The Ultimate Guide To Using Prestige Steam Cookers

The Prestige pressure cooker is a popular kitchen appliance used for efficient and nutritious cooking. It works by building up steam inside airtight pans or pots, creating high pressure that cooks food much faster than traditional methods. The cooker comes in a range of sizes, from 3 to 6 litres, and is made of aluminium or stainless steel. Before using it for the first time, it's important to wash, rinse and thoroughly dry the cooker. It's also recommended to conduct a simple recipe to familiarise yourself with its functions. To cook, place the food and liquid inside the cooker, secure the lid tightly, and place it on the hob on a high heat setting. After a few minutes, you should hear a faint hissing sound, indicating that the correct cooking temperature has been reached. Reduce the heat and set a timer. Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the heat source and carefully release the steam. Only open the lid once the indicator/safety plug has dropped down.

Safety precautions

Steam can be very hot and can cause burns and scalds, so it's important to take the correct safety precautions when using a steam cooker. Here are some essential safety guidelines to follow when using your Prestige steam cooker:

Prevent Burns and Scalds

Steam can reach temperatures high enough to burn your skin. Water will scald at 120°Fahrenheit (48.8°Celsius). To prevent burns and scalds, do not use steam above 120°Fahrenheit (48.8°Celsius) for cooking or cleaning. If you need to use steam at a higher temperature, wear protective clothing, such as gloves, a face shield, eye protection, a long apron, and boots.

Avoid Electric Shock

Steam is water, so if it comes into contact with electrical appliances, sockets, or plugs, it could lead to electric shock. Always work away from electrical hazards, and cover any electrical equipment that cannot be moved. Ensure that any electrical equipment is completely dry before use. If there is a risk of the floor getting wet, place non-slip mats on the floor.

Maintain Good Visibility

Steam clouds your surroundings and reduces visibility, which could lead to accidents. If a steam cloud appears, stop working and wait for the cloud to dissipate before resuming your task.

Prevent Slips and Falls

If steam is produced near the floor, it can make the floor wet and slippery, increasing the risk of slipping or falling. Place non-slip mats on the floor if there is a danger of it getting wet.

Check Your Equipment

Always check the rubber gasket (the ring of rubber that lines the lid of the cooker) to ensure it isn't dried out or cracked. Some manufacturers recommend replacing the gasket annually or when necessary. Check that there is no dried food on the rim of the pot, as this could break the seal.

Don't Overfill the Cooker

For most foods, don't fill the pressure cooker more than two-thirds full to avoid blocking the vents. Foods that swell as they cook, such as beans and grains, should only fill about half of the cooker.

Be Careful with Frothing Foods

Foods that froth, such as pasta, rhubarb, split peas, oatmeal, applesauce, and cranberries, can block the steam valves and pressure release vents. If you want to cook these foods, follow a trusted recipe and ensure that the quantity in the pot is well below the recommended maximum fill line.

Use Liquids Safely

Only use liquids that produce steam when boiled, such as water, stock, wine, or milk. Never use oil or melted fat as the primary cooking liquid. They may be used in small quantities for browning ingredients.

Release Pressure Safely

You can release pressure in three ways: natural release, cold water release, or quick release. For natural release, remove the cooker from the heat and let it sit until the pressure goes down. For cold water release, run cold water over the lid of the closed pan. For quick release, use the pot's steam release valve to expel the steam. Always protect your hands with pot holders when handling the cooker, and keep your face, hands, and body away from the steam vent during quick release. When opening the cooker after releasing steam, hot steam will still escape, so tip the lid away from you and hold it over the pan.

Cleaning and maintenance

Before using your Prestige pressure cooker for the first time, it is important to wash it in hot, soapy water and then rinse and thoroughly dry the cooker.

After each use, clean your cooker in hot, soapy water using a soft cloth or sponge. Make sure to clean the gasket, the regulator valve, and the indicator pin as well. Avoid using abrasive or chlorinated products like bleach for cleaning. Wash all parts of the cooker thoroughly and dry them before storing.

Always check your cooker thoroughly before use, especially the lid and gasket, for any wear or damage. If you notice any issues, do not use the cooker and contact customer service.

It is also important to note that you should never use your Prestige pressure cooker without adding water, milk, stock, wine, or some other liquid. When cooking with liquids other than water or stock, or with foods like rice and pasta, use a "Medium" setting instead of "High" heat.

Additionally, when using your Prestige pressure cooker to cook pudding or any recipe that requires a slow release, remove the cooker from the heat and allow it to stand undisturbed for about 15 minutes. Wait for the plug to drop through the safety hole on its own, indicating that the lid is safe to remove.

How to build pressure

To build pressure in your Prestige pressure cooker, follow these steps:

Firstly, ensure your cooker is clean and dry before use. Check the lid and gasket for any wear or damage, and ensure the lid is properly closed. Fill your cooker with food and liquid—water, stock, milk, wine, or another liquid can be used. The amount of liquid you use will depend on the recipe and the type of food you are cooking. For example, for cereals, pulses, dried peas, beans, lentils, rice, and pasta, fill the cooker to no more than 1/3 full, including liquid. For liquid foods like soups and stews, fill to 1/2 full, and for solid foods and one-pot meat joints, fill to 2/3 full.

Next, place the cooker on the hob and turn the heat setting to high. After about 5-7 minutes, the cooker will reach pressure, and you will hear a gentle hissing sound. This indicates that the correct cooking temperature has been reached. At this point, turn the heat down to low or medium while maintaining the gentle hiss, and start your timer.

Once the cooking time is complete, turn off the heat source. To open the lid, you must first release the pressure. To do this, place the cooker in the sink and run cold water over it, being careful not to let water enter the vent tube or safety plug. Wait for the plug to drop down, exposing the safety hole, before carefully opening the lid.

Liquid requirements

The general rule for liquid quantity when using a Prestige steam cooker is 1/2 pint for the first 15 minutes of cooking, and an additional 1/4 pint for each additional 15 minutes. The cooker should never be more than 2/3 full, including the liquid.

Before the first use of your Prestige steam cooker, it is important to wash it in hot, soapy water and let it dry completely. It is also recommended to conduct a simple recipe to get familiar with the cooker.

When cooking, always add at least 1 cup of liquid, and more if the recipe calls for it. The cooker should never be used without adding water, milk, stock, wine, or some other liquid. Liquids that produce steam when boiled can be used, but oil or melted fat should not be used as the sole cooking liquid (they may be used in small quantities for browning ingredients).

When cooking with liquids other than water or stock, or with foods like rice and pasta, use a "Medium" setting instead of "High" heat.

Foods to avoid

While steaming is a great way to cook a wide variety of foods, there are some things you should avoid when using your Prestige steam cooker. Here are some foods and cooking practices to avoid:

• Oils and fats – Never use oil or melted fat as a cooking liquid in your Prestige pressure cooker. Small quantities of oil or fat can be used for browning ingredients, but they should not be used as the primary cooking liquid.
• Overcrowding the cooker – Avoid overcrowding the cooker with too much food. This can lead to uneven cooking and may result in some items being undercooked or overcooked. It is important to give the food enough space to ensure even cooking.
• Sub-standard ingredients – Steaming intensifies the flavours of the food, so using ingredients that are not fresh or of good quality will negatively impact the taste of your dish. Always use fresh, high-quality ingredients when steaming.
• Not cutting foods to a uniform size – Cutting foods into uneven sizes will result in uneven cooking. Larger pieces will take longer to cook, leading to some items being overcooked or undercooked. Cut your foods into similar sizes to ensure even cooking.
• Not waiting for the water to boil – It is important to wait for the water to boil before adding your food to the steamer. Starting with cold water can result in overcooked or mushy food.
• Covering the pan loosely – Steaming requires a tight-fitting lid to trap the steam and ensure even cooking. Using a loose-fitting lid or no lid at all will result in uneven cooking, with the top surface of the food remaining cold or undercooked.
• Overcooking – Steaming can be a gentle cooking method, and it is easy to overcook your food. Keep a close eye on your food and check for doneness a few minutes before the recommended cooking time is up.
• Not rinsing grains before steaming – Rice and other grains should be rinsed before steaming to remove excess starch and prevent them from becoming sticky and clumped together.

Remember to always refer to the user manual and guidelines provided by Prestige for specific instructions and safety precautions when using your steam cooker.

Frequently asked questions