Dave

Linda, am I understanding correctly that I can convert my dial gauge to a weighted gauge. The first two years I canned I used the dial guage canner because it was easier for me to read the dial than figure out the jiggling on the weighted canner. This year the dial gauge canner never seemed to build any pressure on the gauge, so we assumed the gauge was broken and used the weighted gauage canner. It would be nice to be able to use both again, as I can start the second one up while the first one is cooling down to zero pressure.

There are many discussions here about this and how to do it that the search will pull up if you want to read them. Just type 3 piece weight set into the search bar at the bottom of the page.

This is for Presto brand canners only. If you have 2 canners you will need 2 sets of the weights to convert both to weighted-gauge canners.

Dave

Most of the older canners can be retrofitted. Not all, but most.
I sure like using the weights instead of relying on the dial.

Which the book describes as a combination pressure weight and petcock.

Do you think this can be converted to a weighted gauge?

If that is an electric coil stove, you should get a canning element if you don't have one. Otherwise, you will probably destroy your stove. The standard elements are not sturdy enough to hold all the weight, plus they burn out and short the wires.
I killed 2 stoves before anyone told me this. I want to spare you that same experience. The cost about $25 or so.

Can't tell from the photo but I am also concerned about the size of the Mirro. It looks just like my Mirro pressure cooker. Is it truly a canner that will hold and process 4 quart jars?

Looks like a smooth/glass top stove to me.

Dave

Both the canners hold 7 quarts.

Linda - which piece is the over pressure plug? That flat rubber piece inbetween the petcock and the dial gauge?

http://pressurecooker-outlet.com/americancans.htm
I am guessing these are the top of the line in the canning world. I like the 30 quart for $300 as it holds 14 quart jars and I can 90% with quart jars. It also has the metal on metal seal and no gasket which I like, as well as both gauges and doubles as a pressure cooker.

When we replace our stove, I will definitely be looking for one with canning in mind so it will have to have larger burners.

You can see it will show a regulator set. You buy that, then order a 3 piece weight set if you want to use as a weighted gauge canner. The weight set is 50332.

Be sure your new stove will support all that weight ! I don't know if any electric stove would do that. Not with 14 quarts ! Also, have to be sure it clears the range hood.
Are you able to get a gas stove ?
I have a heavy duty commercial type. Love it !!
If you can lift the All American, and don't mind fussing with the screw down handles all around, they are good.
Personally, being so short and also with back problems, I cannot do that. I stick with my Prestos. Only replaced the gasket once in about 30 years or more. I got another Presto a few years back, so I have two of them I use instead of one huge one.

Would a canning element not be sufficient for the 30 quart All America canner? The site only says they are not recommended for glass and flat cook tops because the weight might break the glass. I would have no probelm lifting it. I'm only 28 and lift heavy stuff all the time. I will probably have back problems when I am older though :)

I will probably replace the gasket and the overpressure plug while I'm at it.

No, not IME and based on what I have read from others. Mine is slightly bent just from my Presto 23 quart canner which is one reason I switched to a heavy duty propane burner for canning.

A gas stove is no problem as the pot supports are much stronger. But the primary purpose of the electric canning element is to increase air flow and spacing, not provide heavy duty support, and a 30 quart AA is a VERY HEAVY canner when loaded.

Dave

I also tallied up the cost to fix my pre-1970 Magic Seal = $55 with shipping. I think I'd rather put that money toward a new 16 quart Presto pressure canner and do the conversion to the weighted gauge.

Dave

I have asked my mom when she got her Mirro new. It is a good canner, simple and already has the weighted gauage on it that is just one piece. How old does a Mirro have to be to be one of the good models? or rather how new of Mirro should you stay away from? I like that I already know how to use it and don't have to change anything. I might just get one like mine off Ebay and have two.

Bottomline is two functioning canners would make canning a lot easier. Try explaining that to my husband though :)

Perhaps not from that particular source but there are many sources and a VERY wide price range on them. And there are many discussions here about that particular canner and its sources that the search will pull up. One source is Walmart. It sells the 16 qt. with the 3 piece weight set. So does amazon.com and Target or did last time the question came up.

But sure you can also buy the one with the gauge and then buy the 3 piece weight set for it too. The advantage to the 23 quart is it can also be used as a BWB. The 16 qt. can't.

As to the Mirro part of your question, I can't really say. I fist noticed their reviews start going down hill 5 or 6 years ago about the time most of them came with the different handles and no gauge. Mine is more than 20 years old.

But the serious problem with them is finding parts now and in the future. On some forum folks that have them post they have been stockpiling parts now as they find them in case of future needs.

Dave