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Discover how to simplify canning while preserving the timeless joy of homemade goodness. This detailed product review of the Presto Electric Canner answers the questions of how-to keep old traditions alive in a busy modern world.

It seems like food preservation has always been a part of my life. As a kid I remember helping with the summer harvest and then the prepping process… cleaning, snapping, cutting. All of it! It wasn’t my favorite thing to do on hot summer days, but it was always just a part of what we did.

We lived in an old farmhouse, and canning days meant the kitchen was hot and sticky with no air conditioning. For a few summers, an old swamp cooler in the window helped take the edge off, but let’s be honest—it was never truly enjoyable.

Keeping Traditions Alive in a Modern World

The Old Ways

In earlier times, a woman’s daily life revolved around managing the household, raising children, and preparing for the changing seasons. These responsibilities often included sewing clothes, tending to the garden, preserving food, and ensuring the family was well-equipped for the year ahead.

While I don’t sew, I do enjoy the process of growing my own food and the rewarding sight of fully stocked shelves filled with the harvest. There’s something satisfying about knowing exactly how everything was grown and what went into each recipe—and that I produced it.

There’s also a unique sense of pride in mastering a skill that few people have ever tried or really understand the history of. In a world where convenience reigns supreme, preserving food the old-fashioned way feels like holding onto a slice of history—an invaluable tradition that connects me to past generations.

However, even with modern conveniences like air conditioning, canning is still not my favorite pastime. It’s not that I don’t love the process—it’s that it consumes the better part of an entire day.

 Still, it’s a tradition I value deeply, and it’s a goal for our family… ok probably more my goal than theirs, to produce as much of our “staple foods” as possible. From jars of salsa, pickles, jams, jellies, green beans and tomatoes to cured and stored onions, carrots, and potatoes. I even aim to can “heat and eat” meals like stews, soups, and meats for those busy nights when cooking from scratch isn’t an option.

The New Challenge

If I could spend my summer days meandering through my garden and puttering around the kitchen while my green beans process in a pressure canner, with my kids happily frolicking in the yard, like the women of “old ways”, I’d choose that every day. I might even be tempted to hang clothes on a line or learning to sew—maybe.

But instead, the reality of my summers includes, managing the daily household chores, pulling hoses in the garden, harvesting produce before the birds get to it, and refereeing arguments. While also, running a business from home, overseeing the details of a small farm, planning a new homeschool year. Oh, and let’s not forget we also have to squeeze in some camping trips and animal shows.

With the busyness of the last two summers, it became VERY clear that my normal production of canned foods was not keeping pace with prior years. This meant that we had to reevaluate our canning goals and come up with a solution or adjust our expectations for what is possible in this season of life.

It’s no longer about clinging to traditions exactly as they were; it’s about finding ways to adapt them to modern life. The heart of these traditions—sustainability, creativity, and pride—remains, even if the pace of life has changed.

The Modern Solution

Presto Electric Canner Product Review

Enter the 12 Qt Presto Electric Pressure Canner for easy food preservation. Now that I’ve had this electric pressure canner for almost a full year, I’ve had ample opportunities to test its worth.

Key Features

✅ Automatic Pressure Control – No need to manually adjust for altitude; the built-in sensor does it for you. ✅ Dual Functionality – Works as both a pressure canner for low-acid foods and a boiling water canner for jams, jellies, and pickles. ✅ Preheating & Temperature Control – Keeps jars at the perfect temperature until you’re ready to process. ✅ Hands-Free Operation – Set it and forget it! The digital display guides you through each step. ✅ Easy to Clean – The removable pot makes cleanup a breeze.

How It Simplifies Canning

Imagine prepping your garden harvest, loading up the canner, pressing a few buttons, and walking away… Thats it!

No more hovering over a hot stovetop, adjusting heat levels, or worrying about pressure fluctuations. Instead, you get consistent results with minimal effort.

No more lost hours waiting in the kitchen while the rest of your responsibilities get neglected.

How It Compares in Production: Stove Top VS Electric

Does It Make Financial Sense

When making a significant purchase, we always have to ask ourselves an important question: Is this a genuine need or simply a desire for something new and flashy? For some, this particular item might be relatively inexpensive, but for us, every investment requires careful thought.

Given the sheer volume of canning I do, this isn’t just a hobby—it’s a way of life. In terms of meeting production goals, it was unquestionably a “need.”

But did the cost make sense? Absolutely! When I calculated the expense of purchasing all of those staple items I previously mentioned, the investment had about a two-year payback period… and that’s without taking inflation into account.

Final Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you’re looking to simplify your food preservation, the Presto 12 Qt Electric Pressure Canner is a solid investment—whether you’re new to preserving and want a “less scary” way of pressure canning or a busy homemakers/homesteader who wants to increase your canned goods production, this is the perfect option for you.

That said, I’ll never part with my stovetop canners. Canning is a skill, and I don’t ever want to find myself in a position where I’ve lost that skill or am dependent on electricity when I have a freezer full of meat quickly defrosting due to a power outage.

At the end of the day, both electric and stovetop canners are just tools. The key is to assess your goals and choose what best supports them. For us, maintaining a stocked pantry is the priority, and achieving that wouldn’t be possible without a little help. This electric pressure canner has proven to be an invaluable part of that process.

Overall Analysis

PRO

• Presto is trusted Brand
• Simple to learn & use
• Set it and forget it
• Multiple loads in one day
• No more hot stoves heating the kitchen on hot summer days

CONS

• More expensive than a traditional stovetop pressure canner
• Requires electricity
• More expensive to repair if something breaks on it
• While Presto claims it meets USDA standards and it has gone through rigorous testing for safety, official verification from the USDA is still pending– so this is something you will have to decide if it is right for your family

How about you?

Have you ever preserved your own food?

What are some of your favorite things to can?

Would a Presto 12 Qt Electric Pressure Canner simplify your canning goals? If so, you can find yours HERE?

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Pressure Canner – Presto 02144 12-Quart Digital Pressure Canner

Presto 01781 Pressure Canner and Cooker, 23 qt, 

FORJARS – Canning Lids

Azure Standard Canning Jars, Quart, Wide Mouth

Decorative Half Gallon Jars – Mason Jars 64 Oz Wide Mouth with Lids 3 Pack

Cabbage Sauerkraut Pounder – Brewing America Acacia Wood Vegetable Fermentation Tamper

Dissolvable Food Labels 

Collapsible Kitchen Canning Funnel

Mason Jar Fermentation Kit 

Outdoor Canning Stove – Camp Chef EX60LW Explorer 2 Burner Outdoor Camping Stove