I know it's a little late, but I wanted to tell you that I feel a presure canner is well worth the investment. My Mom had a huge pressure canner with a gauge (mine uses a weight to measure pressure). Mom's was a double-decker, holding 14 quarts at a time. I wish I had been wiser when my Dad disposed of all her canner stuff (or let his second wife do it). Of course, it wouldn't work well on my stove, too tall for overhead cabinets and vents. Mom used hers for, I know, 25 years. Then Dad and the second Mrs. used it another 10 years.

About 15 years ago, my sister and I shared the cost of a Presto canner, holds 7 quarts at a time. We have replaced the rubber gasket one time, after having not used it for about a year. The cost then was about $40 and we have enjoyed canned green beans, relish, peaches, tomato sauce, pickles, and on and on. Yes, I use it for pickles and relish sometimes. It is sometimes quicker and easier to handle than the hot water bath cooker!