Cleaning an Electric Pressure Cooker

[sudsy]

I have a Farberware 4 quart electric pressure cooker model FPC 400. It has not been used much but the last 2 times I have used it the red pressure safety valve has not popped up using the high pressure mode. I am wondering if I need to add a cup or 2 of water or some other type of liquid to what I am cooking in addition to my recipes regular ingredients or do I need to clean my pressure release valve, as far as I know my lid seal is still good. When I turn it on I can hear the food cooking and the timer counts down but it never builds enough pressure to pop the red safety valve up. If I do need to clean the release valve is the lid immersable in water or do I need to get some wire pipe cleaners to clean the pressure valve release assembly?

Any advise or help would be appreciated. Or should I look into getting a new electric pressure cooker or some type of Instapot?

 

[johnrk]

The First Thing You Need To Do

is read the owner's manual. If you don't have it I'm sure it's available on the web, probably for download. I owned a Farberware electric pc but it was in the late 80's. I have no idea what they do now.

For the I-Pot, for example, I clean the silicone gasket after each use. I take the weighted pressure/release knob off and rinse it off. I take off the protective cover for the locking plunger to prevent it from getting dirty. I make certain the release port is not blocked with any food. All this takes about 2 minutes, but your cooker may have an entirely different protocol. You want to clean your gasket after each use regardless.

Your owner's manual will answer your questions. You have to have adequate liquid for pressure cooking, for it works by superheated steam. Again, I have no idea what recipes you're referring to. Your owner's manual or some of the fine pc videos on YouTube should be able to help you.

Good luck!