How to Fix Gauge on a Pressure Cooker

The gauge on a pressure cooker or pressure canner monitors the pressure inside the cooker or the canner. An accurately working gauge will tell you whether the pressure is reaching unsafe levels. If the pressure gets too high, the safety valves or gaskets open and release the built-up steam to relieve the pressure. If the pressure is too low, the food won’t cook properly, and in the case of canning, the improperly processed jars could harbor dangerous bacteria. To prevent these types of problems, take your pressure canner/cooker to your local extension office for an annual check up. If the gauge is off by more than 2 psi during testing, address the problem by replacing the gauge.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Check that the cooker/canner had at least 1 1/2-inches of water during cooking. The cooker needs at least this much water to create steam to build enough pressure to move the needle on the gauge. Using the cooker dry or with not enough water could show a false reading on the gauge and ruin the unit.

   • 2

     Take the pressure cooker/canner to a cooperative extension office for testing. If the gauge is off by 2 psi or more, replace it with a gauge compatible with your make and model of cooker.

   • 3

     Take the lid and the replacement gauge back to the extension office for replacing and calibrating.