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Every
now
and
then
I am
asked
about
replacement
parts
for
some
ancient
relic
of a
pressure
cooker
that
is 40
or 50
years
old,
even
older,
dating
back
to early
days
of pressure
cookery.
Every
time
I'm
asked
about
these
old
monstrosities
I want
to scream
-
"What
are
thinking!"
You
know
what I'm
talking
about
- pressure
cookers
and
canners
where
the
manufacturer
went
out
of business
at
least
25 years
ago
so there
aren't
any
gaskets
available.
Do
you
think
that's
why
the
pot
was
for
sale
as such
a "good"
price?
Please
don't
even
tell
me about
all
those
'homemade'
gaskets
people
try
to make
for
these
old
relics.
If you
don't
worry
about
your
own
safety
what
about
your
family?
Maybe
you
don't
want
to lay
out
$100
(or
more)
for
a good,
modern
pressure
cooker
with
all
the
new
safety
and
venting
systems,but
think
of the
savings.
Folks,
I have
to tell
you
these
antiques
are
dangerous,
and
if you've
heard
all
the
horror
stories
about
exploding
pressure
cookers
of
post
WWII
manufacture
these
old
monsters
are
where
it all
started.
If
it's
aluminum
and
you
see
that
it is
finely
pitted,
indicating
the
metal
has
degraded
and
it's
shedding
aluminum
in your
food,
not
to mention
all
the
bacteria
breeding
in the
pits.
If it's
cast
iron
...
use
it as
a doorstop.
If
you
absolutely
must
have
that
old
dinosaur
you
found
in your
great
aunt
Fannies
attic,
or the
$2 bargain
from
a flea
market
PLEASE
don't
think
you
can
still
use
it.
Display
it as
a curio,
pot
a fern
in it,
or use
it for
the
dog's
water
bowl. |
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For more information about manufacturers,
vendors or suppliers who carry replacement
parts see:
Pressure
Cooker Parts
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"I just found this terrific
old pressure cooker, it's in mint condition,
and the price was right, so why
can't I use it?"
That's typical
of one of the most common questions
I receive. For more information about
vintage cookers read these articles
and decide if you still want to take
the risk:
 Helpful
Links
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You never know
what might have happened to that used
cooker, and it may be unsafe. You would
hope that no one would put others at
risk, but in today's world, caveat
emptor (let the buyer beware) should
be the rule of the day.
If you are considering
using, or purchasing a used, especially
a vintage pressure cooker, you're assuming
a risk in not knowing if there is any
hidden damage to the pot or the lid.
There are means of testing
pressure vessels and these services
may by available at your local State,
County or University Extension Service
Office. Also contact the manufacturer
and ask if testing is available. By
prepared to pay for this, as well as
the costs of shipping both ways, although
this in itself may actually out weigh
the costs of the pot itself.
If the cooker was
made prior to 1960 is was probably manufactured
using a process called die-casting.
Molten metal, most likely aluminium,
was poured into a mold to create the
pot. This was the standard manufacturing
process during and after WWII, and
such pans are not of the same quality
as those made today. Modern manufacturing
makes pressure cookers from rolled
and stamped metal sheet that form
the pot from one single piece of
metal.
Cast metal is brittle
and it is subject to tiny, microscopic
cracks or thin spots which
weaken the container. Pots and pans
take a lot of abuse, they get banged
around and they get dropped and may
result in cracks in the metal. All these
tiny fracture lines or hairline cracks
are microscopic and they can only be
picked up through industrial X-ray,
they are not visible to the naked eye.
While you might be able to use that
old cooker safely for a while, eventually
such a fault will cause a failure, sometimes
with catastrophic results.
The only way to be sure if an old
pressure cooker or canner is safe is
to send it back to the factory for testing.
The original manufacturer - although
sometimes other manufacturers may be
willing or have the special equipment
to test other brands. Be prepared to
pay a small fee, plus round trip shipping
costs to have it tested for unseen faults.
Be sure to call the manufacturer first,
if they are no longer in service then
Presto of Mirro may offer testing on
some models.
Also check with your country or university
extension office. Often they will provide
this service, although it may only be
offered at certain times by appointment
as the testing equipment travels from
place to place.
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