If you’ve never had a pressure cooker in your home before, you may not know what kind of sounds or statuses to expect from your new tool. Hissing, for example, can seem unexpected and even indicative of pressure cooker failure when you first hear it.
In reality, your pressure cooker is supposed to hiss. The noise indicates the successful release of steam from the cooking unit either at the end of its cook time or when pressure gets too high. Let’s break down the basics of your pressure cooker’s quirks so that you can confidently put your unit to use.
How do Pressure Cookers Work?
Pressure cookers work by using a combination of steam and the aforementioned pressure to raise your food to a certain temperature. The high heat of your average pressure cooker allows your food to cook faster than it might otherwise. Similarly, the seal created by the pressure cooker helps keep the flavor in your food.
To work, then, your pressure cooker needs to safely generate, trap, and eventually release the steam and pressure that cooks your food. Ideally, manufacturers will test their products and ensure that each is not only efficient but also safe to use. However, because pressure cookers generate so much pressure and heat, they can often imbalance and explode or malfunction.
If you’re not careful when using a pressure cooker, you could suffer from steam burns, contact burns, or extensive spills. Pressure cooker explosions resulting from a poorly-made product can do significant damage to both your health and your home.
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How do Pressure Cookers Trap Their Liquid?
Pressure cookers trap their liquid courtesy of an internal seal. This seal needs to bind the lid of a pressure cooker as tightly as possible to prevent steam and pressure from escaping. If you have a pressure cooker that does not seal efficiently, the meals you cook won’t turn out like they’re supposed to.
Should My Pressure Cooker’s Lid Be Hot to the Touch?
Pressure cookers use an impressive amount of heat to cook your food in a short period of time. As a result, the whole of your unit may become warm. It’s in your best interest to avoid interacting with the lid of your pressure cooker while your meal is cooking, as you could risk burning yourself.
With that in mind, only touch the steam release or protected handle of a pressure cooker once your food is done cooking. Even then, make sure you keep exposed skin away from the steam that escapes from the pressure cooker.
If you want to take a steam injury or burn injury to civil court, you’ll need to display evidence that you engaged in due diligence when operating your unit. Our team can help you elaborate on your experience should the opportunity arise.
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Why Is My Pressure Cooker Hissing?
So long as the rest of your pressure cooker’s parts are working as they should, your pressure cooker should only hiss when it’s venting pressure. There are times when the pressure inside your cooker may get too high during the cooking process. In turn, the unit will vent that pressure, resulting in a low hissing sound.
If your pressure cooker is hissing, keep your hands and exposed skin away from the steam valve and vents. The steam that your cooker is releasing has the capacity to burn you if you’re not careful.
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Do Electric Pressure Cookers Hiss?
Both stovetop and electric pressure cookers hiss when they release pressure. This sound is not indicative of anything wrong with your unit. However, you’ll want to practice due diligence if you do hear your pressure cooker making a hissing sound. By taking measures to protect your skin from steam burns, you can limit your personal injuries and enjoy a good meal.
Why Is My Pressure Cooker Bubbling?
The food inside of your pressure cooker can start to bubble or foam for several different reasons. Adding too much salt to your food, for example, can increase its starch content and make the cooking process more dynamic. Similarly, overfilling a pressure cooker can see your ingredients struggle to find the space they need to cook.
While all foaming and bubbling is cause for concern, there are only some occasions on which it indicates something at fault with your unit. If your pressure cooker’s value or opening procedures aren’t properly configured, bubbles, steam, and foam may all escape from your unit.
If you see this kind of foam cropping up on a regular basis, talk to a representative with your unit’s manufacturer. If the manufacturer tries to keep you from returning your unit or requesting a replacement, our team can step in.
What Should I do If My Pressure Cooker Doesn’t Build Up Pressure?
Your pressure cooker cooks its food by compressing heat and liquid in a confined space. If your pressure cooker isn’t able to retain that force, your food isn’t going to cook in the way that you’d like it to.
Most of the time, you can blame your pressure cooker’s lack of pressure on a failed seal. If you’re struggling to cook some of your favorite dishes, inspect that seal and determine whether or not your pressure cooker shuts effectively.
If you’ve never used your pressure cooker before, its manufacturer may allow you to return a unit with a broken seal. Anyone who’s tried to use their pressure cooker, however, may have to invest in a replacement part. Our team can go over your product warranty with you to determine what repairs your purchase may entitle you to.
When Should You Contact a Product Liability Attorney About Your Pressure Cooker?
A defective pressure cooker poses a threat to more than your evening meals. Pressure cookers that have been falsely advertised or improperly put together put your health at risk. Fortunately, you can contact a product liability attorney about a faulty pressure cooker within hours of a pressure cooker accident.
Zanes Law’s product liability lawyers know that pressure cooker accidents can result in both injuries and significant property damage. In turn, we bring together your product liability case while you focus on recovering. We’ll stand with you whether you choose to pursue settlement negotiations or compensation via trial. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
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