All American canners

[Sliderite]

I was given an All American 921(big canner) and have had nothing but problems with major steam leakage mostly near the rocker weight along the seal. This gift was to help me can for the mother and sisters which I have spoiled them with great tuna vs the old bumblebee tuna.
Therefore, I need to turn to you SALTY DOGS!
The leakage was so significant I almost ran it completely dry the first time. I took it back to the cannery store and they replayed the same leakage on their stove the second time but first time she didn't let it vent long enough(7-10 min) and it was OK then. The company said a defect and to replace the canner at no expense to either of us.

The replaced canner is now doing the same exact thing.
Am I doing something wrong in placing the lid on the canner? The "expert" was there with me and helped me put the lid on the second time. Now at home the replacement is doing the same thing in the same spot. She said I was the first to bring one back with a problem(?).
Does All American now have a quality control problem? I used my cheap Presto as a back-up and performed great with only one failure for about 30 jars. That isn't great but good for me.
Any ideas before "I" call the company and say ....yeah it is the same thing going on. Could it be the whole batch. Sorry this was so long!!!
Thanks for all replies!

What are your thoughts on these canners?
Thanks guys

[ 09-05-2003, 03:04 AM: Message edited by: Sliderite ]

[Bait O' Eggs]

We use an all american 921 with no problems, had it for 6 or 7 years.

It sounds like you are not leaking at the lid seal but where the little weight sits on the spicket. Ours spits a little steam out there and the weight kind of rattles back and forth. The little round weight has 3 sides to it one for 5, 10 and 15 lbs.

Assuming your system is not faulty, I would guess you have the heat too high if you are getting excess steam around the weight. If you boil water steam is created. If the steam cant escape pressure builds. At 10 lbs the weight is designed to let the excess steam out of the canner to keep it at 10 lbs. If your heat is to high you could be boiling your water off while the weight maintains the 10lbs. Find the minimum heat that will maintaining 10lbs and you shouldnt loose so much water.

Or, maybe your not starting with enough water in the canner to start with. Your gonna lose some water in the process.

Just a couple ideas for you.

[The Bad Fish]

i use a 23 qt presto that i bought at bi mart for $60.00. i filled it full of 1/2 pints and only had one jar not seal out of 2 batches.

the trick is you have to babysit the cooker so it will not get too hot or fall below 10 psi. i checked mine every 2-5 minutes, some times the regulator was rocking, the closer to 15 psi it gets the more it rocks.

here's how i did mine
fill canner with jars to the top.
pour 3 quarts boiling water into cooker
seal lid , put on rocker, add heat till psi comes up to 10 and back off on heat till gauge holds at 11 to 14 psi. check very often. 100 minutes.

hope this helps,, good luck. kb

[Nofish]

I have an All Amercian 915 (for about 3 years) and while mine does leak steam a little bit around that fitting that the rocker weight sits on, it isn't significant. I guess I would have to say that I really like the canner and have canned many cases of tuna and salmon without any problems. It's hard to believe you got two lemons in a row...I would try for a third and hope the problem gets fixed.

[Sliderite]

Thank you for the replies. I should have been more clear as to the location of steam release. It is not from the rocker but along the seal between the lid and bottom pot. The location of the most release is just at the bottom pot handle. Water also spittles at the handle as it comes out from the seal. The steam shoots horizontally out at a fairly good clip and I lost 1/2 inch or more of water in just 15 min of testing the new one.
I am thinking there is a bad lot or something.
Again, thanks for all replies.