Practika Plus - When do I reduce the heat?

Hi Sassy!

Based on your recommendation, I bought a Magefesa Praktica Plus PC. I've never owned a PC before or even seen anyone use them, but I'm excited about the possibility of quick brown rice and fresh beans.

The manual is not clear about when the ideal pressure has been reached and I should reduce the heat. It says the red button pops up - well, yes, it does, but when I did rice for the recommended time after the red button was up, it didn't cook at all, hardly.

I re-read the manual. When there is continuous steam from the valve, and there is a squeaking noise, reduce the heat. I got a good flow from the valve, but never heard a squeaking noise. This time the rice nearly cooked - but I had to finish it in a pan on the stove. Help! What am I doing wrong?

Thanks! Big fan of your site!

*****
Sassy Sez: Thanks so much, and glad you are enjoying our little website. :)

Since Jeff is our resident expert on the Practika Plus pressure cookers, I had to run this question by him.

Firstly, you are not doing ANYTHING wrong. It is not always easy to tell when the Practika Plus has reached high pressure.

As you have discovered, it is NOT when the little red button pops up.

It is also NOT when you hear a squeaking noise. I don't have the manual in front of me right now, but if it says "squeaking" something may have been lost in the translation from Spanish to English. ;)

One day when Jeff was making beans in his Practika Plus I saw a steady stream of steam coming out and said "Babe, I think you have reached high pressure, should I start the timer for you?" He came into the kitchen and explained that what I saw was not high pressure.

A couple minutes later, MORE steam started coming out, also at a steady stream. And there was a slight hissssssing noise. THAT was high pressure, he told me. That's when the timer is set and you work with the burner/gas to ensure the pressure stays at this point.

Now, there is a difference between a slight hissing and a full-on hissy fit! So if your Practika Plus starts making too much of a hissing noise, then you should remove it from the heat and let the pressure come down a bit.

Your goal during high pressure is to keep a good amount of steam coming out in a steady stream along with a slight hissing noise.

My darling, I know it might seem like the BIGGEST pain in the butt to figure this out, but I promise you will learn your pressure cooker's personality (yes, they each seem to have their own!) and you will come to cook your beans and grains without a thought.

Hope this helps, and please do let me know if you have further questions. :)
Sassy
p.s. For others reading this who are new to pressure cooking, I recommend the Mageplus because it has a big blue button that pops up to tell you when high pressure is reached; another option to consider if you are in the market. xo!



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