The best pressure canner
Last reviewed July 2026.
Among the canners in NCHFP's recommended equipment class, the best value by cost per quart is the Mirro 22-Quart Pressure Canner — about $5.82 per quart. “Best” also turns on capacity, gauge type, and your stovetop. Here are the recommended-class canners we track, ranked by cost per quart of capacity.
Best value: cost per quart
| # | Canner | Capacity | $ / quart | Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mirro 22-Quart Pressure Canner | 22 qt | $5.82/qt | Weighted |
| 2 | Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner | 23 qt | $8.09/qt | Dial |
| 3 | Presto 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner | 23 qt | $9.39/qt | Dial |
| 4 | Presto 16-Quart Pressure Canner | 16 qt | $10.44/qt | Dial |
| 5 | All American 941 (41.5-Quart) Pressure Canner | 41.5 qt | $15.66/qt | Both |
| 6 | All American 921 (21.5-Quart) Pressure Canner | 21.5 qt | $20.93/qt | Both |
| 7 | All American 910 (10.5-Quart) Pressure Canner | 10.5 qt | $33.33/qt | Both |
For a glass-top or induction stove
The Presto 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner has a flat, induction-compatible base — the pick for a glass-top or induction cooktop, where heavy aluminum canners can be a problem. Check your stove maker's canning guidance too.
Dial vs weighted gauge
A dial gauge should be tested for accuracy each year; a weighted gauge needs none. See dial vs weighted and the full ranking. Every canner above is in the equipment class NCHFP's recommended-canner guidance describes.
FAQ
What is the best pressure canner?
By cost per quart among the recommended equipment class, the Mirro 22-Quart Pressure Canner (about $5.82/quart). All American models cost more but use a gasket-free metal-to-metal seal; the choice depends on capacity, gauge type and your stove.
What is the best pressure canner for a glass top or induction stove?
The Presto 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner, which has a flat induction-compatible base.
What is the best pressure canner for home use?
For most home canning a 16–23 quart recommended-class canner like the Mirro 22-Quart Pressure Canner balances capacity and price. Match the size to how many jars you process at once.
Canning Score indexes what NCHFP, USDA and university extension programs have on record about canning equipment, with attribution — we publish no process times and no safety advice. Verdicts describe the state of the authority record for an appliance class, not a guarantee about any jar. For tested recipes and process schedules, use NCHFP (nchfp.uga.edu), the USDA Complete Guide, or your state extension office — or the Seal canning guides, which work food-by-food from the same sources. If an authority publishes new guidance, the page changes — the authority always wins.
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