jiggling for about 25 - 45 seconds and then it would rest for about 25 - 45 seconds before it began jiggling again

That sounds a little too slow. Did you vent it well first for the full 10 min before putting the weight on? That's the only way to make sure all the air is out of the canner and that it has a good head of steam built up for the weight to react to.

Go for 10-15 sec of hissing jiggle then 15 sec of sitting still. Better to have it jiggle too often then not often enough.

Which model, which weight type/shape?

Dave

I have an old Mirro and it's a Pee Willy on getting it to jiggle like it says it should. I thankfully have gas now, and it's been easier to regulate than when I had electric, but one has to bring it down ever so slowly and even a hair's breadth can throw it off. So, like you said, I err to too much giggle than not enough. Sometimes just re-setting the weight helps, sometimes the grille holding the pan is not in exact alignment, but they are touchy.

I agree. I just posted a detailed comment on the other (older) thread, but the Mirros take some getting used to.

I err toward excess jiggling too (hey, no smirking!), remember, the weight releases the extra pressure but you don't want it dancing around violently.

Deanna

If you are using WEIGHT to control the pressure, forget the gauge. Weight is a mechanical safety/ pressure relief . It is difficult to control a big pot(canner or pressure cooker) precisely.
So, to me it is ok if it jiggles after 30 secs or 1 minute.
But if it continuously jiggles or takes several minutes, then your heat source is not well regulated.

So, to me it is ok if it jiggles after 30 secs or 1 minute.
But if it continuously jiggles or takes several minutes, then your heat source is not well regulated.

Different brands of canner weights are machined differently and each has a specific rate required for a valid indication of pressure.

Mirros are machined to jiggle/hiss/spin at a rate of 3-4 times per minute when at the proper pressure. Less than that means the pressure is below the required level. Of course you can process the food at a higher rate of weight movement. However LESS than 3-4 times per minute means you are processing at less than the pressure required.

Presto canners are machined to gently jiggle/rock continuously when at pressure.

Dave