I give this five stars as a canner, and three as a cooker. The only reason I downrate it slightly as a cooker is that it is so big and unwieldy. If you regularly have to cook huge batches of food, though, this may be just what you need. If you don't ordinarily cook up enough to feed an army, you might be happier with a smaller (say, 6 to 8 quart) pressure cooker (I love my Kuhn Rikon 6 quart stockpot). Also: if you are planning to can a LOT of stuff, you might consider getting the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry model 930--it can handle 14 quart jars at a time, whereas this one can only handle 7 quart jars.

All in all, a very well made item. Get this and a copy of Lorna Sass's "Cooking Under Pressure", a copy of the Ball Blue Book, and go conquer the (canning) world.

156 of 161 found the following review helpful:

If you are considering buying any other canner.........  Feb 08, 2004
By T. K. Moehlman "cyzicus"
send me the money and I'll throw it away for you. I received my Grandmother's when she passed away and have more that pleased with it. I can't add anything the other reviews other that mine is over 30 year old it is in perfect shape. I've been told that my Grandmother sent 1000's of cans through this in her day and I intend to do the same. The company's web site is very good if you need replacement parts but I doubt you'll ever need them. I had my local Ag extension agent test my gauge (the original) and it is still accurate enough for canning. This is the only part that should ever really need replacing since it does not have a seal. I am fortunate enough to have the old school Instruction and Recipes book (list price ¢60) that has canning recipes that I have not been able to find anywhere else. Buy this and pass it on to your grandchildren!!!

55 of 55 found the following review helpful:

Heaviest Duty Canner For Home Use!  Jul 04, 2009
By D. J. Stone
I needed to get a pressure canner in order to process foods that aren't suitable for the standard water-bath method. After doing some research online, I found the All American line, which I believe is unequalled in construction and quality. Being involved in manufacturing for many years, I understand and appreciate quality and good engineering -- especially from an American firm. It seems that almost all cookware comes from overseas, and a lot of it is built with price, not performance, as the prime design consideration.

Not so with the All-American. Photos don't do justice to this product. When you open the box and lift it out for the first time, you'll see what I mean. This thing is HEAVY. It looks like something you might see in a laboratory or commercial kitchen, although the manual specifically states it's only for home use. I think it may have something to do with ambulance chasing lawyers and product liability, because this thing has more warning labels than any cookware I've ever seen.

In fact, at over 20 lbs. empty, this can be a problem for some people, my wife included. She simply can't safely maneuver this baby around when it's full. Forget about washing it. That's MY job.

I really like the metal seal. Having a rubber seal on a pressure cooker go bad is a real pain, and you almost never seem to have a spare, or if you do, you can't find it, and it's not like you can run down to Wal Mart and pick one up even if you want to. At 15 to 20 bucks each for replacements, plus the hassle of picking them up, this will add up to real savings in cash and headaches over the many years you own this product. I can't imagine anyone being able to wear one out with any reasonable care at all.

The dial gauge is high quality, and I found that it read very accurately in conjunction with the weighted pressure regulator. When the gauge reads 15 lbs., and the weight is set on 15 lbs., it rocks about 5 to 10 times per minute, which tells me that the pressure is very close to what the gauge says.

Using the six screw-down retainers, that lid is going nowhere. Between those and the gauge, the regulator, and the fail-safe pressure relief valve, this thing is about as safe as anybody could expect.

It's a real pleasure to purchase a quality product from an American company. That's exactly what you get from these All American canners. Those who understand manufacturing and what it takes to make a product right will know what I mean. It's not cheap, but when you consider that it will probably outlast multiple cheap pressure cookers, it's a great value. The way I figure, I've never looked back in regret for buying the best, but I almost always regret going cheap.

I can honestly say that this product rates my highest recommendation.

86 of 90 found the following review helpful:

The best canner/pressure cooker I've owned...  Jun 19, 2003
By Deb "Jerzy"
I do lots of cooking and canning - sometimes just for family, sometimes for large gatherings - and this cooker has made that chore much easier. Even when cooking for family, I'll make 2 chickens at a time, that way I won't have to cook another night. While the chickens are cooking, I'll also have stock to make rice or soup with. Forgot about cooking dinner? This baby can take 2 frozen rabbits from the freezer to the dinner table in less than an hour. Its large size makes canning large batches quick work. The only drawback I have is washing it - it is heavy, and if you don't have a big enough sink or a hose to rinse it out, then your in for a workout. I have a double sink and it fits in nicely - a must for anyone with a large family !

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