IMPORTANT: Read carefully. Do not attempt to use your cooker before reading these instructions.
Follow these step-by-step instructions for pressure canning in your cooker. Prepare food according to the directions in specific recipe.
1. Be sure your cooker is thoroughly cleaned and working properly. Before each canning season, check the sealing ring, over pressure plug and the rubber gasket of the air vent/cover lock. Replace these parts when they become hard, deformed, cracked, worn, pitted or unusually soft.
2. Check Mason jars for nicks, cracks and sharp edges. Check the screw bands for dents or rust. Use only jars, lids, and bands in perfect condition so an airtight seal may be obtained. Wash and rinse the jars, lids, and bands. Pour hot water into the jars and set them aside until needed. Follow all, closure manufacturer's directions for bands and lids.
3. Select fresh, firm food and sort the food according to it's size. Clean the food thoroughly and prepare it according to it's recipe. Fill the hot Mason jars promptly with food and liquid to the recommended level. Allow 1/2- inch head space due to expansion during processing. Work out bubbles with a clean, nonmetallic spatula and wipe the sealing edge clean with a damp cloth. Adjust the bands according to the manufactures directions.
4. Place 3 quarts of boiling water, canning rack and jars in the cooker. To prevent water stains on the jars, add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to the water inside the cooker. Always use the cooker rack. The jars may break if set directly on bottom of the cooker.
5. Look through the vent pipe; Be certain it's open before placing the cover on the cooker. To clean the vent pipe, draw a pipe cleaner or small brush through the opening.
6. Place the cover on the cooker. Align the v mark on the cover, with the v mark on the body handle and lock it securely by turning it in the direction indicated to close (clockwise). Cover handles must be centered over body handles. Do not force beyond this position.
7. Exhaust the air from the cooker and jars by adjusting the heat to a relatively high setting (obtain a free flow of steam from the vent pipe). Consult the instruction book, which accompanied your range, for the recommended heat settings. Reduce the heat to maintain a moderate steam flow. Allow the steam to flow for 10 minutes.
8. Assemble the three-piece pressure regulator to register the desired canning pressure (Use correct assembly instructions). See the specific canning recipe to determine how many pounds of pressure to use.
9. Place the pressure regulator on the vent pipe and set the burner at a relatively high heat setting and heat the cooker until the pressure regulator begins to vent.
10. Processing time begins when the pressure regulator begins to rise or rock gently, depending on your regulator. Adjust the heat to maintain a slow and steady pressure or rocking motion, depending on your regulator.
11. At the end of the processing time, turn burner to, "off" and remove cooker from heat source. Caution: Lift the pressure cooker to remove it from the burner, sliding the cookware can leave scratches on stove-top.
12. Let the pressure drop of it's own accord, do not quick-cool. Pressure is completely reduced when the air vent/cover lock and over-pressure plug have dropped and no steam escapes when the pressure regulator is tilted. Attempting to speed the cooling of the cooker may cause jar breakage!
13. When the pressure has been completely reduced, remove the pressure regulator from the vent pipe and let the cooker cool for about 10 minutes. Do not remove the pressure regulator until the pressure is completely reduced and the air vent/cover lock has dropped, or the gauge is at zero. Always remove the pressure regulator before opening the cover.
14. To remove the cover, turn it counter clockwise until the cover hits, "stop". The cover handles will be beyond the body handles. If the cover seems to stick, or is hard to turn, do not force it open. Sticking may indicate that there is still pressure inside the cooker. If in doubt about the pressure being completely reduced, let the cooker stand until it's completely cool before removing the cover.
15. Lift the cooker cover toward you to keep the steam away from you when opening.
16. Remove the jars from the cooker and set them upright on a board or cloth to cool. When the jars are cold, test the seal remove bands, wipe the jars, label, date and store them in a cool, dry place.
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