50
51
burner, the canner will overheat excessively causing possible
discoloration and/or warping of the canner.
3.
Always look through the vent pipe before using the canner
to make sure it is clear .
— If the vent pipe is blocked, it cannot
function as it should and thus cannot relieve excess pressure. Pres-
sure may then build to unsafe levels. To clean the vent pipe, draw
a pipe cleaner or small brush through the opening, as shown on
page 11. Also clean the vent pipe nut as shown.
4.
Always fully close the pressure canner .
— The canner is fully
closed when the cover handles are directly above the body handles.
your pressure canner has specially designed lugs on the cover and
body which lock the cover in place when the canner is fully closed.
However, if the canner is not fully closed, the lugs cannot lock the
cover onto the body. It’s possible that pressure could build inside
the canner and cause the cover to come off and result in bodily
injury or property damage. Always be sure the cover handles are
directly above the body handles. Do not turn past handle align-
ment.
5.
Never open the canner when it contains pressure .
— The air
vent /cover lock provides a visual indication of pressure inside the
canner. When it is up, there is pressure. When it is down, there
is no pressure in the canner and it can be opened. If the pressure
canner is opened before all of the pressure is released, the contents
of the canner will erupt and could cause bodily injury or property
damage.
6.
Replace the overpressure plug if it is hard, deformed, cracked,
worn or pitted, or when replacing the sealing ring . Replace
the sealing ring if it becomes hard, deformed, cracked, worn,
pitted, or soft and sticky .
— The overpressure plug is a secondary
pressure relief valve which is designed to relieve excess pressure
by releasing from the canner cover in the event that the vent
pipe becomes blocked. The overpressure plug is made of rubber,
and when new, is soft and pliable. Over time, depending on the
frequency and type of use, rubber becomes hard and inflexible.
When hard and inflexible, the overpressure plug loses its ability
to act as a secondary pressure relief valve. It should be replaced
immediately.
Should the overpressure plug ever be forced out of the cover due
to excess pressure while cooking, it is important to call the Test
Kitchen at 1-800-368-2194.
Do not attempt to use the released
overpressure plug
.
7.
Always follow special procedures found in the instruction book
when pressure cooking dry beans and peas .
— During cooking,
dry beans and peas tend to froth and foam which could cause the
vent pipe to become blocked. Therefore, dry beans and peas need
to be soaked and cooked according to instructions beginning on
page 67. Using this method will keep foam at safe levels during
cooking.
8.
Never pressure cook applesauce, cranberries, rhubarb, cereals,
pastas, or dried soup mixes .
— These foods expand so much as
a result of foaming and frothing that they should never be cooked
under pressure.
