Canning at 6,001 ft to 8,000 ft
BWB +15 min · dial 14.0 psi · weighted 15.0 psi
The numbers
- Elevation
- 6,001–8,000 ft (1829–2438 m)
- BWB add
- +15 minutes (recipes ≤20 min original time)
- Dial gauge
- 14.0 psi
- Weighted gauge
- 15.0 psi
How to apply this
At 6,001–8,000 ft, water boils 9–11 °F lower than at sea level. BWB recipes need +15 minutes when the original processing time is 20 minutes or less; +30 minutes when longer than 20 minutes (USDA Guide 1, Table 3). Dial-gauge pressure canners use 14 psi for the entire band. Weighted-gauge canners use the 15-lb weight. At these elevations the longer BWB times start to over-soften delicate vegetables — consider using a quick-pickle refrigerator method (no canning) when the recipe permits, or step up to a pressure canner for low-acid foods that can take the heat (USDA Complete Guide).
Example cities in this band
- Colorado Springs, CO (6,035 ft)
- Big Bear Lake, CA (6,752 ft)
- Flagstaff, AZ (6,909 ft)
- Santa Fe, NM (7,199 ft)
- Park City, UT (7,000 ft)
- South Lake Tahoe, CA (6,237 ft)
- Steamboat Springs, CO (6,732 ft)
- Mammoth Lakes, CA (7,880 ft)
City elevations refer to the official downtown / metro center. Hillside neighborhoods can sit one band higher; verify with a USGS map if you live above the city center.
Pickle recipes adjusted for 6,001 ft to 8,000 ft
- Quick Fresh-Pack Dill Pickles — pints process 25 min at this altitude (sea-level recipe: 10 min)
- Pickled Dilled Beans (Dilly Beans) — pints process 20 min at this altitude (sea-level recipe: 5 min)
- Pickled Beets — pints process 45 min at this altitude (sea-level recipe: 30 min)
All altitude bands
- Sea level to 1,000 ft
- 1,001 ft to 3,000 ft
- 3,001 ft to 6,000 ft
- 6,001 ft to 8,000 ft (current)
- 8,001 ft to 10,000 ft
Source
USDA Complete Guide to Home Canning — Guide 1, Tables 1, 2, 3. Information provided for educational purposes — verify against the current USDA / NCHFP guidance before canning. Last verified 2026-04-30.