How to Choose the Right Autoclave

An autoclave is something you buy once for many years. Autoclaves are not cheap items. Let’s approach this question with expertise and look at all the "pros" and "cons." All autoclaves fall into two categories: made from black metal (plain iron) or stainless steel. Which is better? Stainless steel autoclaves are definitely better, but also more expensive. Let's consider all the pros and cons of both options!

Black Metal Autoclaves:

Pros:

- Performs its main function, preserving food just as well as any other autoclave;

- Price. Black metal autoclaves are not expensive.

Cons:

- Black metal autoclaves are prone to corrosion, simply put, they rust;

- Black metal is plain iron, it is not food-grade, so cooking food outside of jars is not recommended;

- The main drawback is its short lifespan. The autoclave works with water, and iron, as we know, doesn’t like water.

The lifespan of such autoclaves is about 5 years. To extend its lifespan, black metal requires special care: don’t leave it wet, store it in a dry place, and repaint it from time to time. This will prolong the life of your assistant.

Stainless Steel Autoclaves:

Pros:

- The main advantage is durability. Stainless steel autoclaves last 50 years or more. Such an autoclave is bought once and for a lifetime;

Stainless Steel Autoclaves:

Pros:

- The main advantage is durability. Stainless steel autoclaves last for 50 years or more. Such an autoclave is purchased once and lasts a lifetime;

- It is food-grade steel. A stainless steel autoclave allows for various conservation technologies (including steam conservation);

- This autoclave can also be used as a distillation apparatus, which is quite convenient;

- A stainless steel autoclave requires no maintenance; it is resistant to everything, including corrosion. It retains its qualities in any place and under any conditions;

- Its appearance is an undeniable plus. The mirror-polished stainless steel looks excellent.

Cons:

- Price. Stainless steel is inherently expensive, and working with it requires a special approach. A stainless steel autoclave costs more than one made of black metal.

Types of Autoclaves

The first line of autoclaves we encounter on the site is budget autoclaves made of black metal from the "Che" series. With a capacity of 8 to 40 half-liter jars. A feature of these autoclaves is the lid construction, specifically the pressing of the lid onto the neck through a central screw. This significantly reduces the production cost of the autoclaves but also creates additional inconvenience for users, as, when preparing the autoclave for operation, it is necessary to ensure that the lid is evenly placed on the neck without tilting. The screw must press strictly at the center of the lid.
The neck in this line of autoclaves is narrow and does not allow for 3-liter jars.

Next are the autoclaves from the "Utikh" series. These are also black metal autoclaves, but with an improved, more expensive lid construction. The neck of such an autoclave has a diameter of 17 cm, allowing for jars of any size to be loaded. Additionally, the lid design with bolts guarantees tightness and convenience of use under any circumstances.

Moving on to the stainless steel autoclaves from the "A" series

As previously mentioned, these autoclaves are very durable and reliable. They require absolutely no maintenance and are not afraid of corrosion. Argon and stainless steel filler are used for their welding, making the weld on the metal exceptionally strong. The lid has a familiar bolt design. The weight of such an autoclave starts at 9 kg, making it very convenient and liftable even for women. Food-grade steel allows it to be used as a container for a distillation apparatus. You can also purchase a distillation apparatus from the manufacturer. The appearance, as you can see, is shiny! A stainless steel autoclave is not cheap, but it is a one-time purchase that lasts a lifetime. If your budget allows, we recommend choosing stainless steel autoclaves!
All of the aforementioned lines of autoclaves come with a passport-instruction manual, a recipe collection, and a warranty from 1 to 5 years.

Gas? Or Electric?

Now that we have explored the assortment, we draw your attention to the fact that all autoclaves are divided into two subtypes: you can buy a gas autoclave (i.e., one that heats from the outside) or buy an electric autoclave.
In terms of canning quality, these autoclaves are absolutely indistinguishable. The difference is solely in user convenience. The electric model is much more convenient because:
1. You don’t need to lift it onto a gas stove: just place it near an outlet, and it works;
2. Such autoclaves come equipped with a control unit that automatically maintains the temperature and working time. That means you no longer need to monitor the unit. It operates in automatic mode;
3. Versatility. The autoclave can work in two modes, both as a gas: on a gas stove or open flame, and as an electric one. So, it's two-in-one.
The last thing to consider when choosing a home assistant is the capacity of the autoclave. Well, this is a matter of personal preference. There are sizes ranging from the smallest to industrial ones for 1000 jars and more. Among household models, the most popular and common size is for 24 jars—medium size. Moreover, note that even the largest autoclave does not necessarily have to be completely filled. You can load just one jar and can comfortably.

There is currently a wide selection of autoclaves available on the market and online. We deliberately do not engage in criticizing other manufacturers, as we believe it is inappropriate. However, we advise you to take the selection of both the autoclave itself and its manufacturer seriously. This unit operates under pressure and requires a professional approach during production. From our side, we guarantee that each of our autoclaves undergoes double testing for airtightness before reaching the customer. We specialize in the production of autoclaves and have been in the metal processing field for about 9 years. We produce large industrial autoclaves serially for 500 and 1000 jars. This is one of the indicators of our competence and approach. Furthermore, we provide a guarantee of results, meaning you can be confident that with our product, you will achieve quality canning.

Choose your autoclave! Thank you for your attention.

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