The Presto 23 qt. is the one most commonly recommended. Check out a couple of the previous discussions linked below.

Which pressure canner should I buy?

Need pressure canner advice

There are many more discussions on them here but these 2 posts have lots of good info in them to get you atarted.

Dave

Suggest that you do a search in this forum for the words 'Presto 23 quart' as it will bring up many threads, some as recent as 2 days ago!!

Thanks, and I'm sorry for asking a common question, but I hadn't seen any solid recommendations, mostly questions about how specific canners were best used. Am I to understand I could get the Presto 23 quart and the three-weight set and not depend on the gauge? I'm in Montreal and have no idea where I would go to get the gauge calibrated.

- Scott

Am I to understand I could get the Presto 23 quart and the three-weight set and not depend on the gauge?

Absolutely. Even when checked and supposedly recalibrated you still are better off with the weights. With the weights you can ignore the gauge.

amazon.com has the best price right now on the Presto but I don't know what shipping would do to that price for you. Can you find one locally?

Also keep in mind that if you wish you can get by with the Presto 16 qt. canner for a bit less money but if you plan to do lots of PC canning the 23 is the best buy.

Dave

Yes, the weights are not part of the original product. They have only a single weight thats packed with the canner. The dial gauges are never going to be accurate for the long term. Some people take them off to get calibrated, but there is actually no means to 'calibrate' them, only a conversion chart that tells you what the actual pressure is by converting the dial gauge readings. The price at Amazon was just $71.99. The Super Saver free shipping is only for the US, but I would suspect that even Canada can get a low shipping rate. Here is the same Amazon link again. The 16 quart is almost the same price as the 23. The weights have to be ordered seperate from the canner

Here is a link that might be useful: Amazon prices

I got an older presto model used locally for a bit less than the newer 23 Qt model. Definitely get the weight set, drive the price up a little but trying to deal with the dial guage is not worth it anymore since most places that used to test them, don't anymore.

I was one of those people searching for info about buying canners not too long ago. I was tempted to spend more money for the All American but am happy with the Presto. Both companies seem to be very good and parts are easily ordered.

If you go with the 23 quart model you can also manage to use the canner for water bath canning (don't seal the lid.) The smaller pressure canners would likely not allow enough depth to cover jars with a couple inches of water and still allow for space to boil.

I have now used my presto pressure canner as a water bath canner for making marmalade as well as a pressure canner for making chile con carne.

I highly recommend the All American pressure canner. If you have the extra bucks buy it, you can't go wrong with one. If you are not sure you will stick with canning or watching your money the Presto will do you fine.