General Information for Cooking with Pressure Cookers
Operating Instructions
Q. What is
A. Pressure cooking is a method of |
cooking in a sealed pot that |
does not permit air or liquids to |
escape below a preset pressure. |
The water's boiling point increases |
as the pressure increases. The |
pressure built up inside the cooker |
permits the liquid in the pot to rise |
to a temperature higher than |
212°F (100°C) before boiling. The |
higher temperature causes the |
food to cook faster. |
Q. What are the advantages of |
pressure cookers? |
A. Pressure cookers offer a |
Q. What if I am cooking at higher altitudes?
A. When you cook at higher altitudes |
the cooking time must be |
increased slightly. To adapt the |
recipes for |
increase the cooking time by 5% |
for every 1,000 feet above a 2,000 |
foot elevation. |
Q. What kind of liquids are |
suitable for use in a pressure |
cooker. |
A. Any liquids that contain water such |
as beer, wine, meat or vegetable |
stocks, vegetable juices and fruit |
Note: Since overcooked food cannot be corrected, it is almost better to err on the undercooked side by cooking an unfamiliar food for a shorter period of time than you may think necessary.
Using the “Keep Warm” Feature
This function can keep cooked foods warm for up to 24 hours. The pressure cooker will go into “Standby” mode for one minute and then the “Keep Warm” mode will automatically be engaged after the cooking process has been completed. The “Keep Warm” light will illuminate when this feature is engaged. (Fig. 10)
Keep |
Warm |
Light |
Fig. 10
convenient and quicker method of |
cooking other than cooking on a |
juices. |
Q. What type of liquids SHOULD |
NOT be used in a pressure |
Maintenance & Cleaning Instructions
regular stove top or oven. |
Q. What happens when the |
cooker heats up? |
A. The body of your pressure cooker |
is made of metal. Heat makes |
metal expand. When using the |
pressure cooker for browning, |
allow the pressure cooker to cool |
slightly before placing the cover |
onto the pot and locking it in place. |
cooker? |
A. Any liquid that does not contain |
water such as oils or |
marinades and/or dressings. Milk |
and |
or liquids should not be used, as |
they will foam when boiling. These |
liquids should be added after the |
pressure cooking process is |
completed and the cooker is |
opened. |
Cleaning & Storage
1.Always leave the pressure to cool completely before you take the components apart for cleaning.
2.Unplug and remove the power cord from the appliance and the electrical outlet.
3.Remove the vapor collector by pulling it down and rinse under warm, soapy water. (Fig. 11)
Vapor |
Collector |
Fig. 11
4.Wipe the outer housing of the pressure cooker with a damp cloth. DO NOT use any abrasive cleaners or immerse in water or any other liquid.
5.The removable cooking pot, pressure cooker cover and sealing gasket are washable. Wash them in warm, soapy water. The removable cooking pot and the cover are dishwasher safe. The sealing gasket is NOT.
6.Use a sponge or a
7.The pressure release valve does not have to be cleaned after each use unless it has become clogged.
8.The sealant washer may need to be cleaned. Remove it from the safety floating valve and clean with warm, soapy water. To replace, hold the safety float valve with your finger and push it in. (Fig. 12)
Fig. 12
9.Store the pressure cooker with the cover upside down over the main housing. DO NOT store with the cover closed to avoid compressing the sealing gasket for long periods of time.
4
13