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pressure canner preference - weighted gauge or dial gauge?

 
author & steward
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I'm looking into buying a new pressure canner. I've always used the weighted gauge type, but am wondering if there's a benefit with a dial gauge. Does anyone have a preference? The weighted gauge depends on the interpretation of "rocking gently," but it's really easy to use and I can be in the next room and know by the sound that it's at the pressure I want. A dial gauge seems like it would be more accurate, but fussier to adjust. Also, I wonder if the dial readings can gradually become inaccurate over the years.

I'm interested in everyone's experience and opinion here. Weighted gauge or dial gauge and why?
 
pollinator
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Personally, I prefer the weight gauge.  I always feel that the dial gauge could go wrong and I would not know anything about it for ages.  I don't mind the noisy "fluttering".  As you said, I can hear it from another room, which, with my ageing memory is not such a bad thing!
 
pollinator
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I too prefere the weighted gauge, mostly because less mechanical (or eletronic in other case) in any tool signify for me less chance of breaking so longer life for my tools.
 
steward
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I like both and another option.  My county extension will check the gauges for you so you can be sure they're accurate.  I like both so I can watch the pressure rise and once it starts jiggling, I'm good to go.  And when it's cooling down I know how close to 0 it's getting.

The thing they need to invent is an 11 psi jiggler.  At my elevation you need to can at 11psi, not 10.  The standard jiggler is 15 (I think).  I got an adjustable kit that does 5, 10 and 15.  I need to add a fender washer or something to make an 11-12 psi one...
 
steward
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I may be wrong though I feel that the better quality and more expensive pressure canners use the steam gauge method.

We bought the All American Pressure Canner and have been very happy.

Another benefit is not having to replace the rubber gasket:

The All American Pressure Canner is the only pressure canner that forms a metal to metal seal eliminating the need for lid gasket replacement.



https://www.allamericancanner.com/
 
pioneer
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I'm about to buy an All American Pressure Canner to get into it for the first time. Ordering about 30lbs of cucumbers and getting to it! Never been much of a canner but I really think I'm missing out.
 
I agree. Here's the link: http://stoves2.com
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