Looking for a canner that can be used on your glass or ceramic
stovetop or cooker? Read below to find out why you can't find one, and
what the alternatives are! Scroll down this page for more information,
and with NO obligation to buy, just click on
the links in the Amazon boxes on the left!
Canning on Glass Stovetops and Canners for Glass and Ceramic Stoves updated for 2009
If you have a glass or ceramic stovetop, you may have heard that you
should use a flat-bottomed canner, but you have been unable to find one! Or,
you may have heard that you are not supposed to can on a glass or ceramic
stove top. Here's what I've found out from the manufacturers:
One of my suppliers asked a stove manufacturer as to why
they were unable to find one. The stove manufacturer told they that on a
glass/ceramic stove there is a sensor so that the heat can not go above a
certain point thus breaking the top.
This sensor does not allow the burner to maintain an even temperature
high enough for a canner to work safely. By fluctuating the temperature the
bacteria is not eliminated in the canning process. Unfortunately this is not
something the salesmen will tell the customer when they are buying the stove
and probably many of them are unaware of this.
A flat-bottomed canner
alone would not solve this problem for all stovetops. If yours has the
sensor, the heat will still fluctuate and it
won't get hot enough to get the big canner full of water to a full boil. If
can can confirm with your stove's maker or the store where you bought it
that a flat-bottomed canner is okay, there here's a great one, made of
stainless steel, so it should last a lifetime - it would also make a great
pot to cook applesauce.
Another problem is that canners that exceed the burner diameter by more than
1 inch can trap and reflect heat to surfaces of the stove that are not
intended to get that hot, and thus crack the stove top.
If you have a ceramic or glass stovetop and still have the manual, look it
up there. If you will write me with the make, model and and specific
warnings in the manual about canning, I'll add that to the bottom of this
page, as a resource.
What to do?
Now, having said
all this, not ALL glass and ceramic stoves are identical in every respect,
so it is always possible that yours is designed differently or behaves
differently from the description above. But there are enough stories of
cracked stovetops to suggest that regardless, an alternative might be
prudent, unless you're sure it is compatible with your stove!
So, what can you do? Here
is a simple solution: buy a simple and inexpensive propane campstove, an electric burner
(shown below) or use an outdoor propane burner and you can use ANY canner with it. Plus,
the propane burners may come in
handy when you have a lot of cooking to do, during a power outage or when
you need and extra burner!
One big advantage to using a gas stove outside, is: there's no mess to clean
up!
I also just received this tip from a visitor: she puts a wire rack (like
a cookie rack) on the stove and sets her canner on that. That prevent
glass stovetop form heating up too much that it shuts itself off. I don't
think my cookie cooling racks would support the weight of my canner, but
it's an idea, if you want to try it. I haven't confirmed with the
manufacturers that there isn't some other problem with this approach, so use
caution if you decide to try it. If you do,
please let me know how well it works!
Electric burners
How to choose an electric burner? I look for a robust design and the highest wattage I can find.
A
single 1000 watt burner doesn't do it. A canner holds around 16 quarts of
water, so it takes a lot of heat to get that boiling. I've found that
one 1300 watt burner will get the average canner boiling,
but it takes a
while. So... to speed it up, I got a second burner, put it on the
counter, right next to the first and put the canner on top, straddling
both burns - and THAT worked like a charm!
Gas stoves
Gas grills, turkey fryers, large camping stoves all make excellent
outdoor alternatives. Of course there are two keys: make sure it has
enough oomph (measured in BTU's) and that it is stable and won't tip over.
I've found any turkey fryer, most gas grills and the camping stoves below
work fine. On rainy days I use the camping stove indoors (after taking
precautions to open some windows, locate it on a flameproof surface (granite
counter top, away from anything flammable, where children can't reach it,
never leave it unattended, etc.)
See below for some camping stoves I've
tried and used for canning.
Recommendations:
Here's a summary of what
definitely works, in my order of preference:
The Coleman camping stove (Coleman 2 Burner Propane Grill /Stove)
is perfect! It can heat a canner in no time, and folds up neatly for
storage. The canner fits easily on the grill portion. This is, in my
opinion, the BEST solution. And, of course you can use it for camping
and tailgating parties!
The outdoor gas cooker - great in nice weather, or in open, but
roofed area, like screen porch, open garage, etc.!
A gas camping burner or countertop propane stoves with a low, stable profile can be a great spare
high-power burner. But if you do a lot of canning, the outdoor cooker
would be cheaper to operate, unless you use the converter to hook up tp
a 20 lb tank..
One double burner unit. Lots of power, but it can be tricky to get
some canners (the tall narrow ones) to balance and be stable on them)
Two 1300 watt burners - if you want to stay indoors - two of
these, side by side will work!
Two 1000 watt or greater burners, side by side - since you can move
them around it is both a plus and a negative - you can position them to
be stable, but perhaps not a close together as the double unit.
To find out more about a stove (with no obligation to buy), just click on
any of the links in the Amazon picture boxes below:
Coleman 2 Burner Propane Grill Stove
This works very well You'll need 2 or 3 of the small green
cylinders for a day's canning (see left)
Product Description
Fully adjustable cooking power up to 10,000 BTUs per burner. Large control
knobs positioned in front for easy access. PerfectFlow(TM) ensures
consistent fuel output, regardless of weather, altitude or fuel level.
Durable enamel-painted steel case and aluminized cooking surface for easy
cleaning. Heavy-duty removable chrome cooking grate and non-stick
cast-aluminum grill grate. Folding WindBlock(TM) system doubles as
convenient side shelves. Burn time: 4.5 hours on one 16.4-ounce propane
cylinders (sold separately) - (Note: these are the green 10 inch tall
cylinders so commonly sold, shown attached in the photo of the blue unit). Coleman lifetime limited warranty.
Blake: I have an earlier version of this, and as you can see from the
photos at left. All versions easily accommodates a large water bath canner
OR a pressure canner.
I use it for canning, camping, and when the power goes out! Each model
puts out 10,000 btu per burner (20,000, total per stove). I recommend the
versions withOUT the griddle, as you will be sure the burners are the same
height!
Mr.Heater 12-Foot Hose and LP Regulator
Make Portable Propane Equipment Easier to Use
This extension hose with regulator makes it easy to connect your portable
propane stove to a 20 lb propane tank (the same one your outdoor gas grill
uses. This makes it MUCH cheaper to use your camping stove as an
auxiliary stove to speed your canning!
STANSPORT 5 Foot Propane Hose and
Regulator Assembly
This allows you to connect a 20 lb propane tank to the portable propane
stoves - much cheaper to operate,
Features
Ideal for use with Coleman and Stansport propane
stoves
75,000 BTU capacity
1/2 PSI output
11" WC pressure setting, Regulator, 5'
Bayou Classic Single Gas Burner
Perfect for canning! It's ideal! And of course, you can use it
for a crawfish boil, a turkey fryer and, if you get a 55 gallon drum,
cooking your mother-in-law*
(* - the last option void where prohibited by law)
13 in. Tall Heavy Duty Steel Frame
Large 16 in. x 16 in. Cooking Surface
Accommodates any size Stockpot
UL Listed 29 in. Hose, Regulator, Valve Assembly
10 PSI Regulator
For outdoor use!
This one has an additional use: I put a standard Weber charcoal
smoker on top of it (omitting the smoker's base) and use it as a
gas-fired smoker - makes smoking and BBQ EASY! And of course, you
can put a large pot on it and use it as a canner, turkey fryer,
outdoor stew pot, crawfish boil, etc.
Hooks up to any standard propane tank.
Waring Pro Burner
I still think you'd want two of these, side by side, under the
canner.
Features:
1300-watt portable single burner provides extra heating options
(part of their ad says "900 watts", but that is an error - it's
1300!) That's enough to keep the canner boiling, but it is slow to
heat up.
Durable cast-iron plate heats up quickly and ensures stable heat
retention
Adjustable thermostat; "on" and "ready" indicator lights
Measures 10-3/4 by 11-1/2 by 4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Everyone knows Waring's quality
'Big Bertha' 13" Propane Stove Cook Top - 30,000 BTU - Electric Start
I'm going to get one of these to try - it looks perfect for those long
canning days or when you have a lot of cooking to do and not enough burners
on your stove.
Features:
Extra-large propane stove burner for over-sized cooking and heating
jobs
13" diameter with 9"-diameter burner; produces up to 30,000 BTU with
regular propane gas
Heavy-duty cast-iron with durable, easy-clean baked enamel finish;
stable support for big pots
72"-length 5/8" outside diameter gas hose with regulator and
brass fitting for standard propane tank
Portable Propane Gas Stove 1 Single
Burner Range BBQ
Features
New & Sealed
18,000 BTU
Made of Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Construction
Includes Hose & Regulator
High Pressure, High Temperature Resistant 9mm Hose
Portable Propane Gas Stove 2 Double
Burner Range BBQ
Features
New & Sealed
12000 & 15000 BTU burners
Piezo Starter for Quick & Safe Ignition
Knob Controls Ignition & Gas Control
Specified to work with Standard Propane Tanks
Made of Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Construction
Includes Hose & Regulator
High Pressure, High Temperature Resistant 9mm Hose
Waring Pro Double Burner
I haven't tried this one, but it looks like the single unit above,
plus a smaller 500 watt burner close by it. They look closer together
than the Rival double unit below.
Features:
1800-watt portable double burner with large and small heating
plates
Durable cast-iron plates heat up quickly and ensure stable heat
retention
Individual adjustable thermostats; separate "on" and "ready"
indicator lights
Measures 19-1/2 by 11-1/2 by 4 inches; 1-year limited warranty
Rival BD222 Double Burner Hot Plate
Features:
Independent controls for each burner
Heat resistant handles
Heating elements tilt for easy cleaning
Skid resistant feet
The units have a bit of space between them, so your canner will
probably be halfway on each - which will still get plenty of heat, but
you might need to brace it with another pot, brick, etc.
Toastmaster 6431 Eclipse Single Burner
Features:
Measures 10-1/2 inches wide and 10 inches deep
Compact design perfect for buffet, dining table,
office, workshop
Easy-cleaning sealed, solid heating disk 7-1/2 inches
in diameter
1000 watts, 6-setting thermostat
Durable metal housing
Proctor-Silex Fifth Burner
Features:
Limited one-year warranty
9-inch-diameter hot plate fits in small kitchen spaces
Spiral heating element; chrome ring and drip pan
Adjustable temperature control with three settings
Heating element tilts for easy cleaning
BroilKing PR-S1 Professional Single Burner Range
Features:
11-1/2 by 3-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches
1100-watt single burner range
Infinite heat adjustment with dial control
High-speed tubular element with a 5-1/2-inch diameter
UL-listed with a two-year warranty
Books
Canning books
Canning & Preserving for Dummies
by Karen Ward
Average Customer Review:
Usually ships in 24 hours
This is THE book on canning! My grandmother used this book when I
was a child. It tells you in simple instructions how to can almost
anything; complete with recipes for jam, jellies, pickles, sauces, canning
vegetables, meats, etc. If it can be canned, this book likely tells
you how! Click on the link below for more information and / or to buy (no
obligation to buy)
Practical, easy-to-follow guide contains
virtually everything consumers need to know about home canning:
how to select, prepare, and can fruits, vegetables, poultry, red
meats and seafoods; how to preserve fruit spreads, fermented
foods and pickled vegetables; how to prepare foods for special
diets, and much more. Also includes scores of simply written
recipes that even beginners can handle (smoked fish,
turkey-tamale pie, chicken croquettes, more. It's the second
book to get, after the Ball Guide.
Click on the link below for more information and / or to
buy (no obligation to buy)
Guidance Specific to Certain Stoves.
These are submitted by visitors, so I can't independently verify them, but I
have no reason to doubt them. Here they are:
Kenmore glass-top stove, model #911.95361592. The manual says: "Water-bath or
pressure canners and large diameter pots extending more than 1" beyond the edge
of the cooktop zones may be used when canning. This is because the temperature
needed to boil water is not harmful to the surfaces surrounding the cooktop
zones. However, do not use large diameter canners, pots or pans for anything
other than boiling water. OBSERVE THE FOLLOWING POINTS WHEN CANNING: 1. Be
sure the canner is centered over the zones. 2. Make sure the canner is flat
on the bottom. 3. Use recipes and procedures from reputable sources. These
are available from manufacturers such as Ball and Kerr and the Department of
Agriculture Extension Service. 4. Use caution while canning, to prevent burns
from steam or heat.
GE flat top range Model JS998B0H1BB (the ending BB is
for black exterior, SS is for stainless steel exterior, W for white, etc)
Serial DG284018Q. The manual says the same thing as the Kenmore model on
your web page. You can use large flat bottom canners on it because the
boiling water temp will not harm the surrounding cooktop surface. Do not use
a large diameter pot (overhangs the burner surface by more than an inch) to
boil anything but water though!!!"
Kitchenaid flat glass stove - A visitor writes on October 12,
2009: "I have a KitchenAid flat glass stove and have been canning on it for
several years. Yes the heat does cycle on and off but that doesn't prevent
me from maintaining a full rolling boil in a large kettle. Mine is pretty
flat on the bottom, not a real "canner". I also use a Presto Pressure Canner
with little problem. It does need to be watched throughout the process to
make sure the pressure stays high enough but I think this would be true of
any electric stove. As long as I watch it and make slight adjustments
occasionally (2-3 times in a 20 minute canning process) it stays right on
pressure. Id look up the manual but I have an enormous drawer full of
appliance manuals so...there you go. I did get it at a Sears."
LG Electric Range (glass top) model LRE30757sw/sb/st
According to the manual: Make sure canner is flat on the bottom. Base must
not be more than 1 inch larger than element.
Maytag, Model MER5770BAW Electric Range: - "Do
not use non-flat specialty items that are oversized or uneven such as round
bottom woks, rippled bottom and/or oversized canners and griddles." Baking
rack between the surface and the canner: "Never place a trivet or wok ring
between the surface and pan. These items can mark or etch the top." .
Whirlpool Gold GR399LXGB ceramic top range - A visitor writes on
August 11, 2009: "Regarding flat cooktops: I have yet to can on it. I
just received my Ball Basic Canning Kit and unfortunately, it has a ridged
bottom pan. The site I purchased it from didn't mention that. I may try it
anyway, just to see. Here is what my stove manual says about canning (note
the last section about having a "canning kit for coil models" installed):
Home canning information To protect your range: • Use flat-bottomed canners
on all types of cooktops, especially ceramic glass. Canners with rippled or
ridged bottoms do not allow good contact with the surface. • Center the
canner over the largest surface cooking area. Do not extend more than one
inch outside the surface cooking area. Large diameter canners/pans, if not
centered correctly, trap heat and can cause damage to the cooktop. • Do not
place your canner on two surface cooking areas at the same time. •The type
of material the canner is made of determines the length of heating time.
Refer to the “Characteristics of cookware materials” chart later in this
section for more information. •When canning for long periods of time, allow
elements and the surrounding surfaces to cool down. 1" 1" Surface Pan
cooking area •Alternate use of the surface cooking areas between batches or
prepare small batches at a time. •Start with hot water, cover with a lid,
and bring to a boil; then reduce heat to maintain a boil or required
pressure levels in a pressure canner. •On coil element model, keep your
reflector bowls clean so that they will always reflect heat well. •For
up-to-date information on canning, contact your local U.S. Government
Agricultural Department Extension Office or companies who manufacture home
canning products. Optional canning kit (Coil element model) Most water-bath
or pressure canners have large diameters. If you do canning with them at
high heat settings for long periods of time, you can shorten the life of
regular coil elements. This can also damage the cooktop. If you plan to use
the cooktop for canning, we recommend the installation of a Canning Kit.
Order the kit (Part No. 242905) from your Whirlpool dealer or authorized
Whirlpool service company."
Remember to ALWAYS call the farm or orchard BEFORE you go -
weather, heavy picking and business conditions can always affect their hours and
crops!
