All-American Pressure Cooker & Canner Replacement Parts

No. All American pressure canners use an exclusive metal-to-metal seal — there is no rubber gasket to replace. The beveled surfaces where the cover and canner meet form a self-sealing joint that improves with use when properly cared for. Here’s how to maintain it:

Lubrication: Before using your cooker, apply a thin film of petroleum jelly or Vaseline to the inside bevel — the edge where the inside wall begins to bevel outward. Use just enough to wet the surface; don’t apply so much that you can see it. Also apply a small amount to the threads of the Bakelite wing nuts and to the metal face around the lid opening — this helps the wing nuts turn easily and hold the cover securely to prevent steam leaks. Apply every third or fourth use. Never let the seal dry out completely: a dry seal can result in severe damage and make the cover very difficult to remove, and it becomes difficult to maintain a steam-tight seal.

Cleaning the seal: Periodically wipe the seal with a clean towel to remove any buildup of foreign material trapped in the lubricant. You can use 0000 grade steel wool and carefully work around the seal to remove hardened lubricant. Avoid hard scrubbing, which can damage the seal surface.

Storage: Always store the cover separately from the bottom, or upside down on the bottom, to allow air circulation and protect the seal. Both pieces must be thoroughly dried before storage. Protect the metal-to-metal seal from being struck or dented.

Trust the weight, always. All American canners are weighted-gauge canners. Per the official manual: “The pressure gauge is supplied as a reference only — for when the unit is pressurized and timing for canning may roughly begin, or when the pressure has dropped to zero and the lid may be safely removed.” The rated accuracy of the steam gauge is ±2 PSI new, and gauges can drift significantly over time due to temperature changes or minor impacts. If you’d like your gauge tested, contact your county extension agent. If they can’t test it, you’ll need to replace it (Part No. 72). The regulator weight, by contrast, never requires testing or adjustment for accuracy — when it jiggles 1 to 4 times per minute, you are at the correct pressure.

Replace the overpressure plug (Part No. 2040) every 12 months, or sooner if it becomes hard, cracked, or deformed. Never reuse a blown plug. The plug is your last line of defense — rated to release at approximately 23 PSI if the vent pipe becomes clogged, if there’s overheating, or if there’s too much water loss. If you follow proper operating instructions, it will probably never release in normal use.

Monthly cleaning: During any active canning season, clean the overpressure plug opening in the cover with hot soapy water and a small brush at least once a month. Built-up food or grease in the opening can cause the plug to leak steam below 5 PSI. (A small amount of steam around the plug while pressure is building is normal — it should stop once the gauge reaches approximately 5 PSI. Leaking beyond that means a worn plug or a dirty opening.)

How to remove and reinstall: From the underside of the cover, pull the plug out with your fingers — no tools needed. After cleaning, reinsert by pushing the round top side of the plug into the opening from the underside. When correctly seated, the indented portion of the plug is visible from the underside. After inserting, verify that the round top and top lip are fully through the opening — the top lip must not be folded under.

We offer 1-, 2-, and 3-packs with free shipping. Having a spare on hand means you’re always ready.

Check the side of your canner or look under the lid. You can also find the model number stamped on the bottom. A date code may also appear there — for example, “95” with 5 tick marks means May 1995. Older letter codes like “A46” mean January 1946 (A = January, 46 = 1946). If your canner says “921½,” it’s a 921 — the ½ was dropped and current 921 parts fit exactly.

No — we specialize exclusively in All American OEM replacement parts. For parts across many brands, visit our other site pressurecooker-outlet.com. Or give us a call or email and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Store at room temperature — extreme cold can damage the gauge (though you can still trust the regulator weight if cold storage is unavoidable). The overpressure plug is also not designed for cold storage and should be replaced more frequently if cold-stored. Always store the cover separately from the bottom, or upside down on the bottom, to allow air circulation. Both pieces must be completely dry before storing — moisture causes pitting. Keep the metal-to-metal seal lightly lubricated, and protect it from being struck or dented during storage.

Yes, but the jar capacities listed on this page are based on standard-mouth Mason jars. You may fit fewer wide-mouth jars depending on your canner size. Always use a rack — jars should never rest directly on the aluminum. The USDA now recommends using a flat rack on the bottom and removing jars one at a time with a jar lifter. Canning baskets have been discontinued and are no longer made. We recommend having two racks: one for the bottom layer and one for the middle if you’re stacking a second layer of jars.

Discoloration (darkening of the aluminum interior) is harmless and does not affect safety or performance. It can be removed by boiling a solution of one tablespoon of vinegar or two level tablespoons of cream of tartar in a quart of water inside the canner, or by scrubbing with an aluminum cleaner or a soap-impregnated steel wool pad.

Pitting is a different matter. Pitting is caused by the interaction of aluminum with other metals in the presence of moisture — typically from storing the canner wet or with the lid on. While minor surface pitting is not injurious to health, the Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry’s official recommendation is: if pitting is detected, do not use the unit until the extent of the damage has been determined, and return it to the factory for examination. This is especially important as pit depth increases over time.

Prevention: Wash, rinse, and dry the unit thoroughly after every use. Always store in a dry area with the cover separate from the bottom (or upside down on the bottom) so air can circulate. Never store the canner assembled with moisture inside.