LiveandLearn

I was looking on ebay, too, :ebay: but then started looking through the links others have posted - if you get outbid, Jarden's website has it for 4.95 plus 2.00 shipping! http://www.freshpreserving.com/products/ba...reserving/2.php

Thanks, Darlene! Less weight makes more sense to me. Evergreen, there are also new canners on ebay under "Buy it Now", but the prices are the same as new at the other sites mentioned, plus shipping. Amazon has the 21 and 25 qt listed at 209.99, but if you look there and they are out of stock, you might check again the next day. Just this week, I have seen them be out of stock on one or the other a couple of times, then have them in the next day, sometimes with only two available. Oh, you've posted again! But you know, I'm really glad you posted that link, because the picture on that site definitely shows the weight regulator. lol I know Darlene told me so, but the picture and description on Amazon were still bugging me (in case they were stocking older models)...and the total with shipping on the other site comes up to 213.74 for me...only a few dollars difference, hmm...I might feel better about this if I ordered from them!

Okay, I think I am about ready to take the plunge and go after an AA. I've noticed that amazon.com has them listed as being made/sold by Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry. But they also have Wisconsins that don't say All-American, unless you read the description. They sometimes have one or the other in stock, and also, the price on the 25qt AA is the same as that on the 21qt (marked only Wisconsin). Should I go for the bigger model if they get some in this week? In the picture, the 25qt has the regulator weight, the 21.5 seems to have the valve.

I'm so glad you posted this, I was about to search for another thread I'd seen that recommended the All-American. There have been two things keeping me from canning before (if you don't count general procrastination and lack of knowledge!) - a fear of poisoning my entire family, which I think I'm getting over, after reading more, and an exploding canner. I know, I read the reassurances and precautions, but I can't get the idea out of my head. I have similar issues with gas stoves. In fact, when I was a kid, while visiting my aunt, one of her neighbors was canning on a gas stove, and there was an explosion, so I have that association with both to this day. Aggh! But I'm determined to do this... So far, I like what I have read about the AAs, and not having to replace a gasket, plus all of those clamps look reassuring. If I can find one for a decent price, or decide to just go for it, is there a certain model/size I should watch for? Do they all have the weight, in addition to the dial gauge? Is it a bad idea to buy one on ebay? LOL, can you tell that I am clueless?