Pressure cookers usually have a very long life but to ensure this, you have to maintain them. The maintenance of a pressure cooker isnât a very difficult job but needs a regular cleaning. Again, cleaning your pressure cooker can be easy and quick if you do so after each use. It is very important that you thoroughly clean the pressure cooker by washing and drying the lid and the pot. It has to be ensured that no food residue or moisture should be left as that will promote corrosion. Also, an unclean pressure cooker is unhygienic to be used to prepare food. Here are the steps that you will need to follow to clean your pressure cooker.
Complexity Level: Basic
Time required:10 â 20 minutes
Estimated cost: Approximately $1 for 10 – 15 wash
Resources required:
1. Detergent or soap for washing dishes.
2. A non metal scrub or piece of rag.
3. Non-abrasive cleanser.
4. Pipe cleaner.
Instructions
1. Preparation for the cleaning
Fill the sink with warm water and the detergent. Now, open the lid of the pressure cooker. Remove the lid from the pot and then remove the
gasket. You may also want to remove the pressure regulator from its valve and any other removable part.
2. Cleaning the lid
Wash the lid of the pressure cooker with warm water with a non-metal scrub pad or a dish rag. The pressure regulator, gasket and the
rubber seal on the lid should be carefully cleaned so that no food residue remains. The sealing surface of the lid and the valve stem area are places that should be cleaned with care as bits of food tend to get stuck.
3. Washing the pot
Cleaning the pot of the pressure cooker is relatively easy. However,
cleaning of the brim will again need your attention. For washing the pot too, a non-metal scrub pad should be used.
4. Cleaning the vent pipe
For cleaning the vent pipe of the pressure cooker, you will need to use a pipe cleaner. Insert the pipe cleaner into the vent pipe on which
the pressure regulator is screwed. Pushing the pipe cleaner in and out will help in removing the dirt and food particles, thereby cleaning the vent pipe.
5. Drying and maintaining the pressure cooker
Once washed, you should dry the lid and the pot of the pressure cooker using a towel. Always store the pressure cooker with the lid upside down on the pot without the pressure regulator and the gasket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to remove stains from a pressure cooker?
The pressure cooker might get hard stains that may be difficult to remove. This is due to the several types of food that are cooked in it. A quick and easy way to remove these stains is by using onions. If the stain is too stubborn, you may use 2 or more onions. To clean the stain, you will have to add a little water in the pot of the pressure cooker and add skins of onions in it. Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to boil along with the onions for 20 to 30 minutes depending upon the intensity of the stain. Cleaning the stain after that with a non-metal scrub will give you the result. You can even use cream of tartar and ammonia to remove stubborn stains.
Quick Tips
1. Follow the cleaning instructions carefully as per the manual of the pressure cooker.
2. Using warm water for cleaning the pressure cooker is always recommended as this will help in removing the stains easily.
3. You can polish your cleaned pressure cooker with a silver polishing agent to increase its life.
Things to watch out for
1. A pressure cooker should never be washed in a dishwasher or be allowed to soak in the sink.
2. Never use abrasive detergents or cleaning agents. If the pressure cooker has stubborn stains, use a strong and non-abrasive cleaner like Bon Ami.
3. Storing the pressure cooker with the lid on will also store the aromas and flavors of the food cooked in it and thus, mold and fungus can develop as a result.
