How to Prevent Accidents in the Kitchen? A Guide to Pressure Cooker Safety

The kitchen, often hailed as the heart of the home, is a place where culinary creativity flourishes and daily meal preparations bring families together. Amidst the aroma of freshly cooked dishes and the clatter of pots and pans, it can also become a stage for unexpected accidents. 

Among the array of appliances found in a kitchen, pressure cookers stand out as both a boon and a potential source of peril. These ingenious devices, capable of transforming tough cuts of meat into tender delicacies in a fraction of the time, demand your caution. 

Without the right precautions, the benefits of these time-saving marvels can quickly be overshadowed by risks of burns, explosions, and other severe injuries.

Grasping the nuances of pressure cooker safety is vital for anyone who steps into the kitchen. Whether you’re a culinary novice exploring new recipes or a seasoned chef perfecting your craft, you must know how to handle this powerful appliance. After all, it can make all the difference between a seamless cooking experience and a dangerous mishap.

In September 2023, Nidia Rico, a publicist from Bogota, Colombia, suffered a similar mishap while making lunch for herself and her boyfriend. As the 29-year-old was in the middle of making lentils with rice, her pressure cooker exploded suddenly, causing burns all over her face. 

Nidia uploaded a video of herself sharing the details of the accident on TikTok, in which she revealed using pressure cookers for over 3 years. However, the one that exploded was new and bought by her friend. Rico’s video went viral, amassing over 40 million views on the platform. 

To ensure you don’t suffer the same fate as Nidia, we’ll share a comprehensive guide of safety tips for these culinary devices with you today.

Pressure Cooker Safety Tips

To harness the full potential of pressure cookers while ensuring safety, it’s essential to follow specific guidelines during usage. TorHoerman Law notes that pressure cooker accidents are serious and can be life-threatening. Here are some crucial safety tips to keep your culinary adventures smooth and accident-free:

Proper Filling

Think of your pressure cooker as a concert hall for your ingredients, where the magic happens. To ensure a harmonious performance, never fill the cooker more than two-thirds full. 

For foods that tend to expand or foam, like rice, beans, and pasta, stick to no more than halfway. This creates the perfect stage for steam to perform its pressure-building act without clogging the valves, ensuring everything plays out without a hitch.

Adequate Liquid Levels

Steam is the unsung hero of pressure cooking, and it needs a good foundation to work its magic. Typically, at least one cup of liquid is required, but always check your cooker’s manual for precise requirements. 

Insufficient liquid can lead to a dry, overheated disaster, much like an orchestra without a conductor. Proper hydration ensures your cooker reaches the desired pressure smoothly and safely.

Secure the Lid Properly

Before the pressure cooker takes the spotlight, make sure the lid is securely locked in place, like closing the doors before a grand performance. The locking mechanism is your safety guard, preventing the lid from opening under pressure. 

Ensure the gasket—the essential seal—is in perfect condition, and snugly seated without any wear or damage. A compromised gasket is like a broken string on a violin, leading to leaks and failed pressure buildup.

Monitor the Pressure Indicator

Your pressure indicator is the conductor’s baton, guiding the cooking process. Pay close attention as it rises to indicate the desired pressure level. Once it’s reached, lower the heat to maintain a steady rhythm. 

Excessive heat is like playing too loudly in an orchestra, causing too much pressure and triggering safety release mechanisms. Keeping a watchful eye ensures everything remains in perfect harmony.

Use Pressure Release Valves Correctly

Releasing pressure is akin to a grand finale, requiring precision and care. There are two methods: natural release and quick release. Natural release is a slow, dramatic finish, letting the pressure drop on its own. 

Quick release is a sudden, exciting crescendo, manually releasing the steam through the pressure release valve. Always use a utensil to avoid burns and keep your face and hands away from the steam’s path. 

Besides the hazard of quick release, faulty pressure cookers are another peril that can cause burns. Defects of any kind can also lead a pressure cooker to explode, exposing you to severe consequences like thermal burns, lacerations, cuts, scarring, and disfigurement.

Michelle Lieb, a woman from Nebraska, suffered a similar fate in 2022. Lieb, who was using a SharkNinja pressure cooker, was burned upon opening its lid as the contents exploded in her face. Following the accident, Lieb filed a lawsuit against the brand, suing them for making false claims. 

The company’s video tutorials mentioned that the lid of their cooker would lock automatically as the unit reached a high enough pressure level. And as it locked, users couldn’t unlock it before the pressure was relieved. This safety feature advertised by the company proved faulty in Lieb’s case, leading her to sue SharkNinja in court.

Handling Pressure Cooker Malfunctions

Despite careful use, pressure cookers can sometimes malfunction. Therefore, knowing how to handle these issues is crucial for your safety. 

First, it’s important to identify the problem. Common signs of malfunction include persistent steam leaks from the lid or valve or issues with the cooker not reaching or maintaining pressure. 

Unusual noises such as whistling, hissing, or rattling can also be problematic. Recognizing these signs early can help you take immediate action to prevent accidents.

If you notice any of these issues, the first step is to turn off the heat. For stovetop models, remove the cooker from the heat source immediately. For electric models, switch off the power. 

Do not attempt to force open the lid until the pressure is fully released to avoid burns from hot steam or food. Use the pressure release valve to safely release the pressure, keeping your face and hands away from the steam path to prevent burns.

After ensuring immediate safety, you can troubleshoot common issues. For steam leaks, check that the gasket is properly seated and undamaged, and ensure the lid is securely locked. 

If the cooker has pressure issues, verify that there’s enough liquid inside to generate steam. Also, check if the vent pipe or pressure release valve is blocked, cleaning it if necessary.

If troubleshooting doesn’t resolve the issue, it’s time to seek professional help. Contact the manufacturer’s customer support for specific advice or service options. 

For persistent or severe issues, consider professional repair or replacing an old or repeatedly malfunctioning cooker. 

Lastly, remember that malfunctions might also arise at the manufacturer’s end. The mass recall of nearly one million Insignia pressure cookers by Best Buy in 2023 is a prime example of such a malfunction. The recall was an outcome of the burn risks its pressure cookers posed on users.

It was initiated following 17 complaints of burnt injuries caused by Insignia pressure cookers in the US, including second-degree burns. 

The whole incident highlights how you can never be too careful around pressure cookers, and should always purchase them from trusted and reliable sources. 

By following these steps, you can handle pressure cooker malfunctions safely and efficiently, ensuring a safer cooking experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the five safety features of a pressure cooker?

The two main pressure cooker safety features are its safety pin – preventing pressure build-up when the lid is not fully closed – and a lid lock. The other three features include the main valve, safety valve, and safety window.

Is using a pressure cooker healthy? 

Yes. Eating food cooked in a pressure cooker is healthy for various reasons, one of which is the zero usage of oil in it. The cookers also cook food using steam without allowing any water to evaporate, thereby preserving all the nutrients of the food.

What is the working principle of a pressure cooker?

A pressure cooker cooks food using the thermal principles of temperature, matter, and heat. A sealed pot with a valve that controls the steam pressure inside, as the cooker heats up, the liquid inside it forms steam. The steam creates a high pressure within the pot, thereby raising the boiling point of the water and helping in cooking food faster.

Feeling unsettled? We understand how the threat of being potentially injured by doing an everyday chore like cooking can be unsettling. 

However, it’s also essential to remember that these threats often act up when we’re careless or work with divided attention. As long as you’re practicing the safety tips we mentioned above and are equipped to handle pressure cooker malfunctions, you’re good to go.