Been trying to decide which is the better choice. Read that high altitudes would do better with dial gauges because they allow for more precise adjustments, but they need to be recalibrated every so often, and even before you use it for the first time. The extension office will do it for you, but one of the reviews on Amazon said her local EO quit offering that service. Weight gauges only need to be cleaned, but they can only be adjusted in 5lb increments. Has anyone here used a weight gauge at a high altitude with no problem?
Used weights and gauges @ around 1500 ft ASL with no issues...as Brokor asked, what do you consider high?
Generally I think they consider high altitude to be over 5000 feet. We're at 3200 and no problem with my weight gauge.
Weights are accurate regardless of altitude. Gauges are influenced by atmospheric pressure, thus have to be calibrated for the altitude they'll be used. Usually, below 5000 feet is not a problem. Above that, check with the mfr. YMMV.
If canning do not speed up the cool down time or pressure by letting the steam off rapidly or cooling from the outside with a cold water spray nozzle in sink! no no no no no no no NO NO NO NO NO NO !!! I can't say it too many times or too loud. If you are cooking, not canning, fine, but otherwise NO! Reread your canning instructions, or from Ball manuals, or from most any .edu, or from the USDA. There are numerous reasons not to do this. Not one canning guide of any sort that I have read, advocates doing it this way. I fact every one of them warns against it. Jus sayin.
QFT ! Heed these words, consequences can be dire indeed ! If you're in a hurry to get a second batch out buy a second pressure cooker or canner !
I think the question I would have here is not that it "works" as you can always boil water provided you have the heat source but rather will 15# of pressure produce 249 deg F or will it produce more or less at different sea levels? The 249 deg was a random number I sorta remember from earlier today researching what temperature to make some of the parts for our new venture. Other than that my opinion would be that the weights are more foolproof.
Hey Tac you are right! By tipping the weight it releases the steam quickly and the lid seal opens up I deleted that post. We always did it in the sink. We will not be doing it any more. Hey, I'm a guy, I don't read instructions till something goes wrong! Thanks for the wake up call! It was a bad post! We have a about thousand Jars under our belt so far, but you never know when lightning will strike!
