12 best autoclaves

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The autoclave greatly simplifies the process of food preservation (meat, vegetables, fish), making it safe and fast. By heating a sealed vessel with cans, the pressure inside increases above atmospheric, which shifts the boiling point from 100 to 115 degrees and above. This speeds up sterilization and cooking. How to avoid mistakes when choosing an autoclave for home use and which models are considered the best, our experts figured out.

How to choose an autoclave

In order not to make a mistake when choosing an autoclave, pay attention to the following key parameters:

1. vessel volume. For the preparation of canned food, which will be consumed by a family of 2-3 people, an autoclave volume of 15-20 liters is sufficient. Larger families should choose a 25-50 liter model. The larger the container, the more cans will fit in it at a time. But finding a place to store a large autoclave is more difficult, which should be considered when choosing.

2. Availability of cassettes. To arrange the cans in several “floors”, clamping round plates are provided, pulled together with pins and screws. They keep the lids from “exploding”. But such a design requires the use of only cans of the same height. There are cassetteless options that allow you to put glass containers of any volume, but then you will have to pre-pressurize with a pump, preventing cans from floating up.

3. The material of manufacture. The best autoclaves are considered stainless. They can last up to 30 years. A less desirable option is carbon steel, which will last 5-10 years of heavy use. Average quality will be aluminum autoclaves.

4. Cover fastening. Since the pressure inside the autoclave rises to 3-4.5 atm, it is important to securely fix the lid, which is carried out by clamping bolts. It is most convenient to work with folding latches or “lambs”. Turning nuts with a wrench or eyebolts is less convenient and complicates the process of plugging/unplugging the autoclave.

5. Wall section. The minimum allowable wall thickness of the autoclave starts from 1 mm, but the optimal one is 2-4 mm, which allows you to build up more pressure and speed up the preparation of products.

6. Bottom. This part of the body is exposed to heat from heat sources. There are cross-sectional indicators of 2-5 mm. The thicker it is, the better. Choose models with a double bottom that will last longer and allow you to heat up not only on the stove, but even on a fire. For induction cookers, look for autoclaves with a ferromagnetic bottom.

7. Equipment. It is important that the autoclave has a drain valve to make it easier to empty the heavy container. Choose models with a separate version of the manometer and thermometer, which simplifies the monitoring of indicators. The ability to connect a distiller allows you to use the kitchen appliance as a moonshine still.

What is better autoclave or dryer

But you can cook delicious canned food and sterilize jars at the same time not only in an autoclave. Dryers are also used for this. A comparison table of these two units will help you see the pros and cons of kitchen equipment, which will also simplify the choice.

Rating of the best autoclaves

Now let’s start reviewing specific models selected by experts based on the popularity of products in stores, interesting features of autoclaves and customer reviews.

Bulat Bogatyr 26 l

Rating: 4.9

The autoclave with a volume of 26 liters led the review, which holds 21 jars of 500 ml or 15 liter jars. The kitchen household appliance is intended for preparation of mousses, vegetables, canned meat and fish, jams, compotes and porridges with meat. The equipment operates under a pressure of 3 atm and heats products up to 133 degrees. A silicone gasket with a cross section of 8 mm helps to maintain pressure. It retains its shape for a long time and provides tightness. The thickness of the walls is 2 mm, and the bottom is 3 mm. The body is made of alloyed metal. The manometer and thermometer have a separate version. The model is designed for all heating methods, including induction.

The pressure discs are made from 1.5 mm thick stainless steel with three points of tension to securely hold the cans and prevent the lids from “exploding”. Customer feedback shows that what they like most is the ability to increase the length of the cassette. This allows you to put 3-liter cans into the autoclave, which is not possible for all competitors with an average volume of 26 liters. The model also leads in terms of cooking temperature of 133º C.

Good heat 17 l two in one with heating element

Rating: 4.8

Experts gave the second place to a 17-liter autoclave from the Dobry Zhar company. The tank can hold 12 half-litre or 6-litre cans per refill. The equipment has an analogue pressure gauge and a digital thermometer for easy temperature monitoring. Buyers in the reviews are satisfied with the speed of cooking products, as well as the ability to attach a distillation column for the production of moonshine at home.

Our experts awarded the product the title of the best, because the two-in-one autoclave is equipped with a built-in heating element 1.25 kW. To prepare canned food, you only need to plug the machine into a power outlet. Starting is carried out by pressing one button, equipped with a light indicator. The thermostat allows you to set the desired heating temperature. This simplifies the use of equipment in the country, without requiring an electric or gas stove, making a fire, etc. But if you want to use gas, then the legs of the autoclave are unscrewed and the bottom can be heated. That is why the model belongs to the “two in one” category and is the best in terms of a variety of heating sources.

Conservator ElNerj 46 l

Rating: 4.8

This is another electric autoclave that is able to boil water with its own heating element. The power of the latter is 3.2 kW, which speeds up the heating process. But this autoclave is not a two-in-one device, so it loses to the previous model. The cooking temperature inside the container reaches 120º C. The lid of the autoclave is fixed with six clamping L-shaped screws, which are convenient to rotate with one finger and tighten tightly. Buyers in the reviews like that the manufacturer includes a hose for attaching to the drain tap, so emptying the tank is much easier.

Among domestic autoclaves, this model is one of the most capacious. It is able to simultaneously accommodate 24 cans of 0.5 liters or 4 pcs of 3 liters. This is the best option for a family of 4-5 people. It is also one of the most powerful electric autoclaves, the only pity is that it cannot be operated on a gas stove.

Novogaz NZGA UB-24

Rating: 4.7

And here is a fairly simple model, welded from high-carbon steel in the form of a gas cylinder. The autoclave has a narrowed neck, on the sides of which two steel loops are provided. The “shoulders” of the screw mechanism of the cover are inserted into them and press the hatch. Rubber gasket ensures tightness. To control the pressure, a pressure gauge and a safety valve are placed on the cover. Glass containers inside are placed in a cassette-free way. Half-liter jars fit 14 pieces. The thickness of the side walls here is not the largest and is 2 mm, but the section of the neck edging reaches 5 mm, so the autoclave never deforms in the most highly loaded place.

Experts considered this autoclave one of the most affordable among the category of models with a capacity of 24 liters. Canning equipment costs 2-3 times cheaper than competitors, while there are elementary means of protection and the service life of the goods is 10 years.

Fansel on 23 liters

Rating: 4.6

A medium-sized autoclave for domestic use holds 23 liters. The case is made of stainless steel and holds 15 half-liter glass containers. The semi-circular cover has 8 fixation points by means of eyebolts, providing a tight clamp. If necessary, a steel pin can be inserted into the “ears” of the bolts to tighten the connection more strongly. The neck rim has a V-shaped groove, which increases the contact area and prevents the passage of steam under pressure. The lid is already provided with an analog pressure gauge and thermometer, as well as a safety valve. Users in the reviews note the possibility of a quick release of pressure to speed up the process of disassembling the container. The bottom drain cock simplifies vessel emptying.

In the Fansel model, the developers used a new bottom shape. Inside it is reinforced with a cross-shaped jumper. This design protects the tank from buckling of the bottom in case of excessive heating or excessive pressure. The lower plane will never become semicircular even when operating the autoclave on a fire.

Kid Stainless with ECU 22 l

Rating: 4.5

The review of the best autoclaves continues with a model with a volume of 22 liters, which is enough to accommodate 14 half-liter cans inside. Preparation of preservation is carried out at a temperature of 120º C. The device is equipped with a built-in heating element with a power of 2 kW, which heats water. The generated steam creates pressure up to 2.5 kPa. But this kitchen unit is not “two in one”, so other heating methods are not possible. The model without liquid weighs 14 kg. The cover is pressed with L-shaped screws, which the owners like in the reviews. There is a drain valve on the bottom.

The autoclave is recognized as the best due to the presence of a full-fledged electronic control unit. It has a digital display and 5 preset performance programs. You can select the standard cooking mode “Compote”, “Fish”, “Poultry”, “Meat” or set custom settings through the “Others” function. This will create a canned dish with the correct parameters.

Goose 20 l

Rating: 4.5

The autoclave has dimensions of 550×250 mm and a volume of 20 liters. Inside, the arrangement of three “floors” of half-liter cans is possible. The cassettes are fixed on a single threaded pin installed in the center of the cylindrical body. Each block has its own folding handle. The thermometer shows the temperature up to 160 degrees and is placed on the side wall. The autoclave was made of 304 grade alloy steel (food grade stainless steel) with a wall thickness of 1.5 mm and a bottom section of 3 mm. In the reviews, buyers praise neat welding seams from argon arc welding, which perfectly withstand pressure and do not spoil the appearance of the device.

The autoclave is recognized as the best in terms of the ratio of metal thickness and holding pressure. With walls of 1.5 mm, the box is able to withstand up to 8 atm (cooking is carried out at 1.5 atm), and its weight is 8 kg versus 13-15 kg for competitors with a similar volume. It will be much easier to lift the device onto the stove, and its operation is no less safe than that of analogues.

Haze Classic Electro 20 l

Rating: 4.4

Another model with its own heating source is rated at 20 liters and is equipped with a pressure gauge to monitor pressure. To dump excess steam, there is a safety valve, but there is no thermometer here. The body is welded from stainless steel. On the sides there are thick handles that do not put pressure on the hands when carrying the device. In the reviews, the owners note the economical consumption of electricity due to the power of the heating element of 1.2 kW, but it heats the liquid more slowly than other electrical counterparts.

We considered the autoclave the best because of the easy way to fix the lid. Unlike most models with studs, where it takes 5 to 10 minutes to properly tighten everything, here it will take 20 seconds to close the lid tightly. The clamping mechanism has one plastic flywheel, comfortable for hands. He tightens the top plate, pressing against the sides. If you have to preserve for several days in a row, then this execution will save a lot of energy.

ZBI Home cellar 22l

Rating: 4.3

Here is another autoclave with a quick lid lock using a single handwheel, but it no longer has its own heating element, so a heating source is required. It can be an induction, electric or gas stove, and even a regular fire. The body is welded from AISI 304 alloy steel with a wall thickness of 2 mm. The dimensions of the autoclave are 270×520 mm with a volume of 22 liters. Judging by the reviews, buyers like the autoclave with a beautiful body with embossed rings at the top and bottom, due to which it does not look like a cheap pan from a catering canteen. The owners also speak positively about the recipes attached to the product, saying that the products, and especially the meat, turn out to be excellent in taste.

This model is recognized by experts as the best due to the bottom thickness of 4 mm. It has a compensator that provides for thermal expansion. With such a bottom, the autoclave will last longer and withstand prolonged heating with large volumes of seasonal canning.

Nefor 16/3

Rating: 4.2

The product is labeled 16/3, meaning that it includes 16 half-liter cans arranged in three tiers. The autoclave is produced with a stainless body, 2 mm thick on the walls and 3 mm at the neck. The cover is equipped with a combined pressure gauge and thermometer, as well as a valve to relieve excess pressure. During pressure testing at the factory, each item is tested with a pressure of 6 bar, which guarantees safe operation in everyday life, where the valve operates at 1.5 bar. The sterilization temperature is 110ºC.

A feature of the autoclave is a special removable stand, produced by the manufacturer for this model. She has a strong rim, to which 4 legs with wide nickels are welded. This ensures a stable location of the filled container with a clearance of 8 cm from the ground. This design allows you to carry out the conservation process on a fire without additional devices, when there is no electric or gas stove nearby.

Conservator 14 l

Rating: 4.1

This 14 liter container holds 8 half-liter cans. The autoclave is equipped with a single base with a solid rod that presses the cassettes through all the tiers at once. The valve in the lid automatically relieves excess pressure. The manufacturer equipped the model with a thermometer and a pressure gauge, and with the help of the additional installation of the coil, the device quickly turns into moonshine. The maximum operating temperature in this device is 112º C. The lid is fixed in two stages: first, three quick folding latches are put on the sides, and then additional “lambs” on the studs are tightened. This increases the reliability of steam retention, but takes longer to prepare.

We marked the autoclave as the best due to its light weight. Despite the volume of 14 liters, the device weighs 5.5 kg. This is made possible by making the body of an alloy with aluminum, which is lighter than stainless steel and more resistant to rust than carbon metals. This technological solution allows even a woman to install the autoclave on the stove.

Malinovka 2

Rating: 4.0

This autoclave is also called “two in one”, but not because of the several acceptable heating methods, but because of the built-in clamp connection included in the kit. By installing a reinforcing column, it will be possible to turn the apparatus into moonshine. The autoclave has a capacity of 20 liters and is made of stainless steel with a wall thickness of 2 mm. Reinforced handles make it easy to move the container in place. For one filling, 7 half-liter cans are placed inside. The model weighs 9 kg. The manufacturer issues a 24-month warranty on the product.

The autoclave made the list of the best due to the presence of a lid with Power Inside technology, which means “power inside”. The lid has an oval shape and passes through the neck inwards. Then, from the outside, it is slightly attracted by two “lambs”, and the main clamp is carried out independently, from internal pressure. After the end of preservation, when the steam condenses and the pressure drops, it is very easy to unscrew it – just loosen two screws.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.