Check your pressure canner all over; if unsure do a batch of water in jars to check.
GASKETS
Rubber gaskets (the sealing ring) do last years, but if it has dried out, cracked, stretched, hardened or is damaged in any way, this will cause leaking during processing. Replace gasket if you notice any of these or if your gasket is more than 3 years old.
DIAL GAUGE
Test dial
gauges every year (we recommend April 1) and replace if they are damaged in any
way.
SAFETY PLUGS
Check to
ensure these have not melted/blown out, replace if damaged in any way.
VENT PIPE
If food becomes trapped in this narrow tube, this can affect the
pressure level. Clean by pushing string or wire through.
PREVENTION
IS THE KEY
By checking
your pressure canner regularly, keeping spare parts on hand, following the
manufacturing manual and processing your jars correctly will ensure pressure
canning success every time.