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If you ask long-time canners which pressure canner they'd buy again, the All American comes up again and again for one reason: there's no gasket. The lid uses a precision metal-to-metal seal clamped down with wing nuts, so there's no rubber ring to dry out, crack or shrink. Pair that with a weighted regulator that never needs gauge testing and a lifetime warranty, and you can see why people pay premium prices for an all American pressure canner.
The real question isn't whether All American makes a good canner. It's which of its six sizes fits your kitchen, your stove and how you can. The 921 is the default for good reason, but it isn't the right choice for everyone. Below we break down every current model using All American's published specs, plus the trade-offs the brochures don't spell out.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: All American 921 21.5-Quart. Best for most serious home canners: 7 quarts or 18 stacked pints.
- Best Low-Profile: All American 915 15.5-Quart. Best for quart canners with limited height under a hood or microwave.
- Best Small-Batch: All American 910 10.5-Quart. Best for small households; meets the USDA four-quart minimum.
- Best for Stacked Pints: All American 925 25-Quart. Best for pint-heavy canners who want extra headroom.
- Best for Double-Decked Quarts: All American 930 30-Quart. Best for 14 quarts per load on a gas or coil range.
- Best for Big Harvests: All American 941 41.5-Quart. Best for homesteads processing 20 quarts at a time.
All American Models Compared
| Model | Best for | Quarts | Pints (regular) | Half-pints (regular) | Height | Diameter | Glass-top OK? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 910 | Small batches | 4 | 7 | 8 | 11.75 in | 10.25 in | Generally, per maker |
| 915 | Low clearance | 7 | 10 | 14 | 12.25 in | 12.25 in | Generally, per maker |
| 921 | Most canners | 7 | 18 | 26 | 15.375 in | 12.25 in | Generally, per maker |
| 925 | Stacked pints | 7 | 19 | 26 | 16.75 in | 12.25 in | Generally, per maker |
| 930 | 14 quarts | 14 | 19 | 25 | 19 in | 12.25 in | No, too heavy |
| 941 | 20 quarts | 20 | 30 | 38 | 19 in | 15.25 in | No, too heavy |
All figures come from All American's product pages. Wide-mouth capacities are lower for pints and half-pints. For example, the 921 holds 16 wide-mouth pints and the 941 holds 25.
What Every All American Canner Has in Common
Before the model-by-model breakdown, here's what you get with any All American, according to the manufacturer:
- Cast aluminum body in A356 alloy, made from recycled aluminum in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
- Metal-to-metal seal with no gasket, closed by phenolic wing nuts that you tighten in pairs.
- Weighted regulator with 5, 10 and 15 psi settings. This is the primary pressure control. All American recommends steady venting and then one to four jiggles per minute once you're at pressure.
- Dial gauge accurate to ±2 psi, for reference only.
- Overpressure plug as a backup vent if the vent pipe clogs.
- Lifetime warranty. All American says damage from running the canner on a propane tank isn't covered.
- Burner range of 12,000 to 24,000 BTU, never more than 24,000. All American also says a 120-volt, 1,500-watt commercial hot plate is acceptable.
- No induction on any model.
That combination is why the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning's description of weighted gauges fits these canners so well. The guide says weighted gauges control pressure precisely and need neither watching nor accuracy checks. The one limitation the USDA flags applies here too: above 1,000 feet, a weighted gauge can't make fine altitude corrections, so you process at 15 psi where a dial-gauge user might run 12 or 13. Our pressure canning altitude chart shows exactly where that line falls.
The Models, Reviewed
1. All American 921 21.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best Overall)
Who it's for: anyone who cans every season and wants one canner for life.
The 921 is the model most people mean when they say "All American." It holds 7 quarts in one layer, or 18 regular pints and 26 half-pints in two layers. That covers a full load of anything in the USDA guide. At 15.375 inches tall and 12.25 inches across, it's close in footprint to a Presto 23-quart, though heavier. All American's own listings give 17.75 lb in one table and 22 lb in another. Either way, it's noticeably heftier than Presto's roughly 10 lb.
In daily use, you'll notice three things. Clamping the wing nuts down evenly takes longer than twisting on a Presto lid. The regulator's jiggle gives you an audible check on pressure, so you're not staring at a needle. And there's no gasket to keep on hand. You just wipe a thin film of olive oil or petroleum jelly on the sealing edge before each use, as All American directs. All American notes it's generally safe on glass tops, though you should confirm with your range manufacturer.
Pros
- Gasket-free seal with a lifetime warranty
- Weighted regulator: no annual gauge testing
- 7 quarts or 18 pints, a full load of anything
- Made in the USA
Cons
- Premium price
- Heavy, and slower to open and close than a twist-lock lid
- Not for induction
- Factory backorders are common
All American 921 21.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
2. All American 915 15.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best Low-Profile)
Who it's for: people who can mostly quarts and have limited vertical space.
The 915 holds the same 7 quarts as the 921 in a body that's about 3 inches shorter (12.25 inches). That makes it the canner to pick if a 921 won't clear your range hood with the regulator on. What you give up is the second layer: it holds 10 regular pints and 14 half-pints, versus 18 and 26 in the 921. If your pantry is mostly quarts of beans, stock and meat, that's a smart trade. If you put up lots of pints, buy the 921.
Pros
- 7 quarts in a shorter, lighter body
- Same gasket-free build and lifetime warranty
- Easier to store than the 921
Cons
- Single layer of pints only
- Still a premium price for a mid-size canner
All American 915 15.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
3. All American 910 10.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best Small-Batch)
Who it's for: singles, couples and small kitchens that can a few jars at a time.
The 910 holds 4 quarts, 7 regular pints or 8 half-pints. That's exactly the four-quart minimum the USDA and the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) require for a vessel to count as a pressure canner, so standard tested processes apply. It's 11.75 inches tall and 10.25 inches in diameter, small enough for an ordinary cabinet. All American says not to use the 910 for smoked fish. It also costs well above a full-size Presto, so buy it for its size and build, not to save money.
Pros
- Meets the USDA four-quart minimum
- Compact and easy to lift
- Same weighted regulator, seal and warranty as the big models
Cons
- Only 4 quarts per load
- Not for smoked fish, per All American
- High cost per jar of capacity
All American 910 10.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
4. All American 925 25-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best for Stacked Pints)
Who it's for: pint-heavy canners who like extra room above a double-decked load.
The 925 shares the 921's diameter and 7-quart capacity but stands 16.75 inches tall, about 1.4 inches more. All American says it holds 3.5 quarts more liquid than the 921, and it fits 19 regular pints versus 18. On All American's own store the two list at the same price, so the choice comes down to clearance. If you have the height, the 925 gives stacked pints a little more breathing room. If you don't, the 921 loses almost nothing.
Pros
- One more pint per load than the 921, with more headroom
- Same footprint as the 921
- Generally glass-top safe, per All American
Cons
- Taller than the 921, so check your hood clearance
- Same quart capacity as the cheaper 915
All American 925 25-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
5. All American 930 30-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best for Double-Decked Quarts)
Who it's for: big gardens on a gas or coil range that want twice the quarts without the 941's bulk.
The 930 is the smallest All American that double-decks quarts: 14 regular or wide-mouth quarts, 19 regular pints or 25 half-pints. It keeps the 12.25-inch diameter, so it still fits a normal burner, but at 19 inches tall it's a tall pot to lift down when it's full. All American says it's too heavy for glass-top ranges, so it's gas or electric coil only.
Pros
- 14 quarts per load on a standard-size burner
- Gasket-free seal with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Not for glass tops or induction
- 19 inches tall and heavy when loaded
- Pint capacity no better than the 925's
All American 930 30-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
6. All American 941 41.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner (Best for Big Harvests)
Who it's for: homesteads and hunters who process 15 to 20 quarts at a time.
The 941 is the giant: 20 regular quarts (22 wide-mouth), 30 regular pints or 38 half-pints. It's 19 inches tall and 15.25 inches across, and All American lists it at 33 to 36 lb empty. The company recommends a burner of about 10 inches and says it's too heavy for glass tops. With that much water and glass, heating and natural cool-down take a lot longer than with a seven-quart load. Plan your day around it.
Pros
- 20 quarts per load
- Built to last, with a lifetime warranty
Cons
- Gas or coil electric only
- Very heavy loaded, a two-person move for many people
- Top price in the line
All American 941 41.5-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner
by All American
All American 921 vs Presto 23-Quart
This is the matchup most buyers are really weighing.
| All American 921 | Presto 01781 23-Quart | |
|---|---|---|
| Quarts / regular pints | 7 / 18 | 7 / 20 |
| Pressure control | Weighted 5/10/15 psi (dial for reference) | Dial gauge |
| Seal | Metal-to-metal | Rubber sealing ring |
| Annual gauge test | Not needed | Needed (USDA) |
| Recurring parts | None routinely | Sealing ring and overpressure plug every 2–3 years (Presto) |
| Induction | No | No (Presto 01784 version does) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | 12-year limited |
| Price tier | Premium | Mid-range |
Choose the 921 if you can every year, live within reach of 1,000 feet or don't mind processing at 15 psi, and value never shopping for gaskets. Choose the Presto if you're starting out, can a few times a year or live at altitude and want a dial for precise pressure. Our Presto pressure canner review covers that side in detail.
All American Pressure Canner Buying Guide
Size: think in quarts, then pints
All six models meet the USDA's four-quart minimum. Decide how many quarts you want per load (4, 7, 14 or 20), then check whether you need a second layer of pints. The 915 and 921 both hold 7 quarts, but only the 921 holds 18 pints. The NCHFP confirms you can process two layers of jars in a pressure canner, provided a small rack sits between them so steam circulates.
Height and your range hood
The 921 is about 15.4 inches tall before you add the regulator and your hand on the handle. The 930 and 941 are 19 inches. Measure from the burner grate to the underside of your hood or microwave before ordering.
Glass-top ranges and burners
All American says the 910, 915, 921 and 925 are generally safe on glass tops if your range maker agrees. The 930 and 941 are too heavy. Keep burners between 12,000 and 24,000 BTU. If you're tempted to can outdoors on a propane burner, note that All American says propane use is at your own risk and won't be covered by the warranty.
Living with the metal seal
The seal is the best and most finicky thing about an All American. Before each use and between batches, the manufacturer says to wipe a thin film of olive oil or petroleum jelly on the sealing edge, just enough to wet it. Tighten the wing nuts in pairs, as All American directs, so the lid seats evenly. Never force a lid open. The USDA's directions apply as usual: let the canner depressurize on its own, remove the weight, and wait 10 minutes before unclamping.
Weighted regulator, altitude and the dial
All American says the regulator is the primary pressure indicator. If the dial and the jiggling weight disagree by more than 2 psi, replace the dial. Per the USDA, weighted gauges are run at 10 psi up to 1,000 feet and 15 psi above, for recipes that call for those pressures. Our beginner's guide to using a pressure canner walks through venting, timing and cool-down step by step.
What about electric?
All American's line is stovetop only. If you're weighing a countertop electric canner instead, read our electric pressure canner guide first. No electric pressure canner has a published USDA or university validation, and the NCHFP does not recommend its processes in electric multi-cookers.
How We Chose
We didn't test these canners in a lab or kitchen. This review is built from All American's own product pages and FAQ, cross-checked against the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning, NCHFP guidance and North Dakota State University Extension's notes on All American gauges. We also drew on long-running patterns in owner feedback, such as the learning curve of the metal seal and backorder waits. Where All American's listings disagree with each other, as with empty weights, we show the range rather than pick a number.
Use only tested recipes from the USDA, the NCHFP or your state extension service, and never shorten a processing time. If you're still deciding between brands, start with our best pressure canner roundup.
FAQ
Is the All American 921 worth the money?
If you can every year, usually yes. It has no gasket to replace, its weighted regulator never needs accuracy testing, and it carries a lifetime warranty. If you can only a few times a year, a Presto 23-quart holds about the same number of jars for much less money.
How many jars does the All American 921 hold?
All American lists 7 quarts, 18 regular-mouth pints or 26 regular-mouth half-pints, and 7 quarts, 16 pints or 16 half-pints in wide-mouth jars. The pint and half-pint figures require two layers, with a rack between them.
Does an All American pressure canner have a gasket?
No. All American canners use a precision metal-to-metal seal held down by wing-nut clamps. The manufacturer says to wipe a thin film of olive oil or petroleum jelly on the sealing edge before each use so the lid seals and releases cleanly.
Do I need to test the dial gauge on an All American canner?
All American says the weighted regulator is the primary pressure indicator and the dial is for reference, so no outside testing is needed. If the dial reads more than 2 psi off the regulator while it jiggles, replace the gauge. The USDA also says weighted gauges need no accuracy checks.
Can you use an All American canner on a glass-top or induction stove?
All American says its 910, 915, 921 and 925 are generally safe on glass tops, but you should confirm with your range maker and never slide the canner. It says the 930 and 941 are too heavy for glass. None of its cast-aluminum canners work on induction.
What is the difference between the All American 921 and 925?
They share the same 12.25-inch diameter and 7-quart capacity. The 925 is about 1.4 inches taller and holds one more regular pint (19 versus 18) and more water. Most people only need the 921; the 925 gives a little more headroom for stacked loads.
Verdict
The All American 921 is the best all-round All American pressure canner: seven quarts, 18 pints, no gasket, no gauge testing, and a lifetime warranty. Pick the 915 if height is tight and you can mostly quarts, and the 941 only if you truly process 20 quarts at a time. If the premium price is hard to justify, a Presto 23-quart holds about the same load for much less.