How To Use For Pressure Cooking; Pressure Release Methods - Presto Electric Pressure Cooker Plus Instructions And Recipes Manual

PRESSURE BUTTON
If you prefer to manually set the pressure, instead of using the preset buttons, simply
press the PRESSURE button once for the low setting or twice for the high setting. The
red light next to the selected pressure will be illuminated. The default cook time is 30
minutes for low and 15 minutes for high. Adjust the cook time, if desired, by pressing
the + or – buttons immediately after pressing the PRESSURE button. NOTE: You
must adjust the time within the first six seconds, before the unit begins to heat. If you
accidentally press the wrong setting or time, simply press CANCEL and reset the cooker.
High pressure is suitable for most foods. Use low pressure for delicate foods such as fish
and some vegetables.

HOW TO USE FOR PRESSURE COOKING

Before you begin cooking, review the "Important Information for Every Use" instructions
on page 7 and always verify that the unit is properly assembled.
1. Place the pressure cooker on a dry, level surface. To avoid steam damage to cabinets,
position the cooker so the air vent/cover lock and quick pressure release valve are not
directly under cabinets.
2. Place the removable cooking pot into the cooker body. NEVER USE THE UNIT
WITHOUT THE REMOVABLE COOKING POT.
3. Attach power cord to cooker and then plug into a 120VAC wall outlet.
4. Prepare ingredients according to the directions in the recipe you have selected.
If the recipe states to brown or sauté food, press the BROWN/SAUTÉ button (see
page 8), preheat unit for 3 to 4 minutes, and brown or sauté food according to recipe.
When browning/sautéing is complete, press the CANCEL button once so you can
select another cooking function.
5. If recipe calls for using the cooking rack, place cooking rack into the cooking pot. See
"Helpful Hints" on page 14 for guidance on when to use rack. Add ingredients to the
cooking pot, being sure not to overfill (see page 7 for information on filling).
6. Pour liquid into the cooking pot, as specified in the recipe or timetable.
7. Place the cover on the cooker body, aligning the
INSTALL/REMOVE vertical mark within the
mark on the cooker body (Fig. B, page 6). Rotate the
cover clockwise until it stops. The pressure cooker is
completely closed when the LOCKED vertical mark is
within the mark on the cooker body (Fig. J).
8. Push the quick pressure release valve onto the vent
pipe and point the lever to the COOK position (Fig. K).
NOTE: The valve will fit loosely on the vent pipe.
9. Select the appropriate preset button on the control panel
for the type of food you are cooking. Adjust the cooking
time as necessary (see page 9). Or, if preferred, select
PRESSURE and manually set the cooker (see above).
Blue air vent/cover
lock in up position.
Pressure in unit.
10
As the unit is heating, air will automatically exhaust around the air vent/cover lock.
You will hear this venting. When pressure begins to build, the blue air vent/cover lock
will slide up (Fig. K), locking the cover on. Once the unit is at pressure, the timer will
start to count down.
During cooking you may notice some steam releasing from the quick pressure release
valve. This is normal. NOTE: It is also normal for the heat to cycle on and off during
cooking to control the pressure in the cooker.
10. When the cook time has expired, the unit will beep 10 times and automatically switch
to the keep warm mode.
11. Reduce pressure according to the recipe or timetable
instructions (quick pressure release or drop pressure
of its own accord). See instructions below for
releasing pressure. You will know the pressure is
completely reduced when the blue air vent/cover
lock drops (Fig. L).
12. After pressure is completely reduced, carefully
remove the cover. Rotate counterclockwise until
the INSTALL/REMOVE vertical mark is within the
Lift cover straight up and, while still holding the cover over the cooker, angle it 90
degrees so residual liquid drips into the pot. Place cover upside down on counter.
CAUTION! Steam may escape and hot liquid may drip from the cooker cover when
removing it. Steam and hot liquid can cause burns.
13. Remove food from cooker. For best results, use heat-resistant plastic or wooden uten-
sils. Do not use metal utensils as they may scratch the nonstick surface.
14. When cooking is complete, unplug power cord from wall outlet and then from pres-
sure cooker. Allow cooker to cool completely before cleaning.

PRESSURE RELEASE METHODS

1. Quick Pressure Release. This method is used when cooking vegetables, seafood, and
other delicate foods.
When cooking time is up, press the CANCEL button once and immediately move the
valve lever to the STEAM OUT position (Fig. L). You will hear sputtering and steam
will release for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. Pressure is completely reduced when
the blue air vent/cover lock has dropped (Fig. L).
Fig. J
CAUTION! To prevent steam burns, keep hands and face away from the top of the
Fig. K
pressure cooker as pressure is being released.
Cook
2. Let pressure drop of its own accord. This method is used when cooking foods such
position
as meats, soups, and grains.
When cooking time is up, keep the quick pressure release valve in the COOK
position. Let the pressure cooker cool until the blue air vent/cover lock drops.
NOTE: If desired, the food may be left in the cooker, which automatically switches
to the keep warm mode.
Blue air vent/cover lock
in down position.
No pressure in unit.
mark on the cooker body.
11
Fig. L
Steam out
position