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How to Clean Burnt-on Food From an Aluminum Pressure Cooker

Ridding your aluminum pressure cooker of burnt-on foods takes time and a bit of elbow grease. Allowing the food to burn is wasteful, it may damage the aluminum appliance and results in a smelly cleanup process. Water normally boils at 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), but in a pressure cookers the food reaches 122 degrees Celsius, as stated by Virat Pressure Cooker. The higher temperature allows the food to cook in less time whether it is a pot roast or homemade soup. Therefore, timing the food is vital to prevent ruining the meal.

Things You'll Need

  • Mild dishwashing liquid
  • Nylon scrubbing pad
  • Measuring cup
  • Measuring spoons
  • Lemon juice
  • White distilled vinegar
  • Cream of tartar
  • Soapy steel wool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wash the inside of your pressure cooker in your normal manner to try to remove the burnt food residue. Do this with mild dishwashing liquid, a nylon scrubbing pad and hot water. Rinse the cooker well.

    • 2

      Pour 1 quart of water into the pressure cooker if stubborn burned food remains. Add 2 tsp. of lemon juice or white distilled vinegar to the water. A tbsp. of cream of tartar in the water is another option and is effective in loosening the debris while the water boils.

    • 3

      Replace the lid and lock it. Bring the solution to a boil for about a half hour. Lift the pressure cooker off the hot eye and put it on a cool one. Allow it to cool for about 2 hours.

    • 4

      Use a nylon scrubbing pad or a soapy piece of steel wool to remove the stuck food debris.

    • 5

      Dump the food residue in the garbage disposal and then wash, rinse and dry the aluminum pressure cooker in the normal manner.