Important Safety Information - Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Instructions Manual

9. Reduce pressure according to the recipe or timetable instructions. If the instructions say "Let the pressure drop of its own
accord," set the pressure cooker aside to cool until pressure is completely reduced. If the instructions state, "Cool cooker
at once," cool the pressure cooker under a running water faucet (Fig. H) or pour cold water over it, or place it in a pan
of cold water (Fig. I) until pressure is completely reduced. Note: Do not set hot cooker in a molded sink as it could
damage the sink .
Pressure is completely reduced when the air vent/cover lock has dropped.
If the air vent/cover lock remains in its raised position, there is still pressure inside the pressure cooker. Continue to cool
until the air vent/cover lock drops.
10. After pressure has been completely reduced, remove the pressure regulator. Always remove the pressure regulator
before opening the cover .
11. To open the cover, turn it counterclockwise until the t on the cover aligns with the  mark on the body handle. Then,
lift the cover toward you to keep any steam away from you. If the cover turns hard, there still may be some pressure in
the unit. Do not force the cover off . Continue to cool the pressure cooker until steam no longer is escaping from the vent
pipe, the air vent/cover lock has dropped, and the cover turns easily.
12. Food is ready to serve.

ImporTanT safeTy InformaTIon

Cooking under pressure enables you to prepare food both quickly and deliciously. If used properly, your pressure cooker is
one of the safest appliances in your kitchen. To ensure safe operation, make sure you always observe the following simple
rules whenever you use the pressure cooker:
1. Never overfill the pressure cooker . — The pressure regulator is designed to maintain
cooking pressures at a safe level. It relieves excess pressure through the vent pipe as it
rocks back and forth. Many foods tend to expand when cooked. If the cooker is over-
filled, expansion of food may cause the vent pipe to become blocked or clogged. If the
vent pipe becomes blocked, it cannot relieve excess pressure.
There are a few foods such as rice, grains, dry beans and peas, and soups which expand
so much or foam and froth while cooking that the cooker should never be filled above
the ⁄ fill line. For other foods, never fill the cooker above the
1
2
For your convenience, both the
(see Fig. J). The upper marking indicates the
the recipes you will find instructions on the maximum fill level for each type of food.
Reminder: When cooking any food, do not let any portion extend above the maximum fill mark . When cooking
rice, grains, dry beans and peas, and soups, the cooker should never be more than
2. Always add cooking liquid . — If an empty pressure cooker is left on a hot burner or if a cooker boils dry and is left on
a heated burner, the cooker will overheat excessively causing possible discoloration and/or damage to the cooker.
3. Always look through the vent pipe before using the cooker to make sure it is clear . — If the vent pipe is blocked, it
cannot function as it should and thus cannot relieve excess pressure. Pressure may then build to unsafe levels. To clean
the vent pipe, see page 6.
4. Always fully close the pressure cooker . — The cooker is fully closed when the cover handle is directly above
the body handle. Your pressure cooker has specially designed lugs on the cover and body which lock the cover in
place when the cooker is fully closed. However, if the cooker is not fully closed, the lugs cannot lock the cover
onto the body. It's possible that pressure could build inside the cooker and cause the cover to come off and re-
sult in bodily injury or property damage. Always be sure the cover handle is directly above the body handle (see
page 4, Fig. E). Do not turn past handle alignment.
5. Never open the cooker when it contains pressure . — The air vent /cover lock provides a visual indication of pres-
sure inside the cooker. When it is up, there is pressure. When it is down, there is no pressure in the cooker and it can be
opened. If the pressure cooker is opened before all of the pressure is released, the contents of the cooker will erupt and
could cause bodily injury or property damage.
⁄ and ⁄ full levels are marked by indentations on the side of the pressure cooker body
2 1
3 2
⁄ full level and the lower the
2
3
⁄ fill line.
2
3
⁄ full level. In addition, in each section of
1
2
5
2 ⁄ fill line
3
⁄ fill line
1
2
Fig . J
⁄ full .
1
2