Used Pressure Canners: Deal or No Deal?
Spring has arrived in Maine and suddenly it’s yard sale and garage sale season.
If you are in the market for a pressure canner for your upcoming low-acid canning projects and you spot a used canner, here are several things to consider for safety’s sake.
Modern canners will include multiple safety features:
- Air vent/cover lock: A visible indicator (metal pin) that rises when pressure builds and locks the lid.
- Vent pipe: The primary outlet that regulates pressure.
- Overpressure plug: A backup safety feature designed to release pressure if it builds too high.
- Pressure relief valve: An additional safeguard against overpressure situations.
Fun Fact: A major turning point in pressure canner safety came in 1979, when UL 136 standards began requiring household pressure canners and cookers to include locking mechanisms. Models manufactured from 1979 onward are designed so that the lid locks into place when pressure is present, preventing it from being opened accidentally.
Over the years I’ve been asked to give recommendations on second-hand pressure canners by many home canners. I feel like I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly. I’ve seen everything from a yard sale purchase of a new model still in its original packaging to warped bottomed, wooden handled oldies that should not even be considered.
Here are some important factors to check before using a used pressure canner:
Pressure Canner Bottom
When you place the canner on a flat surface, does it sit evenly? If it does not sit evenly, this indicates the bottom is warped.
A canner that is warped indicates that it was overheated or allowed to boil dry. This can weaken the metal and affect safe operation.
Recommendation: Do not use a pressure canner with a warped bottom.
Inside the Pressure Canner
Look for signs of pitting or cracks inside the pot. Visible signs of small holes or rough spots on the metal pot indicate pitting. Pitting can occur when aluminum reacts with minerals in hard water.
Over time, the corrosion caused by pitting can become deep and compromise the strength of the canner under pressure.
Recommendation: Do not use a pressure canner with deep pitting or cracks.
Safety Components
Even if the sealing ring (gasket) and overpressure plug appear to be in good condition you should replace them. Look on the underside of the pressure canner bottom or on the pot under the handle for the make and model information.
Old sealing rings and overpressure plugs may not have the strength and integrity needed when under pressure to ensure safe use of the pressure canner.
Recommendation: Replace the sealing ring and overpressure plug with new parts suitable for your make and model.
Handles
Do the handles have damage or cracks?
Damaged or cracked handles may not have the strength and integrity needed when under pressure to ensure safe use of the pressure canner.
Recommendation: Do not use a pressure canner with damaged or cracked handles.
Rim and Sealing Surface
Use your eyes and hand to assess the rim of the pressure canner. Is it smooth and free of dents or deep scratches? Discoloration inside an aluminum pressure canner is normal and not a concern.
Damage to the rim and sealing surface can prevent a proper seal from forming, making it impossible to build or maintain pressure in your canner.
Recommendation: Do not use a pressure canner with a damaged rim or sealing surface.
Pressure Gauge
What type of gauge does this canner have? A dial gauge must be tested for accuracy before use. Tilt gauges can no longer be tested for accuracy.
The dial gauge needs to be tested annually to make sure it is accurate. An inaccurate gauge can cause significant safety and quality concerns through either under-processing or over-processing food.
Recommendation: Find a UMaine Extension Dial Gauge Tester near you to have your dial gauge tested for accuracy. Avoid canners with tilt style gauges.
Are All Parts Included?
Refer to the pressure canner’s instruction manual to know what parts should be included. If parts are missing, you will need to purchase them separately. If the instruction manual is missing, you can search for it on the internet using the specific make and model to refine the search.
The pressure canner will not operate correctly if it is missing parts.
Recommendation: Do not use it if your pressure canner is missing any of the parts.
Additionally, remember to take into consideration your kitchen space where you will be canning.
- Is this pressure canner compatible with your stovetop type?
- Is this pressure canner compatible with your allowable vertical space on your stovetop? Think about hoods or overhead microwaves that may limit the clearance.
So, keep safety in mind when considering the pressure canner to use for your home canned low-acid foods and invest accordingly.
Adapted from “What to Look for When Buying a Used Pressure Canner,” by Presto Test Kitchen, 2026, Let’s Preserve Together, Issue No. 9, April 2026
Resources
- UMaine Extension Dial Gauge Tester
- What to Look for When Buying a Used Pressure Canner (Presto Test Kitchen)
Author
Kathy Savoie, MS, RD has been an Extension Educator with University of Maine Cooperative Extension for 30 years. She provides educational outreach in the areas of home food preservation, food safety, and nutrition education to consumers. She also teaches the Master Food Preserver program in Maine. She prides herself in being a frugal gourmet!