Pressure cooker maintenance should be at the forefront of your mind after every single use. While they may look sturdy and come with years of warranty, keeping pressure cooker parts clean is the only way you’ll get full use out of your appliance while also being safe.
There are many little parts to a pressure cooker and unfortunately, these are the ones that will keep your one pot cooking appliance working properly. Here are 4 pressure cooker maintenance tips that will help you keep your cooker in tip top shape for the foreseeable future.
Keep Your Pressure Cooker Gasket Clean At All Times
As with any appliance, you must clean your pressure cooker after every use. But, one of the most important parts is the gasket.
The pressure cooker gasket is the rubber ring that runs around the rim of the lid and stops the heat and steam from leaving the pot during the cooking process.
Because of the oil and dust that can accumulate on it, it is likely to get looser with time. To make sure your pressure cooker gasket is in good condition, check it regularly for any cracks or damage.
You can add vegetable oil to the gasket to make it last longer, just don’t substitute this for chemical oils as it may melt it over time.
Unclog Your Vent Pipe After Every Use
The vent is the part through which the pressure cooker releases the buildup of steam inside your appliance. It is likely to get blocked because of food. If you don’t clean it, you’ll not only damage your pressure cooker, but also end up with subpar quality meals with less nutrients.
Try and avoid using water to clean your vent pipe. Instead, blow into it and then lubricate it with some vegetable oil as you would your gasket.
Avoid Harsh Cleaning Agents
Many modern pressure cookers are dishwasher friendly, but that doesn't stop food from getting stuck to your pot once and a while.
Avoid using harsh chlorine or benzene-based cleaning agents and use water and white vinegar instead.
To clean your pot, bring a water and vinegar mixture to the boil inside and then turn it off. Add a tablespoon of baking powder, and let it soak before applying some elbow grease to the equation.
When cleaning your pressure cooker, be careful not to scrub too hard to avoid damaging the materials, and don’t run the mixture over rubber or electronic parts of the appliance. Also, do not forget to clean the exterior as well.
Store Your Pressure Cooker With Baking Soda
Once you have finished using and cleaning your pressure cooker, you should store it in a safe and dry place. Ideally, you would store it in an airtight box, but because some models are bigger than others that’s not always possible.
Instead, store your pressure cooker with an open box of baking powder inside it. You can also sprinkle a little baking powder inside your pressure cooker to deter any moisture or mold buildup.
Finally…
As with any appliance, cleaning your pressure cooker is key to it lasting the test of time. By following the pressure cooker maintenance advice above, you’ll save money and time on replacing parts in the future!