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Pressure Canner Problems
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Joined: 06 February 2010
Location: Cumberland, RI
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    Posted: 14 December 2010 at 03:24
Has anyone else had problems with their aluminum pressure canner turning black after use? Only where the water line was and below...I'm thinking it may be a problem with our water out here, but I'm really not sure. Any input would be appreciated.
Go ahead...play with your food!
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Joined: 23 July 2010
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Points: 685 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boilermaker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 December 2010 at 09:57
Dave,

It's probably minerals in the water reacting with the aluminum.  We had really hard well water growing up that would do that to aluminum.   Try boiling some water (preferably distilled water which is free of minerals) that has been acidified with vinegar or lemon juice in it, that should clean it up.  Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to the canning water in the future when you use it should help to prevent it from recurring. 
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Points: 685 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boilermaker Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 December 2010 at 10:07
Just found this cleaning method that sounds like it would work better than my suggestion.

Cleaning Aluminum Cookware

What You Will Need:

The Cleaning Process:

  1. Wash aluminum pan to remove any dirt and dry.
  2. Mix 1 tablespoon cream of tartar, vinegar or lemon juice with one quart of water. Mix enough of this solution to fill the discolored pan.
  3. Place on the stove over medium heat until the water comes to a simmer.
  4. If you have any aluminum serving utensils, place those in the pan as well.
  5. Boil for 10 minutes or until the discoloration is gone.
  6. When the discoloration is gone and the pan has cooled, wear rubber gloves and scrub the pan with the steel wool pad.
  7. Rub the steel wool very gently in a back and forth motion. Avoid using a circular motion as this can cause an uneven look.
  8. Also, be cautious not to scrub too hard with the steel wool as this can scratch the aluminum.
  9. To clean the outside of the pans, apply a mile, nonabrasive cleaner or silver polish.
http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/house/surfaces/how-to-clean-aluminum/
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Guests Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 December 2010 at 11:19
Good advice above. Mrs Rivet says she always adds a "glug" of vinegar to the water in the pot before she starts canning, and it prevents it from darkening. I just checked out our pressure-vessel; once used, it'll never be in the same pristine state due to the aluminum. A slight discoloration is what I found after near twenty years of use, so no worries, an acid will keep your aluminum looking good for a long, long time.
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Points: 402 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote kiwi Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 December 2010 at 15:15
I've got a mate that needs some advice on pressure canning. I'm going to send him here.
kai time!
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Points: 3454 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Hoser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 December 2010 at 17:34
Thanks folks...yesterday was the first time it got really dark on me when I made another batch of pickles...from now on, I'll be using vinegar.
Go ahead...play with your food!
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