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 37).
10. 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 37).
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 2⁄3 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 1⁄2 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 2⁄3 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 2⁄3 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.
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 1⁄2 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
When writing, please include a phone number and a time when you can be reached during weekdays, if possible. Writ- ten inquiries will be answered promptly by letter or telephone.
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. Be- cause 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.
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