Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This canner will hold: 24 regular half pints 16 wide mouth half pints 20 regular pint sized jars (name brand) 16 wide mouth pints 18 regular pint sized jars (generic) 7 regular or wide mouth quarts 4 half gallon jars Dimensions: 15" high x 12" wide It fits on my stove and clears the hood above it. It does not fit in my cabinets, even with the lid flipped over. It takes up less space on the stove top than my BWB canner so i have more room for other things. It is not necessary to have an extra rack in order to stack jars. Just make sure that the second layer is resting on top of the bands and not on the lids themselves. However, I did purchase the extra rack. The rack also fit into my BWB canner which is great because the old wire rack is completely rusted and needed to be replaced. Canning Rack Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000LNY6T2/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk Also purchased the Presto Pressure Canner Pressure Regulator (50332) because I don't have any way to have my dial gauge tested. I relied on the regulator to make sure the pressure was constant. The dial gauge read 12 lbs consistently and that was fine by me. Close enough to where i needed it to be so i feel confident the gauge isn't far off but i won't be canning without the regulator. It was really nice to be able to use the dial gauge and the regulator together. Regulator Link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HMBVQ8/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk The directions say to remove the canner from the burner and this was a little difficult. I have had several abdominal surgeries over the years and at times, it is difficult to lift heavy items. I wouldn't want to lift the canner over and over but there are hours in between loads so it isn't impossible. DO NOT let jars cool in the canner overnight. This causes flat sour and it is disgusting. I am 5'4" so reaching in and out of the canner while it's on the stove isn't difficult. My mother is 5'0" and she would be able to do it too but it would be easier with a small step stool or something as small as a couple of bricks. Because it can be used as a water bath canner, i will probably be getting rid of my really old blue speckled canner. DO NOT stack pint jars when using as a BWB canner. The instructions say that you can't process quarts this way but this pot is taller than my BWB canner. So use your own judgement. The directions are well written and easy to follow. I followed them exactly and i had no siphoning and all of my jars sealed. In the past i had issues with siphoning and this time the only change i made was keeping the kitchen windows closed. For those that are afraid of their canner "exploding", there is an overpressure plug. Should too much pressure build up inside the canner, the rubber plug will pop out and relieve the pressure. No explosions, just an un-processed batch of jars. DO NOT use this canner on an induction stove. For that you need a pot that is either all steel, or has steel insert in the base. Do not use pressure canner on an outdoor LP gas burner or gas range over 12,000 BTU's. There is a line of caution about this in the instructions. An additional "Caution" page is included with the directions: Do not use pressure canner on any outdoor heat source such as a gas burner for a turkey fryer. This type of burner will soften the canner causing the bottom to warp. It may also result in property damage and/or personal injury. In addition, the food may not be safely processed. Service and Parts Information: Call 1-800-877-0441 weekdays 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (central time) Email through website at [...] Write: National Presto Industries, Inc. Consumer Service Department 3925 M Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 54703-3703 Your canner model number is inside the canner in case you lose the information. The instructions also include information on where to send canner for repair. I think i answered all of the questions i had before i made my purchase.