FAQs

Yes, if you are unfamiliar with our pressure cooker, or have never canned before, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with a trial run before processing any canned goods.

Most glass top stoves are considered safe to use with our models 910, 915, 921, and 925. Please check with your stove top manufacturer to be sure. The models 930 and 941 are too heavy and could cause damage to your glass top. DO NOT slide the pressure canner over a glass range surface as it could scratch and damage it.

Please know that this will happen from time to time with a brand-new pressure cooker. This situation does improve with use. Following are some suggestions to remedy the problem:

1. Apply a thin film of lubricant (extra virgin olive oil or Vaseline) to the metal-to-metal seal (to the edge inside the cooker where the inside wall begins to bevel out). You only need enough lubricant to wet the edge, but not enough to see it.

2. Also lubricate the threads of the No. 64 Wing Nuts and the metal face around the threads of the wing nuts.

3. Tighten two opposite wing nuts at a time; making sure that there is an even gap all the way around. If you have a problem maintaining the gap, while wing nuts are snug, tighten as follows: If one side is too low, loosen the low side and then tighten the high side directly opposite until it is even, and then tighten both at the same time. Continue to do this with all opposite wing nuts, and then go around one more time to tighten the cover down securely. Do not be afraid to tighten the cover well and tight.

4. Check the lubrication between canning batches.

5. You may also clean the metal-to-metal seal. After wiping the old lubricant off with a soft cloth, use .0000 steel wool, a red 3M Scotch Brite Pad, or an SOS Pad to buff in a circular motion where the cover and bottom meet. Wipe down the sealing surface again using a soft cloth and be sure to lubricate the metal-to-metal seal after cleaning.

6. If your cover is stuck, there are directions in the instruction manual for removing a stuck cover: Using a large standard screwdriver, pry the cover loose by placing the end of the screwdriver at an angle between the cover and bottom near a wing nut assembly. Do not go straight in with the screwdriver or you will damage the metal-to-metal seal. Gently pry upward using the screwdriver as a lever. Continue to pry upward at each wing nut assembly area uniformly so that the cover is raised evenly. In most cases, the cover should come off rather quickly.

Both cookers/canners hold the same number of jars; the only advantage is when cooking, Model 925 holds 3-1/2 quarts more in liquid capacity.

Some home economists at local county extension agencies still test steam gauges. We do not test gauges as it is more expensive to ship a gauge to us, pay the labor to have it tested, and pay the return shipping charges than to purchase a new steam gauge.

No, the pressure regulator weight is actually more accurate than the steam gauge. Many pressure cookers with pressure regulator weights do not have steam gauges. Our gauge is accurate +/- 2 lbs, and is used only as a reference, and to determine when the cover can be safely removed, which is when the steam gauge returns to zero.

You can try putting WD40 or penetrating oil on the threads and letting it set overnight; you should then be able to remove the part easily.

This is most likely due to mineral deposits in your water and may be permanent but not harmful. You can try cleaning with a boiling solution of one tablespoonful of vinegar or two tablespoons of cream of tartar in a quart of water, or by scrubbing with aluminum cleaner or soap-impregnated steel-wool cleaning pad.

Check with cooking/recipe books in your possession or at your local library, call Altrista (parent company of Ball and Kerr jars) at: US: 800-240-3340, Canada: 888-430-4231, or visit their website: www.homecanning.com

Steam may be releasing/escaping from underneath the weight and not jiggling, however, you are most likely at the proper pressure. You may try tapping the weight gently with a knife.

Most likely your heat setting is too high. Lower your heat setting so the weight releases approximately four times per minute.