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If you’re looking for a simple and easy way to preserve food and reduce waste, you’re going to want one of the best water bath canners around! You can use these handy gadgets for a wide variety of foods, ranging from pickled veggies to jams and jellies.
To find out the best water bath canners on the market, Blair and I researched some of the most popular picks around. Blair absolutely loves her Bakken-Swiss Stockpot that she uses to preserve food, but we also included great options from brands like Ball and McSunley.
Ahead, check out our favorite water bath canners!
Our Top Picks:
- Blair’s Top Pick: Bakken-Swiss Stockpot Brushed Stainless Steel Induction Pot – $49.99 at Amazon
- Best Electric Water Bath Canner: Ball Freshtech Electric Water Bath Canner – $281.91 at Amazon
- Best Water Bath Canner for Glass Top Stove: McSunley Stainless Steel Prep N Cook Bath Canner – $64.37 at Walmart
- Best Water Bath Canner with Rack: Cook N Home Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack and Glass Lid – $62.99 at Amazon
- Best Small Water Bath Canner: Cooks Standard 6-Quart Stainless Steel Stockpot with Lid – $29.94 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Water Bath Canners
1. Blair’s Top Pick: Bakken-Swiss Stockpot Brushed Stainless Steel Induction Pot
When Blair wants to make her famous blueberry jam or her damson plum preserves, she uses the Bakken-Swiss Stockpot to get the job done. This stockpot features a huge 24-quart capacity that can hold up to 7 quart jars at a time. It also has extra-wide handles that not only offer a firm grip, but make it easy to pour out all the water after the jars are sealed, too. It can be used on a regular stove and induction stovetops.
This high-quality pot features triple-ply stainless steel layers and a thick bottom to prevent scorching. Plus, if the 24-quart capacity is a bit too large for your liking, you can opt for 2-, 5-, 8-, 12-, 16-, or 20-quart options.
However, just note that because this isn’t a water bath canning set, you’ll have to buy racks and canning equipment separately.
What Blair Says:
“Just make sure that if you’re using a regular pot (like a stock pot), it’s tall enough to cover the jars with a lot of water.”
The Specs:
- Type: Stockpot
- Dimensions: 16.55 x 13.23 x 12.4 inches
- Capacity: 2-24 quarts
- Weight: 9.2 pounds
- Accessories: No
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Variety of sizes available
- Wide handles
- Three-ply stainless steel construction
- Thick base
The Cons:
- Doesn’t include racks or canning equipment
Buy the Bakken-Swiss Stockpot Brushed Stainless Steel Induction Pot:
2. Best Electric Water Bath Canner: Ball Freshtech Electric Water Bath Canner
The Ball Freshtech Electric Water Bath Canner is our pick for the best electric water bath canner pick because it’s energy-efficient and good for canning large batches. It has a total capacity of 21 quarts, which means it’s big enough to hold 7 1-quart jars or 8 pint-sized jars. There’s also a dial at the bottom to control the temperature.
Since it comes with a canning and steaming rack, you don’t have to worry about purchasing any extra supplies. There’s a spout on the side that can be used to drain water into the sink and can even double as a handy dispenser for hot tea or Blair’s delicious hot mulled cider recipe.
The base is detachable, which makes it easy to store and also easy to clean. Just be careful not to touch it while it’s on — while the rubberized handles are heat-resistant, the rest of the pot is not.
Plus, you can always use it as an extra pot for making chilis, meats, and more!
The Specs:
- Type: Electric
- Dimensions:15.35 x 15.16 x 15.35 inches
- Capacity: 21 quarts
- Weight: Not stated
- Accessories: Jar rack, steam rack
The Pros:
- Removable base
- External water spout
- Frees up stove space
- Easy temperature control dial
- Includes jar rack and steam rack
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Only handles are heat-resistant
What Others Are Saying
The Ball Freshtech Electric Water Bath Canner has a 4.7-star review on Amazon from more than 2,500 reviews.
Buy the Ball Freshtech Electric Water Bath Canner:
3. Best for Glass Top Stove: McSunley Stainless Steel Prep N Cook Bath Canner
The McSunley Stainless Steel Prep N Cook Bath Canner features a flat and corrosion-resistant stainless steel base that won’t damage or scratch the surfaces of glass top stoves. It’s also safe to use with other types of cooktops as well.
It’s pretty large (it has a 21.5-quart capacity), which is handy if you’re canning produce from the garden or just canning in bulk. It has an easy-lift stainless steel jar rack with handles on each side, allowing you to lift the jars out altogether. The rack can hold 7 1-quart jars, 9 pint jars, or 12 half-pint jars.
Keep in mind that the pot is heavy so it may be hard to lift, especially when the jars are inside. But the handles are specially designed not to overheat, which makes it safer to handle.
The Specs:
- Type: Induction stovetop, gas stovetop
- Capacity: 21.5 quarts
- Dimensions: 14.3 x 14.3 x 11.25 inches
- Weight: 10.07 pounds
- Accessories: Jar rack
The Pros:
- Flat bottom for use on glass top ranges
- Good for canning in bulk
- Thick and heavy base
- Comes with a jar rack
- Heat-resistant handles
The Cons:
- Heavy
Buy the McSunley Stainless Steel Prep N Cook Bath Canner:
4. Best Water Bath Canner with Rack: Cook N Home Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack and Glass Lid
Putting a rack at the bottom of your stockpot is a must since it helps water circulate and prevents jars from breaking. This water bath canner in particular comes with a glass lid and a spacious stainless steel rack, which means it’s a breeze to pull jars out once they’ve been sealed.
This Cook N Home Canner can hold up to 8 16-ounce mason jars or 7 quart jars at a time. It has a thick aluminum base that helps transfer heat to the rest of the pot (a super important feature for any good water bath canner!). The top of the base is magnetic, too, so it can safely be used on an induction stove as well as gas, electric, and ceramic types.
This water bath canner is oven-safe up to 400℉ (350℉ with the lid), so you can use it in place of a Dutch oven for a dinner recipe, like Blair’s classic pot roast. The water bath canner size ranges from 5 to 24 quarts, too.
The Specs:
- Type: Stovetop
- Capacity: 5 to 24 quarts
- Dimensions: 12.6 x 17.3 x 9.6 inches
- Weight: 9.7 pounds
- Accessories: Jar rack
The Pros:
- Stainless steel rack with handles
- Oven safe up to 400℉ (350℉ with lid)
- Compatible with induction stoves
The Cons:
- May be too big for standard-size stove burners
- Hard to clean
What Others Are Saying:
The Cook N Home Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack and Glass Lid has a 4.7-star review on Amazon from more than 7,000 reviews.
Buy the Cook N Home Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack and Glass Lid:
5. Best Small Water Bath Canner: Cooks Standard Dutch Oven Casserole with Glass Lid
If you live alone or have a smaller family, you can skip the gigantic water bath canner and go for a mini one instead. This Cooks Standard Dutch Oven is available in only 6- and 7-quart sizes and boasts a clear glass lid so you peer inside. It features an extra thick and heavy aluminum base (which every good water bath canner needs to have!) that evenly conducts heat and won’t burn. However, it doesn’t come with the canning equipment you need, so you’ll have to buy items like tongs and a small rack that can fit inside.
We like how versatile it is and, aside from using it as a canner, it can go in the oven (it’s safe up to 500℉) and used as a stock pot to make delicious meals like this creamy vegetable soup. Best of all, it’s dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.
The Specs:
- Type: Stockpot
- Capacity: 6 quarts, 7 quarts
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 12 x 5 inches
- Weight: 5 pounds
- Accessories: None
The Pros:
- Glass lid
- Oven safe up to 500℉
- Affordable
- Dishwasher safe
The Cons:
- Slow to heat up
- Have to purchase canning supplies separately
What Others Are Saying:
The Cooks Standard Dutch Oven Casserole with Glass Lid has a 4.7-star review on Amazon from more than 1,500 reviews.
Buy the Cooks Standard Dutch Oven Casserole with Glass Lid:
Other Water Baths Canners to Consider
Granite Ware Enamel on Steel 21.5-quart Water Bath Canner with Lid & Jar Rack
The Granite Ware Enamel Water Bath Canner comes in 4 sizes, including a massive 33-quart version that can hold up to 9 quart jars. It also features a domed lid that’s good for retaining heat. However, while some reviewers say that it’s durable, some found issues with rusting. The Granite Ware 21.5-Quart Water Bath Canner with Jar Rack is available at Amazon for $40.87.
Lehman’s Amish Made Stainless Steel Stovetop Water Bath Canner
This stainless steel water bath canner from Lehman’s is designed for homesteaders who want to prepare food in bulk for the year. It holds up to 15 quart jars or 18 pint jars and you can even buy a second shelf if you need to seal more. The downside is that because this stainless steel water bath canner is huge, you need to have adequate storage space to store it, and it’s definitely on the more expensive side. The Lehman’s Amish Made Stainless Steel Stovetop Water Bath Canner is available at Amazon for $260.98.
Ball EasyCanner Electric Water Bath Canner
The Ball Easy Canner makes canning a breeze and is a particularly good choice for beginners. This is because it features heat sensors that automatically regulate temperatures so you can set it and forget it while it does the canning for you. However, it’s more expensive than the typical stovetop canner. The Ball EasyCanner Electric Water Bath Canner is available at Amazon for $237.27.
Roots & Harvest Water Bath Canner
For those who want an electric water bath canner at an affordable price, the Roots & Harvest Water Bath Canner is a suitable option. It’s a stand-alone model that won’t take up extra space, plus it comes with a spigot on the side to let liquids out. You can also use it to cook meals. While it’s a solid pick, it has limited reviews, so we can’t vouch for its functionality. The Roots & Harvest Water Bath Canner is available at Amazon for $155.47.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! I’m Nor’Adila, a lifestyle and commerce writer who regularly reviews the best kitchen and garden products for your home. To come up with the best water bath canner picks, I worked on this roundup with Blair, the creator of The Seasoned Mom who regularly shares hundreds of amazing recipes with her readers.
We used Blair’s recommendations based on what she uses in her kitchen and then checked the top brands at various other retailers, like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. We also looked at trusted culinary sites to see which water bath canners they recommend, and combed through consumer reviews as well! From there, we factored in size, price, quality, and performance.
What to Know About Water Bath Canners
Things to Consider When Choosing a Water Bath Canners
When buying a water bath canner, you should consider a few different factors including type, capacity, and what’s included.
- Type: There are 4 types of water bath canners: aluminum, stainless steel, enamel-coated, and electric water bath canners. Electric water bath canners are stand-alone devices that you plug into an outlet, the other models are used on the stove. However, if you have an induction or glass-top stove, you should check to see if the water bath canner is compatible with it. Aluminum and stainless steel water bath canners and aluminum canners (like a stockpot) typically have a smooth bottom, which is safe to use on glass tops. On the other hand, enamel canners have rippled bottoms that can only be used on gas or coil-top stoves.
- Capacity: Water bath canners come in different sizes, ranging from around 6 quarts to 33 quarts. Large water bath canners are perfect for homesteaders who do a lot of canning at once or harvest produce from their gardens at the end of the season.
- Equipment: Besides the water bath canner, you’ll need canning equipment such as jar racks, mason jars, and tongs to remove the jars from the pot after you’ve sealed them. While you’ll find that some water bath canner brands come with racks, not all do.
What is a Water Bath Canner?
Water bath canning preserves food by using boiling water to kill off any bacteria that could potentially spoil food. The jars are then left to cool off, which creates a tight vacuum seal that keeps the food fresh for up to a year.
Water bath canners are commonly used to can high-acid foods, such as tomatoes, pickles, and fruit jams. Just be mindful that the water bath canner you choose has to be tall enough to submerge the jars with 1 inch of water on top.
Pressure Canner vs. Water Bath
Low-acid foods like vegetables, meats, poultry, and seafood need to be processed in a pressure canner because they’re not acidic enough to kill off harmful bacteria. A pressure canner uses high heat of up to 240℉ to kill off these harmful bacteria. If you’re in the market for one, check out our recommendations for the best pressure canners!
Water bath canners are typically used for highly acidic foods (those that have a pH below 4.6), like fruits, jams, jellies, and pickles. These foods have enough acid in them to prevent bacteria from forming. Plus, the heat from the water bath canner is enough to destroy the bacteria.
Can You Can Green Beans in a Water Bath Canner?
Green beans need to be canned using a pressure canner due to their low acid content. However, if you don’t own a pressure canner, you can pickle the green beans first to increase their acidity and then can them.
How to Water Bath Can Without a Canner
Technically, you don’t need to use a water bath canner — all you need is a heavy-duty stockpot that’s deep enough to completely submerge the jars in water. You’ll also need a rack to keep them from touching the bottom while it boils.
However, if you plan on canning low-acid foods, you need to buy a pressure canner that uses high temperatures to kill dangerous bacteria.
What Other Canning Supplies Are Needed?
Aside from the water bath canner, you need to have mason jars for sealing food, jar racks to prevent them from cracking while boiling inside the pot, and tongs to lift the jars out of the canner after it’s done sealing.
My Favorite Canning Recipes/Related Recipes
If you’re ready to fill up your pantry with water-bath canned food, Blair has tons of recipes to get you going:
- Crockpot Apple Butter
- Fig Preserves Recipe Without Pectin
- Easy Marinara Sauce Recipe
- Cherry Jam
- Blackberry Jam
- Grape Juice
Prices were accurate at the time of publication.
