Thank you Carol! An important organization indeed. Ive learned many things through my extension office. Including plans for mass eradicating of Japanese Beetles (globaly); information I would not have known if I hadnt talked to them.

I have a question for you. What happens if Exentsion offices must close and there is no place to have your pressure canner gauges tested?

Then you have to send them to the manufacturer for checking. Fewer extension offices were doing the checking anyway.

Many newer models are now coming out with no gauge, just weights and that plus their inaccuracy is another reason why we really started pushing the weights here instead.

Good info Carol. Thanks for posting it. I think we older folks tend to assume that everyone knows their county extension office because of 4 H, county/state fairs, and Future Farmer's programs as well as all their gardening info too.

Dave

That's why we recommend the three-piece weight for the Presto. The All-American comes with a three-piece weight, so there also a gauge test is unnecessary.

Still, I hope testing continues, mainly because it encourages home preservers to visit their Extension office and see the range of services available.

I feel very fortunate to still have an Extension office in my small town. It's the first place I head to when I spot some new pest in my garden.

Carol

Thanks for the nice explanation of what we do at the Extension Offices. I work at my local office as the Master Food Preserver Program Assistant. What a great place to work, too ! I get paid to do what I love. I get to meet so many great people both in person and via phone and emails.
Glad you posted our link here in WA as a place to find out about salsas.

It is getting harder to get gauges tested for several reaons. Many offices have no trained personnel to do it. Some have no test equipment since we have to buy them. Then, it is a liability issue. We are still only able to test them here since we have permission from the Attorney General. We must have the client sign liabilty waivers, too, releasing us from liabilty in case of accidents or illness from home food preserving. We also have had to cut back on the hours we are open to the public due to lack of funding.
That is, as was said,one of the reasons we suggest getting the weights for a canner, in case you cannot get a gauge tested. Many offices around the country no longer offer this service.
I personally use the weight sets, even though I test gauges all the time. Just easier for me to listen to it "jiggle" and not have to watch the dial all the time.
The weight set for a Presto is about $15.