We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission from Amazon at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more.
Most Presto pressure canner parts problems come down to two rubber pieces: the sealing ring (gasket) and the overpressure plug. Presto sells them together as stock no. 09985, says to replace them every two to three years, and lists the pack for the 23-quart 01781, the 16-quart 01755, the induction 01784 and the Precise digital canners. The other part that needs regular attention is the dial gauge, which Presto says to have checked before every canning season.
This guide gives the genuine Presto part numbers for the current stovetop canners, the signs that each part is worn, and how to keep the rest in shape. Every part number comes from Presto's own parts pages.
Use genuine parts only. A pressure canner is a pressure vessel, and Presto's instructions call for its own replacement parts. If your canner can't build or hold pressure, don't can with it until it's fixed.
Find Your Model Number First
Presto says the model number is on the exterior bottom or side of the canner body, or on a metal tag on the cover. You'll see two formats: the retail number (01781) and the full stock number Presto uses on its parts lists (0178107). Here's how the current stovetop canners map:
| Canner | Stock no. on parts lists |
|---|---|
| Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner (01781) | 0178107 |
| Presto 16-Quart Pressure Canner (01755) | 0175510 |
| Presto 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner (01784) | 0178410 |
| Presto Precise 23-Quart Digital Pressure Canner (02153) | 0215305 |
Older and discontinued canners have their own lists. Search Presto's parts finder by the number on your canner.
Presto Pressure Canner Parts at a Glance
These are the parts Presto lists for the 23-quart 01781 (0178107). The 16-quart 01755 (0175510) and the induction 01784 (0178410) share the same core parts.
| Part | Presto stock no. | What it does | When to replace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sealing Ring/Overpressure Plug Pack | 09985 | Gasket that seals cover to body, plus the backup pressure release | Every 2–3 years, or sooner if worn |
| Overpressure Plug (sold alone) | 09915 | Pops out to release pressure if the vent pipe blocks | With the sealing ring, or if hardened |
| Steam Gauge (dial gauge) | 85772 | Shows pressure inside the canner | If it fails an accuracy test or is damaged |
| Gauge Fastener Pack | 82248 | Hardware that seals the gauge to the cover | When reinstalling or replacing a gauge |
| Pressure Regulator | 09978 | Sits on the vent pipe and controls pressure | If damaged or lost |
| Air Vent/Cover Lock | 85407 | Vents air, then locks the cover while pressurized | If damaged; replace its small gasket if nicked |
| Interlock Gasket | 85659 | Small gasket in the cover (see your instruction book diagram) | If cracked or worn |
| Vent Pipe Assembly | 85608 | Pipe the regulator sits on | If damaged or bent |
| Cooking/Canning Rack | 85707 | Keeps jars off the canner bottom | If lost, bent or rusted |
| Body Handle | 85709 | Handle on the pot | If cracked or loose beyond tightening |
| Cover Handle with Screw | 85801 | Handle on the lid | If cracked or loose beyond tightening |
| Black Compression Gasket | 81751 | Gasket for the gauge | With gauge hardware |
Presto's induction 01784 and 16-quart 01755 pages also list a white compression gasket, stock no. 27456. The Precise digital 23-quart (0215305) shares the 09985 pack, 09915 plug, 85407 cover lock, 85659 interlock gasket and 85707 rack, but has its own regulator, handles and vent pipe. Check its parts page before ordering.
Pressure canner parts diagram
Part names and care steps from Presto's parts pages and the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning. Designs differ by model, so check your own canner's manual.
The Sealing Ring and Overpressure Plug
What they do
The sealing ring sits in the rim of the cover and forms the pressure-tight seal between cover and body, in Presto's words. The overpressure plug is a backup safety device. If the vent pipe ever clogs, it releases excess pressure through the cover.
When to replace them
Presto's care guidance:
- Every two to three years as routine maintenance.
- Immediately if the ring has shrunk, hardened, deformed, cracked, worn or pitted.
- Immediately if the canner can't build or maintain pressure. A shrunken ring is a common cause of steam leaking around the cover.
- Replace the overpressure plug whenever you replace the ring, or sooner if it hardens or deteriorates. Presto recommends replacing both together, which is why they come as one pack.
If the overpressure plug is ever forced out during canning, contact Presto's Consumer Service Department and don't reuse the plug.
How to replace the sealing ring
- Pull the old ring out of the groove inside the cover rim.
- Wash the cover and dry the groove.
- Fit the new ring into the groove all the way around. It should sit flat with no twists.
- Push the new overpressure plug into its opening in the cover, following the diagram in your instruction book.
- Close the cover on the empty body to check that it turns and locks smoothly.
Day-to-day care
Presto says to take the sealing ring out after each use and let it air dry, and to wash it only if it's dirty. Store the canner dry with the cover upside down on the body, away from extreme heat or cold.
The Dial Gauge: Test It Every Season
A dial gauge that reads wrong is the most dangerous failure on a canner, because nothing looks broken. The NCHFP says a gauge that reads high causes under-processing, and that can leave food unsafe.
When to test it
Presto says to have the dial gauge checked before each canning season, and also if:
- the cover was dropped or submerged in water;
- the gauge lens is broken or missing;
- parts of the gauge are rusty;
- the needle doesn't rest at "0"; or
- you have any reason to think it's inaccurate.
Where to test it
Presto says your county extension office can usually test the gauge. If it can't, remove the gauge, pack it securely and mail it to Presto's Consumer Service Department. Presto's phone line for service is 1-800-877-0441, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central.
What the result means
The NCHFP says a gauge that's off by up to 2 psi can be used with an adjustment, and a gauge that's off by more than 2 psi should be replaced. For Presto's current stovetop canners, the replacement is the 85772 Steam Gauge, which Presto says includes the gauge, a white compression gasket, a metal washer and a nut. It also replaces the older 82121 and 82237 gauges. Presto lists it for the 0178107, 0175510 and 0178410, among others.
Pressure settings by elevation for dial and weighted gauges are in our pressure canning altitude chart.
The Pressure Regulator
On the 01781, 01755 and 01784, the regulator is part no. 09978. Presto says it fits on the vent pipe and signals and controls 15 pounds of pressure, rocking gently to show pressure is being held. Presto says neither its standard regulator nor its 3-piece adjustable regulator needs special maintenance. Replace it if it's damaged or lost.
What about the 3-piece weighted regulator?
Presto's 50332 regulator is a body plus two 5-pound rings that, fully assembled, maintains 15 pounds. Presto lists it only for specific models, including the 23-quart canner without gauge (0178209), the 16-quart 0174510 and several older canners. The 01781 (0178107) and 01755 (0175510) aren't on Presto's list, so check your model number before buying one as a "conversion."
The Rest of the Canner
Vent pipe
Before every use, Presto says to hold the cover up to the light and look through the vent pipe. If it's blocked, clear it with a small brush, pipe cleaner or wire. Don't use a toothpick, which can break off inside. A damaged pipe is replaced with the 85608 Vent Pipe Assembly.
Air vent/cover lock
Presto says to take the air vent/cover lock out occasionally, wash it in warm, soapy water, clean the opening in the cover, and replace its small gasket if it's cracked or nicked. Presto canners made before 1979 don't have this part.
Rack
Never put jars straight on the canner bottom. Presto's replacement is the 85707 Cooking/Canning Rack, listed for 46 Presto canner models. Our canning rack guide covers it alongside water bath racks.
Handles
If the body or cover handles loosen, tighten the screws. Presto notes that if you replace the original handles, you need both the cover and body handles.
The canner body
Presto says darkening inside an aluminum canner is normal and harmless. To remove it, simmer 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar per quart of water in the canner, no more than two-thirds full, then cool, empty and scour. Wash, rinse and dry the body after every use to prevent pitting. Avoid knocking the rim with metal utensils, because nicks can let steam escape.
What About All American Canners?
All American canners don't have a gasket at all; they seal metal to metal, as our best pressure canner guide explains. Their replacement parts are a different system from Presto's, so order by your All American model number from the manufacturer's parts list. The same dial-gauge rule applies: if you use the dial for processing, have it checked.
Common Mistakes With Pressure Canner Parts
- Replacing the ring but not the overpressure plug. Presto says to replace both together.
- Skipping the gauge test because the canner "seems fine." A gauge can read wrong with nothing visibly broken.
- Using a toothpick on the vent pipe. Presto warns it can break off inside.
- Buying parts by canner size instead of model number. Presto has made many 16- and 23-quart canners with different parts.
- Assuming the 3-piece regulator fits. It's only listed for certain models.
- Canning with a canner that won't hold pressure. Stop and fix it first.
If you're replacing parts on a canner you're still learning, our beginner's guide to using a pressure canner explains where each part fits into a canning session. For a side-by-side of the 16- and 23-quart models, see our Presto pressure canner review.
FAQ
How often should I replace the gasket on my Presto pressure canner?
Presto says to replace the sealing ring every two to three years, or sooner if it shrinks, hardens, deforms, cracks, wears or pits, and right away if the canner can't build or hold pressure. Replace the overpressure plug at the same time.
What sealing ring fits the Presto 01781 and 01755?
Presto's Pressure Canner Sealing Ring/Overpressure Plug Pack, stock no. 09985. Presto lists it for the 23-quart 01781 (0178107), the 16-quart 01755 (0175510), the induction 01784 (0178410) and the Precise digital 23- and 16-quart canners.
Where do I get my Presto dial gauge tested?
Presto says your county extension office can usually test it. If not, remove the gauge and mail it to Presto's Consumer Service Department. Presto recommends a check before each canning season and after the cover is dropped or submerged.
Where is the model number on a Presto canner?
Presto says the model number is on the exterior bottom or side of the canner body, or on a metal tag on the cover. Use it to match parts against Presto's compatibility lists.
Can I put a weighted regulator on my Presto dial-gauge canner?
Only on models Presto lists for its 3-piece regulator, stock no. 50332. Presto's list includes the 23-quart canner without gauge (0178209) and the 16-quart 0174510, but not the 01781 (0178107) or 01755 (0175510). Check your model number first.