Knowing how to can is a valuable skill since it allows you to preserve fruits, vegetables, and meats for months or years. When done correctly, you can make jams, pickles, salsas, or sauces to save on buying produce and reduce time on your weekly meal prep.
Since the process involves heating food to prevent bacteria from forming, you’ll need to use a reliable stove. But if you’re considering upgrading your unit, you might be wondering:
Are pressure canners safe for glass top stoves?
You’ll no longer have to wonder because this article will uncover the truth about canning on your glass-top stove.
Can you can on a glass-top stove?
Some glass top stove manufacturers advise against canning on your cooktop, while others allow it but will limit it to certain diameters of canners. So it’s always best to check with your glass cooktop’s manufacturer to ensure it’s safe to can on your unit.
The National Center for Home Food Preservation also warns about several issues that can harm your glass-top stove top. One of them is that excess heat from the canner can reflect back down to your stovetop, increasing its risk of damaging it.
Another is that most glass top stoves have automatic shut-off features that activate when the temperature is too high. Since it’s crucial to process your canned goods at a continuous time and temperature, a slight change can make your product underprocessed and unsalvageable.
Plus, there’s also the risk of scratching your glass cooktop because of the weight of the canner.
But despite the issues, experienced home cooks have had success with canning on their glass top stove as long as they follow certain tips and tricks – which we’ll share below!
What kind of canner can you use on a glass top stove?
The material of the canner you use isn’t as significant since most types of cookware work with your glass top stove. But you need to choose a canner that fits the size of your burner.
A canner bigger in diameter than your heating source can transfer excess heat to the surface, making it more susceptible to cracking.
Also, avoid canners with concave or indented bases, and pick ones with flat bottoms instead to ensure it gets even heating.
If you’re worried about scratching or breaking your glass cooktop, you can also settle on a lightweight but still durable canner since you also need to consider the weight of the jars and water when heating.
Is it safe to water bath can on a glass top stove?
Water bath canning is a process of preserving high-acid or acidic foods. Since it’s a canning method, you’ll still need to check with your glass cooktop’s manufacturer to know if it’s safe on your unit. You can either check its operating manual or call your manufacturer’s customer service.
Once you confirm it’s safe, remember to use a water bath canner that fits the diameter of your burner and has a smooth and flat bottom.
What glass top stoves can you use a canner on?
If one of your criteria for choosing a glass top stove for your kitchen is the ability to can, let’s see which of these popular brands are safe:
Can you can on a Whirlpool glass top stove?
Whirlpool deems it safe to use a canner on any of its glass stovetops. But they recommend using the largest heating element on your unit, and your canner shouldn’t exceed ½ inch (1.3 cm) beyond the burner.
If you plan on canning multiple batches, alternate between other cooking surfaces or stoves so your glass cooktop has enough time to cool down in between batches. This also prevents activating its automatic shut-off feature when the temperatures get too high.
Can you can on a Samsung glass top stove?
Samsung confirms that you can use any glass top stoves for canning if you avoid using canners more than 1 inch in diameter bigger than the cooking zone you’re using since this can cause your cooktop to discolor or the heat from the canner can fuse to the surface and cause it to crack.
You won’t need to be particular with the weight of your canner, but be careful not to drag or slide it across your stove to prevent scratches. Using cookware with smooth and flat bases will also help avoid creating these marks.
Can you use a pressure canner on a GE glass top stove?
GE glass top stove pressure canning is completely safe. In fact, GE recommends you only do it on their surface cooktops. You won’t also need to worry when your canner extends more than 1 inch of the burner because their stovetops are sturdy enough that boiling water temperatures won’t damage its surface.
But if you’re wary, it’s still best to practice caution if you want your unit to last.
GE also recommends using canners with flat bottoms and preparing recipes from trusted sources to keep your glass-top stove and food safe.
What is the best canner for glass top stove?
Now that you know that you can use a canner on your glass-top stove, let’s break down the pros and cons of a few of the most popular brands:
1. Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner
If you’re looking for a Presto Pressure Canner for glass top stove, their 23-quart unit is a popular choice. It has an aluminum body with a stainless-steel base, so it’s also compatible with an induction cooktop. It does have a raised 8-inch base, so remember to use it on a burner that fits its inner diameter rather than on a bigger cooking zone.
Users like that it has a sturdy build and can hold a lot of jars simultaneously. It only comes with a 15-pound weight gauge, so you might need to purchase a separate 5 or 10-pound weight depending on the elevation in your area.
It also takes a long time to build sufficient pressure, and once it does, you need to monitor the heat constantly to keep it stable. Several users have also had the interiors of their canners turn black and the handles crack after a few uses. But you can contact the manufacturer for an exchange if it’s within its warranty period.
2. Barton 22-Quart Pressure Canner
The Barton 22-Quart Pressure Canner has a polished aluminum body that can double as a boiling water canner.
Users like that it’s easy to use and has a solid build. It indicates that the pressure releases at 13 psi, but some users can only get it up to 10-12 psi, so some had to use household items to act as weights to increase it to 15 psi.
A few also noticed that the canner leaks water in a few spots, which can be messy if you don’t wipe it away.
Its safety feature also makes it challenging to create a seal on the lid when the canner is hot. So you must wait for it to cool completely if you need to open it after the water boils.
3. McSunley 21.5-Quart Water Batch Canner
If you prefer to use a water bath canner, The McSunley 21.5 Quart has an affordable option. It has a stainless steel build and comes with a heavy-duty jar wire rack. If you like, it can also double as a stockpot for making big batches of soups, stocks, or stews.
Users like that it has a glass lid, so you’ll know when the water is at a rolling boil or needs a top-up. Its base is also flat, making it safe for glass and induction cooktops. It’s also wide enough to fit 7 quarts easily and position the jars securely. It is hefty in size, so be cautious of the weight on your cooktop.
A few of its downsides include water leaking down the handle hole or exploding glass lid in the middle of the process. However, you can call the manufacturer to send you a new lid if it’s still within its warranty period.
4. All-American 21.5-Quart Pressure Canner
The All-American 21.5-Quart Pressure Canner is great for heavy-duty canning. It has an aluminum body, and you can choose between 7 color options: silver, berry blue, mustard, and kelp green.
Before you purchase this piece, check with your manufacturer if it’s compatible with your glass stovetop since some can break due to its hefty weight.
Users appreciate that it doesn’t need a gasket to create a seal, which makes it easier to open, and you won’t have to shell out a couple of bucks in the future to replace it.
But some units are difficult to close because the cover doesn’t fit or align with the body. In a few cases, the overpressure plug also leaks, making it difficult to build pressure.
The bottom line
During canning, heating the food in a canner is essential for getting rid of bacteria and creating a tight seal on the lid. But the weight of the canner and its contents can be excessive for a glass-top stove.
That’s why it’s essential to check with your cooktop’s manufacturer to ensure your unit can handle a canner. If it’s sturdy enough, make sure to use one with a flat and smooth bottom to prevent scratching the surface of your stove. Choose a can that fits your cooking zones to avoid excess heat from breaking it.
If you’re in the market for a new canner, we hope our short list will help you decide the best one to fit your canning needs.
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