HOW-TO OPERATE FAGOR PRESSURE COOKERS in Got a question about pressure cooker brands, inserts or accessories? Forum

RSS
Email

0 Points

HOW-TO OPERATE FAGOR PRESSURE COOKERS

Author	Comment
ozgal	HOW-TO OPERATE FAGOR PRESSURE COOKERS		Lead	[-]
Registered User Posts: 5 Sep 26 10 9:57 PM	Tags : fagor Remove this ad Hi there, I have to say I'm a bit dissapointed with my Fagor Duo pressure cooker set. I've been reading through other posts here and must say I agree that the manufacturer has not lived up to the standard I would expect with regard to oeprating instructions. Why on earth print manuals that specify the cooker has built to pressure when the little yellow plug pops up, when it's not true? Added to this, it's also confusing to know if the cooker is actually in full pressure mode just by watching for steam and listening to the noises the cooker makes. I purchased this set as the reviews I'd read (unfortunately before I found this great site) indicated the cooker to be top of the line. With the amount of standing around required to observe puffs of steam, etc., rather than just being able to turn on the timer the moment the yellow plug pops up is a real nuisance and time waster. One of the main reasons I purchased this was to save time. The little yellow plug on my Fagor pops up okay but sometimes the steam that follows a few minutes later comes out in one long stream or it sputters and coughs (sounds like a coffee machine perking). If anyone has nice clear, failproof instructions for knowing when the cooker has built to pressure please let me know. It really shouldn't be this hard! Annoyed but willing to persevere. Cheers EDITED TITLE Edited 1 time by Miss Vickie Pressure Cooker Recipes Oct 2 10 10:27 AM.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
Miss Vickie Pressure Cooker Recipes		#1	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 1500 Sep 28 10 9:30 AM Owner	Hi ozgal, Glad you found your way here, and you'll have plenty of company from other Fagor owners, including me, and Gracie, too. The Fagor is a fine product, and I use mine all the time, and even though the brand has a quirky way indicating pressure, its something you can easily learn to deal with. I know it can seem confusing to a novice, but it really isn't all that difficult. "Added to this, it's also confusing to know if the cooker is actually in full pressure mode just by watching for steam and listening to the noises the cooker makes... With the amount of standing around required to observe puffs of steam, etc., rather than just being able to turn on the timer the moment the yellow plug pops up is a real nuisance and time waster." I think this is where you are having a problem. The time it takes to pressurize this brand is no different than any other brand; it is only the odd way that the Fagor's pressure indicators work that confuses people. Let me recap the steps that I use: The small pressure indicator button pops up at the start of pressurization on all the Fagor models. Unlike other brands, the Fagors do not show any convenient marks on the pressure indicator button that would easily let users know when the pressure cooker is only partial or fully pressurized. To pressurize the Fagor pressure cooker, lock the lid in place and bring to 15psi over high heat. The time it takes for full pressurization is quite variable -- this might be as little as 2-3 minutes, or as long as 10 -- it depends on the size of the pressure cooker, the amount of liquid and the amount of food, as well as the temperature of the ingredients. When the Fagor pressure cooker is fully pressurized, you will see and hear a very noticeable noise of venting steam. Unless you're just curious about the process while you're learning, there's no need to hover over the stove, watching for every little drip or puff of steam. When you hear the noisy venting steam, the pressure cooker is then fully pressurized. Then you need to immediately reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting -- as determined by doing the Test Drive -- to stabilize and maintain that pressure throughout the entire cooking cycle. At this point you set your kitchen timer according to the recipe directions. The pressure cooker will be silent from then on, and there is nothing to look at except the occasional faint whisp of steam. That's it; it really isn't that hard at all. I think you go back and repeat the Test Drive again, and do it as many times as you need to in order to gain experience, you will become more confident in using your Fagor pressure cooker. Does this help? If you have other questions, just ask.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
ozgal		#2	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 5 Sep 28 10 12:34 PM	Hi Vickie, Many thanks for the clear operating instructions. That does make it clearer. Reduces all my hovering and wondering to three simple steps, ie: 1.Lock lid in place, turn heat up high until I see yellow button pop up, and then wait to hear the loud release of steam. 2.At that point reduce heat and set timer. 3.Yellow button stays up to indicate pressure is still maintained but no release of steam can be heard. Gotcha! Why Fagor could not just print that in their manual beats me! Fingers crossed I will be a lot happier using my Fagor from this point forward. Cheers and thanks so much.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
Miss Vickie Pressure Cooker Recipes		#3	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 1500 Sep 29 10 10:23 AM Owner	You got it! Once the steps are clearly explained, now you can see how easy it actually is. I suspect that like many manuals, the instructions were probably written by a technical writer who was going off engineering specs, had never seen a pressure cooker, let alone used one. As often as I help Fagor users with this same question on this forum, or via emails, Fagor should put me on the payroll as a customer service rep! LOL
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
emazingrace		#4	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 500 Sep 29 10 12:37 PM Moderator	Miss Vickie Pressure Cooker Recipes wrote: Fagor should put me on the payroll as a customer service rep! LOL Or at the very least, technical advisor. LOL Your Signature ... *"The pressure's on...let's cook something!"* Edited 1 time by emazingrace Sep 29 10 12:40 PM.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
ozgal		#5	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 5 Sep 29 10 6:36 PM	I totally agree. I have the same problem with the writers of technical manuals for computers and software. Often very user unfriendly! And yes, they should definitely put you on the payroll!
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
Miss Vickie Pressure Cooker Recipes		#6	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 1500 Sep 30 10 8:56 AM Owner	That's too funny! I would certainly rewrite their directions, or just suggest that they stuff a separate instruction sheet in the box to make it more user friendly. Surely it can't be that difficult, and it would go a long way toward customer satisfaction. Hope you're listening Fagor... I like your brand, but please update your directions.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
emazingrace		#7	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 500 Sep 30 10 5:16 PM Moderator	When I purchased my Fagor, in addition to the written manual, there was a video showing in great detail the "hands on" of using the product. The people demonstrating the pressure cooker were intruduced as teachers at a well-known culinary school. Wouldn't one think they might know what they were doing? However, both referrenced the popping up of the yellow button as the moment to begin the cooking time. Because I already knew a thing or three about pressure cookers, I did not trust this advice. Now, when you are pressuring foods that take a while...lets say pork butt for example...the extra minute or two it takes to actually reach pressure is not of great concern. But for foods such as flan or delicate veggies or seafood, precise timing can mean the difference between delicious and disaster. For newbies especially, this can be very frustrating. I truly enjoy my Fagor. I would purchase another in a heartbeat. Nevertheless [and sadly], their instructions leave much to be desired. Your Signature ... *"The pressure's on...let's cook something!"*
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
ColleenMI	Thanks	#8	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 1 Dec 21 10 7:17 AM	Thanks so much for this. I've also been puzzled over just how much steam should come out. The video doesn't show that at all. Now if only the temp on my old electric stove was easier to control. :-( Anybody else notice that the risotto the chef makes has crusted on the bottom of the pot? Can't believe they didn't re-shoot or edit that!
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
PCuser		#9	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 86 Jan 12 12 6:33 AM	Remove this ad The Fagor is up to full pressure the moment a loud and continuous flow of steam is being released. Now lower the heat and leave it at a setting that maintains a gentle but constant flow of steam, but not a very weak and almost silent flow of steam. On electric cookers, the "failsafe" setting for this would be between low and medium, maybe medium if your electric stove is one that "clicks" onto each number between 1 - 6 instead of allowing you to position the dial between numbers. On gas, try keeping the heat slightly above the lowest setting. I've always found that the lowest setting does not maintain pressure and medium heat is the highest heat that you will need on electric ceramic glass cooktops. I've not tried induction cooktops, which are meant to be the fastest of all electric stoves. Has anyone tried using a pressure cooker on an induction stove?
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
komondor		#10	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 21 Jan 12 12 6:40 AM	I use mine on my induction cooktop only problem I have is stuff sticking on the bottom of the pot I think 7 or 7 1/2 is as high as I can go between 2 and 3 to mintain pressure 2 for thin liquids and 3 for when I made some awesome chili
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
PCuser		#11	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 86 Jan 12 12 7:08 AM	komondor wrote: I use mine on my induction cooktop only problem I have is stuff sticking on the bottom of the pot I think 7 or 7 1/2 is as high as I can go between 2 and 3 to mintain pressure 2 for thin liquids and 3 for when I made some awesome chili The problem is that every electric stove is different. The secret is to keep the pressure cooker fully pressurised throughout cooking time by finding and using the right setting on your stove every time - regardless of what is being cooked. Have you done the "test drive"?: http://missvickie.com/workshop/testdrive.html Having the heat too high increases energy costs and shortens the life of the gasket and other rubber parts - it does not cook the food faster and does not make a non-15 psi pressure cooker work as quick as a 15 psi one. Keep the heat above the lowest setting but below the medium setting.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
hippressurecooking		#12	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 72 Apr 13 12 11:17 PM	A reader pointed me to this topic because she was having problems understanding when her Fagor reaches pressure and I wanted to share with all of you what I shared with her: The Fagor pressure signal is prone to "false positives". It will pop up when pressure isn't fully achieved and if you turn the heat down at that point the food is not really being cooked at full pressure. There is an easy way to check if the the pan has REALLY reached pressure, and that is to touch the little yellow signal. If it falls down or has any give, it has not reached full pressure. If it is firm, then full pressure has been achieved and you can turn down the heat and begin counting the pressure cooking time. This is a much safer way to detect when full pressure is reached rather than waiting for the secondary safety valve to kick-in and indicate that the cooker has reached over-pressure (especially when pressure cooking delicate veggies and custards). I hope this extra bit of information helps! Ciao, L
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
PCuser		#13	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 86 May 27 12 4:54 PM	I have to disagree with the previous comment post. Once steam starts escaping from the click-dial, the user lowers the heat AND THEN starts timing. The click-dial is NOT an over-pressure device, it is a pressure regulator which REGULATES the pressure by allowing the steam to escape in order to prevent the pressure rising any higher than it should. Basically it works in the same way as a pressure relief valve. A "gentle and steady" flow of steam is maintained throughout the cooking time. If the steam flow is too loud and forceful, the heat is set too high, but if the steam stops, the heat is set too low. Keep the heat at medium - or between low and medium, whichever setting keeps the steam flow "gentle and steady" during cooking. Electric stoves take longer to cool down when the heat is lowered, so the steam flow is stronger for the first few minutes. Delicate foods should be timed carefully with a kitchen timer and the cold water release method used immediately after the cooking time is up, making sure the water does not trickle into the dial or into the gaps either side of the top handle. This can be avoided if the pressure cooker is tilted slightly to direct the water away from these areas and if the running water is not too fast. The user could get a nasty scald if they press down onto the yellow pop-up with their fingers! It can be pressed down with a metal spoon. If the user starts timing when the steam is flowing from the dial they don't need to press down on the yellow pop up.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
hippressurecooking		#14	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 72 Jun 1 12 2:23 AM	Hi Everyone, in response to the original person who directed me here, Fagor put up a video to show their pressure cooker reaches pressure to remove most of the confusion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da7IeaFHfmE (it starts at minute 5 - but enjoy the whole video if you like!) Refer to my review for more details on the safety systems in the Fagor Futuro I mentioned above: http://www.hippressurecoo...iew-fagor-futuro-38.html Ciao, L Edited 1 time by hippressurecooking Jun 1 12 2:30 AM.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
Love PC Cooking		#15	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 1 Jun 30 12 5:05 PM	I’m tempted to return my Fagor so I came online to see what others were sharing. I had a 4 qt Presto for years and wanted an 8 qt unit. I researched all brands online and Fagor was rated high but I’m so frustrated with its performance. I use my PC once or twice a week but the pressure isn’t consistent. This is the issue. The yellow button pops up but if I hit it gently with a spoon handle it has no resistance. Even 15 minutes into the cooking cycle the button has no resistance. When this happens, I remove the lid and restart over and over again until I finally get pressure. Often the steam escapes during this process and I have to add more liquid to keep it from evaporating all the way. One time all the liquid “steamed” out and the yellow button fell when there was still 4 minutes left of cooking time. I am definitely using enough liquid. I emailed Fagor but have never received a response. The additional problem is some recipes call for letting the pressure come down of its own accord. That’s impossible because when I remove the PC from the burner the yellow button comes down immediately. Any thoughts? Is it defective? Thanks for your comments!!
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
PCuser		#16	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 86 Jul 3 12 6:39 AM	Is the cooker properly sealed? Is there steam escaping from somewhere else on the lid during the cooking time? Sometimes you might see a tiny bit of steam and water escape from the top lid handle, but you shouldn't see it all the time. The steam flow should be flowing "gentle and steady" from the click-dial throughout the cooking time under pressure. Have you kept the steam vent clean of food debris? Check the gasket is fitted properly and apply a very thin film of cooking oil over it once in a while. Clean the gasket thoroughly after every use, otherwise the oil makes the gasket smell bad. Check the screws on the handles and lid are tight, but don't over-tighten them too much as you could crack the plastic parts. Also make sure the heat is maintained at the right level throughout the cooking time; if the heat is too high the liquid will evaporate too quickly and this will increase your energy bill, as well as causing the yellow pop-up to drop as a result of boiling dry. This could also warp the pan. Finally, if you pre-fry any ingredients, allow the pan to cool for a few minutes before adding the liquid, otherwise some of it will evaporate the moment it gets poured into the hot pressure cooker and you won't have enough liquid left for the cooking time. Hope that helps. Please let us know if this solves the problems.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
Felafelboy		#17	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 47 Feb 10 13 5:04 PM	I had assumed like "ozgal" that if the yellow indicator was in the "up" position" that the cooker had reached full pressure. Even though I lowered the electric stove setting to "low" (the setting closest to the "off" button), the yellow indicator stayed up during cooking. I thought it amazing that the cooker cooked so "quietly!" Now, it seems that it may be cooking under 15 PSI. I had thought if it wasn't cooking at that pressure that the indicator would drop. When I am cooking for awhile, it sometimes takes 10 minutes for the indicator to drop using the natural release method which led me to believe that sufficient pressure had been built up. I also thought that if I could hear steam and see some steam coming out from the cover and the dial, that I needed to lower the heat setting. With this new information, my beans should cook faster. I will also use the "hippressurecooking" tip of pressing down on the indicator to "test" the pressure. I think that Fagor customer service may be only responding to inquiries it deems "urgent." I have had occassions where I have talked with very knowledgeable and helpful folks there. Othertimes, the experience has been less than satisfactory, to put it politely.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote
PCuser		#18	[url]	[-]
Registered User Posts: 86 Feb 21 13 7:42 AM	Remove this ad The yellow indicator only indicates that there's pressure inside the pan. It does not show how much pressure is in the pan. Always start timing your recipe when the steam escapes from the dial and lower the heat on the stove to maintain a gentle and continuous flow of steam.
Interact My Recent Posts	Reply Quote

<< Previous Topic Next Topic >>

Yuku free message boards

HOW-TO OPERATE FAGOR PRESSURE COOKERS

HOW-TO OPERATE FAGOR PRESSURE COOKERS