Types Of Stoves For Pressure Canners

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I have a smooth top stove and this is my 2nd one, (my other is in storage, long story...) and I do love smooth tops for easier cleaning. The book that came with my first smooth top said not to use pressure canners on it. The lady who gave me this smooth top said she'd been canning for 30 yrs. on nothing BUT smooth tops as that is all she's ever owned. And down in the threads someone said not to use smooth tops for canning. We're going to start building next year, and I'm going to want another stove. We've decided we probably won't get propane, (that's not written in stone, yet, by the way) because we live in a flood plain, plan on building the land up for the house area, and don't really want a "floating" propane tank in a flood...(willing to take advice on the propane tank also, electric is KILLING us out here) I had a lady several years back tell me electric stoves were awful for canning on. Ok, all you experienced people out here, I need LOTS of advice. Can you can on a smooth top? Is gas a preferential method of cooking over electric, or is it just preferences?

-- Louise Whitley (whitley@terraworld.net), August 13, 2000

Answers

Louise! How much are you gonna have to build up the groundlevel before building the house? Nuther words-how much grade needs to be added to keep high and dry? We used to set propane tanks in the river bottoms for oil wells to run on. When the overflow was gonna be too deep, we'd set the tank maybe a quarter mile away and run a line to the unit. If it was about 3 or 4 ft overflow, we'd just set crete blocks stacked high enought to accomodate the flood water. I realize your place is not in the riverbottoms and you'r not hookin up an oil well but the same thing still applys. When you get your grade built- build out another 12 to 15 ft and move the tank up high and dry. Propane is a much better energy source than electricity anyhow. It's always available even when the power is off---depending upon the type of stove you have. I much prefer the older style range without the computer and electric valves. Flame pilot lights and a non-electric oven valve [called a MSC valve] will work just fine and is much easier to maintain, cheaper to buy and repair etc. Hope this helps! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 13, 2000.

In the other thread I did not say to NOT use smooth tops for canning, I stated that you should check in your manual or with your manufacturer about it, and that some had cracked from this practice.

Also any oversized pot may cause overheating of the smooth top. A lot would probably depend on the size of the pot or canner used, the larger the canner or cooking pot, the more heat radiated back to the smooth top.

Just wanted to clear that up, because it may be perfectly all right to can on some of them.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), August 13, 2000.


Hoot - or any one else who can help. Some time in the future I may get to redo my kitchen. I've always wanted a gas stove, but we're all electric. Is it feasible to set up a propane tank for just a stove, and how much trouble would it be?

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), August 13, 2000.

Glynnis! Sure it's feasible! If all you were gonna do was cook you wouldn't need a big tank. Don't know where you live or the cost of propane or electric. In these neck of the woods its much cheaper to use all you can on proplane rather than electric. Water heating is a big energy hog when using electric. I'd seriously consider changing water heater to gas as well as everything else I could afford. Back to the question--for just cookin try using a couple 100# cylinders which hold almost 25 gallons of l.p. [24.4 gal.] For cookin and heating water--ought to have at least a 100 gal. tank-generally called a "pig". For heating inaddition to water and cookin--around here it's never less than a 250 gallon and most usually a 500 gal. Not usually much problem gettin it set up to burn gas but then again it depends upon you house construction and location of stoves, crawl space or basement etc. Email me direct if you want me to explain anything else about them. I don't know it all by any means but worked with this stuff for about 35 years. Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 13, 2000.

Hoot, NFP (I already know who you are, Hi, GUY!!!) Thanks for the advice and clearing up. There is a difference between the 2 smooth tops I was talking about. The one in storage is a very deep dark red and when it's on is a ruby red color, the other are Corning...I read what you wrote and probably as I was reading it remembered the one in storage said NOT to use it for canning. Also, I've had other people tell me not to can on them. I have 1 daughter old enough to help and 2 little learners, and it's not worth the risk to just go ahead with what you WANT to hear. She's the ONLY person who ever said it was ok. And you just wonder if she was one of the lucky ones who got away with it...

Hoot, yes, we're in the river bottoms... The building we're in is 4 ft. above the rest of the fields here, it flooded about 4 1/2 ft. in '98 and the house is a little higher and flooded about 3 ft. in '98. So, our plan is build the ground up 3-4 ft. before building the house. After this month's electric bill, I'm beginning to look at propane a little closer... If buying a 1000 gal. propane tank, and it's full, and you could disconnect and move it, what kind of vehicle would it take to move it? Heavier than a mini van stuck in mud? We've built the chicken house on skids and our other plans, consist of being able to tolerate a flood, build above flood level, or moving to the bridge until it's over. I'm beginning to think a propane hot water heater and stove may be a very good idea. I have a fear of them, tho. My Mom had one "blow up" in her face while lighting one when her and Daddy first got married. The neighbor took her to the hospital, she lost her eyelashes and eyebrows and facial and chest hair, and some minor burns, but it's still a fear of mine.... But, I think of how nice they would be to use... I just realized there's so much to changing a lifestyle and the way you've always done things.

Thanks you 2 and God Bless...

-- Louise Whitley (whitley@terraworld.net), August 13, 2000.



I dont know about canning on a smooth top but I do know the difference between canning on gas and electric. Its very hard to maintain a steady pressure on an electric stove. I've had to camp outin the kitchen constantly adjusting back and forth. The gas range I have now I can adjust once and check on it every now and then while I'm working in the kitchen. I really like the gas better for overall cooking and it toasts marshmellows on a fork real well. Peggy

-- Peggy (wclpc@cookeville.com), August 13, 2000.

Hey Peggy! You reminded me of roastin marshmellows as well as hot dogs! The dogs get a little messy what with all the lard/grease or whatever-a fly'n everywhere. Come to think of it - have any of you heard whats in hot dogs? I have from a man who used to work for ____________ Packing Co. and I don't think I want anymore. Said they were WORSE than bologney! Oh well, guess it's back to fryin old dead hog in my smooth iron skillet! Matt. 24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), August 13, 2000.

If you really want to cut down on water heating costs, get a tankless water heater. They heat up the water as you need it, to the temp you set. No more scalds, hot water waiting time, tank leaks,etc. Will be posting this info.

-- Soni (thomkilroy@hotmail.com), August 14, 2000.

In our area if you contract to buy your lp from the local co-op they bring the gas tank (500 gallon I think) out and set it up, run the line to the house all for free. You just cant call any other company to come fill it. I dont know if in most areas you have to buy your own or not? Might be worth a call before you buy one and try to move it. Tami in WI

-- Tami Bowser (windridg@chorus.net), August 15, 2000.

Louise, I tried to can tomatoes on my parents smooth top electric range a few years ago. The cooker never got hot enough for the weight to jiggle. Each time that it seemed to be on the verge of "dancing" the eye cooled down. Had to pack 20 gallons of scalded tomatoes 45 miles to my house to process. MESSY! We use an electric range without difficulty. You just have to adjust the temp on the eye a few times until you reach the perfect setting. I have spoken to an older lady whose glass top did break when she was attempting to can with it. I have also used an electric hotplate successfully. Works good on the porch instead of heating up the whole house on hot days.

-- Terri Perry (stuperry@stargate.net), August 15, 2000.


An electric hot plate? Really? I had never thought of that. My friend and I have hot water bath canned on her smooth top without incident in the past. I wouldn't want to risk her cracking her stove top though... so I guess that we'll have to use my gas stove from now on. Which is fine with me! I much prefer gas over electric. One of my problems with the dial type canners is that on the electric stove, you had to constantly keep adjusting the temp to get it right. And even then the pressure bounced back and forth so much it made me wary. Just my .02 worth!

-- Misha (MishaaE@aol.com), August 15, 2000.

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to go with LP and an LP stove. I have a friend with a tankless hot water heater, and sure hope the prices go down, because I'd like to have one! They have 9 kids and NEVER run out of water on Sat. nite./Sun. morning church baths. (They take them more frequently, but for church and everyone to get there clean, it's tuff here doing them on Sat. nite and Sun. morning with just 5 kids and 2 adults. They paid $2000 for theirs and that's a little steep for us, how does hard water affect these and what is their life span?

-- Louise Whitley (whitley@terraworld.net), August 15, 2000.

i have both a kerosene stove and coleman camping stoves that i use to can with. i like to can outdoors or on the porch to keep the heat down in the house. if i didn't already have these i would look into the single burner propane stoves. gail

-- gail missouri ozarks (gef123@hotmail.com), August 15, 2000.

Thanks for everyone's input. I'm sure I just learned more than any salesman could (or would) tell me!

-- glynnis in KY (gabbycab@msn.com), August 16, 2000.

My mother did alot of canning on herelectric range,she had a ring she set over the burner which took the weight of the canner. Does anyone know where I can buy such a ring.

-- Martha Matthews (marthafromwa@webtv.com), August 17, 2000.


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