Hello,

The National Center for Home Food Preservation (NCHFP) states there are alternatives for canning such as a portable electric coil or gas burner (February 2024). At this link, https://nchfp.uga.edu/newsflash, NCHFP provides six guidelines to keep in mind when selecting a portable burner for canning purposes. Penn State Extension, at this link https://extension.psu.edu/is-canning-on-a-portable-burner-safe, provides a factsheet with guidelines titled: Selecting a Portable Burner for Canning, Pressure Canners on Portable Burners Considerations, Outside Use and Air Circulation, and Portable Induction Burners. As always, the recommendation is, when thinking about purchasing a product to use for canning, to read the manufacturer’s specifications or contact the customer service department and be specific about the type of canning, pressure or boiling water bath. 

Per the NCHFP (https://nchfp.uga.edu/how/can/general-information/recommended-canners/), “Some boiling-water canners do not have flat bottoms. A flat bottom must be used on an electric range. Either a flat or ridged bottom can be used on a gas burner.” A reminder, a water bath canner or a pressure canner is used for canning high acid foods only while ALL low acid foods are pressure canned for a safe product. 

Referring to the manufacturer’s instructions for your smooth top range will tell you if it is recommended for canning. The smooth top range (glass top stove, flat top stove) might not be able to handle a canner load of quart jars resulting in the glass breaking. Refer to this link about Canning on a glass top stove and other options from Oregon State University Extension Service at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/canning-glass-top-stove. Penn State Extension also provides information regarding canning on a smooth cooktop at https://extension.oregonstate.edu/ask-extension/featured/canning-glass-top-stove.

Thank you for your questions, Joyce!