Can I use an Instant Pot for pressure canning?

Many people wonder if they can use their Instant Pot for pressure canning, but the answer is no. A pressure cooker is not the same as a pressure canner, and attempting to process food in jars in your Instant Pot or any other multipurpose appliance could put your health at risk.

However, the Ultra Instant Pot does have a high-acid canning function that allows you to safely preserve items like jams and pickles. If you are interested in using this function, here are some step-by-step instructions:

1. Start by thoroughly washing your jars, lids, and bands in hot soapy water.
2. Choose a recipe that has been tested for high-acid canning and gather all necessary ingredients.
3. Preheat your oven to 200°F and place your jars on a baking sheet inside.
4. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil.
5. Add the lids and bands to the pot and let them simmer for 10 minutes.
6. While the lids and bands are simmering, prepare your recipe according to instructions.
7. Once everything is ready, remove one jar from the oven at a time using tongs or heat-resistant gloves.
8. Fill each jar with your prepared recipe leaving about ½ inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
9. Use a bubble remover tool or chopstick to release any air bubbles trapped in the jars.
10. Wipe down all rim surfaces with a clean damp cloth or paper towel before placing lids onto each jar 11.Finger tighten each band (not too tight). 12.Place filled jars into preheated instant pot (or another high-acid-safe multi-cooker), carefully avoiding contact between stacked jars during loading 13.Close lid securely 14.Select “Steam” Preset Button; adjust time based on altitude (Appropriate processing times for high-acid foods vary by altitude) 15.Let the Instant Pot release pressure naturally for 10 minutes, then use the quick release valve to remove any remaining pressure.
11. Once the pressure has been released and the pin has dropped, carefully remove each jar from Instant Pot using tongs or heat-resistant gloves and place them on a rack to cool.
12. Check that each jar has sealed by pressing down on the center of each lid; if it clicks, your jar did not seal properly which means that you should consume this food within a few days.

Although canning with an Instant Pot is limited to high-acid foods like fruits, pickles and jellies in order to avoid any food safety concerns— It is still a versatile appliance that can help you quickly cook up your favorite recipes in no time at all.