All American Pressure Canners: Sizes, Seal and Who They Suit

If a canner with no gasket appeals to you, this is the brand to read about. It helps to know exactly what you're paying for. Here are the sizes, the seal, and where this brand fits and where it doesn't.

Who makes it?

All American is the brand of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, Consumer Products Division, says North Dakota State. The 921's product page says it is made in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. For stovetop canners in general and other brands, see our stovetop guide. The guide to electric canner types shows how they differ from electric machines.

We compare by the maker's data and what university experts say. We didn't use these canners ourselves.

What are the six sizes?

All figures come from the sizes table on All American's product page. It doesn't say which jar style its counts assume. The 921's own spec lines give pints by mouth width.

Two cautions. The same page lists the 921 at 22 pounds in its spec lines and 17.75 in the table. And an older manual copy with no date gives some different counts, such as 19 pints for the 921 and 19 quarts for the 941. Treat the table as a guide, and go by the manual that comes with your canner. Canner sizes explains how to choose.

The taller models reach their higher quart counts by stacking. Penn State says the taller model holds two layers of quarts or three of pints, and that it is very heavy when full.

Which models can I buy through you?

Our Amazon data covers four of the six. None is a pick of ours. They're options for readers who already want this design.

• Smallest: the All American 910^* (paid link) holds 4 quart jars. That is the least the USDA's instructions allow, per Penn State.
• Middle: the All American 915^* (paid link) and the All American 921^* (paid link) both hold 7 quart jars, per All American. The 921 adds pints.
• Large: the All American 930^* (paid link) holds 14 quart jars, per All American.

How does the seal work, and how do I care for it?

This is the whole appeal of the design. Most canners use a rubber gasket that shrinks and wears out over time. Penn State says All American is the only canner with a metal-to-metal seal, held by six lugs, with no gasket.

No gasket doesn't mean no care. All American's product page says to put a thin layer of olive oil on the seal before each use. It also recommends replacing the overpressure plug every year, because that plug vents on its own if the vent pipe clogs. See pressure canner parts for what to look at in general, and follow your manual for your model.

What about the gauge and the weight?

An All American has both a weight and a dial, and the weight does the work. North Dakota State says these are weighted canners with a dial for reference, and they rely on the weight regulator for processing. Their dials aren't checked yearly. The maker's page describes a round regulator with 5, 10 and 15 PSI settings (PSI is how pressure is measured). It calls the dial a reference for watching pressure and confirming it has returned to zero.

So you listen for the weight, and you work with its fixed steps. The USDA says a weighted gauge can't correct as precisely at higher altitudes. Our gauge comparison goes through what that means. The altitude page links to the USDA tables.

Will it work on my stove?

The sources have changed over time on glass tops. Here they are with their dates. We don't settle it.

• All American's current page: most glass tops are considered safe with the 910, 915, 921 and 925. The 930 and 941 are too heavy and could damage a glass top. Check with your stove's maker.
• The older manual copy, no date: not recommended on glass or flat stoves, because the weight may break the glass, and the pot is wider than most burners.
• Penn State (April 30, 2024): quotes that same manual language, and says to contact your stove's maker before you decide.

Our glass-top page has the wider picture. The 921's page rules out induction. If that's your stove, see the induction page.

What are the strengths and weaknesses?

A note on that warranty: the page lists "Lifetime Warranty" as a heading, and we didn't read its full terms. The older manual copy describes one year. Read the current terms before you rely on it.

Is All American or Presto better?

Penn State says weight does not affect food safety. Nothing we read calls one brand safer than the other. The difference is practical.

A Presto stovetop canner has a gasket to replace every few years, a dial to check every year, and a lower price. An All American has neither of those chores, but it costs and weighs more. For most readers we'd begin with the Presto 01781^* (paid link). If gaskets put you off and the budget allows, All American is a fair choice to read up on.

What couldn't we confirm?

We didn't check whether All American sells an electric model, so we say nothing about one here.