Save with Pressure Cookers

How to Use A Pressure Cooker

Even if you have used a pressure cooker previously, it is advisable to take a trial run before cooking in a new pressure cooker. This section will take you step-by-step through your trial run in a 5 Litre pressure cooker in about 30 minutes.

1. Preliminary Steps

Remove labels if any and wash cooker, removing any adhesive with baby or vegetable oil. Please read the Important Instructions, Basic Parts of the Pressure Cooker and Basic Product Information provided by the pressure cooker manufacturer. Identify parts. Remove and place the pressure regulator on the steam vent, the sealing ring on the lid curl. Close and open the pressure cooker a few times.

2. Placing Cooker on Stove

Pour 2 cups water in the cooker body. Add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) lemon juice or vinegar (not for anodised cookers) to prevent discolouring the cooker. Remove the pressure regulator or whistle from steam vent. Look through steam vent and ensure it is clear.

Check and adjust the seating of the sealing ring on the lid curl by patting down snugly. Close cooker. Place cooker on high heat.

3. Ensuring a Steam-tight Seal

When water boils, hot air and/or steam should issue only from the steam vent. If steam comes out around the edge of the lid, check the centralization of the lid thus: unlatch and reposition the lid by moving the lid slightly towards the spot where steam is escaping and relatch. DO NOT TOUCH LID with bare hands since it will be hot.

WRONG: STEAM COMING OUT FROM EDGE OF LID

RIGHT: NO STEAM LEAKAGE

4. Placing the Pressure Regulator

Once steam is coming out of the steam vent steadily, place the pressure regulator on the steam vent and press down firmly. Keep fingers on top of the pressure regulator and away from the steam when placing the pressure regulator on the steam vent. A click indicates that the pressure regulator is in position.

In about 2 minutes, the cooker should come to full operating pressure.

5. How to Recognize Full Operating Pressure

After the pressure regulator is placed on the steam vent, there is at first a very low hissing sound of steam from the pressure regulator. Then steam emission increases to full force and the pressure regulator lifts with a whistling sound. The cooker is now at full operating pressure. This is the point at which to reduce heat and start timing the recipe.

THE PRESSURE COOKER WHISTLES AT FULL OPERATING PRESSURE

6. Maintaining Pressure on Reduced Heat

Once the cooker has reached full pressure, high heat is a waste of fuel. Reduce heat from HIGH to MEDIUM or lower. The pressure can be maintained as well at lower heat. If the cooker whistles too frequently (more than 3 whistles per minute), reduce the heat still further.

If there is no steam coming out of the pressure regulator for a few minutes, increase the heat gradually until the steam comes out.

Please remember that, particularly on electric heat, it may take some time for heat level adjustments to have an effect on the frequency of whistles. A little practice will make clear the correct heat setting and adjustments, if any, that may be required.

7. Releasing Pressure

Turn off heat. Remove pressure cooker from heat:

With a fork, slightly lift pressure regulator to release steam. Do not remove pressure regulator.

8. Final Steps

Open cooker. Empty out water. Wash and wipe dry body, lid and pressure regulator. Store without closing the pressure cooker. Before cooking in your pressure cooker, READ THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL WHICH CAME WITH YOUR COOKER.