Aluminum Steam Canner with Temperature Indicator by VICTORIO VKP1054

I will be making comparisons to a traditional water bath canner (like the granite ware ones), and will state whether it’s a pro or con. This canner uses a lot less water, which in turn, requires less energy and time to heat (pro). It’s lightweight, lighter than my granite ware even without water and especially with water. That means emptying the water after canning is much easier (pro). It has a max processing time of 45 minutes. It shouldn’t be used to process over that time, or the canner may run dry and cause damage. That makes it tricky when canning tomato products, which can take 35-50 minutes under 1000ft (processing time gets longer the higher the elevation). I personally do not risk it, and only can pickles and fruit in the steam canner, and use the water bath canner for tomatoes. If all you’re canning is pickles and fruits, this is the superior choice. Rather than waiting 30-45 minutes to heat a water bath canner for something that only takes 10 minutes to process, this is the better solution. If you’re only canning tomatoes, don’t buy this canner (con). Size wise, this holds 7 quarts, same as my water bath canner. Some miscellaneous comments: The indicator knob on top has an odd design. You’re supposed to calibrate the canner before you use it the first time and at the beginning of every new canning season. There are instructions in the manual on how to do that. But when you look at the indicator, it has those green zones for your elevation for when to start timing; those don’t mean anything, they’re useless background. You have to make a mark when you calibrate when it’s full of steam, then you start the timer. I question why they added those green zones when it actually has no meaning. (as shown in the picture, I marked it too early, but I know to start time when it goes past the line I made) I’ve used this canner about five times, and the inside changes color based on where the water was sitting. The rack and the bottom pan look different than when I initially received it and used it for the first time. It seems to be just a visual change, and hasn’t caused any problems.