A healthy, as well as both a time-saving and energy-saving option, pressure cookers are becoming increasingly popular as a must-have kitchen accessory and a viable alternative to the traditional cooker. However, mistakes happen and food can be left in the cooker too long. Doubts about how to clean a burnt pressure cooker may put some people off purchasing one. However, you can follow these tips on how to clean a pressure cooker to avoid unnecessary worry and hassle.
You will need:
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How to clean a pressure cooker
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1
Fill with warm water and washing up liquid, leave to soak for up to two hours
Immediately after use, fill the pressure cooker with warm water, add a small amount of washing up liquid, and allow it to soak for an hour or two. This should prevent any cooked food from becoming embedded.
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2
Wash with hot water, a cloth and washing up liquid
Then, wash the pressure cooker by running it under hot water and using a cloth or a sponge to apply some washing up liquid.
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3
Rinse and then dry with a dishcloth
Rinse the cooker and dry it, using a dishcloth, to ensure that no excess water is left that could cause water stains.
A standard oven cleaner can also be used, but consult your cooker’s manual first and follow the instructions on the label of the product.
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How to clean a burnt pressure cooker
Immediate and careful care should ensure a clean pressure cooker. However, with the best will in the world, sometimes food will still manage to burn and stain the cooker. The following solution is recommended to clean a burnt pressure cooker.
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1
Boil water, cream of tartar and lemon juice
Boil a solution of one litre of water with 2-3 tablespoons of cream of tartar (which can be found in the spices section of the supermarket), and the same amount of lemon juice.
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2
Pour into the pressure cooker and leave to stand
Pour the solution into the pressure cooker. Leave it to stand for a quarter of an hour or so.
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3
Scrub with a sponge or cloth
The scrub clean using a sponge, or cloth. Alternatively for a little more friction, use a plastic scouring pad rather than a metal one to avoid damaging the surface.
For more intensive cleaning, the cream of tartar solution can be brought to the boil in the cooker, before being poured out and scrubbed clean.
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How to clean an aluminium pressure cooker
A solution of water and white vinegar left to soak in the cooker overnight can also help to remove grime.
However, when determining how to clean an aluminium pressure cooker, be aware that repeated and excessive use of vinegar can cause nasty staining to the metal, so exercise care and restraint when using this method, ensuring that the vinegar is well rinsed out after cleaning. It’s also a good idea to test a small amount of the vinegar solution on an inconspicuous area of your appliance first to check there is no adverse reaction.
Alternatively, a baking soda solution or paste can be used. Leave it to stand in the cooker for several hours then, use a sponge, cloth, or plastic scourer to scrub it clean.
Pressure cooker rubber gasket care and other parts maintenance
It is recommended to remove the gasket and the valve (follow the instructions that come with the cooker) and to wash them in the same manner as above, but separately, to ensure that no hidden grime becomes stuck, hindering future use.
With these tips, you should have no problem cleaning your pressure cooker, and can continue to cook up delicious and healthy meals in no time!
