The Presto 23-quart pressure canner is a popular choice for home canners, and for good reason. It’s a versatile canner that can be used for both pressure canning and water bath canning, and it has a large capacity that can hold up to 7 quart jars at a time.
But how many quart jars can you actually fit in a Presto 23-quart pressure canner? The answer depends on a few factors, including the size of the jars, whether you are stacking the jars, and whether you are using a rack.
Quart Jar Capacity
Here is a table showing the maximum number of quart jars that you can fit in a Presto 23-quart pressure canner, depending on the size of the jars and whether you are stacking them:
| Jar Size | Single Layer | Double Layer | Triple Layer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Mouth | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Wide Mouth | 7 | 14 | 21 |
As you can see, you can fit up to 7 quart jars in a single layer, 14 jars in a double layer, and 21 jars in a triple layer. However, it is important to note that stacking jars can be dangerous, and it is not recommended by the USDA. If you do choose to stack jars, be sure to use a rack and to follow all safety precautions.
Using a Rack
The Presto 23-quart pressure canner comes with one rack. The rack is designed to keep the jars off the bottom of the canner, which helps to prevent them from burning. It is also necessary to use the rack when stacking jars.
If you are using a rack, you will need to reduce the number of jars that you can fit in the canner. For example, if you are using a rack and you want to can 7 quart jars, you will only be able to fit 6 jars in a single layer.
Safety Precautions
When using a Presto 23-quart pressure canner, it is important to follow all safety precautions. Here are a few tips:
- Always use the correct amount of water in the canner.
- Never leave the canner unattended while it is in use.
- Be careful when opening the canner, as the steam can be very hot.
- Inspect the canner and the jars for any damage before each use.
The Presto 23-quart pressure canner is a great choice for home canners who want to can a large number of jars at a time. However, it is important to be aware of the maximum number of jars that you can fit in the canner, and to follow all safety precautions.
Presto’s three models of pressure canners
As of 2020, Presto was manufacturing three different models of pressure canners: two 23 US quart (litre) models and a 16 US quart (litre) model.
All are dial-gauge , and both are made of aluminum. The only differences between the three are the shapes of the bottoms, stove surface contact area, lids, handles, gauges, weights, and diameters.
Presto has certified each as safe to use with glass top stoves.
The three vary in price only slightly, from about $10 to $20 depending on where you purchase it, suggesting that the lid and accessories are more valuable than the basic “chassis” of the pot itself.
For the jars to fit in the pot correctly, each one needs to have its bottom rack in place. Jar bottoms must also be kept safely away from heat sources. ).
Triple-decking in the 23-quart Presto
Unofficially, users report that they occasionally triple stack for pressure canning in the following configurations for the 23-quart pot if you have three stacking racks (the required one for the pot’s bottom and two for the layers):
- 24 jars total, made up of 3 layers of the flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars per layer);
- One layer of regular-mouth jelly jars with a capacity of 250 ml tall and one layer of flat, wide-mouth 250 ml salmon jars (16 jars total) 29 jars in total;.
- Two layers of flat, wide-mouth, 250 ml salmon jars (8 jars) and two layers of tall, regular-mouth, 250 ml jelly jars (26 jars) 34 jars in total.
It should be noted that although the USDA has tested double-decking for pressure canning and water bathing, triple decking has not been tested. The apparent issue is mechanical rather than thermal distribution: would a third layer place too much weight on the bottom layer, pressing the canning rings down and obstructing appropriate processing venting, [thus preventing a vacuum seal]? Having a layer of jars that didn’t seal would be at least a little annoying.
To make a decision about triple decking, the National Center would need to conduct a research-based study or collaborate with a respectable private sector partner like Ball, Bernardin, or Presto.
Those who are doing it ad hoc should make sure they are spreading the weight evenly by staggering the jars as much as possible until that time.
How to use a Presto 23-quart pressure canner
FAQ
How many quart jars can a 23 quart pressure canner hold?
Can you double stack quart jars in a 23 quart pressure canner?
How many quart jars fit in a 22 quart pressure canner?
How many jars does the Presto digital canner hold?
How many pints can a presto pressure canner process?
A 16-quart capacity Presto pressure canner will process 10 pint jars or 7 quart jars. A 22- or 23-quart capacity canner will process 20 pints or 7 quart jars. This one is tall and will allow you to stack your pints. Dial Gauge or Weighted Gauge Pressure Canner? The Presto pressure canner out of the box is designed to be used as a dial gauge canner.
How many jars can a presto pressure canner hold?
You can also stack pint-sized and smaller jars when pressure canning, churning through up to 7 quart-sized jars, 20 pint-sized jars, and 16 half-pints in one batch. The canner comes with one rack that needs to stay between its base and the jars. Presto recommends double decking by staggering the upper layer of jars on the lower ones.
Are presto pressure canners any good?
The Prestos are quick and plenty durable. Our local hardware store carries parts, but we’ve only replaced the seal gasket, rubber safety plug, and gauge grommet. The canners still look great and if we ever had to buy again, we would absolutely buy the same ones again.” 16-Quart Presto Pressure Canner – holds up to 10 pint jars or 7 quart jars.
What is the difference between a 23 quart and a quart Canner?
The big difference is height: The 23-quart canner stands taller than its smaller quart sibling, letting you process quarts under pressure and in a boiling water bath. You can also stack pint-sized and smaller jars when pressure canning, churning through up to 7 quart-sized jars, 20 pint-sized jars, and 16 half-pints in one batch.