Preparation Steps Before Canning - Presto precise Instructions And Recipes Manual

Other Special Canning Tips
To prevent water stains on jars, add 2 tablespoons white vinegar to water in canner.
After Processing
Cooling Jars
After processing, remove jars to a dry towel on countertop away from drafts. Leave 1 to 2 inches of space between jars to allow for
even cooling. Do not retighten bands. Do not invert jars or cover with a cloth. Allow jars to cool naturally. Check seals no earlier than
12 hours, but no later than 24 hours.
Bubbles often appear in the jar after removal from the canner because food is still boiling in the jar. Ordinarily bubbles do not appear
once the product has been allowed to thoroughly cool.
Testing Seals and Storing Canned Food
After jars have cooled a minimum of 12 hours, but no more than 24 hours, test the jar lids to be sure a vacuum seal has formed. Press
down on the center of the flat lid to determine if it is concave (stays down when pressed). Remove the screw band and gently try to lift
the lid with your fingertips. If the center does not flex up and down and you cannot lift the lid off, the lid has a good seal. Wipe off any
food residue from jars and lids. Date and label jars. Store in a cool, dark, and dry place.
If a jar does not seal, the food can be refrigerated and used within two to three days. Other options include freezing the food or repro-
cessing for the full amount of time per the canning recipe. If choosing to reprocess, remove the lids and reheat the food and/or liquid.
Pack food into clean, heated jars. Remove air bubbles and clean jar rims. Position new lids on jars and secure with bands. If more
than 24 hours have elapsed since the canner registered DONE, and the seal is faulty, the food is no longer safe. Discard at once.
Detecting Spoilage
If up-to-date instructions and processing times and pressures are followed carefully, spoilage is uncommon. However, it is still
recommended to check for signs of spoilage before tasting any canned food. Check for a broken seal, gassiness when opening, mold,
sliminess, cloudiness, or unpleasant odors. If any of these signs are present, discard the food. As a safeguard against using canned
low-acid and tomato products which may be affected with spoilage that is not readily detected, boil food 10 minutes for altitudes up to
1,000 feet above sea level. Extend the boiling time by 1 minute for each 1,000 foot increase in altitude. Many times odors that cannot
be detected in the cold product will become evident by this method. If, after boiling, food does not smell or look right, discard it
without tasting.

PREPARATION STEPS BEFORE CANNING

In order for the unit to function properly, always follow these instructions before each use:
Place the electric canner on a dry, level surface. To avoid steam damage to cabinets, position it so the vent pipe and air vent/cover
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lock are not directly under cabinets.
Be sure the bottom of the removable pot and the heating plate within the canner body (Fig. J) are free
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of debris before placing the pot in the canner body.
CAUTION! To prevent electrical shock, NEVER USE THE UNIT WITHOUT THE REMOVABLE
POT. Also, be sure the outside of the pot is COMPLETELY DRY before placing it into the canner
body.
Check both the vent pipe and vent filter to be sure they are clear and do not contain any debris. In
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order to check the vent pipe, you will need to remove the regulator from the cover (Fig. A, page 3).
Then hold the cover up to the light and make sure you can see light coming through the vent pipe. If
you cannot, remove the sealing ring frame and vent filter (see page 3) and clean the vent pipe with a
small brush or pipe cleaner to remove the blockage. Reattach the sealing ring frame to the cover.
Always verify that the sealing ring frame is attached to the canner cover before canning and make sure the sealing ring is
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positioned correctly on the metal frame (Fig. H, page 4).
Check Mason jars for nicks, cracks, and sharp edges. Check screw bands for dents or rust. Use only jars, lids, and screw bands in
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perfect condition so an airtight seal may be obtained.
Wash and rinse jars, lids, and screw bands. Follow closure manufacturer's directions for preparing lids.
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6
Fig. J
Heating plate