Caring for Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Having good care for the pressure cooker will certainly help the cooker last for a lifetime. 

Cleaning the pot.  The methods to clean a stainless steel pressure cooker are similar with cleaning a stainless steel pot or pan.  Like the pot and pan, most pressure cookers are dishwasher safe unless stated otherwise by the manufacturer.  When washing by hand, always use hot water with soap with a washcloth, sponge or a non-scratching pad to remove the stains or food residues.  After each cleaning, rinse the pot thoroughly with hot water and wipe it completely with clean dry towels.

Cleaning the lid.   Most pressure cooker lids should not be washed in the dishwasher or left to soak in water, especially when it is one with the new valve systems in the lid.  Wash the lid separately by hand in hot water and mild wash soap with non-abrasive pad or washcloth.  Do not use any sort of abrasive cleansers to remove the stains.  Remove the gasket from the lid, the pressure weight, and any other removal parts before cleaning.  Wash everything separately, and paying close attentions to the locking flange and the vent pipe if there is one. Use a small brush for cleaning inside the pressure regulator weight.  Remove any bit of food from around the valves and the sealing surface of the lid.  Rinse through hot water completely and dry with towels before storing.

Storing.  Remember to always make sure that the inside of the pressure cooker is completely dry before storing it to the cupboard.  Store the cooker in a dry place.  Always check to make sure that all the attached parts are tightly screwed on, and adjust when necessary.  Check to see that the vent pipe is clean and clear and the valve stem moves up and down freely, before putting the cooker away.

If using the pressure cooker frequently, store it in the cupboard with the lid inverted on top of the cooker bottom.  Place the gasket on the lid, but not in the groove, and then lay the weight on its side. This will help to prevent odors or molds.

For infrequent use, store the cooker in a cool, dry place and avoid excessive, prolonged heat because heat will cause the sealing parts to deteriorate quicker.  Before storing the cooker, place the gasket and pressure weight in a Ziploc bag and add a spoonful of baking soda then place this bag inside the cooker.  Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoon of baking soda inside the pot to absorb moisture and odors. Close the lid and store the cooker in a designated place.  Remember to wash the cooker in warm soap water before the next use.

With all the efforts when cleaning and caring for your pressure cooker certainly help the cooker last.  Most pressure cookers would last to 20 years or more.  Having your favorite cooker to prepare your favorite meals is absolutely worth the troubles going through.  Browse pressure cookers today to look for one.

Choosing Pressure Cooker

Cooking with pressure cooker helps food cooked faster than conventional cooking methods.  Food can be prepared in a shorter period of time and preserved vitamins and minerals.  Having a good pressure cooker would make the cooking process be much easier and convenient.  To choose a good pressure cooker, look for one that has the following options:
 

• Made of high quality durable stainless steel.  Premium quality 18/10 stainless steel is the most sanitary and healthy means of preparing foods because of its scratch and corrosion resistance, non-reaction to acidic or alkaline foods.  Also, stainless steel cookware does not require any special handling or cleaning.

• Has accurate pressure indicator and quick release.  The pressure indicator will clearly indicate when the pressure has been built up to the accepted cooking standard.  Most pressure cookers have a working pressure setting of 15psi (pounds per square inch).  Some pressures cookers have the quick release option built into the pressure regulator.  These types of pressure cookers allow this structure to quickly lower the pressure inside the pot without losing the heat.  With the pressure quickly get steady, this option will allow the addition of other ingredients from the recipe and then allow the cooking to resume with the switch back to pressure cooking.

• Has safe release.  If overpressure occurs, some pressure cookers vent excess steam from a valve stem with an audible "hiss".  If pressure were to continue to rise, the sealing gasket on these pressure cookers would be pushed out through a designed safety hole in the lid safely venting the pressure.  New designed pressure cookers usually have two or three redundant safety valves as well as some additional safety features, such as an interlock lid that prevents the user from opening the lid as long as the internal pressure exceeds atmospheric pressure.  If any of the safety mechanisms are not correctly in place, the pressure cooker will not pressurize the contents.

Depends on the portions you're cooking, select the right size of pressure cooker that would fit your needs, but be sure to always keep in mind that pressure cooker should never be filled to more than 2/3 the interior height with solid food, half full for liquid and foods that foam and froth, and no more than 1/3 full for pulses.  To experiment pressure cooking, browse pressure cookers today to find a good one.