Flyinlowe--You can see the directions on-line at allamerican-chefsdesign.com. They sell parts, etc. there and at store.wafco.com. I was reading in the directions that they say to put one and a half inches of water into the empty canner, then add the jars. I use two inches. They say never to fill it where the canner is 2/3 of the way full. Good luck.