All-American Pressure Canner. We have had one for quite a few years and have used it a lot. Having recently canned again (65 quarts of garden carrots), it’s a good time to talk about this particular pressure canner once again.
- Model specifications
- Features that I like best
(jump down the page to model choices)
And before you panic at the price tag for this top-quality pressure canner, remember the following. You get what you pay for. This one will last ‘forever’.
There are certain things that I’m willing to pay for the best. Such as the things that I plan on using for the rest of my life. Buying it once, and done.
While I do have the Presto pressure canner (my first), and it still functions as expected, not long afterward I also purchased the All-American Pressure Canner.
WOW, what a difference! The ruggedness, design, and manufacturing of the All-American Pressure Canner are blatantly obvious. Here it is on my stovetop (Model 930)…
However, regarding the Presto, don’t get me wrong, we have processed many jars in our Presto canner! The following Presto model is the best-selling canner of its price range on the market. Very popular.
Presto 23 Quart
(view on amzn)
With that said, our All-American model 930 sure is wonderful… (more on the various models below, the differences between them, and which one is most popular).
Here’s a picture of our All-American Pressure Canner 930 filled with two stacked pint jar layers of chicken (link below on how we pressure can chicken).
All-American Pressure Canner Is Considered The Best
Best is always a subjective word. HOWEVER, in this case, I would bet that everyone would likely agree that this one is the best pressure canner. Here are some of the features that I especially like about it:
You can tell just by looking at the picture. This canner is made of extra heavy-duty cast aluminum construction. It is thick.
The first thing I noticed when I received mine was its weight. While not unmanageable, the thickness of the walls and cover is substantial. Makes me feel a bit better (safer) while under pressure!
Note: Due to its weight, this pressure canner is not recommended for glass stove tops, which may break.
Tip: Due to the fully loaded weight, I load it up while it’s already sitting on the stovetop. That way I don’t have to move it!
Cover Clamps (Wingnuts)
The All-American Pressure Canner has a particularly unique and obvious feature. That is, clamping locks for the cover which ‘screw down’ in a clamping action to hold the cover closed and sealed to the base.
Metal-to-Metal Seal. No Gasket.
A unique metal-to-metal seal is formed between the cover rim and the pot itself due to its precision machining. Therefore there will never be a failing gasket to worry about. It seemed odd during my first use without a gasket, but it works perfectly!
How to put the cover on… First, loosen and flip all the little clamps (wingnuts) over so they’re hanging down. Then set the cover on the canner. Line up the arrows. You can see the arrows in the lid photo below. You can also see (just to the left of the arrows) a little safety bracket that tucks under the clamp assembly. So you set the cover down and twist it slightly. Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it.
It takes a little getting used to, but, when you set the cover on the canner – try to set the rim so it’s level. Then flip up the clamps in opposite pairs. Slowly tighten the pair to just snug. Then do another set of opposite pairs. When they’re all clamped, further snug the wingnuts securely.
Steam Gauge AND Weighted Pressure Regulator
I really like the fact that it has both a readable gauge AND weighted regulator (5, 10, 15psi).
2 Vents for Safety
For extra safety, there is an over-pressure plug vent along with the normal vent. I like that…
Made in the USA
The All-American Pressure Canner is made in the USA, manufactured by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry since the 1930s.
(about Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry)
All-American Pressure Canner models
The following All-American Pressure Canner model sizes correspond to the number of liquid quarts it will hold, which obviously affects how many pint or quart-size jars will fit inside:
*The following jar capacity numbers have been confirmed by the manufacturer. I have the model 930 and my canning experience verifies their numbers.
RM = Regular Mouth
WM = Wide Mouth
I may earn revenue from products on this page and participate in affiliate programs at no extra cost to you (Learn More).
(linked to the All-American storefront on amzn)
Model 910 10 qt (7 RM pints or 5 WM pints or 4 RM/WM quarts)
Model 915 15 qt (10 RM pints or 8 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 921 21 qt (18 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 925 25 qt (19 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 7 RM/WM quarts)
Model 930 30 qt (19 RM pints or 16 WM pints or 14 RM/WM quarts)
Model 941 41 qt (30 RM pints or 25 WM pints or 20 RM/WM quarts)
All-American Dimensions and Weight
Exterior dimensions. Bottom diameter. Height to the top of the handle. Note that overall weight is a minimum guideline and will be significantly heavier when filled with jars and water. I would not use it on a glass stovetop (check your stove specification).
(Confirmed with manufacturer data)
Model 910 (Diameter 10 1/4?, Height 10 1/4?) (12 lbs)
Model 915 (Diameter 12 1/4?, Height 12 1/4?) (15 lbs)
Model 921 (Diameter 12 1/4?, Height 15 3/8?) (18 lbs)
Model 925 (Diameter 12 1/4?, Height 16 3/4?) (18 lbs)
Model 930 (Diameter 12 1/4?, Height 19?) (21 lbs)
Model 941 (Diameter 15 1/4?, Height 19?) (33 lbs)
Most Popular All-American Pressure Canner Model
The most popular models are the All-American Pressure Canner 915, followed by the 921 and 930. We have the 930. It’s rather large (and heavy – especially when full!) but it can do a lot in one batch.
921 vs 925?
Here’s a question for you about the All-American pressure canner 921 vs 925… They are nearly identical. I know that the 925 holds 3.5 more quarts of liquid capacity for cooking. The manufacturer specs say the 925 holds one more RM pint than the 921 (19 vs 18). Does anyone own one of these models? I see conflicting data on search results and I’m sticking to what the manufacturer says… Email me if you can confirm this.
All-American vs Presto?
So, what’s the difference between All-American versus the popular Presto pressure canner (which I also own)? Well, yes, the price tag. However, there are stark differences in other aspects. Ruggedness. The various size selections. I also feel much ‘safer’ canning with the All-American. It’s quite obvious which one is going to outlast the other – by quite a margin! The All-American is a multi-generational product. I would say for the casual canner, the Presto is just fine. It worked well for us in the beginning. Though now we mostly use the All-American.
[ Read:
