Caring your microwave pressure

After each use, clean the microwave pressure cooker thoroughly; the pot and lid may be placed in the dishwasher but clean the red weight and the gasket in warm soapy water as placing in a dishwasher will damage these components. You may use cleaning pads for non-stick surfaces to clean the cooker if food is baked on and if the staining is more severe, use a non-abrasive cleaner and a dishcloth to clean then wash with soapy water, rinse off and dry. If you wish to restore its shine, polish lightly with vegetable oil.

Store the cooker with the lid upside down on the pot with the gasket in place so that it can retain its shape. If you store it with the lid sealed closed then air cannot circulate and it may result in odour or moisture which could lead the gasket to expand and the lid to be impossible to open.
The unit comes with three safety features, the red weight and the secondary pressure relief which are designed to release excess pressure and the safety tube. To ensure that excessive pressure does not build up, do not fill the cooker over two thirds full and keep the pressure regulator vent clean, free from debris and open.

The cooker will not work unless the lid is correctly closed due to the Safety Tube. Always ensure that it is fully locked by properly aligning the four lid and pot arrows. The tube also depressurises the unit if it is opened while there is still pressure inside.
Never operate an empty pressure cooker, use at least a quarter of a cup of liquid. If the liquid has boiled dry, do not run the cooker under cold water, let it dry by itself.

Some food items froth, foam or splutter when boiled and may consequently block the regulator vent which will cause the secondary pressure relief to release from the lid. Foods which may cause this includes lentils, apples and split-peas.

If the secondary relief is released, allow the cooker to cool down and then clean the vent being careful not to scratch or damage it. Restore the secondary pressure relief by pushing it into the lid from the underside ensuring that the wording ‘TOP’ is on the upper side of the lid. Then you can either take out some of the food, froth or water and continue cooking or avoid cooking this type of food in the future.

In the event that the red weight does not do a slight ‘hiss and rock’ action whilst cooking and the steam appears to be escaping, allow it to cool and then check the cooker and the gasket for food or foreign objects or any leakages, wear or tears.

If the cooker is dropped or damaged, discontinue use and buy replacement parts if possible.

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