Quick Pressure Cooker Question (psi)

[JustinNed]

I got a Presto 8qt Pressure Cooker from Wal-Mart, but the instructions, box, or anything doesn't say what PSI it reaches. I tried doing some googleing but came up dry, any ideas on how to test the pressure?

 

[shroomy999]

many consumer cookers do not have a pressure gauge to shop how high the pressure is inside in PSI.

if you want to produce substrate, the sterilisation time beginns to run, when the pressure reading of the cooker has reached the highest level.

 

[JustinNed]

Think I could rig up some sort of gauge? o.o I figure 1hr of steaming should be enough.

 

[BlimeyGrimey]

I have the same pressure cooker (actually i have both the 6qt and 8qt Presto models). The sterilization time starts when the rocker weight starts to rock. I believe these cookers run at about 12psi. 15psi isn't NEEDED but since the psi you are cooking at is lower I'd add about 1/4 cooking time to any recipes that use 15psi. Example, recipe says cook at 15psi for 60 mins. If your PC runs at 12psi then cook for around 75-90 mins. If its says cook at 15psi for 15 mins then run it at 12psi for 20-25 mins etc.

For sterilizing my grains (popcorn and barley) 90 mins seems to do fine. For agar 25 mins works good and for PF jar 45 mins would be suffice.

DO NOT try to rig up a pressure gauge. Pressure cookers are fairly dangerous and shouldn't be modified at home.

Just follow the instructions that came with the pressure cooker and put 1-2 inches of water in the bottom of the cooker. You don't need too much water.

 

[JustinNed]

Thanks for the info Glimey, I couldn't find it saying PSI anywhere, and first time I tried to steralize with it I ended up cooking for 5 hours, thinking it would go to 1-3PSI.