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Basic Product Information for Hawkins Pressure Cookers

The stated volume of all pressure cookers is with lid closed. Cooking capacity in a pressure cooker is less than its full volume. The pressure cooker body should never be filled more than two-thirds its capacity. This is to safeguard against blocking the steam vent/vent tube and to leave enough space to allow steam to circulate. Certain foods, however, such as soups and other liquid foods, foods such as lentils and rice which expand during cooking should not be loaded more than half the capacity of the cooker body.Dals which sprout, such as tuvar and moong, should not be loaded more than one-third the capacity of the cooker. In the 5 litre (5� quarts) Hawkins the two-thirds capacity is about 13� cups/3.2 litres, half capacity is about 10 cups/2.4 litres and one-third capacity is about 6� cups/1.6 litres.
CAPACITY FOR SOLID FOODS: TWO-THIRDS FULL	CAPACITY FOR LIQUID OR FROTHING FOODS: HALF FULL
The pressure regulator automatically maintains the cooking pressure of about 15 pounds per square inch (1 kg per square cm). The pressure regulator has to be placed on the steam vent and pressed into position. When the pressure regulator is pressed down on the steam vent, there is a slight click which indicates the pressure regulator is in the correct position.
INSERTING THE PRESSURE REGULATOR / VENT WEIGHT ON THE HAWKINS PRESSURE COOKER
INSERTING THE PRESSURE REGULATOR ON THE FUTURA PRESSURE COOKER
The pressure regulator has a spring mechanism which holds the pressure regulator on to the steam vent and is strong enough to prevent it from falling off should the lid be inverted.
	On the underside of the lid, the steam vent nut secures the steam vent. The Hawkins steam vent nut has seven holes (the Futura steam vent nut has thirteen) so that even if a few holes are clogged, the other holes will allow the escape of steam. Always keep the steam vent clean and check before every use by looking through it.
If the normal escape of steam is blocked, the safety valve will operate. The safety valve will also operate if there is insufficient water in the pressure cooker and it boils dry, causing the temperature to rise beyond the normal operating range. The fusible alloy in the safety valve melts at the required temperature and releases pressure. The safety valve can be replaced as shown here.
FUSIBLE ALLOY...	...WHICH MELTS WHEN REQUIRED
The lid handle bar is so attached to the lid that there is extra space for deliberate "play" or movement. This ensures better sealing of the lid with the rim of the cooker body.
MOVEMENT OF HAWKINS LID HANDLE BAR: SIDE VIEW	MOVEMENT OF HAWKINS LID HANDLE BAR: FRONT VIEW
The steam vent seats the pressure regulator and is the outlet for excess steam. The steam vent is also the point at which the lid handle is connected to the lid. The lid comes assembled with the detachable rubber sealing ring. It can be removed from the lid curl with the fingers. The sealing ring can be easily put back by slipping the lid handle through the sealing ring and patting and pushing it down all along the lid curl until it is seated properly. The Futura Sealing Ring works best if the side with the words "OTHER SIDE UP" faces down.