If you’re passionate about preserving fresh produce, cooking meals quickly, or steaming large portions of your favorite dishes, the Granite Ware Pressure Canner/Cooker/Steamer, 20-Quart, is designed to meet these needs with professional-quality performance. Combining multiple kitchen appliances into one, this pressure canner offers versatility for canning, cooking, and steaming, all while ensuring food safety and preserving flavor. In this review, we’ll explore its key features, strengths, and considerations to help you decide if it’s the right addition to your kitchen.
Key Features
The Granite Ware 20-Quart Pressure Canner stands out chiefly because of its multi-functionality and durability:
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Large Capacity & Versatile Inserts: With a 20-quart capacity, it can hold up to 7 quart jars, 8 pint jars, or 24 half-pint jars, making it ideal for bulk canning projects. The included jar rack keeps your jars elevated, preventing direct contact with the bottom to ensure even heat distribution. Additionally, the included steamer insert allows you to steam foods such as tamales, seafood, ribs, and pot roasts, keeping them out of the cooking liquid and preserving texture and flavor.
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Robust Construction: Made from hard anodized aluminum, the canner offers excellent durability, heat conduction, and resistance to wear. The stay-cool handles provide comfort and safety when handling hot cookware, while the locking stainless steel lid ensures a secure, pressure-tight seal.
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Safety Features: Safety is paramount in pressure cooking and canning. The Granite Ware pressure canner is UL-listed and features a pop-up pressure indicator that locks the lid securely during operation, preventing accidental opening under pressure. It uses a three-piece adjustable pressure regulator calibrated for 5, 10, and 15 psi, accommodating different altitudes and recipes. Additionally, it has multiple safety valves, including a black-capped valve and an all-metal safety valve that whistles if pressure surpasses safe limits or if the vent pipe gets clogged.
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Efficient Cooking: By achieving high temperatures required for safe canning, especially for low-acid foods like meats and vegetables, this pressure canner ensures safe preservation. It also functions as a pressure cooker, cooking meals significantly faster—sometimes in one-third to one-tenth the time of conventional methods—while tenderizing tough cuts and locking in nutrients.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent Capacity: Users appreciate that it comfortably fits multiple quart jars or pints, allowing larger batches of food to be processed or cooked simultaneously.
- High-Quality Build: The sturdy anodized aluminum construction and stay-cool handles contribute to its durability and ease of use.
- Safety Assurances: The UL listing and multiple pressure safety features give peace of mind during high-pressure operations.
- Ease of Use: Customers find the design intuitive with straightforward instructions, making it accessible even for beginners in pressure canning.
- Versatility: Functions as a pressure cooker, canner, and steamer, which provides good value for multiple cooking needs.
Cons:
- Design Feedback Varied: While some users find the product’s sleek design appealing, others criticize certain aspects of its design, though specifics weren’t widely detailed in reviews.
- Weight Considerations: Although not described as excessively heavy, its robust build does mean it is heavier than standard pots, which might be a minor consideration for some users.
Who Is It For?
The Granite Ware 20-Quart Pressure Canner/Cooker/Steamer is ideal for home canners who routinely preserve large batches of fruits, vegetables, meats, and low-acid foods. It’s perfect for families or individuals looking to create home-cooked meals in bulk or those who enjoy steaming large quantities of food efficiently. Additionally, novice and experienced users alike will benefit from its user-friendly design and comprehensive safety features. If you want a multifunctional, reliable, and sizable pressure appliance for both canning and cooking, this model suits those priorities well.
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Final Thoughts
The Granite Ware 20-Quart Pressure Canner offers a compelling combination of capacity, safety, and versatility, backed by a solid build and user-friendly features. With the ability to safely process large canning batches and cook meals rapidly, it presents an excellent tool for preserving and preparing food at home. While design opinions vary slightly, most customers rate it highly for performance and value, making it a dependable choice for serious home canners and culinary enthusiasts. If you’re looking to unlock rich flavors and streamline your kitchen workflow with one professional-grade appliance, the Granite Ware pressure canner is certainly worth considering.
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