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| So I just inherited an All American #7 15 1/2 quart pressure canner, and I am confused on a couple things. First of all, the dial gauge is not coming off. It is supposed to, correct? I greased it, then sprayed wd40 on it, and I still can't get it off. Next will come vice grips, but I want to in fact make sure it is supposed to come off. The gauge is also tilted - not sure if that is broken, or how they used to be made. Next - what is the piece on the right of the handle? Can I put a weighted gauge there instead? The only all American canner I used in the past was a brand new one - a little different than this one. Thanks for any input :) |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| The gauge does not need to come off. The only reason for removing it is to replace it with a new one if necessary. To the right of the handle is what is called a "petcock". It was the original pressure relief valve and has since been replaced by the weight. You left it open - flipped up - to let the canner vent till you had a good head of steam (10 min. is the recommended length of time) and then flipped it down/closed to let the pressure build. The only way to monitor the pressure was the gauge and you could only raise/lower the pressure by reducing/increasing the heat. The petcock can be replaced with a new valve stem and weight. You must order the valve stem that will fit the model 7 (see website), remove the old one, use a bit of plumbers teflon tape around the base of the new one and screw it in place, set the new weight on top of it. Then ignore the gauge and go by the weights. Dave |
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| Good info Dave! I've got one too, the gauge is tilted and we couldn't get a good reading when I had it tested last summer (so I haven't used it). I was afraid we'd have to remove it to put the weight set on. Is the petcock as hard to remove as the dial is (haven't tried but sure seems tight and I don't want to break mine either)? |
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| Thanks Dave! If this was your canner, would you use the petcock or get a new weight gauge? I'm still not that experienced with pressure canning, but know that the weights are more accurate than dial gauges. I'm sure this one has not been tested in a very long time :) |
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| If this was my canner I would most definitely eliminate the petcock and replace it with the weight. It should not be that hard to get off and yes it will take vise grips/channel locks/etc. If the WD40 doesn't loosen them then pick up a can of Kroil which unlocks frozen nuts and bolts and follow directions on the label. Before I invested any money in it at all tho I would first do a couple of practice runs with just water yo see what other problems it may have like leaks, warping, etc. Dave |
Here is a link that might be useful: Kroil
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| ekgrows - did you get yours modified? I had emailed customer service 3 years ago, they referred me to a website for ordering parts but now I see the new ones have a safety valve, I don't know if they can modify the lid to add that, looks like it might be less expensive to buy a new lid with everything included. New lid is $75, new lid with everything installed is $135 (and you get a new handle too), the parts add up to about $45 and I know shipping will be more than $15, even if they would drill a hole for the pressure relief valve if you sent it to them. Do you have a glass top stove? Edited after looking at prices of individual parts |
Here is a link that might be useful: AA Replacement lids
This post was edited by ajsmama on Sat, Aug 10, 13 at 17:53
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| Mine looks the same except for the dial face - it's white. Here's a pic of the underside, no overpressure relief valve that I can see. Just the gauge and petcock and 2 bumps where the handle (Bakelite, not wood, so it's not super old) is attached. |
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| Then it is your choice whether to use or not. Many probably do. Personally I would have it drilled for an over pressure plug. Any machine shop can do it for you (take the plug itself with you to them) for a minimal fee. But I sure wouldn't spend $75 for a new lid when I can get a whole new Presto canner and the weights for less than that. JMO Dave |
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| That's $75 plus about $45 for the plug, the valve, the weight and the gauge (so better to spend the $135 to get it already assembled). The $75 option is JUST the lid with the holes (not even a handle). The only reason I would even consider $135 for a new lid vs $74 for a Presto is that AA is sturdier, and no gasket to keep replacing. $61 will buy 6 gaskets - do you replace them each year? |
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| Again, lots of gasket discussions here in the past and no they are very seldom replaced. As to the AA being "sturdier" that is debatable and just a matter of opinion. Several of us here have both for comparison and yet every time the question comes up it is the Presto that gets recommended. |
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- Posted by myfamilysfarm 5b (My Page) on Sun, Aug 11, 13 at 12:23
| Sheila I've replaced 1 gasket on the 3 pressure canners that I have, and really did not need it. You might have replace the gasket every 10 years if then. |
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| I looked up the old discussions and some people have used a 23 qt on the glass top range so I will try that first. I'd really like the taller one so that I can BWB quarts and pint-and-a-half jar in it, the stockpot I use as a BWB is just a tiny bit too short, it's hard to keep the jars covered b/c water splashes out as it boils when I fill it that full. It would be nice to have 1 canner that will work for both, then I can free up some storage space. |
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- Posted by myfamilysfarm 5b (My Page) on Mon, Aug 12, 13 at 9:49
| I now have a 22 and 23 qt. Love both of them. Only bringing the 16 out when don't plan on having more than 8 pints or 7 qts. I say 8 pints because of wide mouth pints, only 8 will fit. Happens very rarely. I'll probably hand the smaller PCs down to my son's families for them to begin with. |
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