Apply
Cooking
Oil Here
Fig . O
Apply Cooking
Oil Here
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.
Because of this, you may find that on occasion the cover may be difficult to open or close. The following sugges-
tions 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.
If, after browning meat or poultry, the cover is difficult to close, it may
be due to expansion of the pressure cooker body from heating. Remove
the cover and allow the pressure cooker body to cool slightly and try
again. Do not place the pressure cooker back on the burner until it is
fully closed.
If necessary, to help make the cover easier to open and close, a
very light coating of cooking oil may be applied to the sealing
ring and to the underside of the lugs on the pressure cooker body
(Fig. O). Use a pastry brush, a piece of cloth, or your fingertips and be
sure to wipe off any excess oil.
What can be done if the food prepared in the pressure cooker has more liquid than desired?
Simmer to evaporate the excess liquid. Next time you prepare the same recipe, you may want to use less liquid.
How does one prevent overcooking?
Remember to begin timing as soon as the pressure regulator begins to rock gently. It is very important to accurately
time the cooking period. A Presto
kitchen timer is very helpful for this purpose. Also be sure to follow the recipe
instructions for cooling the pressure cooker.
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 above 2000 feet, 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 54703-3703, phone
1-800-368-2194. You may also contact us at our website www.GoPresto.com. When writing, please include
a phone number and a time when you can be reached during weekdays, if possible. Written inquiries will be
answered promptly by letter or telephone.
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