DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, I receive a commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Gone are the days when manual pressure cookers were the only choices. That’s because nowadays, electronic pressure cookers have become more convenient. Ninja has a wide range of electronic pressure cookers, with different functions and settings.
However, like every other pressure cooker, they too have functionality issues. In this article, we are sharing five of the most common Ninja pressure cooker problems and the most popular solutions.
How Does a Pressure Cooker Work
A pressure cooker needs water or any other form of liquid to create the pressure inside it. When water boils inside the ninja cooker, it traps the steam inside allowing your food to cook at much higher temperatures than conventional cooking methods.
With the help of the intense pressure created in the pot, a pressure cooker speeds up the cooking process. However, note that a pressure cooker cannot function without a liquid element.
Liquid means any ingredient that can become steam or does not have solid elements in it, such as water or bone broth. Juices or purees do not help in cooking, hence would not cook your food to perfection.
If you want to only fry or heat food, then a pressure cooker is not the best option. Doing so will result in burning your food entirely. This is because you need liquid-based substances like water to do the cooking.
A pressure cooker will help you regulate the pot’s temperature and cooking methods. However, there are several things that can go wrong in the process of cooking in a pressure cooker despite the fact that it has sensors and a help guide.
Ninja offers a range of different pressure cookers that are designed for maximum performance.
And, despite the fact that the company has a stellar reputation, it’s very likely that you might encounter problems with the pressure cooker every now and then. Here are a few troubleshooting tips.
Common Ninja Pressure Cooker Problems
- Steam Leaking Around The Lid
If you notice clouds of steam leaking around the lid, even though you’ve tightened the lid, you should know that it’s caused due to a variety of reasons.
- Gasket
First of all, a dirty or damaged gasket is the primary reason behind steam leaks. As a result, the cooking performance will be affected and it can take longer to build pressure inside the cooker.
Similarly, if the gasket is not fixed, the cooker will fail to retain the pressure hence failing to perform as you would expect it to. It is important that the gasket is firmly fitted in place, and there are no cuts or damages.
If the gasket is dirty, you must clean it. On the contrary, if the gasket is damaged, you need to replace it entirely.
- Rim
In addition to the gasket, clean up any food residue from the rim and make sure that there are no cracks around it. To prevent warping, it’s recommended that you only use cold water to clean the rim. Do not use hot water, as that could cause the rim to bend out of shape.
- Sealing & Opening Issues With Lid
There are several sealing and opening issues that you need to keep in mind as well.
- Sealing
The sealing ring allows the cooker to keep it airtight and build up pressure inside. However, it is possible that the sealing ring gets loose after a cleanup session or because of a dirty rim.
Issues like improper sealing or inability to open the lid are common with the Ninja pressure cooker. It can also lead to reduced pressure buildup or cause the pressure to escape. With that being said, you need to ensure that rims are properly cleansed (users must clean the rim after every use).
- Unable to Open the Lid
If you have issues opening the lid of the pressure cooker, it’s probably because of excessive pressure build-up in the pot. When the pressure release is insufficient, the lid will become jammed. To fix the issue, you need to run your pressure cooker through cold water.
It tends to release the pressure, and the lid will loosen up. In addition, you could try removing the pressure cooker valve to release the pressure.
- Faulty Sensor
If you are sure that you have not made any mistakes while using the Ninja pressure cooker, yet the sensor shows an error, then the issue might be with the sensor. Hence if the cooker keeps showing lid errors it is better to have it checked by an expert.
Get an inspection done by an appliance repair technician to figure out the problem.
- Insufficient Pressure Buildup
The common issue with the Ninja pressure cooker is its inability to build pressure. This can be due to a problem with the pressure valve.
- Gasket Or Pressure Valve
The pressure buildup issue usually happens because of a worn-out pressure valve or gasket. The worn-out components can impact the rate at which pressure builds up in the cooker. So, you need to inspect the gasket and ensure there are no damages or cracks.
If there is any such issue, the gasket needs to be replaced. The best practice is to replace the gasket after every eighteen months. Also, while you are installing the new gasket, you need to ensure that it’s positioned correctly.
On the contrary, if the gasket isn’t damaged, then there’s probably an issue with the valve. The pressure valve must be properly positioned and should be securely locked in place. You will notice an instant improvement in the rate at which pressure builds up inside the cooker.
- Water Or Vapors Escaping
When your Ninja pressure cooker starts letting out the water vapors, it could be due to a damaged rim. Before we begin with troubleshooting, keep in mind that small amounts of vapor are likely to escape, as it varies depending on what you’ve put inside the cooker.
- Valve
If you notice more water vapor escaping through the valve, it could be because the vent pipe is clogged, either due to some dirt or food particles. So, clean the vent pipe as well as the pressure valve to ensure that the water vapors don’t escape frequently.
- Long Cooking Time
Pressure cookers are designed to quicken the pace at which your food cooks. If your Ninja pressure cooker is taking longer than it should cook your meals properly, then there’s definitely something wrong.
- Ingredients
First of all, if you have added too many ingredients or water to the mix, the cooking time will increase. So, always check the quantity of water first before you put the lid on (it’s 2/3th filling of a pressure cooker in the majority of cases).
Most Ninja pressure cookers will show an error if the contents are stuffed to the brim, to the point where the lid cannot be closed. Ingredients like rice expand, hence it is recommended that you add a reasonable amount of rice while allowing them to expand once cooked.
- Loose Handles Or Lids
If the handle or lids are loose, it’s going to impact the buildup of pressure inside the cooker and the food will take too long to cook. In that case, you need to screw in the handles tightly and close the lid completely. Ninja pressure cookers don’t function when the lid is loose.
So, just make sure you tighten it properly until you hear that satisfying “click” before you start cooking your favorite dishes.
Conclusion
There are many factors for why your pressure cooker might be acting up. Chances are you made a mistake or two while using it. these beauties are very sensitive to use and to enjoy their maximum benefits you must ensure that you use them with the right protocols.
mine made a loud
popping noise..twice.like the pot banged the botton.sounded like it was going to blow the lid.and it was a small roast with water broth and outside burnes raw on inside..not right