For those planning to preserve food using a pressure canner, N.C. Cooperative Extension can help insure you’re doing it correctly, safely and accurately.

Don’t take a chance of losing all you hard work or preserving unsafe products due to an inaccurate gauge on your pressure canner. To ensure that the dial gauges on pressure canners are accurate, it is recommended that they be tested yearly. The Brunswick County Center of the N.C. Cooperative Extension tests canner gauges free of charge. The use of a pressure canner is recommended when canning low acid foods such as vegetables, meats and seafood.

Canner gauges will be tested on Thursday June 19 from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. at the Brunswick County Center, Building N, 25 Referendum Drive at the Government Center in Bolivia. Extension Family and Consumer Science staff members will be available during gauge testing to answer questions you may have about pressure canning or other food preservation methods. Up-to-date recipes and instructions will also be available.

To have a gauge tested, bring the canner lid with the gauge attached to the Extension
Center.  It only takes a few minutes for the peace of mind knowing your gauge is
accurate. Please note: only canners made by the Presto company and their associated brands are able to be tested. Weighted gauges do not need to be tested.

If this time is not good for you, drop your canner lid off at the Extension Center prior to the testing time and then pick up after the testing is completed. Canner gauges may also be tested by appointment throughout the summer. Contact Avery Ashley, Family and Consumer Science Extension Agent at 910-253-2610 or email him at arashley@ncsu.edu to make an appointment.