I've been canning with two stove top canners for a few years and became curious about digital canners after watching 'that woman with a gadget' on the Red Rose Homestead YouTube videos as she compared the various models. She said the Carey/Nesco is simple to use so I started looking at them and the Carey I bought was an 'Amazon Renewed Unit' so the price was darn reasonable. I was relieved to find that, other than the box not being original, all parts were wrapped in plastic and in 'like new' condition. Even the owners manual has no appearance of use. I notice in illustrations of the Carey, they show a detachable power cord and what I have has a permanently wired power cord so maybe this is a first generation unit or something. All I know is that it works just fine. Yesterday I canned four quarts of Yak with Wine Sauce. Ball Blue Book calls for beef but Yak is just a long haired bovine, it's what I have on hand, and it worked just fine. I followed the instructions and yes, once it has vented for 10 minutes you can walk away and relax. I usually work up a sweat during the prep and clean up so first thing I want is to get in the shower. It is so nice to not have to open the bathroom door, sometimes still wet, and check to make certain pressure is still where it needs to be, yea, a great advancement of civilization has taken place with digitalization of the home canning process. After reading many reviews, I think Carey should have used a V for 'vent' rather than an E for 'exhaust' in the digital read out, this is confusing some people who instantly think they have an error code. Having said that, my suggestion to eliminate most people's confusion is, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS, DO WHAT THE INSTRUCTIONS TELL YOU TO DO, WHEN THE INSTRUCTIONS SAY TO DO IT. Yes, it can be a bit intimidating doing something for the first time with steam puffing out and a digital readout zipping around in a circle but the instructions plainly say, be patient, wait for a beep or another signal before doing anything. I felt that everything is very clearly explained in the instructions. I like that the lid is hinged and comes off, again following the instructions, quite easily. Many people do not care for the non-stick coating of the pot, I have no strong feelings about that. I had two jars siphon quite a bit and it cleaned up very easily. I'll probably continue to use my Instant Pot to pressure cook in anyway. OK, just one use but like so many others, I'm positively impressed and just might be buying another digital canner. The next one could be a Carey or it might be something else, just to try something different. My daughter always wonders what to get 'the guy who has everything' for Christmas, I'll be letting her know how she could 'surprise me'. Have continued to pressure can and pressure cook, very satisfied with this unit. Update, I have pressure canned five pints of baked beans, worked great. Used as pressure cooker and found that for myself, single person, Carey is larger than necessary, Instant Pot is more appropriate size, families may find Carey very much to their liking. Used slow cooker mode for warming leftovers, again, worked great.
