You don't need something like this to home can -
So, if I get a pressure canner, can I use it for a water bath thingie? Actually, I have a really big pot. Perhaps if I have a rack that’ll fit it, I can just use that for acidic foods and the pressure canner for nonacidic? Or can I use the pressure canner for both?
Boy, this stuff is confusing! I think I’d rather do engineering equations. ;(
I suppose you could if you don’t fasten the lid down. For water bath canning, you have to cover the jars with enough water to completely cover them and add another inch or so.
For the pressure canner, you just add an inch or so of water and the steam creates the pressure.
Honestly, hot water bath canners are not that expensive, but they are a single use item. After a canner load or so of canning and seeing the hard water deposit build up, you don’t WANT to use it for any thing else. They are much lighter and easier to manage for cleaning than pressure canners. There is storing them, though.