I received a pressure cooker as a gift at housewarming.Since then, its just been sitting in my pantry. I have misplaced the directions/box. I am just so afraid to use it. As a child I remember watching a lady who opened it too soon( I guess) and hot,hot,HOT food splattered all over her face and everywhere causing serious burns. I am just SO afraid to use it..but, really wish I knew how.Can you tell me?
Just watch these pressure cooker videos, by the end you should feel more comfortable about using yours.. It
can be dangerous! But with a few simple rules to remember, it can be a great kitchen tool ! I have one myself. and remember my mom and grandmother use them years ago so I wasn’t too badly afraid when I got mine. Let me see if I can find you some instructions. You amy email me if you need one on one advise!
I will be back shortly.
This is what you want it to do. Adjust your heat till it does this!
Better to low than to high!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3WudBEzNZE&feature=related
This one shows you how to cook brocolli and cool the pot down before you open it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARA_R40egTU&feature=related
This one again show how to let the steam off under cold water. I let mine sit longer to make sure!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7CGsiDXEYU&feature=related
I found a chef that walks you through a recipe using one.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u8iE7J3Ue4
Lady cooking beans in her cooker.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dtf-2j5bdJY
Here are a bunch of pressure cooker videos you might find some interesting recipes and step by step instructions.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=pressure+cooking&search_type=
Well good luck I hope you enjoy yours like I have enjoyed mone over the years! Oh I even have one that goes in the microwave now!!! It’s good for small stuff for two people.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fei%3DUTF-8%26p%3Dmicrowave%2520pressure%2520cooker%26SpellState%3Dn-2467282282_q-N6i069tLYQEeOnhbT%252Fi50gAAAA%2540%2540%26fr2%3Dtab-web%26fr%3Db2ie7&w=350&h=167&imgurl=www.kitchenemporium.com%2Fkitchenemporium%2Fimages%2Fnw62104b.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kitchenemporium.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fkitchen%2Fprod%2F22nw62104.html&size=6.1kB&name=nw62104b.jpg&p=microwave%20pressure%20cooker&type=JPG&oid=6f388cc587d438a0&no=17&tt=91
Here is a pressure cooker recipe site.
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/cat/152/0.shtml
Check the manufacturer’s website and see if you can’t DL the directions and print them off at home.
You may also check ebay and see if someone is selling directions. Rare, but it occasionally happens.
But basically, you don’t want to fill the pot more than 2/3 full. You need space for pressure to build in (space w/o liquid) and you need fluid to make steam and build up pressure.
A pot of dry beans is done, start to finish, in about 45 min. A pot roast takes about the same amount of time (after browning it). Frozen chicken parts w/ bone are great to pressure cook and make stock, or retrieve the meat, pick from the bone, and make chicken & dumplings or chicken noodles soup in a hurry. Probably 30 min for frozne chicken parts, 15 for fresh.
When you are ready to stop cooking it, remove from burner, turn off heat. On the newer ones, there is a valve you can press to release steam. You can either do that, or just let it cool a bit on it’s own. The newer ones are designed where you cannot get it open w/ it’s elliptical lid unless the pressure is off. So don’t be worried. You can also rinse the pot under running water (tepid, not cold) to help it cool down. You can usually hear the pressure release as it cools.
This is a PDF format of the Presto Manual.
http://www.gopresto.com/downloads/instructions/01282.pdf
This is a HowTo plus recipes and instructions with diagrams/pics. :
http://www.gopresto.com/recipes/ppc/howtouse.php