7.Respond to a warning from the pressure relief valve. — The pressure relief valve is a warning device that is de- signed to provide both visual (the blue cap lifts and steam comes out the sides) and audio (a fast, steady release of steam, often times accompanied by a continuous unpleasant sound) signals to indicate that the vent pipe has been blocked and is no longer regulating pressure and there is excessive pressure in the cooker. If you see and/or hear either of these signals, immediately turn off the burner. Do not move the cooker. Instead, allow pressure to drop of its own accord. When there is no pressure in the cooker (see #6, page 5), remove the pressure regulator from the cover, open the cooker, and clean the vent pipe (see #3 below).
NOTE: Do not operate the cooker again until you have replaced the pressure release valve.
The high pressure which triggered the release, may have contaminated the valve with food particles, which could pre- vent it from acting as a warning and a backup pressure release valve if the vent pipe is plugged again.
Remember a plugged vent pipe is a result of user error.
•Never overfill the cooker.
•Never cook the foods listed in #2, page 5 in a pressure cooker.
•Always follow the special procedures when cooking rice, grains, and dry beans and peas (see #11, page 6).
8.Never tamper with the internal components of the pressure relief valve. — The pressure relief valve is a very sen- sitive part and can be easily damaged. When replacing the pressure relief valve, the entire part must be replaced.
9.Replace the sealing ring if it becomes hard, deformed, cracked, worn, pitted, or soft and sticky. — The sealing ring provides a pressure tight seal between the cover and stainless steel body. The sealing ring needs to be in good con- dition to function properly. Failure to replace the sealing ring when it is hard, deformed, cracked, worn, pitted, or soft and sticky could result in bodily injury or property damage.
10. Replace the overpressure plug if it is hard, deformed, cracked, worn or pitted, or when replacing the sealing ring. — The overpressure plug is designed to relieve excess pressure by releasing from the cooker cover in the event that both the vent pipe and pressure relief valve are blocked. The overpressure plug is made of rubber, and when new, is soft and pliable. Over time, depending on the frequency and type of use, rubber becomes hard and inflexible. When hard and inflexible, the overpressure plug loses its ability to act as a secondary pressure relief valve. It should be re- placed immediately.
Should the overpressure plug ever be forced out of the cover due to excess pressure while cooking, it is important to call the Test Kitchen at
11. Always follow special procedures found in the instruction book when pressure cooking rice, grains, and dry beans and peas. — During cooking, dry beans and peas tend to froth and foam which can cause the vent pipe to become blocked. Therefore, dry beans and peas need to be soaked and cooked according to instructions on page 29. Using this method will keep foam at safe levels during cooking. Like dry beans and peas, rice and grains tend to froth and foam during cooking; therefore, to contain foaming and frothing during the cooking period, rice and grains must be prepared in a bowl in the pressure cooker according to directions on page 31.
Cleaning
1.All parts of your pressure cooker, including the sealing ring and pressure regulator, are fully immersible for easy clean- ing. When washing the unit, however, the sealing ring should always be removed to allow easy cleaning of the inside rim of the cover.
Your stainless steel pressure cooker may also be washed in an automatic dishwasher. When washing in a dishwasher, you must first remove the sealing ring from the cover as this part must be hand washed.
The sealing ring should be washed in hot, sudsy water after each use.
2.If food residue adheres to the pressure cooker body, clean with a stainless steel scouring pad, a nylon mesh pad, or a
3.To be sure the vent pipe is clear, hold the cover up to the light and look through the vent pipe. Clean it with a small brush or pipe cleaner if it is blocked or partially blocked (Fig. N, page 7). Also clean the vent pipe nut as shown.
*Bon ami polishing cleanser is a registered trademark of Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Co.
Cameo copper, brass & porcelain cleaner is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
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