Top-Rated Pressure Canner For Bone Broth: A Nutritional Powerhouse

Bone broth has gained tremendous popularity in recent years due to its rich nutritional content and various health benefits. Packed with collagen, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, bone broth is considered a superfood that supports joint health, gut healing, and skin elasticity. However, making bone broth at home can be time-consuming and require careful preservation to maintain its nutritional integrity. Pressure canning offers an efficient and safe way to preserve homemade bone broth, making it accessible for use throughout the year.

In this guide, we will explore the importance of using a pressure canner for bone broth preservation and recommend some of the top-rated models to ensure that your bone broth remains a long-lasting, nutritional powerhouse.

Why Pressure Canning is Essential for Bone Broth Preservation

When you make bone broth, it is usually cooked at a low simmer for an extended period of time. This slow cooking process breaks down the bones, releasing valuable nutrients, including collagen, gelatin, and minerals, into the broth. Properly preserving the broth is essential to avoid spoilage and bacterial growth. This is where pressure canning comes in.

Pressure canning is the only safe method for preserving low-acid foods like bone broth. It ensures that the broth is sealed in jars, and the high pressure and heat effectively kill harmful bacteria, molds, and yeasts that could cause spoilage. Unlike freezing or refrigerating, pressure canning allows for long-term storage without compromising the nutritional content of the broth. When done correctly, pressure-canned bone broth can last up to a year or more, providing you with a convenient and ready-to-use source of nourishment whenever needed.

Key Benefits of Pressure Canning Bone Broth

1. Preservation of Nutrients: Pressure canning helps retain the collagen, gelatin, amino acids, and minerals in the bone broth, ensuring that you get the full nutritional benefits even after it's been stored for months.

2. Long Shelf Life: Pressure canning significantly extends the shelf life of bone broth. With proper sealing, you can store your broth for up to a year or more without worrying about spoilage.

3. Convenience: By canning bone broth in jars, you can create convenient portions that can be used in soups, stews, sauces, or as a base for other recipes. It eliminates the need to cook bone broth from scratch every time you need it.

4. Space Saving: Unlike frozen broth, which can take up valuable freezer space, canned bone broth is stored at room temperature, freeing up your freezer for other items.

5. Control Over Ingredients: When you make your own bone broth, you have full control over the ingredients. You can choose high-quality bones, add beneficial herbs, and avoid preservatives or additives often found in store-bought broths.

How to Pressure Can Bone Broth Safely

Pressure canning bone broth is relatively simple, but it requires attention to detail and the proper equipment to ensure safety and effectiveness. Follow these general steps to pressure can your homemade bone broth:

Step 1: Prepare the Bone Broth

• Make the Bone Broth: Start by making your bone broth using high-quality bones, water, and any desired seasonings (but avoid adding salt as it can affect the canning process). Simmer the bones for at least 12-24 hours, depending on your preference for flavor and nutrient extraction.
• Strain the Broth: Once the broth is ready, strain out any solid bones, meat, and vegetables. You should be left with a clear, rich broth that is ready for canning.

Step 2: Sterilize Jars

• Sterilize the Jars: Before canning, sterilize your jars and lids to ensure they are free of any bacteria or contaminants. You can sterilize them by boiling the jars or placing them in the dishwasher on a hot cycle.

Step 3: Fill the Jars

• Fill the Jars: Pour the hot, strained bone broth into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1-inch headspace at the top. This ensures proper sealing during the canning process. If desired, you can add a small amount of acid (such as vinegar or lemon juice) to help balance the pH, but this is optional and not typically necessary for bone broth.

Step 4: Pressure Can the Broth

• Seal and Pressure Can: Wipe the rims of the jars to remove any residue before placing the lids on. Tighten the lids and place the jars into the pressure canner. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific canner model regarding the appropriate pressure and processing time. Generally, bone broth should be processed at 10-15 pounds of pressure for 25-30 minutes, depending on your altitude.

Step 5: Cool and Store

• Cool the Jars: Once the canning cycle is complete, carefully remove the jars from the canner and allow them to cool to room temperature. Check that the lids have sealed properly by pressing in the center of each lid; if it doesn't pop, the jar has sealed successfully.
• Store the Jars: Store the sealed jars of bone broth in a cool, dark place like a pantry. They should last up to a year or more, provided they remain sealed and undamaged.

Top-Rated Pressure Canners for Bone Broth

Here are some of the best-rated pressure canners for preserving bone broth. These models are reliable, efficient, and equipped with safety features to ensure that your homemade bone broth is preserved properly.

1. All American 921 21.5-Quart Pressure Canner

Best for: Durability and Precision

The All American 921 is a heavy-duty, durable pressure canner made from cast aluminum. It is known for its long-lasting design and efficient performance. The metal-to-metal sealing system is perfect for those who want to avoid gasket replacement and ensure a tight seal. It holds up to seven quart-sized jars, making it ideal for large batches of bone broth.

Key Features:

• Capacity: 21.5 quarts (holds 7 quart jars)
• Material: Cast aluminum for durability
• Pressure Control: Dial gauge for precise pressure monitoring
• Safety Features: Overpressure plug, locking lid, safety valve
• Pros: Extremely durable, easy to use, minimal maintenance
• Cons: Heavy, expensive

Why It's Great for Bone Broth: The All American 921 provides excellent pressure control, ensuring that your bone broth is safely preserved without losing valuable nutrients.

2. Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker

Best for: Budget-Friendly Large Capacity

For a more budget-friendly option, the Presto 23-Quart Pressure Canner offers a large capacity and straightforward operation. Made from lightweight aluminum, this canner features a weighted gauge for easy pressure monitoring. It's an affordable option for those who need to process larger batches of bone broth.

Key Features:

• Capacity: 23 quarts (holds 7 quart jars)
• Material: Aluminum for light weight
• Pressure Control: Weighted gauge for easy use
• Safety Features: Overpressure plug, locking lid, safety valve
• Pros: Affordable, large capacity, easy to use
• Cons: Aluminum material may degrade over time

Why It's Great for Bone Broth: The large capacity and simple operation make it a great choice for home cooks looking to preserve bone broth without a hefty price tag.

3. Mirro 23-Quart Pressure Cooker Canner

Best for: Simplicity and Reliability

The Mirro 23-Quart Pressure Cooker Canner offers a reliable and straightforward design that is perfect for beginners. It features a weighted gauge for easy pressure control and is made of durable aluminum.

Key Features:

• Capacity: 23 quarts (holds 7 quart jars)
• Material: Aluminum for convenience
• Pressure Control: Weighted gauge
• Safety Features: Overpressure plug, locking lid, safety valve
• Pros: Simple design, reliable, large capacity
• Cons: Aluminum may wear down over time

Why It's Great for Bone Broth: The Mirro canner is easy to use and provides the necessary pressure to safely preserve bone broth without complex instructions.

Conclusion

Pressure canning is an essential method for preserving bone broth, ensuring that it retains its nutrients and is safely stored for long-term use. Whether you are making bone broth for its health benefits or simply want to have a convenient supply on hand, pressure canning allows you to store it efficiently and safely. By choosing the right pressure canner for your needs, you can enjoy the nutritional powerhouse of bone broth year-round.