Choosing a pressure canner: jar capacity and vessel size
Compare indicative 500 ml and 1000 ml jar capacities for 10, 20, 30 and 40-litre canners, with vessel dimensions, stacking guidance and a jar-fit checklist.
Basterfield EngineeringUpdated
Choose for the jars in each batch
Start with your jar size and the number of jars you want to process in one batch. The litre rating describes the vessel capacity; jar diameter, jar height and the loading arrangement determine how many jars fit.
Use the comparison below to shortlist a 10, 20, 30 or 40-litre canner. The E48960 non-electric and E48965 electric ranges also offer a 50-litre model, for which jar capacity needs to be confirmed.
Compare indicative jar capacity
Jar capacities are indicative and depend on the actual dimensions of the jars used.
The 500 ml and 1000 ml figures are alternative loads, not quantities to add together.
- 10-litre canner: 7 x 500 ml jars. Capacity for 1000 ml jars has not been specified; confirm fit before ordering.
- 20-litre canner: 14 x 500 ml jars (stacked) or 5 x 1000 ml jars.
- 30-litre canner: 18 x 500 ml jars (stacked) or 9 x 1000 ml jars.
- 40-litre canner: 27 x 500 ml jars (three layers stacked) or 18 x 1000 ml jars (stacked).
- 50-litre canner: jar capacity has not been specified. Request confirmation with your jar dimensions.
Match the model to your usual batch
For 500 ml jars, compare the indicative batch sizes of 7, 14, 18 and 27 jars. For 1000 ml jars, compare 5 jars in the 20-litre, 9 in the 30-litre and 18 in the 40-litre model.
For example, an 18-jar batch of 500 ml jars points to the 30-litre model, while 18 jars of 1000 ml points to the 40-litre model with stacking. Confirm both arrangements against the actual jars before ordering.
No 1000 ml jar count has been supplied for the 10-litre model. This is an unconfirmed fit, not a stated capacity of zero.
Compare vessel-body diameter and height
The following dimensions apply to the E48960 non-electric range and are stated as body diameter x body height in millimetres.
Vessel-body dimensions exclude the lid, handles, fittings and any heating base. They are not overall installation dimensions or a guarantee of usable internal jar clearance.
Confirm the E48965 electric model dimensions, including its heating base, separately when planning the installation.
- E48960(010), 10 litres: diameter 300 mm x body height 140 mm.
- E48960(020), 20 litres: diameter 300 mm x body height 290 mm.
- E48960(030), 30 litres: diameter 380 mm x body height 277 mm.
- E48960(040), 40 litres: diameter 380 mm x body height 362 mm.
- E48960(050), 50 litres: diameter 380 mm x body height 460 mm.
Check jar dimensions and stacking racks
Jars with the same labelled volume can have different shapes and external dimensions. Measure the widest external diameter and the total height with the lid fitted, and provide the jar make or a sample if possible.
Include the space needed for the rack and the specified loading arrangement. The canning rack holds jars off the vessel bottom; an additional canning rack separates stacked layers. Follow the loading and clearance requirements in the operating instructions supplied with the selected canner.
- 10 and 20-litre models use the smaller compatible rack size; 30, 40 and 50-litre models use the larger compatible rack size.
- Specify the canning racks required for each layer in the quotation. Racks and trivets are optional accessories, supplied at additional cost.
- Confirm the number of layers and compatible racks for the exact jar height, especially for the 40-litre three-layer 500 ml arrangement.
Choose the heating arrangement
Choose E48960 for use with a suitable external heat source, or E48965 for a canner supplied with a 2 kW electric heating base. Both ranges are manufactured from Grade 304 stainless steel.
Select the vessel capacity for your jars, then confirm the heat source, installation space and pressure-regulator arrangement for the selected model. Follow its supplied operating instructions for the canning process.
What to include in your quote request
Send these details so the proposed canner and loading arrangement can be checked before you order.
- Preferred model and vessel capacity: E48960 non-electric or E48965 electric.
- Jar volume, make, widest external diameter and overall height with the lid fitted.
- Required number of jars per batch, and whether you will use 500 ml jars, 1000 ml jars or both in separate loads.
- Proposed stacking arrangement and compatible canning racks, listed separately.
- Available heat source or electrical supply, installation space and any access restrictions.