Care and Maintenance
1.When not in use, store your pressure cooker in a dry place with the cover inverted on the body. If the cover is locked on, unpleasant odors may form inside the unit and the sealing ring could be damaged.
2.As is the case of all cookware, avoid chopping or cutting food inside the cooker with a knife or other sharp utensil.
3.If the body or cover handles become loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. CAUTION: Overtightening can result in stripping of screws or cracking of handles and legs.
4.Do not strike the rim of the pressure cooker with any cooking utensil because this could cause nicks in the rim which may allow steam to escape and prevent the pressure cooker from sealing.
5.The sealing ring, overpressure plug, and rubber gasket of the air vent/cover lock may shrink, become hard, deformed, cracked, worn, or pitted with normal use. Exposure to high heat, such as a warm burner or oven top, will cause these parts to deteriorate rapidly. When this happens, replace the sealing ring, overpressure plug, and small rubber gasket of the air vent/cover lock. Replace the sealing ring and overpressure plug at least every two years.
Leakage between the cover and body is usually caused by shrinkage of the sealing ring after prolonged use. Replace the sealing ring. Whenever you replace the sealing ring, replace the overpressure plug also.
6.Each time you clean or use your pressure cooker, check to be sure the bottom has not been damaged. Nicks and scratches may leave sharp edges that can damage ceramic stovetops or other smooth surfaces. Lift pressure cooker to remove it from burner. Sliding cookware could leave scratches on stovetops.
7.The formation of a small amount of moisture under the pressure regulator is normal when cooking first begins. It is the result of the temperature of the regulator being lower than the rest of the unit.
A small amount of steam or moisture may also be visible around the overpressure plug and air vent/cover lock as cooking begins. It should stop when pressure begins to build and the overpressure plug and air vent/cover lock seal. If leakage continues, clean or replace the overpressure plug and/or air vent/cover lock assembly. The pressure cooker will not seal if the gasket for the air vent/cover lock is cracked.
Do not operate your pressure cooker with continual leakage. If the preceding steps do not correct the problem, return the entire unit to the Presto Factory Service Department (see page 38).
8.If for any reason the pressure cooker cannot be opened, contact the Consumer Service Department in Eau Claire, WI at
Any maintenance required for this product, other than normal household care and cleaning, should be performed by the Presto Factory Service Department (see page 38).
Helpful Hints
Your favorite recipes may be adjusted for cooking in the pressure cooker by following the general directions in this book for the particular type of food being cooked. Decrease the cooking time for your recipe by ⅔ since pressure cooking is much faster than ordinary cooking methods. For example, if your ordinary cooking method requires
45 minutes, in the pressure cooker the cooking time will be 15 minutes. Because there is very little evaporation, the amount of liquid used should be decreased. Use about ½ cup more liquid than you’ll desire in your finished dish. But, remember, there must always be water or some other liquid in the pressure cooker to produce the necessary steam.
Use the cooking rack when it is desirable to cook foods out of the cooking liquid. When foods are pressure cooked out of the liquid, flavors will not intermingle. Therefore, it is possible to cook several foods at once, as long as they have similar cooking times. If it is desirable to blend flavors, do not use the cooking rack.
Many different cooking liquids can be used in a pressure cooker. Wine, beer, bouillon, fruit juices, and of course water all make excellent cooking liquids in the pressure cooker.
Beautiful desserts and side dishes can be prepared in the pressure cooker, using individual or small metal molds or glass custard cups, which are ovenproof. Fill molds ⅔ full to allow for expansion of food, and fit them loosely into the pressure cooker on the cooking rack. Do not fill the pressure cooker over ⅔ full.
If a recipe says to cook 0 minutes, cook food only until the pressure regulator begins to rock. Then cool pressure cooker according to recipe.
The pressure cooker is usually cooled at once for delicate foods such as custards and fresh vegetables. For other foods, like meats, soups, and grains, let the pressure drop of its own accord.
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