Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker and Canner - Manual (Page 7)

Overpressure Plug
Top Fig N
7
4. The overpressure plug can also be removed for cleaning by pushing it out of its
opening from the top of the cover handle. After cleaning, reinsert it by pushing
the domed side of the plug into the opening from the underside of the cover, until
the bottom edge is fully and evenly seated against the underside of the cover
(Fig. N). When the overpressure plug is properly installed, the word (TOP) will
be visible on the overpressure plug when viewing the outside of the cover.
5. To bring out its luster, the outside surface of your pressure cooker can be cleaned
occasionally with a silver polish or any other fine, non-abrasive polish. If food
residue adheres to the pressure cooker body, clean with a vegetable brush, a nylon
pad, or a non-abrasive powder cleanser, such as Bon ami* polishing cleanser or
Cameo* copper, brass & porcelain cleaner. Do not use steel wool or cleaners with chlorine bleach.
Take care not to overheat your stainless steel pressure cooker. Very high heat can sometimes cause vari-colored stains, called
heat tints, in stainless steel. Heat tints can usually be removed by using a non-abrasive powder cleanser.
6. 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.
7. As is the case of all cookware, avoid chopping or cutting food inside the cooker with a knife or other sharp utensil.
8. If the body or cover handles become loose, tighten them with a screwdriver.
9. 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 seal-
ing ring. Whenever you replace the sealing ring, replace the overpressure plug also.
10. 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 con-
tinues, 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).
11. If the pressure cooker becomes difficult to open or close, the sealing ring should be replaced. If for any reason the pressure
cooker cannot be opened, contact the Consumer Service Department in Eau Claire, WI at 1-800-877-0441.
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).
*Bon ami polishing cleanser is a registered trademark of Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Co. Cameo copper, brass & porcelain cleaner is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
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 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 trivet and steamer basket 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 trivet and steamer basket.