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The Presto pressure canner is the default for a reason: it's light, it's affordable, it works on almost any stove, and Presto's recipe book follows USDA processing times. If you're buying your first canner, odds are good you're choosing between two Prestos, the 16-quart and the 23-quart. They look almost identical in photos, but they behave differently in ways that matter.
The short version: both hold seven quarts. The difference is height, which decides whether you can stack pints and whether you can water-bath quarts. Below we compare them spec by spec using Presto's own sheets, cover the induction model and the digital line, and explain the upkeep every Presto owner signs up for.
Quick Picks
- Best Overall: Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker. Best for most people: 7 quarts, 20 stacked pints and quart-size water bath canning.
- Best Compact: Presto 01755 16-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker. Best for low clearances and quart-focused canners.
- Best for Induction: Presto 01784 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner. Best for induction ranges.
- Best Electric Presto: Presto Precise 02154 16-Quart Digital Pressure Canner. Best for people who want automation in a compact body, with caveats.
Presto 16 vs 23 Quart: Side by Side
| Spec (Presto spec sheets) | Presto 01755 16-Quart | Presto 01781 23-Quart |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid capacity | 16 qt (15.1 L) | 23 qt (21.8 L) |
| Pressure canning, regular mouth | 7 qt / 10 pt / 13 half-pt | 7 qt / 20 pt / 26 half-pt |
| Pressure canning, wide mouth | 7 qt / 8 pt / 16 half-pt (stacked) | 7 qt / 16 pt / 16 half-pt |
| Boiling water canning | Pints and half-pints only | 7 qt / 10 pt / 13 half-pt |
| Out-of-box size (W × D × H) | 17.25 × 13.5 × 12.0 in | 17.5 × 13.5 × 15.5 in |
| Weight | 9.25 lb | 10.32 lb |
| Gauge | Dial gauge | Dial gauge |
| Max burner | 12,000 BTU | 12,000 BTU |
| Warranty | Extended 12-year limited | Extended 12-year limited |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
The table shows the whole decision. The extra 3.5 inches of height on the 23-quart buys a second layer of pints (20 versus 10) and enough depth to cover quart jars with boiling water. If you can lots of pints of beans, salsa or jam, that height pays for itself. If you can mostly quarts of stock, meat and tomatoes, and you're short on clearance, the 16-quart gives up very little.
What All Presto Stovetop Canners Share
According to Presto, each of its current stovetop canners has:
- Heavy-gauge aluminum body with a polished finish.
- Dial gauge that reads the full range of processing pressures, which Presto says is an advantage above 2,000 feet because you can adjust pressure in small increments.
- One-piece regulator that acts as a safety device to keep pressure from going above 15 pounds. On the dial models, you control pressure with the burner, not the weight.
- Air vent/cover lock that lets pressure build only when the lid is properly closed and keeps it locked until pressure drops.
- Overpressure plug that releases steam if the vent pipe clogs.
- Canning rack and recipe book using research-tested recipes with processing times in line with USDA guidelines.
- Range fit: gas, electric coil and smooth-top, on burners of 12,000 BTU or less.
Presto also sells a 16-quart weighted-gauge canner (stock no. 01745) with a 3-piece regulator for 5, 10 and 15 psi. Presto says it's sold only at Walmart and is best suited to elevations of 1,000 feet or less, so we haven't given it a product box here.
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 Presto Canners, Reviewed
1. Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker (Best Overall)
Who it's for: first-time and seasoned canners alike who want one stovetop canner that does everything.
The 23-quart is the most versatile canner Presto makes. It holds 7 quarts, 20 regular pints or 26 regular half-pints, so a full day of beans or a big batch of stock goes quickly. In boiling water mode it takes 7 quarts too, which means you don't need a separate water bath pot. At about 10.3 lb empty it's easy to lift down from a shelf, and loaded it's still manageable for most people.
The dial gauge is a real advantage if you live above 2,000 feet. The USDA altitude tables for dial-gauge canners step up 1 pound at a time. For green beans, for example, the NCHFP lists 11, 12, 13 and 14 psi across four elevation bands up to 8,000 feet. A weighted gauge would force you to jump to 15. The flip side is that you watch the needle and adjust the burner, and the gauge must be tested every year. More on that below.
Pros
- 7 quarts, 20 pints or 26 half-pints per load
- Water-bath canning of quart jars
- Dial gauge allows exact altitude pressures
- Light, with a 12-year limited warranty
Cons
- Needs annual dial gauge testing
- Sealing ring and overpressure plug to replace every few years
- 15.5 inches tall out of the box, so check your hood clearance
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
by Presto
2. Presto 01755 16-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker (Best Compact)
Who it's for: quart canners with low hoods, small cabinets or a tight budget.
Don't let the name fool you: the 16-quart holds the same 7 quarts as the 23-quart when pressure canning. It's 12 inches tall, the lowest-cost route into a full-size Presto, and at 9.25 lb the lightest. In regular-mouth jars it holds 10 pints or 13 half-pints in a single layer. Presto's spec sheet says you can double-deck wide-mouth half-pints to reach 16.
The two real limitations are pints and water bath canning. You get half the regular pints of the 23-quart, and Presto restricts boiling water canning to pints and half-pints only. If your canning year includes quarts of peaches or water-bath tomatoes, you'd need a separate canning pot. At that point the 23-quart is usually the better buy.
Pros
- 7 quarts in a 12-inch-tall body
- Lowest price of the Presto stovetop line
- Lightest full-size canner Presto makes
Cons
- Only 10 regular pints per load
- No quarts in boiling water mode
- Same gauge testing and gasket upkeep as the 23-quart
Presto 01755 16-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker
by Presto
3. Presto 01784 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner (Best for Induction)
Who it's for: anyone cooking on induction.
Plain aluminum doesn't work on induction, so Presto added a stainless steel-clad base to its 23-quart design. Everything else matches the 01781: 7 quarts, 20 pints (stacked) or 26 half-pints, the same dial gauge and cover lock, the same out-of-box size, and the same 12-year warranty. It also works on gas, coil and smooth-top ranges, so it's a good future-proof choice if you might switch to induction later. Presto cautions that it may not work on all portable induction ranges.
Pros
- Works on induction plus every other common cooktop
- Identical capacity to the 01781
- 12-year limited warranty
Cons
- Costs a little more than the 01781
- Not guaranteed on every portable induction burner
Presto 01784 23-Quart Induction Compatible Pressure Canner
by Presto
4. Presto Precise 02154 16-Quart Digital Pressure Canner (Best Electric Presto)
Who it's for: people who like Presto but want the canner to manage venting, timing and temperature.
The 02154 is the closest digital match to the 16-quart stovetop. It holds 7 quarts, 10 regular pints or 13 half-pints for pressure canning, stands 13.5 inches tall and runs on 1,100 watts. Instead of a dial, a sensor holds 240°F (116°C), and Presto says no altitude adjustment is needed. Like the stovetop 16-quart, it can't water-bath quarts.
The caveats are significant. No electric pressure canner has a published USDA or university validation. Presto's claim that the Precise line meets USDA guidelines rests on its own research. You must use the recipes in Presto's manual, and the warranty is one year instead of twelve. Our Presto Precise digital pressure canner review covers all four digital sizes.
Pros
- Automated venting, timing and temperature control
- 7 quarts in a compact body
- Frees up the stovetop
Cons
- Validation is Presto's own; none from the USDA or a university
- Must follow Presto's recipe book
- One-year warranty and a much higher price
Presto Precise 02154 16-Quart Digital Pressure Canner
by Presto
Living With a Presto: Upkeep That Matters
Test the dial gauge every season
The USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning says to check dial gauges for accuracy before use each year. A gauge that reads high causes under-processing, which is a safety problem. Pressure adjustments can be made if a gauge reads up to 2 pounds high or low, and a gauge that's off by more than 2 pounds should be replaced. Presto adds that you should have it checked whenever the cover has been dropped or submerged, the glass is broken, parts are rusty or the needle doesn't rest on zero. Your county extension office can usually test it. If not, Presto's consumer service department tests gauges by mail; call ahead before shipping.
Replace the sealing ring and overpressure plug
Presto says to replace the sealing ring every two to three years, or sooner if it has hardened, shrunk, cracked or deformed, or if the canner won't reach or hold pressure. Replace the overpressure plug at the same time, since Presto packages them together. Our Presto pressure canner parts guide lists what to keep on hand.
Keep the vent pipe clear
Before every load, hold the cover up to a light and look through the vent pipe. If it's blocked, Presto says to clear it with a small brush, pipe cleaner or wire, not a toothpick, which can snap off inside. Store the canner dry, with the cover upside down on the body.
Follow the venting and cool-down steps
Presto's instructions line up with the USDA's. Use 3 quarts of water for a stovetop Presto. Vent a steady stream of steam for 10 minutes before putting the regulator on. Start timing when the dial reaches the recipe's pressure. Let the canner cool on its own until the air vent/cover lock drops, then wait 10 minutes before opening. If pressure dips below the target at any point, the USDA says to bring it back up and restart the full process time. Our beginner's guide to using a pressure canner walks through a full load.
Presto vs All American in One Paragraph
Presto canners are lighter, cheaper, gasketed and dial-gauged. All American canners are heavier, pricier, gasket-free and run on a weighted regulator that never needs testing. Both hold seven quarts in their popular sizes. If you can a few times a year, live at altitude or have an induction range, Presto wins. If you can every season and want a canner you'll never need parts for, read our All American pressure canner review. For every brand side by side, see our best pressure canner roundup.
Presto Pressure Canner Buying Guide
Pick by jar size first
If you mostly can quarts, both sizes hold 7. If you can a lot of pints, the 23-quart doubles your load. If you want to water-bath quarts, only the 23-quart (or the 01784) does it.
Check your clearance
Measure from the burner grate to the bottom of your hood or over-range microwave. The 23-quart is 15.5 inches tall out of the box, the 16-quart 12 inches. Leave room above for the regulator and your hand.
Match your cooktop
Gas, coil and smooth-top: any Presto. Induction: the 01784. Outdoor high-output burners: Presto designs its canners for 12,000 BTU or less.
Think about altitude
Above 1,000 feet, the USDA's weighted-gauge tables jump to 15 psi. Above 2,000 feet, its dial-gauge tables step up 1 psi per elevation band. That makes Presto's dial gauge a real advantage at altitude, as long as you test it yearly. Our pressure canning altitude chart shows the bands.
Pressure canning altitude calculator
Enter your elevation to get the USDA canner pressure for a dial-gauge or weighted-gauge canner.
Use only tested recipes. The processing time always comes from your recipe (USDA, NCHFP, your state extension service or your canner maker), never from this calculator. This tool only gives the canner pressure for your elevation.
- Vent every pressure canner for 10 minutes before pressurizing, at any elevation.
- Have a dial gauge checked for accuracy every year. Many county extension offices test gauges.
- If the pressure drops below the target, bring it back up and restart the processing time from the beginning.
Source: USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning and the National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) pressure canner tables.
How We Chose
We didn't test these canners. We compared Presto's current spec sheets, product pages, care instructions and canning FAQ, and checked them against the USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning and National Center for Home Food Preservation guidance on gauges, venting and canner size. We also weighed recurring owner feedback about clearance, gasket life and gauge testing. Every capacity and dimension above comes from Presto's own documents.
Always use tested recipes from Presto's book, the USDA, the NCHFP or your state extension service, and never shorten processing times or lower pressures.
FAQ
Should I buy the Presto 16 quart or 23 quart canner?
Buy the 23-quart unless height is a problem. Both hold 7 quarts, but the 23-quart stacks 20 regular pints versus 10 and can water-bath quart jars. The 16-quart is 3.5 inches shorter and slightly lighter, which helps under low hoods and in small cabinets.
How many jars does the Presto 23 quart pressure canner hold?
Presto's spec sheet lists 7 quarts, 20 pints or 26 half-pints in regular-mouth jars for pressure canning, and 7 quarts, 16 pints or 16 half-pints in wide-mouth jars. For boiling water canning it lists 7 quarts, 10 pints or 13 half-pints in regular-mouth jars.
Can you water bath can quarts in the Presto 16 quart?
No. Presto limits the 16-quart to pints and half-pints for boiling water canning, because quart jars don't fit under enough water in the shorter pot. It does hold 7 quart jars for pressure canning.
How often should a Presto dial gauge be tested?
Presto says to have it checked before every canning season, and also any time the cover is dropped or submerged, the glass breaks or the needle doesn't rest at zero. The USDA says to replace a dial gauge that reads more than 2 pounds off. Many county extension offices test gauges, and Presto also tests them by mail.
Can I use a Presto pressure canner on a glass-top stove?
Yes. Presto says its stovetop canners work on smooth-top ranges as well as gas and electric coil. Only the 01784 model, with its stainless steel-clad base, works on induction, and Presto notes it may not work on every portable induction burner.
How often should I replace the Presto canner gasket?
Presto recommends replacing the sealing ring every two to three years, or right away if it is hard, cracked, shrunk or deformed, or if the canner won't build pressure. Replace the overpressure plug at the same time; Presto packages the two together.
Verdict
For most kitchens, the Presto 23-quart (01781) is the Presto pressure canner to buy. It holds the same seven quarts as the 16-quart, doubles the pint load and handles water-bath quarts, for a modest step up in price. Choose the 16-quart only if height is tight and you can mostly quarts, and the 01784 if you cook on induction.