, sugar, salt, and pasta. When canning fruits or vegetables, it’s important to cut produce into uniform pieces—such as cubes or slices—to ensure optimal preservation and safety. They’re also a popular choice for sealing maple syrup — the 16 oz. size is a classic format for gifting and retail, and a properly sealed can keeps syrup fresh and shelf-stable for years. If you’re canning home-cooked meals, selling local maple syrup, or building a long-term food pantry, the #2 is a workhorse size.

#2.5 Cans (28 oz.) strike a balance between the #2 and the large #10, making them ideal for family-sized portions of fruits, tomatoes, pie fillings, and other wet goods. When preparing produce for canning in this size, be sure to cut items to the recommended size for best results. They’re also a popular choice for bulk dry goods like dried beans, lentils, and corn.

#3 Cans (32 oz.) work well for larger quantities of soups, stews, sauces, and vegetables. They’re a smart option when you want to store more than a standard can but don’t need the full volume of a #10. The 32 oz. size is also great for share-able portions or group servings.

#10 Cans (128 oz.) are the go-to for serious long-term food storage and bulk quantities. Common items include powdered milk, freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, oats, white rice, wheat berries, sugar, salt, and dehydrated meals. These cans are a staple in emergency preparedness and homesteading communities because of their large capacity and exceptional shelf life when properly sealed.

Sealers That Work Best for Food & Dry Goods:

The 225-2, EL122532, 1502, and 8010 are all designed with food and dry goods canning in mind. These sealers are engineered for efficiency, with high-performance capabilities that streamline the sealing process and boost productivity for small businesses and food service establishments. Each model is crafted with meticulous detail, ensuring precise and reliable sealing through innovative design features. The 225-2 and EL122532 default to the versatile #2 can, while the 1502 and 8010 are built around the large #10. All four models can be expanded to handle additional can sizes with the right chuck and adapter, and adapters or chucks are included with certain models to facilitate this versatility.

Beverage & Liquid Cans

Best For: 8 oz., 12 oz., 16 oz., 25.4 oz., and 32 oz. Beverage Cans

Aluminum beverage cans are a completely different category from open-top food cans. They’re designed for liquids and carbonated beverages, and require a seamer specifically built to handle the pressure and precision involved, featuring advanced sealing technology and visual design elements that enhance product appeal and shelf presence. Here’s what seals best in each beverage can size:

8 oz. Cans are perfect for single-serve beverages where a smaller pour is preferred — think energy drinks, cocktail mixers, sparkling water, or specialty sodas. They’ve grown in popularity as the craft beverage market has expanded.

12 oz. Cans (Slim or Regular) are the most common beverage can format in the world, and for good reason. They’re ideal for beer, hard cider, hard seltzer, cold brew coffee, kombucha, lemonade, iced tea, and just about any other drink you can think of. The slim 12 oz. variant is popular for lighter-style beverages and seltzers, while the regular (standard diameter) is the classic choice for beer and cider.

16 oz. Cans are a favorite in the craft beer world, particularly for IPAs, stouts, and other flavorful styles where drinkers want a larger pour. They’re also widely used for energy drinks, cold brew coffee, and mixed cocktails.

25.4 oz. Cans are a less common but growing format, often used for larger single-serve beers or specialty beverages that benefit from a tallboy-style presentation.

32 oz. Cans are great for sharing-format beverages or high-volume single servings — popular in craft brewing for crowler-style cans, which allow customers to take fresh draft beer home in a sealed can directly from the tap.

Sealers That Work Best for Beverages:

The ELS202A is purpose-built for smaller beverage cans, defaulting to 8 oz., 12 oz. (slim and regular), and 16 oz. formats — making it the ideal choice for craft breweries, cideries, kombucha producers, and cold brew coffee operations. The EL8000D is designed for larger format beverage cans, handling 25.4 oz. and 32 oz. cans right out of the box — a natural fit for crowler operations and breweries offering large-format to-go cans.

Quick Reference Guide

Below is a description and quick run down of can sizes, best contents, and compatible All American 1930 sealers. Use this table as a reference to find the right options for your needs. All chucks and adapters are sold separately.

Note: Sealers marked with an asterisk (*) require a chuck AND adapter purchase for compatibility.*

The Bottom Line

The biggest distinction to keep in mind is this: food and dry goods go in open-top steel cans, while beverages and liquids go in aluminum beverage cans. These two categories require different sealers entirely, so it’s important to match your machine to your intended use before you get started.

We offer a range of sealers and support for different needs, ensuring that consumers have access to the right equipment and guidance. Our commitment to consumers means prioritizing your safety and satisfaction at every step. We support consumers by providing guidance and resources for safe canning practices. We recommend contacting our team for personalized advice to ensure you select the best solution for your specific requirements. If you’re not sure which sealer is the right fit for what you’re canning, reach out to us — we’re happy to help you find the perfect match.

Thank you for reading!