Beginners Workshop

pyrex plastic lids in pressure cooker

feeds@yuku.com (tainter6000) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 11:34:06 GMT

Miss Vickie,

I'm trying to figure out if I have a container and lid that I can use in my pressure cooker. I have some glass pyrex dishes with plastic lids, but I don't know if the lids are safe for use in the pressure cooker. I know that polypropylene is autoclavable, but I'm unable to find out what exactly the pyrex lids are made from. I have some that are simple dark blue plastic and one that's lavender with the steam vent on the top. The lids themselves...

Fagor Splendid 4-Quart rust?

feeds@yuku.com (kbloom86) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:03:51 GMT

Just got a Fagor Splendid 4-Quart Pressure Cooker. Underneath the lid, there is a little metal post that is to hold the operating valve in place, it turns black after cooking. Is this a product defect or is it normal? I could not prevent it from staining, so any help would greatly appreciated.

older pressure cooker with an issue

feeds@yuku.com (homedecsewer) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 17:51:32 GMT

I have an older pressure cooker heavy duty that I picked up second hand. It of course did not come with a booklet.
I went to use it today and had one heck of a time getting it to close. Once closed it cooked wonderfully.
The problem is when I went to use it a second time I could not get it to close again. It was of course cold and cleaned from using it before.
What am I doing wrong? It would not close but when it was heated some the lids closed tightly. I also did not have...

Silicone Seal Has Odor

feeds@yuku.com (WifeofJoe) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:11:19 GMT

I've been using my Kuhn Rikon 7liter cooker a lot and really loving it. Now after using it to make a very aromatic broth a couple of times, the gasket has taken on a strong odor. I opened my cabinet where I store my cooker and the odor was very noticeable. How can I get that odor out of the seal so it doesn't stink up my cabinet? Has anyone else experienced this problem and found a solution?

Silicon baking pans

feeds@yuku.com (annesatx) — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:26:19 GMT

I was glancing through the Fagor website and it looked like they were selling silicon baking pans to use in their pressure cookers. Do these work? I ask because I already own a few and I'd like to use them rather than buy more stuff that I might not need. Thanks.

Just got pressure cooker

feeds@yuku.com (christinahart23) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:27:22 GMT

I just received my cooks essentials digital pressure cooker. It looks intimidating!!!! I was reading the recipes and what does it mean by release the pressure "naturally"? Do you only put water in the inner pot? How do I purchase the steamer basket? If anyone can help it would make my meals much easier.

Dinner disaster averted

feeds@yuku.com (bu22) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:39:43 GMT

I bought a Fagor Rapida combination set last weekend from Bed, Bath, & Beyond. I had planned to do the recommended test drive before actually trying to cook anything.

Last night, the dinner plan was pork tenderloin on the grill. When I got home from work around 6:00 PM, my wife already had the grill going with the tenderloins on. They normally take about 45 minutes to cook.

When I opened the grill, I discovered the disaster. Instead of tenderloin, she actually...

custard pie

feeds@yuku.com (ibcallus) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:44:40 GMT

Hi again, is it possible to do a custard pie in the pressure cooker,
Brian

PSI question

feeds@yuku.com (Bflogal) — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:18:43 GMT

I am looking at two pressure cookers both by Fagor one is the Duo which has 8psi and 15psi or the Splendid is 15psi only. Really don't know much about pressure cookers at all, but which is better. Im leaning towards the Duo cause of the two settings, but not sure if it is really needed. Thank you.

just found old mirro matic...22 qt idk what it needs.

feeds@yuku.com (jessed111233) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:15:50 GMT

i just found a 22 qt pressure cooker at my firends house. It looks pretty old and the inside is a bit rusty. im not going to cook food or anything with it so im not that worried about it. But on the lid there is what looks like is 2 holes....i think one is for the pressure guage and one is for the safty realease....i think it was this site stating that there is a afty mechanism that melts some kind of metal and after that you have to replace....i think thats what is wrong with mine and safty...

stewing using PIP method

feeds@yuku.com (PressureCookerNewbie) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:34:18 GMT

Great and very informative site.

I have a 6 qt. pressure cooker and it's a bit wide and shallow. I'm having trouble with the amount of liquid when making stew or soup (small serving) since I need large amount of liquid to just cover the meat, which makes the soup tasteless. My question, is it ok to use the PIP method when making stew or soup? Do I need to add cooking time when using this method?

Roast Beef

feeds@yuku.com (pmullarky) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 13:07:05 GMT

I have Miss Vickie's Pressure Cooker recipes book. I have tried some simple recipes and they have turned out fantastic. Here is my question. When I slow cook a Pot Roast in a slow cooker, it comes out moist and falling apart. Can this same type of texture be acheived in the pressure cooker?
Thanks
Phil

aluminum vs. stainless steel cookers

feeds@yuku.com (kelly2cook) — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:20:09 GMT

What is the difference (besides price) and which do you prefer?

Elevation Changes

feeds@yuku.com (wayl0n) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:45:55 GMT

I cook rice dishes frequently, but even following the recipes exact, the rice usually comes out a bit undercooked, and soupy. I am at 4000+ feet, do I need to change the cook time/heat to compensate for this?

Cooking Time with Natrual Release method

feeds@yuku.com (wayl0n) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 13:44:24 GMT

When using the natural release method for cooking meats, it takes several several minutes for the pressure to drop enough to open the cooker. Does this extra time need to be cut from the cooking time, or is it in addition to?

Question on minimum liquid requirement

feeds@yuku.com (fviegas) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 01:50:49 GMT

Hi,
first I'd like to congratulate you on your EXCELLENT website.
It was very helpful in assisting me buying and testing my new pressure cooker!! I already
ordered your book and look forward to start cooking on it.

I have a question regarding water. I bought a cooker on sale, from an unknown brand,
but in reading your advice, I checked that they had representation in my country, extra gasket,
sandwich bottom, a working manual and second-generation spring...

new user

feeds@yuku.com (1potcooker) — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 13:20:55 GMT

can food go over the 2/3 line in the pressure cooker or are we speaking of only liquids for example a roast that sticks up over this line or does all food have to be under the line

Ultrex II Electric pressure cooker

feeds@yuku.com (mariedavis1) — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 08:54:45 GMT

First time user for this. Do I set the temperture probe on high when I use the high pressure value? Or do I keep the probe on off,just plugged in , when using the the cooker? Marie

Tough cubed beef

feeds@yuku.com (chelseauk123) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 10:49:24 GMT

Hi,

Just cooked a goulash in a 11.6psi cooker - the recipe was for 15mins at 15psi - so i added about 25% - (ie it was given about 19 mins). The recipe used 1/2 pint of stock and after this time the meat was tough. The meat was cooked after about 30mins (after putting it back on twice) - each time adding more stock - as it had become very thick and gloopy (it was 1/2 pint stock, 3 tbls paprikka and 2 tbls tomato puree) - additonally the recipe was for 1& 1/2 lbs of meat but we...

Loss of pressure

feeds@yuku.com (hobey98) — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:16:26 GMT

I have a brand new Cooks Essentials 6 qt. electric pressure cooker and tried using it tonight for the first time. I put all of the ingredients in the cooker, put on the lid and turned it on as instructed. It heated up, but the steam was coming out from around the lid and the small button came up, but did not stay up. It seems that I have lost the pressure. I tried to press the steam release button, but no steam came out. Why?