(Humble brag intro)
Today I was able to score used All American 921 and 910 canners for $35 picked up! The canners were sold but the niece of the original owner with no known history.
In doing my research, my understanding is that this brand is built solid! That said, does anyone have experience giving an all American canner a tune up?
My general approach:
- Inspect for any structural issues
- Take everything apart and clean it
- Clean and buff the body with a scouring pad (not steel wool)
- Replace the safety blow plug
Is there anything else you’d recommend?
TIA!
Idk if it’s available in your area, but testing the meter. In my area one of the local universities does it. Idk if they charge or anything but the previous owner of mine had it tested (and it passed, with deviations noted).
After a bit more research it looks like I can get the 910 running with $20 in parts as there are no extension offices that test gauges near me. The parts would be a new safety blow off and gauge. They do not sell replacement safety blow offs for the 921. This 921 seems to be older, it does not have a date stamp on it to tell exactly how old either. They do sell new lids though which with the gauge and new blow off would put me back $80 there. I’m looking at a ballpark $120 repair shipped for these bad boys!
there are no extension offices that test gauges near me.
A lot of factories I’ve been to use small calibration businesses or even just a guy who calibrates stuff as a side hustle. If there is any manufacturing in your area it might be worth asking folks who work there if they know of someone who does that kind of work but doesn’t really advertise.
You should be able to replace the valves with a weighted valve. Then you don’t need to worry about the dial gauge accuracy as it is regulated by the weight.
The regulation/dial needs to be calibrated, usually at a local ag extension.
