Meg wrote:

> On Tue, 24 Feb 2004 08:54:51 -0500, The Cook >
> wrote:
>
>
>>Meg > wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Greetings,
>>>
>>>I just purchased a Health Pressure Cooker model #22 & made in Peoria,
>>>IL by the National Aluminum Manufacturing Company. From the limited
>>>info I found on Google, it was probably made in the late 40's or early
>>>50's..
>>>
>>>If you go to http://ebay.com & type in 2380856056 in the search you
>>>will see the canner I bought & this might help you recgonize it.
>>>
>>>There's no instructions to go with it and I'm not sure exactly how to
>>>work this specific one. All the pressure cookers/canners I've seen
>>>have the rocking top to maintain a desired pressure. This one has a
>>>pressure gage and pressure relief valve located on the lid but nothing
>>>else I can see on the photo and the seller knows nothing about how to
>>>calibrate it or use it.
>>>
>>>Any information on this one anyone?
>>>
>>>Thank you!
>>>
>>>Cheers,
>>>
>>>Meg
>>
>>
>>Presto and American Harvest pressure cookers both use the gauges. If
>>you can get one of their instruction books, you can get the basic
>>information. Many county extension offices can calibrate the gauge.
>>I cannot find the link for the USDA canning pages in my list right now
>>but FAQ for this newsgroup should have the link.
>>
>>I am afraid that getting parts for the cooker will be your biggest
>>problem.
>>
>>Good luck with your search.
>
>
> Thanks for this added info.
>
> I don't have it yet but it's a 1-2 day ship from where it's at to
> here. Looking at the photos it seems to be in really good condition
> and there is probably nothing wrong with it.
>
> A good friend makes clocks and tables from metal and wood and has
> pretty much a complete machine shop. Likely most anything needing
> repair I could just take there and he could manufacture what's needed
> pretty easily. He said if I needed a funny shaped gasket I could get
> what I need from an auto parts store or a supply house called Berry
> Bearing as they have all sorts of gaskets available for the industrial
> market.
>
> I'm hoping it's ready to go. The ad said the gasket looks good.
>
> All I need to know is how to use it. I'll contact the extension office
> & see about calibration.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Meg

Odds are your canner uses the same steam pressure gauge, safety pop off
and gasket as the National Presto canners did. Go to this site once you
get the canner in hand and check for the needed parts. IIRC all the
gauges had the same diameter and grade of thread where they go into the
lid. Most of the rubber safety pop offs are the same size, as are many
of the gaskets, based on the diameter of the lid, etc. Don't know about
what your're calling a relief valve as I couldn't see it well enough on
the picture at eBay. Try this URL:
http://www.wisementrading.com/canning/canners.htm

George