Presto 85707 11" Pressure Canner Rack Review: Is This Canning Accessory Essential?
Canning your own fruits, vegetables, meats, and other foods at home is a rewarding process, offering a sustainable way to preserve food and enjoy the flavors of the season year-round. But safe canning requires the right equipment. The Presto 85707 11" Pressure Canner Rack is designed to fit specifically within Presto pressure canners, providing crucial support for your jars during the canning process. This accessory helps to ensure even heat distribution and prevent jars from breaking during the canning process.
Whether you're a seasoned canning expert or just starting out, this rack can be a valuable addition to your canning arsenal. This review delves into the features, benefits, and drawbacks of the Presto 85707, helping you decide if it's the right choice for your home canning needs. We'll cover everything from its compatibility to its durability and overall value.
Key Features of the Presto 85707 Pressure Canner Rack
The Presto 85707 11" Pressure Canner Rack boasts a simple yet effective design. Here are some key features:
- • Perfect Fit: Designed specifically for Presto 23-quart pressure canners and certain 16-quart models, ensuring proper placement and stability inside the canner.
- • Elevated Design: Lifts jars off the bottom of the canner, allowing for even water circulation and preventing hot spots that can lead to jar breakage.
- • Durable Construction: Made from durable metal to withstand high heat and repeated use.
- • Protects Jars: Prevents jars from coming into direct contact with the canner's bottom, minimizing the risk of cracking or exploding.
- • Easy to Clean: The rack's simple design makes it easy to clean and maintain.
Pros: What We Love About the Presto 85707
The Presto 85707 offers several advantages that make it a worthwhile investment for home canners:
- • Enhanced Jar Safety: The primary benefit of this rack is the added protection it provides to your canning jars. By elevating them off the direct heat of the canner bottom, it dramatically reduces the risk of breakage, saving you time, money, and the frustration of wasted product.
- • Improved Heat Distribution: The elevated design promotes even heat distribution throughout the canner. This is crucial for proper sterilization and food safety, ensuring that your canned goods are safe to eat for months to come.
- • Essential for Safe Canning: The Presto canner rack allows safe and efficient usage for prolonged canning operations. Proper and safe canning practices are achieved with the use of this rack.
- • Affordable Price: At around $16, this rack is an affordable and cost-effective way to protect your investment in canning jars and ingredients. It's a small price to pay for the peace of mind it provides.
- • Easy to Use: The rack is incredibly simple to use. Just place it in the bottom of your pressure canner before loading your jars. No complicated setup or adjustments are required.
Cons: Potential Drawbacks to Consider
While the Presto 85707 is a useful tool, there are a few potential drawbacks to keep in mind:
- • Limited Compatibility: This rack is specifically designed for Presto pressure canners. It may not fit properly in other brands or models, potentially rendering it useless if you have a different canner.
- • Potential for Rust: While made from durable metal, the rack is susceptible to rust if not properly cleaned and dried after each use. Regular maintenance is necessary to prolong its lifespan. Some users have reported rusting even with proper care, suggesting a possible variance in material quality. Using stainless steel canning racks is preferable to avoid rust.
- • Not necessary if you already have a suitable rack: Some older Presto canner models come with a rack. Ensure you do not already have a suitable rack before buying.
Who Should Buy the Presto 85707?
The Presto 85707 is ideal for a variety of home canners:
- • Owners of Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canners: If you own a Presto 23-quart pressure canner, this rack is an essential accessory. It's designed to fit perfectly and provide optimal jar protection.
- • New Home Canners: If you're new to home canning and want to ensure a safe and successful experience, this rack is a worthwhile investment. It provides added peace of mind and helps prevent costly mistakes.
- • Experienced Canners Seeking Added Protection: Even experienced canners can benefit from the added protection this rack provides. It's a simple and affordable way to minimize the risk of jar breakage and ensure consistent results. People who can many glass jars for products like tomato juice or applesauce can especially benefit from this canner rack.
This rack is especially beneficial for those who often can high-acid foods, which require longer processing times and increase the risk of jar breakage. It's also a good choice for those who live in areas with hard water, which can contribute to mineral buildup on the bottom of the canner, further increasing the risk of hot spots. Consider this rack a necessary component to maintain safe practices during the canning process.
Presto 85707 vs. Competitors
While there are other generic canning racks available, the Presto 85707 offers a specific advantage: guaranteed compatibility with Presto pressure canners. Generic racks may not fit as snugly or provide the same level of support, potentially compromising jar safety. Alternatives such as stainless steel racks are available, but can often be more expensive. Cheaper generic models may rust or be made of poor quality materials that fail to protect jars from breaking.
Conclusion: Price, Performance, and Recommendation
For the price of approximately $15.97, the Presto 85707 11" Pressure Canner Rack provides excellent value for Presto pressure canner owners. It's a simple yet effective accessory that significantly reduces the risk of jar breakage and promotes even heat distribution, crucial elements for safe and successful home canning. If you're looking to improve your canning operation, you should buy this canner rack.
While its compatibility is limited to Presto canners and it requires diligent cleaning to prevent rust, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. If you own a compatible Presto canner, this rack is a must-have. If you are an avid canner, consider the improved stainless-steel options.
FAQs about the Presto 85707
Q: What size Presto canner does this rack fit?
A: It's designed for Presto 23-quart pressure canners and certain 16-quart models. Check your canner's manual to confirm compatibility.
Q: Can I use this rack with other brands of pressure canners?
A: It's not recommended. The rack is specifically designed to fit Presto canners, and using it with other brands may not provide adequate support and protection.
Q: How do I clean the rack?
A: Wash it with soap and water after each use, and dry it thoroughly to prevent rust.
Q: What are some other great pressure canner accessories to consider?
A: A good jar lifter is essential for safely removing hot jars, a canning funnel helps prevent spills, and extra sealing rings are always a good idea to have on hand. A steam diverter can keep steam from damaging cabinetry.
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