Nesco Canner Vs. Presto Precise Digital Canner

In this article, I want to share my initial thoughts after purchasing the Presto Precise Digital Canner. As a seasoned user of the Nesco canner, I was curious to see how the Presto would compare. I bought the Presto canner about a week before making the video, in large part because it was on sale. But as you can see from the thumbnail photo, it’s still in its box. In this article, I’ll walk you through my thought process on whether I should keep this canner or return it without even opening it. 

Should I Return the Presto Precise Digital Canner? (Video)

In the video above, I share some of my thoughts about whether or not I should return the Presto electric pressure canner even though I hadn’t even opened the box.

My Initial Thoughts Regarding Nesco Vs. Presto Electric Canners

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I’ve been using the Nesco canner (Amazon) for a long time and have been very happy with it. In fact, I own two Nesco canners. The Presto, being a well-known brand in the canning community, caught my attention.

One thing you’ll notice right off the bat on the box of the Presto electric pressure canner (Amazon) is the mention of the USDA. The box specifically states, “First Digital Pressure Canner That Meets USDA Safe Canning Guidelines.” In smaller print it says, “The USDA does not certify or approve home canning equipment.”

There are a couple of problems with this statement. The first problem is that it gives the impression that the USDA approves this canner. The small print, of course, clarifies that, but plenty of people seem to think that this electric canner is approved by the USDA. It isn’t.

The canner is very attractive, though I’m a bit put off by the green “latch.” I’m not sure it’s the color that puts me off, or the fact that it’s plastic, but I question the long-term durability. I don’t like the idea of something I spend this money on easily breaking.

Capacity Comparison

The Presto Precise canner boasts a slightly larger capacity, accommodating 5 regular mouth quarts compared to Nesco’s 4 quarts. However, when it comes to wide mouth jars, both canners hold 4 quarts. To get the full benefit of the Presto canner, I’d have to invest in regular mouth jars, and I prefer wide-mouth. And if I’m using wide-mouth jars in both canners, the capacity of the Presto isn’t any greater than the Nesco.

It should be noted that the Presto can handle up to 7 wide-mouth pints compared to the Nesco which is only large enough for 5 wide-mouth pints.

So it is indeed true that you can can more in the Presto canner at a time compared to the Nesco or Carey canners. But the difference isn’t huge. It definitely wouldn’t be a game changer when it comes to how much I can can at a time.

Cost Considerations in the Nesco Canner Vs. Presto Electric Canner

The price difference between the Presto and Nesco canners is significant. The Presto retails for around $299, but I got it for $255. In comparison, the Nesco retails for $170, but I usually find it for about $110-$120. This means you can generally get two Nesco canners for the price of one Presto.

Check the current price of the Presto electric canner on Amazon.
Check the current price of the Nesco or Carey canner on Amazon.

Especially when you consider that two Nesco or Carey canners allow you to can up to 8 wide mouth quarts or 10 wide mouth pints at a time, compared to the 4 wide-mouth quarts or 7 wide-mouth pints with a single Presto canner, you get more bang for your buck with Nesco compared to Presto.

Now it is true that it’s more convenient to run just one canner at a time instead of two. But I find that owning two Nesco canners works very well for me. In most cases, I need to use one of my Nesco canners at a time, but when I’m canning a bigger batch, I use both of my canners.

Size and Weight of Each of the Canners

Another factor to consider is the size and weight of the canners. The Presto is larger and slightly heavier than the Nesco. If you have limited counter space or find heavy lifting difficult, the smaller and lighter Nesco can be more convenient. I saw a comparison on Rose Red Homestead’s video (above), where she lined up the Presto, Nesco, and Instant Pot Max canners. The Nesco Canner is in the middle, and the Presto is on the left. The Presto is visibly bulkier, which could be a drawback for those with space constraints, or those who struggle lifting heavy objects. 

Ease of Use Comparison in the Nesco Vs. Presto Canner

Reading through the Presto manual, I found that it requires more steps to operate than the Nesco. Although it provides clear step-by-step instructions, it means more button pressing and manual intervention, which can be cumbersome. One seemingly mandatory step in the Presto’s process is the jar warming cycle, which takes 15-20 minutes and cannot be skipped. In contrast, with the Nesco, I can warm my jars using various methods without being forced into a specific cycle. 

Note: There seems to be mixed opinions on whether or not you can skip the jar warming step. Some reviewers say you can, and others say you can’t. If you can skip this step, that’s great, but there still seems to be more steps to take with the Presto digital canner compared to the Nesco or Carey canners.

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Water Bath Canning in the Nesco Vs. the Presto Precise Digital Canner

Both the Presto (Amzon) and Nesco (Amazon) canners allow water bath canning, but with some limitations. Neither can accommodate quarts for water bath canning, only pints or smaller. However, the Nesco offers a low-pressure setting, which can be an alternative for water bath canning quarts, a feature the Presto lacks. Additionally, the Presto requires you to boil water on the stove before adding it to the canner, a step not needed with the Nesco. 

Note that some commenters on my video stated that you don’t have to add boiling water to the Presto. My guess is that is because that step isn’t listed on the quick start guide, but I double checked and it is indeed in the actual manual.

Responses in the Comment Section of My Video

As if often the case with canning, the thoughts and experiences on these two canners is wide and varied. Here’s a sampling of the comments on my YouTube video.

What I love about the comment above is that as people age, each year, the Presto would get bigger and heavier. Not a worry to anyone young and strong, but worth considering if you have problems lifting heavy things.

I wanted to share the comment above, because it shows another side. Some people who have used both the Nesco and Presto Precise canners prefer the Presto. Now I’m unsure what issues this commenter had with the Nesco. Perhaps she got a dud. Her comment didn’t sway me, because I bought my first Nesco 4 years ago and haven’t had any issues with it. But the bottom line is that some definitely have a better experience with the Presto canner.

Elevation and the Nesco Canner

I wanted to include this comment, because it speaks to what was an issue with the Nesco canner when it comes to altitude. There is a basis for this comment as the Nesco canner manual printed in 2023 stated not to use the canner above 6,000 feet altitude. In fact, it was that very line in the manual that made me consider the Presto canner. I currently live in an altitude of around 1650 feet, but in the future will move to Colorado where I will live at an altitude above 6,000 feet.

The good news is, the Nesco (and Carey) canner has now been tested and approved to work in an altitude of 7,600 feet.

Why Spend the Money for So Little?

The comment above very closely mirrors what I felt as I dug more into the details of the Presto canner. Like the commentor, I thought the capacity on the Presto was quite a bit more than the Nesco. Since it isn’t, and since it cost so much more, it doesn’t make a lot of sense, at least for me.

Conclusion

After considering the capacity, cost, size, weight, and ease of use, I ultimately ended up returning the Presto electric pressure canner. While it might be a fine canner, I don’t see enough benefits over the Nesco to justify keeping it, especially given the higher cost. However, I’m open to hearing your thoughts. If you have experience with the Presto or Nesco canners, please share your insights in the comment section of the video. Would you keep the Presto or return it?

Related Articles

If you enjoyed this article on how the Nesco (Carey) canner compares to the Presto Precise Digital Pressure Canner, you’re sure to enjoy these related articles:

• How to Water Bath Can in the Nesco or Carey Canner
• Pressure Canning Lemon Garlic Green Beans in the Nesco Canner