Dedicated electric burner for pressure canning.

3 years ago

I moved in with my mother a year ago, and investigated using her glass-top range for canning. Her owner's manual indicated it should work fine, but I now realize that my pressure canner is too tall to fit under her microwave, which sits above the stove. I've been using the woodburning stove this winter for sterilization of mushroom substrate, but that won't be possible all summer. So, I'm looking for a portable electric burner that I could use outside (on a deck) or in the garage. I've narrowed the search down to professional-grade units, but even those comment that the maximum volume recommended is a 12 qt saucepan. What do others use for pressure canning? If I purchase a 220V unit, do I need a special plug, like for a dryer?

I would prefer to avoid a propane burner, though I have used one in the past with good results. I just don't like the idea of an open flame, since I will likely not be in constant attendence. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Martha

Featured Answer

morz8 - Washington Coast

3 years ago

Docmom, some ideas for you:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/3253320/outdoor-canning

Discussion of the burner expert canner (no longer contributing just now) Dave entered into where BTUs discussed. None of the burners were electric. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1935092/propane-burner-for-outdoor-canning

Example of one our DigDirt Dave recommended but no longer avail. Believe he said $40!

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200408996_200408996

Another discussion: https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/1940827/electric-vs-gas-for-pressure-canning

And another -https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1933298/pressure-canning-on-outdoor-propane-burner

I have the same glass topped stove issue that you do. This house came with a Jenn Air. The manual says I may can on it if my canner is no more than one inch larger than the largest burner ring mark. My 21 qt vintage weighted Mirro is exactly that. No where does the manual address the weight of a canner double stacked with something like tuna though and that concerns me on glass.

Another thing I notice even cooking with a 12" skillet is the burner will cycle up and down in heat.

My SILs glass top did that and we did can on it more than once. And more than once, I would be holding my breath as her canner's pressure would drop just about to the 'worry point' (she has $$$ All American with gauge and weight both) before the heat would kick back on and it would rise again. I suspect it wasn't ideal. (she also had a larger budget than me for replacing her stove top if necessary, broken ;))

We have a crab cooker that I've used in the open garage doorway. It isn't perfect and I haven't used it to pressure can in a few years...it gets too hot too quickly for my comfort. It does turn down to a steady 10# pressure reliably. I've been canning on our Kitchen Aid outdoor gas grill. Still not ideal so I'll be in the market for something else myself.

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Comments (12)

CA Kate z9
3 years ago
My propane grill has two side burners that I've used in the summer for something long cooking and have had no problems. I'd keep anything away from the house or anything that might catch fire no matter the heat source.
matthias_lang
3 years ago
I recently read of people using an inexpensive, portable, induction burner for canning, even pressure canning 21 quart canner. Supposedly, this is well over the weight limit for the burner, but some people are doing it nonetheless. I saw the burner for sale on Amazon, but I can't direct you to it, since I don't remember quite what is was. It's a table top unit, and it seemed surprisingly inexpensive to me, though.

As for me, I just use my regular apartment sized gas stove. Small kitchen, big ambitions!
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docmommich
Original Author
3 years ago
It seems silly to purchase a dedicated portable burner/hot plate that I know is not designed to handle the job. But, I haven't found a unit that does meet the basic criteria, even for several hundreds of dollars (or more). My ancient propane grill does have a side burner, but I'm afraid the whole grill would tip over, if I put a full pressure canner on one end. I'll have to keep thinking.

Martha
CA Kate z9
3 years ago
You could balance it out by putting something heavy on the other end.
docmommich thanked CA Kate z9
lucillle
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
The Presto 16 qt canner is not very tall and is very reasonably priced, if it would fit in the space you have it would be much less expensive that finding the kind of counter top electric burner that would be appropriate for the situation.
docmommich thanked lucillle
lucillle
3 years ago
The more I thought about this, the more I think it is a great idea. So I am going to try it. There is a company on Amazon called Duxtop that has induction burners.
gardengrl66 z5
3 years ago
I've got a Duxtop in our ADU and while it is great... I don't think it works with the typical pressure canner, material-wise. (Mine is an All-American and it is aluminum - maybe they make magnetic pressure canners?)
lucillle
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
One of the Presto 23 qt models is able to use induction burners.
morz8 - Washington Coast
3 years ago
There are some older threads here with recommended tried-and-true appropriate burners to use outside and separately from the kitchen stove. I can look one up fr you later - so sorry, on hold with IRS just now. Aarghhhhhhh!!
lucillle
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I will call GE about using my glass top stove; my current living situation is in an apartment so no canning outdoors. I was thinking that the 'pro' Duxtop induction burner along with a 23 qt Presto induction compatible canner would be a good solution.

https://www.simplycanning.com/canning-on-a-glass-top-stove/

According to GE Appliances, a glass stovetop's weight limit is usually around 50 pounds. Most of the time, this isn't going to be an issue, but it does mean you should never stand on your stovetop to reach a high cabinet, and heavy canners may exceed the weight limit of a glass stovetop as well.Oct 7, 2021
docmommich
Original Author
3 years ago
The more I read, the more complex (mildly) the issue becomes. The units that were discussed in older threads are not available anymore. I have not started to shop seriously for a propane burner, yet, since I want to see if my gas grill could work. But, it's ancient, and will need replacing eventually. I appreciate everyone's input and the links to old discussions.

Martha