How To Fully Restore a Vintage Pressure Canner

Step by step to restore a 1950's National No. 7 Pressure Canner.
To see full details, go to thenewlighterlife.com/how-to-...

[@marydowell5657]

Thank you! I have a vintage 21 qt, Maid of Honor 620.21. I called Presto and they had all the replacement parts. Gaskets, plugs etc. I hadn't found anyone who is still testing guages and knowing it needs done every year, i didn't feel safe using the original OR an untested replacement. The new ones need to be tested before use. Presto has a three piece weigh set that fits my cannwr. I just had to replace the stem it sits on! The weight set, stem and updated user booklet was only $15 and shipping. I'll be cleaning this old girl up and getting busy, soon! If you have an older model, give Presto a call and ask them to check the archive section for replacement parts that work. There are YT videos on the 3 piece weight set for older canners. Don't give up!

[@freewaybaby]

Thanks for posting your info. I was so confused, trying to find parts for an old National canner, and everything kept going back to Presto, so I didn’t really know that the parts right or changeable. So it’s national now Presto? Glad to know they need to be tested; wasn’t really sure the one I just got could be restored to usable, with new parts. Thanks again.

[@SarahS-zg3xc]

my anxiety cannot handle you doing that over the garbage disposal with no drain to catch the screws. oh man. but amazing otherwise!

[@eileenmaschal9505]

I found this exact canner in an attic of my camp. I just learned to can and I am thrilled to be able to restore and use this beauty. Thank you so much for sharing…it’s exactly what I needed to know.

[@randibgood]

Please make sure you replace the gasket. I didn't notice them doing that in this video. It is crucial to make sure it seals VERY WELL with no drips coming from around the lid.

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Dawn Power Wash works wonders too. Spray, let sit for a few hours & scrub.

[@russelldurtschi]

I don't know, I kinda like the funky patina on mine. That patina represents thousands of quarts of canned garden produced loving put up my mother with help from her 12 kids.

[@dw6363]

Thank you for this. I inherited my grandmothers canner. Need to do this process.

[@lindamorgan2678]

HOpe you did not overkill are ruing the finish she she did and the label

[@randibgood]

If you haven't already finished yours, or even if you have, you really need to replace that pressure plug, the seal and clean the weight very well. Seals need to be replaced somewhat regularly. Anytime one starts to drop water especially.

[@MrSmcmlln]

Last night I was looking for parts for my National. I read that in 1939 the name was changed to Presto. I have the same canner that I'll be cleaning up as well

[@rnupnorthbrrrsm6123]

Going to be a winter project, I got this exact canner at the dump !!!! To a lot of olive oil and hard work to get open but inside is the weight and rack ! Nice job !!!!

[@christianm5271]

Just picked up one today🎉

[@rkow8508]

I bought the same canner last weekend for 10.00 at a yard sale. A Number 7 beautiful shape with the rack. I was told they were made from 1925 to 1939.

[@traceynelson4490]

I bought one at an estate sale for $20 in mint condition. The only issue is, there is a slanted pin on the rim that is not allowing me to slide the into the locking position. I can't get it to move or come out. Does yours have that as well?

[@brendasmith5937]

These old canners are no longer safe to use as a pressure canner- Per PRESTO corporation and the USDA.

[@russelldurtschi]

@@brendasmith5937 Can you share a link with this info?

[@fourdayhomestead2839]

Gifted one, used it til wood handle broke (a screw fell off & left a small "nut" part between inside/outside layers of canner). Stuck with what to do now..

[@dennismoore8351]

I just saw the exact same model in an indoor flea market two days ago. They were asking $18 for it. I already have 5 canners so I didn't get it but would love to have for display purposes.

[@laurahonea3491]

My lid is on wrong and I can’t open it. It’s empty at least

[@allencassell9836]

I have a National # 7-A that I would like to replace the gasket, pressure gage, pressure regulator and pressure release device. I called Presto and all they will tell me is " That model has been discontinued " They will offer absolutely no help on advising what model instruments will fit the 7-A. I have read somewhere in my search that the model 21-B would fit. I understand that Presto probably has policy that forbids a cross reference, but with there being literally thousands of the canners out there that it is very likely that one model parts will fit another. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[@donnahall8593]

I have a Presto 7B and found the handle gauge casket ring and air vent all on Ebay. This is the place to find the discontinued parts. Hope this helps.

[@brendasmith5937]

They have been discontinued for decades. The are no longer safe for pressure canning. I’m sure they are fine for water bath or steam bath canning though.

[@seanbroyles7015]

Newbie to all this. Can you explain why you do not refinish the inside?

[@jppitch6734]

You don't want either oven cleaner or barkeepers friend to remain on the internal surfaces where theres a chance they can leach into your food. If you really want to clean the inside, I'd look at olive oil and salt with a sos pad to scour, but it'll be a lot of work for purely authentic reasons.

[@jksl27]

I have the same canner I bought used, I ordered a replacement gasket based on what the presto site said and it seems too big! Have you had to replace the gasket on yours?

[@rkow8508]

Dagger Eyes if you have a National number 7 Presto sealing ring part number 09907 will be your gasket. Make sure you push it all the way back into the groove. And don't pull it length ways. Good luck.

[@nathansawicky6333]

@@rkow8508 gah I have the same issue with my vintage No21. Any chance you know the part # for that one?

[@brendasmith5937]

The oldest canners have been discontinued for decades now. They are no longer safe to use as pressure canners.

[@MandyMakesThat]

@@brendasmith5937 I'm curious why if they hold pressure and temperature

[@CrankyOleBroad]

I have the same problem. After much wrestling, it seems to be corrosion in the channel for the gasket.

[@brendasmith5937]

The #5 Presto canner is no longer safe to use as a pressure canner - Per Presto and the USDA. You can use it for a boiling water canner or a steam bath canner but that’s it.

[@lindamorgan2678]

Sorry you destroyed it and the label why would you do that ? took the shine right out of everything with your over abrasive cleaning . So sad