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Newbies and experienced canners alike will appreciate the convenience of the Presto electric pressure canner.
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Whether you’re just dipping your toes into the homesteading craze or you’ve been canning your own food for years, the Presto electric pressure canner will have your shelves stocked in no time. This kitchen appliance is designed to safely processes low-acid foods. We tested it to see if it delivers on its promises.
Before you go ahead and add this pressure canner to your cart, Canning Diva Diane Devereaux advises taking your needs into account. “Look for a pressure canner size and cost that fit both your lifestyle and your budget. Capacity is the key factor,” she says. “A smaller 15-quart model or an electric canner might suit someone preserving four quart jars at a time, while a larger 23-quart stovetop model is great for high yield preserving, often giving the home canner the ability to double stack the jars inside the canner.”
The Presto electric pressure canner is available in 12- and 17-quart capacities and is perfect for small batch canning. Once you decide which size is right for you, make sure to also add these canning supplies to your cart so you can get started right away.
What is an Electric Pressure Canner?
Diane explains that a pressure canner is a home appliance designed for preserving food in jars. “It does this by trapping steam, which creates pressure (PSI) so the contents are heated beyond boiling,” she says. “Reaching temperatures upwards of 250 degrees Fahrenheit makes it possible to safely preserve food in jars for long-term, shelf-stable sustenance.”
Additionally, the National Center for Home Food Preservation explains how the canning process destroys harmful microorganisms and inactivates enzymes that could cause food to spoil. During the process, air is driven from the jar or can during heating and, as it cools, a vacuum seal is formed. This vacuum seal prevents air from getting back into the product bringing with it microorganisms to recontaminate the food.
How We Tested It
This summer, staff writer and professional chef Lindsay Mattison replaced her stovetop canner with the 12-quart Presto electric pressure canner and documented her experience. “I originally got this for pressure canning only. My previous Presto pressure canner is aluminum and doesn’t work on my new induction stove,” she explains. “As soon as I tried the electric pressure canner, I stopped using the stovetop for water bath canning, too. It really takes the guesswork out of canning and makes me want to do more of it!”
The Presto electric pressure canner arrived in a large, sturdy box. Along with the pressure canner base and removable nonstick pot, Lindsay found a regulator, sealing ring, lid, canning rack, cord, user manual and quick-start guide, which she found especially helpful. “The quick-start guide is really handy,” raves Lindsay. “I like that it’s laminated so I can keep it by the canner while I’m working. It has the pressure canning method on one side and the water bath method on the other.”
In addition to the straightforward user manual and laminated quick-start guide, Lindsay was delighted to find that the appliance itself walked her through the canning process. “I love that you set the program when you turn the unit on, and it walks you through the canning process,” she raves. “No more setting timers or needing to adjust the stovetop setting to maintain the right pressure. It’s fully set-it-and-forget-it.”
Once she finished setting up her Presto electric pressure canner, Lindsay was ready to pressure can tomatoes and okra, and water bath can okra pickles. Overall, she found that using an electric pressure canner was very similar to pressure canning with a traditional stovetop. “It’s very similar, except I don’t have to manage the heat level of the stove or pay attention to time, temperature or PSI during the canning process,” she explains. “Now it’s all automated.”
When evaluating the electric pressure canner’s noise level during the canning process, Lindsay likened it an Instant Pot. “There was some beeping during certain parts of the programming, which I appreciate is loud enough to alert me that it’s time to move on to the next step,” she explains. “During water bath canning and while the water is heating up for pressure canning, the sound of air escaping the vent is similar to venting the Instant Pot during release.”
While we love an appliance that boasts quiet and easy operation, we are crazy about appliances that are easy to clean. The Presto electric pressure canner makes cleanup a breeze thanks to the removable pot that can be cleaned in the sink and the dishwasher safe canning rack.
The only thing you’ll want to consider before buying this electric canner is its large size. “You’ll want to make sure you have a cabinet with a tall enough shelf, or some kind of dedicated storage,” advises Lindsay. “I keep it on the counter during
canning season, and yes, it takes up the whole counter space.” And when she doesn’t have any canning projects lined up, Lindsay stores the canner in her garage.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Feels safer than other stovetop pressure cookers
- Frees up stovetop space
- Hands-off operation
- Holds temperature without intervention
- Removable inner pot for easy cleaning
Cons
- Large profile takes up counter space
- Has to be plugged in
- 12-quart model can’t water bath quart-size cans
Product Comparison: Presto vs. Nesco
The Presto electric pressure canner functions as both a pressure canner and boiling water canner. Our tester found it was easy to use and performed well overall during her testing. She found the digital interface that walked her through the canning process especially helpful and felt safe while using it. It’s available in 12- and 17-quart sizes and retails for $387 and $451, respectively.
The Nesco Smart Canner and Cooker, on the other hand, is designed for pressure canning, pressure cooking, steam cooking and slow cooking. Like the Presto, it features a removable inner pot, canning rack and locking lid. It also includes a steam rack and removable condensation catcher. Though versatile, the Nesco is noticeably smaller at 9.5-quarts. It retails for $170.
Final Verdict
Lindsay describes the Presto electric pressure canner as well-made and user-friendly. She adds that it’s ideal for people interested in pressure canning but scared of the stovetop method or experienced canners interested in making the process a little easier.
Where to Buy the Presto Electric Pressure Canner
The Presto electric pressure canner retails for $387 and is available at several major retailers including Walmart, Wayfair, Target and Amazon.
FAQ
How do you use an electric pressure canner?
“Electric, or digital, pressure canners are used in the same way as stovetop models—to preserve food in jars,” Diane explains. “With their built-in technology, they provide home canners with convenience through precise temperature control. This means less monitoring and more freedom in the kitchen to tackle other tasks, like cleaning up after your latest culinary creation or starting your next canning recipe.”
Is the Presto electric pressure canner safe?
The Presto electric pressure canner boasts 10 built-in safety features including a cover locking system and an alert symbol that indicates an incomplete canning process. It also has a sensor which holds the exact temperature required for safe canning and a built-in timer. “It feels safer than using stovetop pressure cookers,” says Lindsay.
Is the Presto electric pressure canner USDA approved?
It’s worth pointing out that while the USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation provide guidelines for home canning, neither agency certifies or approves home canning equipment. So while this electric pressure canner is not officially USDA approved, it is the first electric pressure canner to meet USDA home canning guidelines for safely processing meats, poultry, fish, vegetables, and other low acid foods.
Why You Should Trust Us
At Taste of Home, we’re big fans of homemade goodies. We especially love canning and have a long list of timeless canning recipes to keep our shelves stocked for, well, forever. For this review, we had one of our trusted staff writers and professional chef, Lindsay Mattison, test the Presto electric pressure canner in her own home. She has been testing housewares for close to a decade, making her the ideal candidate to assess this appliance.
We also spoke to Diane Devereaux, an internationally recognized food preservation expert with over 30 years of experience in home canning and food preservation. She has authored six cookbooks, hosts a popular podcast called Canning with The Diva! You can learn more about Diane and find a plethora of canning recipes on her website.
I have been writing in the e-commerce space for 10 years and joined Taste of Home in 2025. During my tenure as a writer, I have personally tested hundreds of products over the years, all across lifestyle and home categories.
