Safety Systems on the Modern Pressure Cooker - Part 1 Part 2 It's true, the newer pressure cookers have a lot more safety features than the older designs of our mother's and grandmother's time. A lot of people were scared away from pressure cooking because of childhood memories or stories from relatives about kitchen explosions. In the years just before and shortly after WW II pressure cookers were very popular and in widespread use, and a few of those 60 year old diehards are still in use. You can read more about the history of pressure cookers here. Old pressure cookers were not manufactured the same as today's new generation cookers and they lacked most of the safety features found in today's modern cookers, yet many of the old tales remain. See more about old, and vintage pressure cookers.  Read and understand your owners manual, as you become more familiar with pressure cooking experience will be your best teacher. Always do a visual inspection before cooking to be sure the lid is clean and in proper working order.  To test your pressure cooker take it for a test drive before using it. If the only reason you bought a pressure cooker was to make chicken like KFC, read the warnings and see if it's worth the risks. Safety Features Modern pressure cookers offer many safety mechanisms that make sure you won't accidentally blow the lid. These differ by brand and by model, and naturally the higher priced units offer the most features. If you think that buying an electric model will bring you more safety than a stovetop pressure cooker you may be surprised to find that isn't true. Read carefully and you will find that comparably priced stovetops generally offer more safety mechanisms than the electrics. See examples of safety features available with some of the modern 1st generation pressure cooker, and the safety features for the newer 2nd generation pressure cookers. Safety Features on Modern Pressure Cookers Is your pressure cooker safe enough? Safety Features Yes No Gasket Release Slot     Handle Size and Shape     Heavy 3 Ply Base     Interlocking Lid     Lid Safety Locks     Lid Safety Spring     Long Warranty     Pop up Pressure Indicator     Pressure Relief Valves     Stainless Steel Construction Throughout     Don't Forget the Handles I prefer models with a long handle on one side and a shorter one on the opposite because it is easier to position, lock and remove the lid. For safety reasons always select pressure cookers with handles on both sides of the pot because they're easier and safer to carry when fully loaded. I also like long handles which tend to be cooler than short ones because they aren't directly over the heat. Improved Pressure Relief Valves The new, modern pressure cookers are 100% safe, and these added safety measures make pressure cooking almost foolproof. No more noisy, rattling, hissing, spitting, jiggling pressure regulators! No more dangerous, unpredictable over-pressure plug that can explode and spray the contents all over your kitchen! New modern pressure cookers are a closed system, and unlike the weighted, jiggle top models, very little moisture escapes. The modern pressure valves are spring loaded and may be in the form of a rising valve stem or a movable dial. The new, modern pressure cookers use a series of safety mechanisms design to release pressure in the event of an over-pressure. If there is a buildup of pressure the excess steam is safely vented through a series of secondary valve systems Fig1 - The first sign of too much pressure is an audible hissing from the valve stem and the appearance of venting steam.   Fig2 - Over-pressuring releases excess steam from escape holes at the base of the valve stem. Fig3 - Should excess pressure continue, of the valve become clogged then steam is vented through a safety hole in the rim of the lid. Fig4 - Finally high pressure will force the gasket out between the flanges under the rim of the lid. Stainless Steel Construction Throughout Stainless steel with a label of 18/10 (chromium steel/nickel steel) is best, and it is safe to use in cooking all types of foods because it will not react to high acid ingredients like tomatoes. Stainless steel is safe to use on all types of stoves. This includes induction tops, and in an emergency, disaster or power outage you can use stainless steel cookers on any heat source from wood or coal fires, camp stoves and even outdoor BBQ grills. The base of stainless steel cookers can be washed in the dishwasher. Stainless steel does not react to foods, it will not pit or get those dark, ugly discolorations so common in aluminum. You can also use any kind of cooking utensils without worrying about scratching the surface. Use any accessory in stainless steel cookers. Expand the usefulness of your cooker with many more recipes than you ever thought possible. With the current EPA charges about the toxicity and the health risks now attributed to the chemicals used to make non-stick coatings, I have eliminated all cookware with applied finishes. Lid Safety Spring Located inside the lid, this spring loaded mechanism pushes the gasket away from the rim and prevents the pressure cooker from pressurizing before the lid is fully closed and safely locked in place. Part 2