Presto 23-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner

Manufacturer: Presto List Price: $109.99 Our Price: $84.99

Explosion on First Use Based on the good reviews I ordered the Presto 23-qt canner. I carefully cleaned everything and assembled exactly as the manual said. Loaded in my first batch of salsa and turned on the heat. Canner was soon steaming away. After 10 minutes I placed the regulator on and watched the gauge come up. At 11 lbs I turned down the heat. Pressure was holding steady so I walked to the sink. As soon as I did there was a loud boom and the pressure gage went sailing across the kitchen. The 3/8 inch brass shaft of the gauge had simply fractured, sending the nut and washer into the canner and the gauge across the kitchen. Upon examination part of the brass is discolored and crystaline. Possible a defective casting? In any event this is not acceptable. I'm glad I wasn't looking at the gauge up close when this happened! It could have been a lethal weapon. The rest of the canner appears to be of excellent workmanship. I will get with Amazon in the morning to see what can be done and will post a follow-up. Don't know if I should get a new gauge or send the whole thing back. I am not a happy customer. Presto 23 quart Used this for the third time today.Bought 2 of them. Was Canning pork at 11 lbs, following exact directions. Was 30 minutes into canning. Regulator broke and blew. Not very safe. Hope the other doesnt do the same thing. Was impressed with how well they canned. Was shocked over this today. Just be careful when using this. Alot of great reviews here, but seen a few where same thing has happened. Presto 23 quart cooker/canner I LOVE this canner! The best price I found elsewhere was $125. I got mine for $80 with free shipping. Ordered on Thursday and had my canner by Tuesday. If you can read a timer and boil water; you can pressure can anything. Super safety features won't let you down, so don't hesitate to try home canning. Get your gauge checked at the local County Extension Office before you start and a few times each year if you use the canner alot (which is standard maintance). I took a few canner classes after my gauge was checked (it was perfect!). At the first class the instructor couldn't get the classroom canner to seal; so we used mine to teach the first class. LOL! First time the canner was ever used and it performed beautifully! Thanks for making a great product that is so easy to use! first timer i have never used a pressurer canner before and was a little unsure. this product was easy to use and made my first experience very positive i give it a total thumbs up!!!