Care And Maintenance - Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Instructions Manual

8-quart aluminum pressure cooker

Table of Contents

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 cooker 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 rice, grains, and 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 29.

Using this method will keep foam at safe levels during cooking. Like dry beans and peas, rice and grains tend to froth

and foam during cooking; therefore, to contain foaming and frothing during the cooking period, rice and grains must be

prepared in a bowl in the pressure cooker according to directions on page 31.

8. Never pressure cook applesauce, cranberries, rhubarb, cereals, pastas, dried soup mixes, or dry beans and peas

which are not listed in the chart on page 29 . — These foods expand so much as a result of foaming and frothing that

they should never be cooked under pressure.

1. All parts of your pressure cooker, including the sealing ring and pressure regulator, are fully immersible for easy cleaning.

When washing the unit, however, the sealing ring should always be removed to allow easy cleaning of the inside rim of

the cover. The sealing ring should be washed with hot, sudsy water after each use.

2. To be sure the vent pipe is clear, hold the cover up to the light and look

through the vent pipe. Clean it with a small brush or pipe cleaner if it

is blocked or partially blocked (Fig. K). Also clean the vent pipe nut as

shown.

3. Occasionally remove the air vent/cover lock in the pressure cooker cover

handle for cleaning. To remove the air vent/cover lock, place your finger over

the hole in the cover handle (Fig. M) and remove the white rubber gasket from

the air vent/cover lock on the underside of the cover

(Fig. L). Push the air vent /cover lock through

the top of the cover and wash it and the gasket in

hot sudsy water. The metal shaft of the air vent /

cover lock may be cleaned with a nylon mesh

pad. Clean the hole in the cover handle with a

small brush. After cleaning, reinsert the metal

shaft of the air vent /cover lock from the top side

of the cover down through the cover handle hole

(Fig. M). Place a finger over the handle hole (to keep

the cover lock from falling out) and turn the cover

over. Wet the rubber gasket and push onto the end of

the metal shaft until it snaps into the groove on the shaft.

4. The overpressure plug can also be removed for cleaning by pushing it out of its open-

ing from the top of the cover. After cleaning, reinsert it by pushing the domed side of

the plug into the opening from the underside of the cover, until the bottom edge is fully

and evenly seated against the underside of the cover (Fig. N). When the overpressure

plug is properly installed, the word (TOP) will be visible on the overpressure plug when

viewing the outside of the cover.

5. Iron and other minerals in water and foods may darken the inside of your aluminum

cooker. This discoloration will not affect the food cooked in the unit. These stains can be removed by using a solution of

water and cream of tartar. Use a tablespoon of cream of tartar for each quart of water and pour enough solution into the

cooker to cover the discoloration (do not fill over