SALISBURY — Canning season is upon us and you know what that means — it’s time to have your pressure canner gauge tested for accuracy. If you own a dial pressure canner, it is recommended that it be tested every year for accuracy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, inaccurate dial gauges on canners can lead to under-processing or over-processing of food, resulting in unsafe home-canned food. Food that is not properly processed may cause food-borne illness.
Free canner testing is available. Just bring your pressure canner lid with gauge for testing while you wait. There is no need to bring the entire canner; just the lid with gauge is all that’s needed. Also bring your rubber gaskets and safety valves so that they, too, can be inspected to make sure they are in good operating condition.
If you are the owner of an All American canner, you don’t need to have the gauge tested. The instructions that accompany these canners say use the weight when canning. The dial is just to indicate that pressure is back to 0 before opening.
You are to follow the 5-, 10- or 15-pound directions as you would for any other weighted canner.
I have begun testing dial gauge pressure canner lids each Wednesday through July, between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon. The testing will take place at the Rowan Agriculture Center on Old Concord Road. You may reach our office at 704-216- 8970. You may call ahead to make an appointment or just stop by during the hours mentioned above.

Toi N. Degree is Family and Consumer Education Agent, Rowan County Cooperative Extension Service; e-mail toi_degree@ncsu.edu.