Canning can be a fun, safe and economical way to preserve food at home. Canning favorite products to be enjoyed by family and friends can be a pleasant experience and a source of pride and joy for many families and consumers.
Call to Action
Testing your pressure canner gauge regularly is important to ensure proper results.
- Your pressure canner may have a dial gauge for indicating the pressure and regulating the pressure.
- Dial gauges should be checked for accuracy before use each year, since older gauges may weaken and become inaccurate.
Gauges that read high (it says it has more pressure than it really does) cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings (it has more pressure than it really does) cause over-processing, and soft, mushy food. Pressure adjustments can be made if the gauge reads incorrectly. Gauges may need to be replaced when readings differ by more than 2 pounds.
- Handle canner lid gaskets carefully and clean them according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- Nicked or dried gaskets will allow steam leaks during the pressurization of canners. Keep gaskets clean between uses.
Pressure does not destroy microorganisms, but high temperatures applied for an adequate period of time do kill microorganisms. Adding pressure increases the temperature, which kills bacteria much faster. Clostridium botulinum bacteria are the main reason low-acid foods must be pressure canned to be considered safe. https://nchfp.uga.edu/papers/guide/GUIDE01_HomeCan_rev0715.pdf Home canned foods are responsible for over 90% of all cases of foodborne botulism. Botulism: take care when canning low-acid foods | UMN Extension Low readings cause over-processing. https://nchfp.uga.edu/blog/umm…what-exactly-is-botulism-part-ii#gsc.tab=0
How can I get my gauge tested?
Broward County’s UF/IFAS Extension Office in Davie has a pressure gauge tester and can test most pressure gauges for accuracy.
Call today for an appointment with UF/IFAS Extension, Broward County Family and Consumer Sciences. For more information, contact Broward County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences at 954-756-8550 or 954-756-8519.
Learn more.
UGA National Center for Home Food Preservation: Using Pressure Canners – https://nchfp.uga.edu/papers/factsheets/Preserving_Food__Using_Pressure_Canners.pdf
UGA National Center for Home Food Preservation: Resources – https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/general/example_processing_charts.html#gsc.tab=0
National Presto Industries – Service Department, 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703. Attention: gauge testing. For more information, phone Presto Customer Service: 1-800-877-0441 or contact@gopresto.com
UF/IFAS Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences, Broward County – Engaging in Food Safety Behaviors Does Matter – https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/browardco/2022/02/08/engaging-in-food-safety-behaviors-does-matter/
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