Presto 01241 Instruction Manual
Pressure Cookers
Stock Numbers:
01241 (4-qt. aluminum)
01264 (6-qt. aluminum)
01282 (8-qt. aluminum)
01341 (4-qt. stainless steel)
01362 (6-qt. stainless steel)
The stock number is the first five digits of
the model number.
2009 by National Presto Industries, Inc.
Visit us on the web at
www.GoPresto.com
Instructions and Recipes
This is a Listed appliance. The following Important Safeguards are
recommended by most portable appliance manufacturers.
IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS
To reduce the risk of personal injury or property damage, basic safety
precautions should always be followed, including the following:
1. Read all instructions.
2. Be sure that handles are assembled and fastened properly before using
this appliance (see pages 4 and 5). Cracked, broken or charred handles
should be replaced.
3. Always check the vent pipe before use. Hold cover up to light and look
through vent pipe to be certain it is clear.
4. Always check the air vent/cover lock to be sure it moves freely before
use.
5. Do not fill pressure cooker over
and peas which expand during cooking, do not fill cooker over
Overfilling may cause a risk of clogging the vent pipe and developing
excess pressure. See food preparation instructions.
6. Do not pressure cook applesauce, cranberries, rhubarb, cereals, pastas,
dried soup mixes, or any dry beans and peas which are not listed on the
chart on page 54. These foods tend to foam, froth, and sputter and may
block the vent pipe, overpressure plug, and air vent/cover lock.
7. This appliance cooks under pressure. Improper use may result in
scalding injury. Make certain pressure cooker is properly closed before
operating; cover handle must be directly above the body handle. See
“How To Use Instructions.”
8. Do not place the pressure cooker or attempt to pressure cook in a heated
oven.
9. Extreme caution must be used when moving a pressure cooker
containing hot liquids. Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles or knobs.
10. Do not open pressure cooker until the unit has cooled and all internal
pressure has been released, air vent/cover lock has dropped, and no
steam escapes when the pressure regulator is removed. If the handles are
difficult to push apart, this indicates that the cooker is still pressurized –
do not force it open. Any pressure in the cooker can be hazardous. See
“How To Use Instructions.”
11. Caution: To ensure safe operation and satisfactory performance,
replace the overpressure plug every time you replace the sealing ring
or sooner if it becomes hard, deformed, cracked, worn, or pitted. It is
recommended that the sealing ring and overpressure plug be replaced at
least every two years.
2
⁄3 full. For soup, grains, and dry beans
1
⁄2 full.
12. Close supervision is necessary when the pressure cooker is used near
children. It is not recommended that children use the pressure cooker.
13. When normal operating pressure is reached, the pressure regulator
will begin to rock. Gradually lower the heat to maintain a slow, steady
rocking motion. If the pressure regulator is allowed to rock vigorously
excess steam will escape, liquid will be evaporated, and food may
scorch.
14. Caution: Do not use pressure cooker on an outdoor LP gas burner or gas
range over 12,000 BTU’s.
15. Do not use this pressure cooker for other than intended use.
16. Do not use this pressure cooker for pressure frying with oil.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
THIS PRODUCT IS FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY.
IntroductIon
Pressure Cooker
Instructions and Recipes
table of contents
Important Safeguards .................. Inside front cover
Introduction ...................................... 3
Handle Installation ................................. 4
Getting Acquainted................................. 6
How to Use ...................................... 8
Important Safety Information ......................... 12
Cleaning ......................................... 15
Care and Maintenance .............................. 17
Helpful Hints ..................................... 19
Questions and Answers.............................. 21
Soups and Stocks .................................. 24
Seafood .......................................... 29
Poultry .......................................... 33
Meats ........................................... 39
Vegetables ....................................... 46
Dry Beans and Peas ................................ 53
Grains .......................................... 56
Desserts ......................................... 60
Recipe Index...................................... 64
Service and Parts Information ........................ 65
Warranty .................................Back cover
Welcome to the world of pressure cooking. With your new
Presto
prepare a wide variety of delicious foods—especially foods that
emphasize good health and nutrition along with good taste.
The pressure cooker is perfect for the way we live and eat today.
It’s ideal for preparing many of the lighter foods that help keep
us healthy and fit. It preserves flavors and nutrients, tenderizes
meat and, best of all, it cooks foods three to ten times faster than
ordinary cooking methods. And, it’s even possible to cook several
foods in the pressure cooker at the same time without the flavors
intermingling.
We have included recipes for some traditional family favorites
that are especially well suited to the many advantages of pressure
cooking. For your convenience, we have also provided nutritional
information for all of the recipes in this book.
To help get started with your new pressure cooker, be sure to read
the “
Pressure Cooker, you’ll discover how fast and easy it is to
GETTING ACQUAINTED
” section beginning on page 6.
3
handle InstallatIon
Tools Required: Phillips type screwdriver
NOTE: The pressure cooker handles can be found inside the
pressure cooker body in individual plastic bags.
To Attach Helper Handle to Cooker Body
(Does not apply to 4-quart pressure cooker, stock number 01241.)
1. Place pressure cooker body upside down on table or counter
(Fig. A).
2. Locate bag containing short helper handle. Take out handle
and remove tape on handle which is holding screw in place.
Remove screw from handle and set aside.
3. Position helper handle, with indented side facing up, onto
threaded post under fill lines (Fig. A). Insert screw into helper
handle hole and using a Phillips type screwdriver fasten
handle securely to post. When properly installed, handle
should appear level with table or counter as shown in Fig. A.
Caution: Overtightening can result in stripping of screws or
cracking of handles.
Fig. A
Model number and
date code
Screw
Body Handle
Post
To Attach Body Handle to Cooker Body
1. Locate bag containing long body handle. This is the handle
that has one screw hole. Take out handle and remove tape on
handle which is holding screw in place. Remove screw from
handle and set aside.
4
Pressure
Cooker Body
Fill lines
Indented
Side
Post
Helper Handle
(Does not apply to stock no. 01241)
Screw
2. For easier handle installation, position cooker body so the
threaded post extends over edge of counter slightly.
3. Position long body handle, with facing down, onto threaded
post which is under model number and date code (Fig. A).
4. Insert screw into handle hole and using a Phillips type screwdriver fasten handle securely to post. Caution: Overtightening
can result in stripping of screws or cracking of handles.
To Attach Cover Handle to Cooker Cover
1. Locate bag containing cover handle. This handle has three
holes, two of which contain screws. Take out handle and remove tape on handle which is holding the two screws in place.
Remove screws from handle and set aside.
2. Place pressure cooker cover upside down on table or counter
as shown in Fig. B, so vent pipe bottom faces you.
3. Fit cover handle, with the indented side facing up, onto cover
handle mount so the air vent cover lock stem fits through the
center hole of the cover handle (Fig. B).
4. Insert the screws into the two holes on both sides of the center
hole. Using a Phillips type screwdriver fasten cover handle
securely to cover handle mount. Caution: Overtightening can
result in stripping of screws or cracking of handles.
Note: As noted in step 4 on page 9, the cooker is completely
closed when the cover handle is directly above the body
handle. After placing cover on cooker body, check positioning
of handles.
When properly installed
the body
handle and
cover handle
will line up
Air Vent/Cover
Lock Stem
Vent Pipe
Bottom
Cover Handle Mount
Center Hole
Screw
Cover Handle
(indented side)
with each
other without
interference.
Fig. B
Screw
5
GettInG acquaInted
Before the first use, remove the sealing ring (Fig. D) by simply
pulling it out of the inside rim of the cover.
Your pressure cooker is like a saucepan with a very special cover
that locks in place. Air is automatically exhausted and steam is
sealed inside creating pressure within the unit. Under pressure,
internal temperatures in the cooker are raised above the normal
boiling point of water, causing foods to cook faster. At 15 pounds
of pressure, a temperature of 250° F. (or 121° C.) is reached inside
the pressure cooker. These higher temperatures speed cooking,
and the moist steam atmosphere tenderizes meats naturally.
It is important to become familiar with the various parts of the
pressure cooker (Fig. C) and to read the “HOW TO USE” section
beginning on page 8 before using the unit for the first time.
Overpressure Plug
Sealing
Ring
Helper
Handle
(Does not apply
to stock no.
01241)
Body
Pressure Regulator
Vent Pipe
Air Vent /Cover Lock
Cover Handle
Body Handle
Cover
Wash sealing ring, cover, body, and cooking rack (Fig. C) in hot,
sudsy water to remove any packaging material and white manufacturing lubricant. Rinse all parts with warm water and dry.
Then, replace the sealing ring, being careful to fit it under the stop
tabs and the lock pin (Fig. D) which are located on the inside rim
of the cover.
Fig. D
Stop Tab
Lock pin
Sealing Ring
Fig. C
Cooking rack
6
Stop Tab
7
how to use
To assure the very best results every time, carefully follow these
step-by-step instructions for pressure cooking. You may find it
helpful to refer back to Fig. C on page 6.
1. Prepare ingredients according to the directions in the pressure
cooking recipe you have selected. Recipes in this book were
developed for use in a 4-quart pressure cooker. If you have a
6-quart pressure cooker, you may increase the ingredients by
1
⁄2. If you have an 8-quart pressure cooker, you may double
the ingredients. Be sure not to overfill the pressure cooker (see
page 12 for guidance on filling).
Pour liquid into the cooker body, as specified in the recipe or
timetable. This liquid is usually water. However, some recipes
will call for other liquids, such as wine.
2. Place the cooking rack into the
cooker, if called for in the recipe
(see Helpful Hints on page 19 for
guidance on when to use).
3. IMPORTANT: Look through
the vent pipe to make certain that
it is clear (Fig. E) before placing
cover on cooker body.
See safety information
on page 13.
Holding the body han-
Aluminum Cookers
V Mark
dle with your left hand
and the cover handle
with your right hand,
align the V (or ) mark
Mark
Fig. F
on the cover with the
Vent
Pipe
Stainless Steel
Cookers
Mark
Fig. E
mark on the body handle and place the cover on the cooker
body (Fig.
F). Aluminum cookers have a V mark on the cover
and stainless steel cookers have a mark on the cover.
4. After placing the cover on the cooker body, place one hand
on the cover opposite the body handle and apply a slight
downward pressure. Place the
thumb of your other hand on
the side of the body handle
and wrap your fingers around
the cover handle (Fig. G).
Then rotate the cover clockwise until the cover handle
lines up with the body handle.
Fig. G
The pressure cooker is completely closed when the cover
handle is directly above the
body handle (Fig. H).
5. Place the pressure regulator on the vent pipe (Fig. I).
The pressure regulator will
Fig. H
fit loosely on the vent pipe. It
will not touch the top of the
pressure cooker cover.
6. Using a high heat setting on
your stove, heat the pressure
cooker until the pressure regulator attains a gentle rocking
motion.
Fig. I
NOTE: The air vent/cover lock may move up and down a few
times when cooking first begins as it automatically exhausts
air from the pressure cooker. Steam will be noticeable. This
is normal. When pressure begins to build, it slides up, lock-
8
9
ing the cover on.
Once the cooker
has sealed, the air
vent/cover lock
will remain in
the up position
until pressure is
released (Fig. J).
Air Vent/Cover
Lock in UP Position.
Pressure in Unit.
Air Vent/Cover Lock
in DOWN Position.
No Pressure in Unit.
Fig. J
accord,” set the pressure cooker aside to cool until pressure is
completely reduced. If the instructions state, “Cool cooker at
once,” cool the pressure cooker under a running water faucet
(Fig. K) or pour cold water over it, or place it in a pan of cold
water (Fig. L) until pressure is completely reduced. Note: Do
not set hot cooker in a molded sink as it could damage the
sink. Pressure is completely reduced when the air vent/cover
lock has dropped.
7. Cooking time begins when the pressure regulator begins to
rock gently. Gradually lower the heat as necessary to maintain
a slow, steady rocking motion and cook for the length of time
indicated in the recipe or timetable. If the pressure regulator is
allowed to rock vigorously, excess steam will escape. Therefore, too much liquid will evaporate and food may scorch.
Never leave your pressure cooker unattended at high heat
settings. It could boil dry, overheat, and cause damage to the
pressure cooker.
8. When cooking time is complete, turn off burner. If using an
electric stove, remove pressure cooker from burner. Caution:
Lift pressure cooker to remove it from burner. Sliding
cookware can leave scratches on stovetops.
9. Reduce pressure according to the recipe or timetable instructions. If the instructions say “Let the pressure drop of its own
If the air vent/cover lock remains in its raised position, there is
still pressure inside the pressure cooker. Continue to cool until
the air vent/cover lock drops.
10. After pressure has been completely reduced, remove the pres-
sure regulator. Always remove the pressure regulator before
opening the cover.
11. To open the cover, turn it counterclockwise until the V (or )
mark on the cover aligns with the mark on the body handle.
Then, lift the cover toward you to keep any steam away from
you. If the cover turns hard, there still may be some pressure
in the unit. Do not force the cover off. Continue to cool the
pressure cooker until steam no longer is escaping from the
vent pipe, the air vent/cover lock has dropped, and the cover
turns easily.
12. Food is ready to serve.
Fig. K Fig. L
10
11
Important safety
InformatIon
Reminder: When cooking any food, do not let any portion
extend above the maximum fill mark. When cooking rice,
grains, dry beans and peas, soups, and stews, the cooker
1
should never be more than
⁄2 full.
Cooking under pressure enables you to prepare food both quickly
and deliciously. If used properly, your pressure cooker is one of
the safest appliances in your kitchen. To ensure safe operation,
make sure you always observe the following simple rules whenever you use the pressure cooker:
Never overfill the pressure cooker. — The pressure regula-
1.
tor is designed to maintain cooking pressure at a safe level.
It relieves excess pressure through the vent pipe as it rocks
back and forth. Many foods tend to expand when cooked. If
the cooker is overfilled, expansion of food may cause the vent
pipe to become blocked or clogged. If the vent pipe becomes
blocked, it cannot relieve excess pressure.
2
Do not fill the cooker above the
foods. When cooking foods that foam, froth, or expand,
⁄3 fill line when cooking most
such
as rice, grains, dry beans and peas, or foods that are mostly
liquid, such as soups, never fill the cooker above the
line.
For your convenience, both
2
⁄3 and 1⁄2 full levels are
the
marked by indentations
on the side of the pressure
2
⁄3 fill line
1
⁄2 fill line
1
⁄2 fill
cooker body (Fig. M). The
upper marking indicates the
2
⁄3 full level and the lower
1
⁄2 full level. In addition,
the
Fig. M
in each section of the recipes you will find instructions on the
maximum fill level for each type of food.
2. Always add cooking liquid. — If an empty pressure cooker
is left on a hot burner or if a cooker boils dry and is left on a
heated burner, the cooker will overheat excessively causing
possible discoloration and/or damage to the cooker.
3. Always look through the vent pipe before using the cooker
to make sure it is clear. — If the vent pipe is blocked, it
cannot function as it should and thus cannot relieve excess
pressure. Pressure may then build to unsafe levels. To clean
the vent pipe, see page 15.
4. Always fully close the pressure cooker. — The cooker is
fully closed when the cover handle is directly above the body
handle. Your pressure cooker has specially designed lugs on
the cover and body which lock the cover in place when the
cooker is fully closed. However, if the cooker is not fully
closed, the lugs cannot lock the cover onto the body. It’s possible that pressure could build inside the cooker and cause
the cover to come off and result in bodily injury or property
damage. Always be sure the cover handle is directly above
the body handle (see page 9, Fig. H). Do not turn past handle
alignment.
5. Never open the cooker when it contains pressure. — The
air vent /cover lock provides a visual indication of pressure
inside the cooker. When it is up, there is pressure. When it is
down, there is no pressure in the cooker and it can be opened.
If the pressure cooker is opened before all of the pressure is
released, the contents of the cooker will erupt and could cause
bodily injury or property damage.
12
13
6. Replace the overpressure plug if it is hard, deformed,
cracked, worn or pitted, or when replacing the sealing
ring. Replace the sealing ring if it becomes hard,
deformed, cracked, worn, pitted, or soft and sticky. — The
overpressure plug is a secondary pressure relief valve which
is designed to relieve excess pressure by releasing from the
cooker cover in the event that the vent pipe becomes blocked.
The overpressure plug is made of rubber, and when new, is
soft and pliable. Over time, depending on the frequency and
type of use, rubber becomes hard and inflexible. When hard
and inflexible, the overpressure plug loses its ability to act
as a secondary pressure relief valve. It should be replaced
immediately.
Should the overpressure plug ever be forced out of the cover
due to excess pressure while cooking, it is important to call
the Test Kitchen at 1-800-368-2194. Do not attempt to use
the released overpressure plug.
7. Always follow special procedures found in the instruction
book when pressure cooking rice, grains, and dry beans
and peas. — During cooking, dry beans and peas tend to froth
and foam which could cause the vent pipe to become blocked.
Therefore, dry beans and peas need to be soaked and cooked
according to instructions beginning on page 53. Using this
method will keep foam at safe levels during cooking. Like dry
beans and peas, rice and grains tend to froth and foam during
cooking; therefore, to contain foaming and frothing during the
cooking period, rice and grains must be prepared in a bowl in
the pressure cooker according to directions on page 56.
8. Never pressure cook applesauce, cranberries, rhubarb,
cereals, pastas, dried soup mixes, or dry beans and peas
which are not listed in the chart on page 54. — These foods
expand so much as a result of foaming and frothing that they
should never be cooked under pressure.
cleanInG
1. All parts of your pressure cooker, including the sealing ring
and pressure regulator, are fully immersible for easy cleaning. When washing the unit, however, the sealing ring should
always be removed to allow easy cleaning of the inside rim of
the cover. The sealing ring should be washed with hot, sudsy
water after each use.
2. To be sure the vent
pipe is clear, hold
the cover up to
the light and look
through the vent
Cover Handle
Hole
pipe. Clean it with
a small brush or
pipe cleaner if it is
blocked or partially blocked (Fig. N). Also clean the vent pipe
nut as shown.
3. Occasional l y remove the air vent/cover lock in the pressure cooker cover handle for cleaning. To remove the air vent/
cover lock, place your finger over the hole in the cover handle
(Fig. N) and remove the white rubber gasket from the air vent/
cover lock on the underside of the cover (Fig. O). Push the air
vent/cover lock through the top of the cover and wash it and
the gasket in hot, sudsy water.
The metal shaft of the air vent/
Rubber Gasket
cover lock may be cleaned
with a nylon mesh pad. Clean
the hole in the cover handle
with a small brush. After cleaning, reinsert the metal shaft of
the air vent/cover lock from
Fig. O
the top side of the cover down
Fig. N
14
15
through the cover handle hole
(Fig. P). Place a finger over the
handle hole (to keep the cover
lock from falling out) and turn
Cover
Handle
Hole
Metal
Shaft
the cover over. Wet the rubber
gasket and push onto the end of
the metal shaft until it snaps into
Fig. P
the groove on the shaft.
4. The overpressure plug can also be removed for cleaning by
pushing it out of its opening from the top of the cover. After
cleaning, reinsert it by pushing the domed side of the plug into
the opening from the underside
of the cover, until the bottom
edge is fully and evenly seated
Overpressure Plug
against the underside of the cover
(Fig. Q). When the overpressure
plug is properly installed, the
word (TOP) will be visible on the
Indented Portion
overpressure plug when viewing
Fig. Q
the outside of the cover.
Special Cleaning Instructions for Aluminum Cookers:
1. Iron and other minerals in water and foods may darken the
inside of your aluminum cooker. This discoloration will not
affect the food cooked in the unit. These stains can be removed by using a solution of water and cream of tartar. Use a
tablespoon of cream of tartar for each quart of water and pour
enough solution into the cooker to cover the discoloration
2
(do not fill over
⁄3 full). Close the cover securely, place the
pressure regulator on the vent pipe, and heat until the pressure
regulator rocks gently. Remove the cooker from the heat and
allow it to stand for two to three hours. Remove the pressure
regulator and discard the contents. Scour thoroughly with a
soap impregnated steel wool pad; wash, rinse, and dry.
16
2. The outside surface of aluminum pressure cookers may be
cleaned with a good silver polish if necessary. Staining may
result if the cooker is washed in the dishwasher. If food residue adheres to the pressure cooker body, clean with a nylon
mesh pad, a fine steel wool pad, or a fine kitchen cleanser.
Special Cleaning Instructions for Stainless Steel Cookers:
1. If food residue adheres to the pressure cooker body, clean
with a stainless steel scouring pad, a nylon mesh pad, or a
non-abrasive powder cleanser, such as Bon ami* polishing
cleanser or Cameo* copper, brass & porcelain cleaner. Do not
use steel wool or cleaners with chlorine bleach.
Your stainless steel pressure cooker may also be washed in
an automatic dishwasher. When washing in a dishwasher, you
must first remove the sealing ring and overpressure plug from
the cover as these parts must be hand washed.
2. To bring out its luster, the outside surface of your stainless
steel pressure cooker can be cleaned occasionally with a silver
polish or any other fine, non-abrasive polish.
Take care not to overheat your stainless steel pressure cooker.
Very high heat can sometimes cause vari-colored stains, called
heat tints, in stainless steel. Heat tints can usually be removed
by using a non-abrasive powder cleanser.
care and maIntenance
1. When not in use, store your pressure cooker in a dry place
with the cover inverted on the body. If the cover is locked on,
unpleasant odors may form inside the unit and the sealing ring
could be damaged.
2.
As is the case of all cookware, avoid chopping or cutting food
inside the cooker with a knife or other sharp utensil.
*Bon ami polishing cleanser is a registered trademark of Faultless Starch/Bon Ami Co.
Cameo copper, brass & porcelain cleaner is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
17
3. If the body or cover handles become loose, tighten them with
a screwdriver. CAUTION: Overtightening can result in stripping of screws or cracking of handles and legs.
4. Do not strike the rim of the pressure cooker with any cooking
utensil because this could cause nicks in the rim which may
allow steam to escape and prevent the pressure cooker from
sealing.
5. The sealing ring, overpressure plug, and rubber gasket of
the air vent/cover lock may shrink, become hard, deformed,
cracked, worn, or pitted with normal use. Exposure to high
heat, such as a warm burner or oven top, will cause these parts
to deteriorate rapidly. When this happens, replace the sealing ring, overpressure plug, and small rubber gasket of the
air vent/cover lock. Replace the sealing ring and overpressure
plug at least every two years.
Leakage between the cover and body is usually caused by
shrinkage of the sealing ring after prolonged use. Replace the
sealing ring. Whenever you replace the sealing ring, replace
the overpressure plug also.
6. Each time you clean or use your pressure cooker, check to be
sure the bottom has not been damaged. Nicks and scratches
may leave sharp edges that can damage ceramic stovetops or
other smooth surfaces. Lift pressure cooker to remove it from
burner. Sliding cookware could leave scratches on stovetops.
7. The formation of a small amount of moisture under the pressure regulator is normal when cooking first begins. It is the
result of the temperature of the regulator being lower than the
rest of the unit.
A small amount of steam or moisture may also be visible
around the overpressure plug and air vent/cover lock as cooking begins. It should stop when pressure begins to build and
the overpressure plug and air vent/cover lock seal. If leakage
continues, clean or replace the overpressure plug and/or air
18
vent/cover lock assembly. The pressure cooker will not seal if
the gasket for the air vent/cover lock is cracked.
Do not operate your pressure cooker with continual leak-
age. If the preceding steps do not correct the problem, return
the entire unit to the Presto Factory Service Department (see
page 65).
8. If for any reason the pressure cooker cannot be opened, contact the Consumer Service Department in Eau Claire, WI at
1-800-877-0441.
Any maintenance required for this product, other than normal
household care and cleaning, should be performed by the
Presto Factory Service Department (see page 65).
helpful hInts
Your favorite recipes may be adjusted for cooking in the
pressure cooker by following the general directions in this
book for the particular type of food being cooked. Decrease
the cooking time for your recipe by
is much faster than ordinary cooking methods. For example,
if your ordinary cooking method requires 45 minutes, in the
pressure cooker the cooking time will be 15 minutes. Because there is very little evaporation, the amount of liquid
used should be decreased. Use about ½ cup more liquid than
you’ll desire in your finished dish. But, remember, there must
always be water or some other liquid in the pressure cooker to
produce the necessary steam.
Use the cooking rack when it is desirable to cook foods out of
the cooking liquid. When foods are pressure cooked out of the
liquid, flavors will not intermingle. Therefore, it is possible
to cook several foods at once, as long as they have similar
cooking times. If it is desirable to blend flavors, do not use the
cooking rack.
19
2
⁄3 since pressure cooking
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