PRESSURE COOKERS:

Caring for the domestic appliances can be a tedious job. It is necessary to take care of these appliances to avoid the reduction of their life span by the day to day wear and tear. Here are a few tips that you need to take to make your appliances last longer.

PRESSURE COOKERS:

The main problem with pressure cookers is usually leakage. A leakage in a pressure cooker generally occurs due to improper maintenance of the casket - i.e. the rubber lining placed around the lid - and scratches or dents on the outer surface of the vessel near the rim. The casket is made up of synthetic fibre. It must be removed for washing and cleaning every day, otherwise it will get hard, start developing cracks and lose its original grip, hence not allowing the adequate pressure to build up inside the cooker. If there is insufficient water inside the pressure cooker (apart from the amount present in the food to be cooked) the casket shrinks in size and leakage occurs.

Complaint Areas:

Leakage, casket loosening, safety valve, broken handles, bulging bottom of cooker.


Tips : The Casket


While placing the casket on the rim of the cover, make sure that both the rim and the casket are dry.
If the casket shrinks, gently stretch it a little and replace inside the cooker.
No salt should get inside the rim of the cooker as it prevents complete sealing.
The casket gets spoilt if dry heating occurs. Use at least one cup extra water for steam to form.
Always remove casket from cover while washing and keep it dry and clean.
It should be washed after every use.
Never knock the rim of the cooker while cleaning or using it. The dents that occur allow the steam to escape. If this happens, file the rim with steel wool.
The safety valve in the pressure cooker has been made accident proof mainly by using a special type of feasible metal alloy. It always melts to let off the steam when the water inside the cooker dries out or the vent tube (whistle) is blocked with some solid material. It can withstand pressure upto about 1400 C. Actually it is much better that this safety valve gives way, because the sealed in steam finds a release.

Tips : The Safety Valve


Check your safety valve regularly, and if you need to replace it, do so with another one from an authorised dealer only.
Do not buy a safety valve from just anywhere, as it may not be genuine. All pressure cooker manufacturing firms supply spare parts to regular dealers.
Check the vent tube (whistle) regularly for clogged food particles.
See that there is enough water at the bottom of the cooker.
Do not fill food right to the top of the vessel. The handle of a cooker generally breaks because the lid is not properly closed arrow to arrow. The screw inside the handle can also come off if not properly maintained.
Tips : The Handles


Close the lid of cooker as shown on the handle.
Remove the screws of the handles and oil them regularly. It gives them a longer life.
Tips: The Cooker Bottom

Do not unnecessarily be alarmed if the bottom of the cooker turns black. Aluminium has a tendency to turn black after constant use. Rubbing with lime peel or tamarind can reduce it.



MIXERS:

Most Indian mixers come in two sizes – half litre and one litre. Some have the grinder attached to the motor itself, above which is placed the blender. Others have two separate jars, one for grinding, and another for blending. All mixers have a one year guarantee against any manufacturing defects.

Complaint Areas:

Rubber coupling gets worn out, the plastic jar cracks, motor breakdown, broken blades.

Tips:

Fit the rubber coupling correctly in the grooves provided in the machine, otherwise the coupling will be worn out.
If the coupling is worn out and is still used in this condition, it tells heavily on the nylon stud above the coupling. Cracks develop on either side of the nylon stud. This leads to leakage of fluid into the grinder jar, which is normally meant only for dry masalas. If this happens the motor can eventually burn.
Most housewives fail to notice the cracks when they give their mixers for repair. The moment a crack develops, take it to the nearest dealer.
Do not grind anything wet in a grinder meant only for dry stuff.
Never overload the mixer.
Add sufficient fluid to the items to be ground to allow free rotation of blades. Otherwise the blades might break or the motor may burn.
Always run the machine when the grinder blender is covered. The addition or removal of material must be done only after the machine has fully stopped and the blades are stationary. Otherwise it may damage the gadget and your fingers.
Take extreme care to run the machine only at its given capacity.
After switching off the mixer, wait for at least 5 to 10 seconds before lifting the grinder or blender out of the machine.
Clean and dry the mixer thoroughly.
Never put hot water in the mixer to wash it. The jar may get jammed.
The machine will also have a longer life if run at a lesser speed.