Presto Electric Pressure Cooker - Manual (Page 7)

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2. As is the case of all cookware, avoid chopping or cutting food inside the cooker with a knife or other sharp utensil.
3. If the body or cover handles become loose, tighten them with a screwdriver. CAUTION: Overtightening can result in stripping of
screws or cracking of handles and legs.
4. Periodically check the vent pipe nut for looseness. Retighten, if necessary, using a 7 ⁄
16
″ wrench.
5. Periodically check the pressure relief valve nut for looseness. Retighten, if necessary, using an 11 ⁄
16
″ wrench.
6. Do not strike the rim of the pressure cooker with any cooking utensil because this could cause nicks in the rim which may allow
steam to escape and prevent the pressure cooker from sealing.
7. 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 sealing ring.
whenever you replace the sealing ring, replace the overpressure plug also.
8. Each time you clean or use your pressure cooker, check to be sure the bottom has not been damaged. Nicks and scratches may leave
sharp edges that can damage ceramic stovetops or other smooth surfaces. Lift pressure cooker to remove it from burner. Sliding
cookware could leave scratches on stovetops.
9. 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 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 30).
10. If, for any reason, the pressure cooker cannot be opened, contact the Consumer Service Department in Eau Claire, wisconsin 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 30).
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 ⅔ 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 ½ 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 ⅔ 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 ⅔ 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 ½ cup cooking liquid will be needed.