Food Preservation & Food Safety
For information on Safe Preserving Recipes, Current Food Safety Topics, Safe Product for Food Pantries Project and more follow this link: Safe & Healthy Food for Your Family
Dial Gauge Canner Testing – check dial gauges yearly
Check dial gauges for accuracy before use each year. Gauges that read high cause under-processing and may result in unsafe food. Low readings cause over-processing. Pressure adjustments can be made if the gauge reads up to 2 pounds high or low. Replace gauges that differ by more than 2 pounds.
Where to have your dial gauge checked
- Presto – will test gauges at no charge however they only tests certain brands (see below).
- All American – has been selling their pressure canners with both a dial and weighted gauge for each unit. Weighted gauges do not need to be tested. For testing of All American dial pressure gauges, contact Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, 920-682-8627.
- Other models of pressure canner gauges – please check with the manufacturer.
- You can also check with your local county Extension office to see if the testing is done locally.
If you send your pressure gauge to Presto
Presto will only test gauges from these brands
- National.
- Magic Seal.
- Maid of Honor.
- Kook-Kwick.
- Presto.
Steps to send in your pressure gauge
- Carefully remove dial gauge from canner and package in foam, bubble wrap or newspaper to avoid shipping damage.
- Ship gauge only. If you cannot remove the gauge from the canner lid, send canner lid with the gauge attached.
- Gauges are checked within three working days of receipt and shipped for return.
- Send to:
National Presto Industries Inc.
ATTN Gauge Testing
3925 North Hastings Way
Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54703-3703
For more information, phone Presto Customer Service: 1-715-839-2121 or 1-800-877-0441.
Questions?: Contact GoPresto.
Website: www.GoPresto.com.
Replacement parts
Replacement gauges and other parts (e.g. gasket, safety plugs) for canners are often found at stores that sell food preservation equipment or from canner manufacturers. When ordering parts, be sure to provide your canner model number and describe the parts you need.
Resources for Answering Food Preservation & Food Safety Questions
Presto Newsletters
Regional Food Preservation Publications
Play it Safe! Safe Changes and Substitutions to Tested Canning Recipes
Oops! Remaking Jams and Jellies
Regional Food Preservation Newsletter
September/October 2023 Vinegar with 5% Acidity: It Matters
July/August 2023 Can I use my ceramic cooktop stove when canning?
July/August 2022 the focus is on dial gauge testing for pressure canners and preserving summer squash
May/June 2022 – Topics in this newsletter focus on making sweet spreads and the function of sugar, and freezing and drying strawberries.
March/April 2022 – Topics in this issue are pickling eggs and Easter egg safety.
November/December 2021 – Topics in this newsletter are hot sauces (a popular holiday gift item) and having dial gauge canner checked.
July/August 2021 -Topics in this edition include: Elderberries: beautiful to look at, not for canning and save herbs for cooler seasons
