Presto canner Weight not rocking

why isn't my Presto Canning Weight Rocking and making noise like experts tell me it should? give this a watch and see...most Presto canner's come with a 15 pound weight, if you are canning at 10 pounds pressure, the 15 pound weight won't move. Here is an example of a rocking weight (so you don't have to watch your canner like a hawk but rather listen to it to ensure you are in the proper weight range: • Noises Your Pressure C...
Here is a place to get more info on the weights (Health Canning website is run by Ball Canning Corporation) www.healthycanning.com/presto...
Here is a link directly to the replacement weight regulator I own (make sure it fits your PC model number)
amzn.to/3TKDXiV

[@CathyK-kf2ni]

My black plug popped up and scared me. The 3 layer jiggler wouldnt jiggle. Im at 2840 elevation. I turned it off. I'm not sure why this happened?

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

hi Cathy, the black plug is the safety valve, it should scare you that is what averts the disaster of pressure canners blowing up...so it worked great! that said if the valve didn't jiggle i'm going to guess either the air valve (the metal part that is kind of flat but pops up when the canner is venting) or the area under the weight are clogged (maybe both). take your lid and look at the underside...hold the lid up to a light...you should be able to see light through the small tube that is under the weight and light through the exhaust valve. If not you can try to unplug them with a needle. Since your emergency valve went off you are going to need to put in a new one. They are cheap and can be found on the Presto site and/or Amazon. If this is the first time you've (or anyone) has used teh canner I would say that you have a defective one. At some point those little valves got plugged, generally this is when the canner is used as a pressure cooker and something boils over or if a jar exploded inside the canner when it was in use and was never properly cleaned. If it's new return it. If you feel comfortable replacing the emergency valve and cleaning the other valves do that. You can also take it to your local extention service and they will look it over for you and test it to make sure it's working correctly. Just look it up on Google...type in your county name and state followed by 'extention service" for me that would be Marion County Oregon Extention Service...I'm very glad you turned your canner OFF! Let me know if I can help you any more.

[@CathyK-kf2ni]

@OldSchoolPrepper I looked and saw light, and the other metal plug was working. I have only used my canner a few times. Thank you, though, and I will follow up on that website. Maybe I will call presto.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

@@CathyK-kf2ni if you did all that and the emergency plug popped up then I would definetly call Presto...I think you have a faulty canner and they should replace it!

[@jarrett754]

@@CathyK-kf2nithe other possibility (just happened to me) is that you may have jostled it or attempted to remove it not knowing what it was in my case and it blew out. Try a new plug first before giving up on the unit. By nature if the holes are freed up for your weight it cannot over pressure unless the needle in the weight is dirty and sticking. Hope you got/get it figured out!

[@comingforyoufl]

You just saved me a few brain cells. I’m new to pressure canning and this none rocking weight has given me achy feet. I’ve got to share this with my MIL 😮😮

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

anytime! send me questions if you run into issues. I get back with folks within a day (unless I'm out of town)

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Great video! Thanks for sharing it with others. FWIW. It takes 16 lb pressure to move the 15 lb regulator. It takes 11 lb to move the 10 lb one. That's the reason why both psi are given in canning instructions. Some canners don't have dial gauges. For years I did the baby sitting dial watching routine. It was worse when I got a gas stove with a burner a bit too high. I had to pull up a chair & watch that dial. Momentarily turning off the burner to keep the pressure at 11 lb. It made a huge difference when I switched to the adjustable regulator. As long as I'm within sight and sound of the regulator I can do other things while canning. For the Presto, when ignoring the dial gauge or when the canner doesn't have a dial, the adjustable regulator will do a gentle, continual, rocking motion, at desired pressure. If the hula motion is fast, vigorous, turn down the heat. A slow, gentle rock saves energy and doesn't risk losing too much water from the canner. Added benefit of the adjustable regulator sold by Presto. Dial gauge canners should be checked annually for accuracy, when using the standard 15 lb regulator. My local extension serviced does not do that test anymore. Use the adjustable regulator to do the testing. When using the it set for 10 lbs, check the dial gauge when the regulator beings to rock. Your gauge should show 11 lbs. If not, the amount of variance from 11 lbs is how much your gauge is off. The Presto that I use most often registers 11.5 lbs when the regulator is in motion. Hope this helps someone. That adjustable regulator is worth every penny!!!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

perfect response...I'm pinning your comment

[@cbass2755]

It is a great response! I started using my “jiggler” a few months ago. So far, the jiggle starts at 11 psi and gage reads 11psi. But I listen now for the jiggler and can do my clean up while not sitting in a chair watching that gage! I can move about freely in my kitchen while listening. I had a incident today…comment above bc my jiggler stopped jiggling with 2 mins left to go on my 75 min canning session. Freaked me out, but all ended well enough. I do love the jiggler…..😀

[@user-dt9hz9lk3j]

Oh my goodness...Thank you VERY MUCH! I just started canning and I had to stand next to it (literally) ALL day! It kicked my butt! I started canning to make my life easier due to health issues. I didn't think I would be able to continue canning, but now I can move forward! Again, thank you.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

awesome...I love canning and now just keep an ear out for that rocker....easy to hear. Welcome to canning!

[@karynsantiago]

Cant thank you enough for explaining why my pressure regulator on my canner wasnt rocking at 10 lbs of pressure. I was literally babysitting my canner all day! Great information for us beginners THANK YOU! GLAD that i FOUND YOUR SITE!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

Glad it helped, just an FYI that i usual respond within 24 hrs for any canning or gardening questions or vids...I happened to be out of town without internet...a good thing to disconnect for a while. Happy to help it can be so frustrating trying to find questions to the odd ball questions!

[@gololousa]

I've been canning for a while now and just always stayed near it because that's how I was taught, and I was there anyway prepping or cooking other things. I recently had to start canning outside bc my setup changed and having to sit with it has been limiting to say the least, so this is a game changer. I can totally hear it through the screen door now. My canner came with both, and I never knew the black top one was 15 pounds! Thank you for your video!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

you're so welcome...I was taught never to take my eyes off the pressure gauge either...I LOVE hearing it too.

[@pamskinner9490]

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you! Your explanation makes sense. With a gas stove it's easy to hold the pressure but I was a little insecure based on what the Presto Instruction Manual said.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

it can be tense the first few times you use it. Glad it was helpful

[@kellywilber2233]

Thank you so much! I am in Florida so I normally can on 10-11lbs pressure and have never heard the noise before so panicked! I am canning broth and it got up to 15 so quickly and I was terrified. Glad to know it's totally normal! Thanks again!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

for sure, you are welcome. I can remember the first few times I pressure canned and kept freaking out. it's the simple things people don't tell you about.

[@tamaleenyouknowwhatimean777]

Thank you so much for clearing this up!! I purchased replacement weight and forgot all about it in the back of the drawer! Excellent.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

Glad it was helpful!

[@moriahhalferty5526]

Thank you for clearing up so much confusion! ❤️❤️

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

it is confusing....thanks for watching and always hit me up with canning questions. I'm online a few times a day if something comes up

[@thehugheslife1230]

Thank you! This is exactly what I needed today!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

I know it can be so confusing...if you have questions, just hit me up anytime.

[@kimberlymcmurtrie1654]

You are awesome thank you, I’m doing my first canning rate now!! Of course I thought, I was doing something wrong, lol! 😂❤

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

the first several times are so frustrating, especially if you don't have anyone to ask questions of. If you pop on here and ask a question I usually get back within 24 hrs...I love you are canning, you ca do IT !

[@jessicaandemmadriscoll5815]

I'm so glad to have found your video! I thought I was doing something wrong.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

I wish Presto would be more clear about the weight....that's why we gotta stick together

[@user-ex4ti7pr8x]

I think I love you. Thank you!!!!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

ahhhh thanks, for sure Presto could be more clear that their weight is 15 pounds and not 10 but what can you do?

[@cmr4714]

THANK YOU!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

nothing so frustrating as having a crisis in the midst of canning and not knowing the answer...glad it helped.

[@shuvanidev]

I am new to pressure canning and have been overcanning everything since I got my canner this spring. I was waiting till it jiggled - at almost 15 lbs - and I could never get it to go below 13 lbs. without the jiggler stopping. I so appreciate this information and have ordered one of these layered regulators. Thank you!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

I wish Presto was much more clear about this...glad you figured it out and you'll be plesantly surprsied at how much faster everything goes. if you run into any issues, ask away (on any video) I try and respond within 24 hrs as long as i'm in town...often the same day. We travel bit and are often out of cell range...

[@shuvanidev]

@@OldSchoolPrepper Thank you so much!

[@christalight5095]

Thank you!!!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

hi Christa...anytime, let me know if you run into any other issues...it can be scary when you are canning and something happens (or doesn't happen) that you aren't ready for. I answer questions in 24 hrs or less as long as I'm in town.

[@yankeegardener9565]

Thanks for sharing i always wounderd about this.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

awesome!

[@thenon-stopnatalieshow]

One thing I learned is that if the black part of the weight is not screwed on tight enough it will also not work. I learned that the hard way. So always check that too.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

great tip...the whole thing can fall apart if the black top is unscrewed...you are correct!

[@MichaelR58]

Have a great day , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

Thank you! You too!

[@HuplesCat]

Great explanation and demo Martha

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

Thanks so much! Do you all have easy access to pressure canners and jars up north? (most likley Weck or Bernadin?). I have some YT friends in Europe/Africa/India that are a definete NO here...and Luis in PR can't get his hands on any pressure canners (unless he uses Amazon)

[@HuplesCat]

@@OldSchoolPrepper pressure canners no since Boston. Kitty is terrified of them and won’t use the electric water bath, not pressure one, I got her. We buy tins and dehydrate 😿

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

@@HuplesCat since the 40's pressure canners have a back up plug (or 2 or 3) which will work as a safety pressure release...but fear is a strong persuader. Will she water bath just on the stove top? The electric (plug in) "canners" are not certified as safe, just some company telling you they are safe I won't use them myself.

[@limitedaxcess]

The after market rocker is a game changer, and you don't have to worry if you're gauge is correct 💯 get yourself one it will make canning that much easier

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

yes and you can double check your gauge using the weight/rocking.

[@luziiluizth.8742]

It's a lovely very interesting video sharing dear friend 😊❤️ This is great 👌👌 Thanks for sharing this with us ❤️ Big Big like thumbs up 👍👍 See you again take care God bless 🙏🙏🕊️ Keep intouch 👍❤️

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

thanks for coming by!

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

My mom's came with different looking weight. I thought that it had gotten lost and ordered a replacement and it looks like the one you showed. I have the adjustable ones in my Wishlist.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Presto canners with dial gauges usually come with the 15 lb non-adjustable regulator. Their canners without the dial gauge comes with the adjustable 5 lb, 10 lb and 15 lb regulator.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

how old is your mom's canner?

[@CamppattonFamilyCompound]

@@OldSchoolPrepper May 1974

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

@@CamppattonFamilyCompound gotta love a good piece of equipment.

[@PalmettoPrepared]

Yep. I getting this. I'm tired of having to pull up a chair for an hour and a half like I did last night when I canned leftover chili

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

awesome...I'm taping a video of 11#'s pressure with the 10# weight so people can hear the rocking....it's different than the All American.

[@cbass2755]

Yep…I have the same canner and weights. I just learned how to use the jiggler and I love it! I know what 10-12 pounds sounds like.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

that's awesome esp because a LOT of people don't know about it and since you're a newer canner you are ahead of the game!

[@cbass2755]

@@OldSchoolPrepper QUESTION: I just finished pressure canning 8 pints of chicken. Idk what happened, but I had 5 minutes left Martha, 5 minutes! My electric stove shut off! I tried to turn up the heat to high but nope…2 minuets left and the gage dropped below 10. (I pressure can at 11 for my elevation). But I always can at 12-13…. Anyways, I think I’ll be alright. I don’t think I need to start all over again? Two minutes left? I just don’t think I need too, but what do you think???? Thanks Martha

[@cbass2755]

Martha…I figured out what happened. I ran dry!?? Guess I let the canner sit too long in a simmer while filling my jars and too much water evaporated. The canner is fine, the jars fine and all sealed. But….I had 2-5 mins left before it was completely done. I still don’t feel I need to start the entire 75 minutes over?? Do I?? Omg…..

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

@@cbass2755 I would go ahead and go with what you canned....2 minutes isn't so much. They are pints right? they should be fine (as long as they seal). Glad the canner is still good tho I have no idea how the stove knew to turn off by itself. a psychic hot plate?

[@cbass2755]

@@OldSchoolPrepper Man…I don’t know how that happened! I never had that happen before. Thank you for responding….I’ve been watching! 🤣🤣🤣. I just couldn’t think of a reason to restart a 75 min re-canning session for two mins, but if you said yes, id do it. Thanks Martha!!

[@keithcronk7980]

👍👍👍🙂

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

many thanks Keith

[@conniebasina1403]

So my husband shows me today on my Presto weight the one that comes with the canner that the black top on it screws up to loosen it and down to tighten it. He insists this is to regulate the steam just like the one that is adjustable with the rings that you show here. So talk about mind blown but I have not done any canning to test it. Any thoughts to debunk this?

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

oh my, sometimes the 'mansplaining' gets me crazy! nope, he's wrong and you are right. All you have to do is unscrew the black top and he will see there is no hole in the metal to regular the steam...it's still a 15# weight with or without the black top on (well I suppose it might be half an ounce less without the black top but it's negligable) in order for it to really regulate the steam it would have to allow the steam to release and removing the top doesn't change that. The other thing you can do is just read through the manual (you can find it online if you don't have a paper copy) and it doesn't meantion using the 15# weight as a jiggler (or steam releaser) that's why the aftermarket 3 piece jigglers are so popular. So what comes with the unit is a weight...when it's adapted to move or jiggle then it's a whole different device called a jiggler as it functions differently. Anyway, good luck....finally if he still doesn't believe you, you can just use it to pressure can and ask him to adapt the weight to 10#'s of pressure...and he won't be able to do it... then he can make the realization himself. Maybe do a test run by putting jars filled with water (and no lids or rings) into the pressure canner and bring to temperature. It's also a nice way to begin canning without using real food. Let me know anytime you have questions!

[@futurekron]

Does it hurt if I use a 15 lb jiggler at lower elevations until I get the proper 10 lb weight in the mail?

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

no it doesn't matter. just know that it's really being used as a "Regulator" since it doesn't jiggle. Which means it will hold the pressure but you won't be able to hear it move...you'll need to keep an eye on the gauge and keep it at 11#'s pressure (I know the weight is for 10#'s at lower altitude but the receipe's usually read 11#'s if using the gauge.) but to answer your question, no problem just keep an eye on the gauge. and Happy Canning!

[@pjjp6341]

I’m one of those who has to stay glued to my presto. I even bought the weight that can be dismembered. It doesn’t seem to rock either. So my question is because I need to keep the pressure at 10/11 what problems will I have if the pressure goes up to 13. Does it/I ruin the food? (Meat in this case).

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

I prefer those types, that come apart like you have...they act more like a jiggler so we can hear it and less like a weight. Not a darn thing will happen if you go over the pressure you want. If it goes under is where you can get into problems. People that live by the rules say if it even dips below your pressure for a second, that you have to start all over. I use more reason...if it was only for a minute or two..then not a big deal to me but I do go over sometime. what is the down side? what you are canning might get mushier but not by much...meat seems unaffected, beans seem unaffected, some veg maybe but they will be a bit mushy anyway (simply by pressure canning) so keep on doing what you are doing. your take apart jiggler/weight will rock if you get it into the 11+ pound range (if you have it set for 10#'s). at least mine does :)

[@pjjp6341]

@@OldSchoolPrepper thank you. For all this info! I’ve worried about all that I had canned! I so appreciate your input and time!

[@mcanultymichelle]

How do we test the dial if the extension office doesn’t??? Thanks for this video

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

Hi Michelle, what I do is test the dial via the weight. Meaning I use my 10# weight and bring the canner up to 11#'s per the dial.....if the weight starts jiggling then the canner dial is measuing correctly. If you only have the 15# weight, then bring the canner to 15-16's of pressure and if the weight rocks/jiggles then your dial is good. so basically, the short answer is I use the weight to verify the dial. Does that make sense? If not, then I'll do a short video on it.

[@mcanultymichelle]

@@OldSchoolPrepper wow good to know.l bet a lot of people would like to know this. I know because l see it in comments sometimes.

[@juliesutton1313]

Where do I get it

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

there is a direct link (on Amazon) in the video description to purchase this...you can just look it up on Amazon if you don't want to read the description. It's around $15-ish

[@user-ge9dp8qt8b]

I just purchased a Presto Pressure Canner and I could not get the jigger to rock. my Altitude is 629.92 so I used the 10lb weight. It did not rock at all. I'm not sure if I am doing something wrong. any suggestion please.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

did you use the jiggler that came with the Presto canner? if you did, it is set to 15 pounds and you need a lighter one. If you watch the video it explains all of this. You will want another jiggler which is a 10 pound one. I suggest one (in the description) which can be taken apart and it becomes 5,10 and 15 pound weights. The other thing you can do is to use the 15 pound weight (that came with your canner) and just watch the gauge and keep it at 11 pounds while you are canning your items.

[@user-ge9dp8qt8b]

I did use the one that came with the canner. I took one of the 5lb weights off first. it still did not work. there is no gauge with this canner. @@OldSchoolPrepper

[@ebgbjo2025]

@@OldSchoolPrepper I have a new Presto canner that came with the layered weight, the 16 QT one that does NOT come with a gauge. According to my altitude of almost 1500', I need to use 15lb for some of the recipes I am trying to make. I checked the vents and they were clean and clear and even after 20mins of being on high, the weight still is not rocking at all although the water is DEFINITELY boiling, and the black backup valve has popped up. I wish they would make it so weight can be added in #1 increments, heck even 2-3, rather than only #5. I am trying to can condensed soup at the moment.

[@lat1419]

I got the extra regulator as soon as I got my presto. It is annoying we have to purchase additional weights.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

agreed and it's not well explained either...but now we know :)

[@jamiemiller5616]

Mine still doesn't at 5, 10, or 15 😡

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

hi Jamie, if you are suing the weight that came with the Presto canner then it won't start rocking until you hit around 16 pounds of pressure since it's preset to 15 pounds.... if you bought an aftermarket weight and that's not rocking then I'll ask some other question like did you remove one of the weights (for 10 pounds) or 2 weights (for 5 pounds)....if you bought an after market weight and removed the required weights and it's still not rocking then either you have a faulty after market weight or your canner is leaking steam. If your gauge is getting up to pressure then it's not leaking. If you're still confused, take a picture of your canner and the weight and email me with how you're using it and we'll problem solve together. [e-mail]

[@victorialg1270]

Great - except - at my altitude I need 12 pounds for most things.

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

you use 15# weight then right?

[@14ToeBeans]

The openings are so annoying on videos like this. You don’t need it!

[@OldSchoolPrepper]

I'm going to assume that you posted this with good intent. I'm further going to assume that you had a canner, on the heat, you were getting upset because the weight wasn't rocking and you needed an answer right that second. If you watch the vid, you will hear that I give that answer in 60 seconds, even with my everly annoying opening. Obviously you weren't freaking out anymore since you took the time to leave me such a nice message after you got your answer. It fills my heart with joy to know I could help someone out and they took the time to thank me for the time and effort it took me to film, edit, upload and maintain this video. As a small channel I do this out of the goodness of my heart because I want to teach people how to eat, grow and save food. Getting posts like yours makes it all worth while,. I hope your day gets better and that you know you can come back here for your other PC, WB or steam canning questions...and you can get a safe answer...if you can get past the annoying intro that is.