Chapter 4: All About Pressure Canning

Thank you for purchasing my latest cookbook, The Modern Pioneer Pantry. I hope this book and the videos on my Mary’s Nest YouTube channel will help you create a well-stocked pantry full of a wide variety of nutritious and delicious preserved food.

In this chapter’s QR code page, I’ll provide you with more information to help you choose Pressure Canner equipment and supplies. I’ll also link to other resources to help you learn how to pressure can recipes.

🫙 Why Pressure Canning Matters

Pressure canning is essential for preserving low-acid foods, such as beans, broths, meats, poultry, soups, stews, and vegetables. These foods need the high heat of a pressure canner to ensure they’re shelf-stable and safe. However, with more pressure canner product choices than ever, it can feel overwhelming to pick the right one.

That’s where my Choosing the Right Pressure Canner: What Every Home Cook Should Know video comes in. I break it all down with easy-to-understand guidance, so you can feel confident getting started.

🕰️ Let’s Look at Each Type of Pressure Canner

🔧 Dial Gauge Pressure Canners

These classic canners use a dial to show you the internal pressure. They’re accurate and allow for fine-tuning your pressure based on altitude, which is helpful. However, they require one little extra step: yearly calibration.

• Pros
  • Precision control
  • Ideal for higher elevations where small adjustments matter
• Cons
  • Needs annual calibration

  • Can be harder to read for beginners

⚖️ Weighted Gauge Pressure Canners (Like the All-American)

These canners use a weight (or jiggler) to regulate pressure and don’t require calibration. I shared my trusty All-American in my video. It’s heavy-duty, American-made, and built to last a lifetime. (Get to know All American’s Pressure Canners, Cookware, and More. They’re made in the USA since 1930.)

• Pros
  • No need for calibration
  • Very reliable and simple to use

  • Built to be heirlooms—seriously!
• Cons
  • Heavier than other canners
  • Can be more expensive upfront

⚡ Electric Pressure Canners

These are the new kids on the block, and I know many of my sweet friends are curious about them! They’re quiet and plug right into an electric outlet—no stove required. However, the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) hasn’t officially tested the devices for pressure canning low-acid foods.

That said, some experienced home canners are using them with good results. And the manufacturers of these electric pressure canners have stated that they tested these canners, according to the home canning guidelines set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and NCHFP.

• Pros
  • Super convenient

  • Great for small batch canning or folks in RVs and tiny kitchens


• Cons
  • Not yet officially tested for low-acid pressure canning

  • Limited capacity

Pressure Canning 101 Series

I created my Pressure Canning 101 Series to help home cooks begin their journey pressure canning or to help experienced cooks get a refresher on the best products, equipment, and processes to use.

Here are the videos and blog posts I’ve already published in my Pressure Canning 101 Series:

• Part 1: Choosing the Right Pressure Canner: What Every Home Cook Should Know (Get product examples and questions to ask to help you choose the pressure canner that’s right for you.)
• Part 2: Pressure Canning Essentials: Tools and Supplies Every Home Cook Needs (Having the right tools and supplies on hand can make all the difference and help you enjoy a smooth and successful canning day.)
• Part 3: How to Use the Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner (I walk you through the process step‑by‑step as we pressure can five quarts of sliced carrots using the cold pack method.)

Filling Your Four Corners Pantry with Traditional Foods

If you’re looking for a printed book full of my traditional foods recipes that shows you how to create a traditional foods kitchen, be sure to order your copy of my bestselling book, The Modern Pioneer Cookbook.

And if you are teaching children in grades K through 12 how to make traditional foods, be sure to download my FREE Modern Pioneer Cookbook Curriculum to use in conjunction with my cookbook.

FREE CHECKLISTS You Need Now!

As you learn how to Prep Like a Pro when stocking your Four Corners Pantry, be sure to download all the checklists that I have prepared for you. You can keep them on your computer or phone, but I highly recommend printing them out and putting them in your Kitchen Journal so that you always have a hard copy!

See all →

How to Make Meal Prep Fast with the Meal-in-a-Bag System

Make meal prep fast and easy with these seven free recipes you can download and print out to create your own Meals in Bags.

The FREE Modern Pioneer Cookbook Curriculum – Teach Traditional Cooking Skills to Grades K-12

This cookbook curriculum gives students a love of traditional foods and kitchen skills that will last them a lifetime.

27 Best Survival Foods to Stock NOW in Your Prepper Pantry

Download the free Survival Pantry Checklist and make sure your Prepper Pantry is well-stocked for the long term.

Download Your Free 36-Page Pantry List

For an extensive list of the traditional foods you can make and purchase to stock your pantry, be sure to download my free 36-page Traditional Foods Pantry List. This comprehensive eBook is full of links to recipe videos, helpful articles, and more!

Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy

Are you looking for more traditional foods videos? If so, I invite you to join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy. Members of this optional paid YouTube community get access to exclusive videos and other members-only perks. Plus, your YouTube comments include a special members-only badge.

Kitchen Academy Videos

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How to Make Oatmeal Higher in Protein (The Old-Fashioned Way)

Turn simple oats into a hearty, protein-rich porridge.

The Only Traditional Recipes You’ll Ever Need!

Focus on traditional recipes with real food. Don’t chase trends.

Let’s Talk Akkermansia: A Tiny Helper for Big Gut Health

Discover how Akkermansia muciniphila supports gut and immune health—and how traditional foods help this mighty microbe thrive.

Stay in Touch with Mary’s Nest

1. Subscribe to My YouTube Channel for Traditional Foods Videos (Free) - When you subscribe, be sure to click on the notification bell that will let you know each time I upload a new video.
2. Subscribe to Mary’s Traditional Foods Newsletter (Free) - Get a free 36-page eBook for signing up: How to Stock Your Essential Traditional Foods Four-Corners Pantry.
3. Join the Traditional Foods Kitchen Academy - For more detailed videos and exclusive members-only perks, join my YouTube membership community.
4. Order The Modern Pioneer Cookbook - Get a hardcover book of Mary's nourishing recipes from a Traditional Foods Kitchen. This bestselling cookbook is published by Penguin Random House with their DK imprint.
5. Order The Modern Pioneer Pantry - Get Mary's latest hardcover cookbook about preserving food and making delicious meals from your Four Corners Pantry. Mary's second cookbook is also published by Penguin Random House.

I look forward to having you join me in my Texas Hill Country Kitchen!