Presto

Overview

National Presto Industries, Inc. operates under the Presto brand and is a manufacturer of small household appliances and kitchen equipment, with particular expertise in pressure cookers and canners. The company is best known for its Presto-branded pressure cookers and small electric appliances for home cooking and food preservation. Beyond consumer appliances, the company operates defense and safety divisions, though the housewares segment remains its primary consumer-facing business.

History

Founded in 1905 as Northwestern Steel and Iron Works in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the company changed its name to National Pressure Cooker Company in 1929 and then to National Presto Industries, Inc. in 1953. The company originally produced pressure canners for commercial and home use, and beginning in 1939 introduced small home-use cooking appliances. National Presto was admitted to the New York Stock Exchange on March 3, 1969. After divesting defense operations in 1992, the company returned to the defense sector in 2001 with the purchase of AMTEC.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

The company designs and manufactures small household appliances under the Presto brand. Specific details on manufacturing location and outsourcing practices are not provided in available sources.

Notable Products

• Presto Pressure Cookers - Stovetop and electric pressure cookers for home cooking and food preservation, the company's flagship product line since 1905
• Presto Pressure Canners - Specialized equipment for home canning and food preservation
• Presto Electric Pressure Cookers - Modern electric versions of traditional pressure cookers for contemporary kitchens
• Presto Deep Fryers - Countertop deep frying appliances for home use
• Presto Slow Cookers - Electric slow cookers for convenient meal preparation

Reputation

Presto is recognized as a long-established brand with deep heritage in pressure cooking and food preservation equipment. The brand maintains a strong reputation among home canning enthusiasts and those seeking traditional pressure cooking methods. The company's longevity since 1905 and continued presence in the market reflects sustained consumer trust, though specific contemporary critical assessments are limited in available sources.