How to use your Pressure Cooker
VENT TUBE CHECK Pick up the lid of your Pressure Cooker remove the Pressure
Control and hold the lid against the light to verify if the Vent Tube is clear.
In the event it is blocked, clean it with a wire along with all other holes
located inside the cover. Look again against the light to make sure that it
is clean. After cleaning, place Pressure Control on top of Vent Tube.
FILLING Fill the cooker with food and add the required amount of water. Make
sure the quantity of food and water is correct. Never fill the cooker more
than 1/2 full of foods that puff up like rice and dried vegetables. For all
other foods, never fill more than 2/3 full.
COOKING Place
the cooker on high heat until the Pressure Control begins to release steam.
The Pressure Control will rock or jiggle when the cooker reaches
its pressure. Lower the heat so that the pressure control rocks gently. Generally
a setting of 'medium' or 'low' will be right. Count cooking time from the first
jiggle of the Pressure Control. See Cooking Time Table,
page 14 for approximate
cooking times.
Caution: Never beat a spoon or other utensil on the rim of the pan. Any denting
of the rim can prevent a good gasket seal causing steam leakage.
FOOD REMOVAL When cooking is done, turn heat off and reduce
the pressure. Do not remove the Pressure Control until pressure is completely
reduced.
YOU CAN REDUCE PRESSURE THREE WAYS:
fast - for fresh vegetables and fish
Run cold water over the cooker (Fig. A), or place it in a pan of cold water.
Depending on the amount of food in the cooker, it will take 15-60 seconds
for the pressure to go down fully.- normally - for canning
Let the cooker cool slowly to room temperature. This will take 30-40 minutes
for a small cooker, 45-60 minutes for the largest canner.
- combination - for meats and dried vegetables
Let the cooker cool normally at room temperature for 5 min, then place the
cooker under cold water to reduce the remaining pressure.
As
the pressure is reduced, air will re-enter the cooker and you will hear a hissing
or squealing sound. After you have cooled the cooker, raise the Pressure
Control with a fork (Fig. B) to make sure the pressure is down and if it is,
remove the pressure control. If steam escapes , the pressure is not down. Continue
to cool the cooker with cold water until the pressure is down. Open the cover
by turning the cover counter clockwise until the OPEN-CLOSE arrow points to
the center of the pan handle. When pressure is down cover should turn easily.
Warning: Never tug or force the cover open. Pressure may not be down.
Continue to cool cooker.
