Is Canning on a Portable Burner Safe?

Guidelines when Selecting a Portable Burner for Canning

• Select a burner that is level, sturdy, and secure with enough height to allow air to flow under the burner.
• The burner should be no more than 4 inches smaller than the diameter of your canner.
• The wattage of electric burners should be about equal to that of a typical household range which is usually 1750W or higher.
• The BTUs of a gas burner should be 12,000 BTU or less.
• The housing for the burner must hold up to the high heat under the canner for long heating periods and not damage counter tops.
• Avoid portable burner camp stoves with metal baffles on the sides that may prevent a canner being centered over the flame.

Pressure Canners on Portable Burners Considerations

• Two manufacturers of pressure canners warn against using their canners on portable burners.
• Burners may not have enough wattage to pressurize a fully loaded canner.
• LP gas burners in excess of 12,000 BTUs cannot be adjusted to a low enough setting to maintain the recommended pressure which can result in damage to the bottom of the canner.
• Burners may not be able to support the weight of a fully loaded canner.
• When a portable burner has been found that is suitable for a pressure canner, you need to add a little more water than normal so the canner doesn't burn dry with the high BTUs used when canning meats, fish, and other foods with long processing times.

Outside Use and Air Circulation

Using a portable burner outside may be further complicated if any wind or breeze increases the amount of time needed to bring the water in the canner to boiling allowing the pounds pressure to drop easily. A drop in water temperature also interferes with boiling water or steam canning.

Portable Induction Burners

An induction burner requires special cookware that works with an electromagnetic field.  The cookware is considered the transformer so the surface of the burner cools down immediately after the pot is removed. Aluminum, glass and ceramic will not work on an induction cooktop. Because all the major brands of pressure canners (American, Mirro, and most Presto models) are made of aluminum, induction heating is not suitable for pressure canning. Most water bath canners won't work either—some are not smooth on the bottom and most will not conduct heat. The exception is one brand of a water bath canner with a smooth bottom that does conduct heat electromagnetically.  Recently Presto introduced a Pressure Canner with a Stainless Steel clad base that is suitable for some induction burners, but they warn they may not work on all portable induction burners. Visit the Presto website for further details.