When pressure cooking at high altitudes, the cooking time needs to be increased 5% for every 1000 feet above the first
2000 feet. Following this rule, the times should be increased as follows:
3000 ft. ... | 5% | 5000 ft. ... | 15% | 7000 ft. ... | 25% |
4000 ft. ... | 10% | 6000 ft. ... | 20% | 8000 ft. ... | 30% |
Because pressure cooking times are increased at altitudes of 3,000 feet or above, an additional ½ cup cooking liquid will be needed.
If you have any questions on recipes, time charts, or the operation of your pressure cooker, call or write: Test Kitchen, National Presto Industries, Inc., 3925 North Hastings Way, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Questions & Answers
Occasionally the cover is hard to open or close. What causes this? What should I do?
In order for pressure to build inside your pressure cooker, the unit has a special cover which provides an airtight fit. Because of this, you may find that on occasion the cover may be difficult to open or close. The following suggestions will help if this happens:
If the cover seems hard to close, press the palm of your hand on the cover area directly opposite the cover handle while moving the cover handle to the closed position with your other hand.
If after browning meat or poultry the cover is difficult to close, it may be due to expansion of the pressure cooker body from heating. Remove the cover and allow the pressure cooker body to cool slightly and try again. Do not place the pressure cooker back on the burner until it is fully closed.
If necessary, to help make the cover easier to open and close, a very | Apply Cooking | |
Oil Here | ||
light coating of cooking oil may be applied to the sealing ring and to the | ||
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underside of the lugs on the pressure cooker body (Fig. R). Use a pastry |
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brush, a piece of cloth, or your fingertips and be sure to wipe off any |
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excess oil. |
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What can be done if the food prepared in the pressure cooker has more |
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liquid than desired? | Apply | |
With the cover removed, simmer to evaporate the excess liquid. Next time | Cooking Oil | |
you prepare the same recipe, you may want to use less liquid. | Here | |
How does one prevent overcooking? | Fig. R | |
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Remember to begin timing as soon as the pressure regulator begins to rock gently. It is very important to accurately time the cooking period. A Presto kitchen timer is very helpful for this purpose. Also be sure to follow the recipe instructions for cooling the pressure cooker.
What if the food is not completely done after the recommended cooking time?
Simply bring the cooker back up to pressure and cook the food a minute or two longer.
Can I use my pressure cooker on all types of ranges?
Your pressure cooker will work on gas, electric coil and ceramic glass (smoothtop) ranges. In addition, stainless steel pressure cookers will work on induction ranges. However, because aluminum pressure cookers are not magnetic, they will not work on induction ranges.
When cooking first begins, is it normal for steam to escape and moisture to form on the cover and between the handles?
It is normal for steam to escape and a slight amount of moisture leakage to form on the cover and between the handles when cooking first begins. If leakage continues, the cover handle may not be properly aligned with the body handle and, therefore, the cover lock cannot engage.
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