Some reviews online mentioned that this cooker releases steam compared to other high end cookers like Fissler, thus losing nutrients. Is this true?
84641
(1) There are no nutrients lost in the steam. The water turns to a gas but the MUCH larger molecules in your food do not.(2) ALL PRESSURE COOKERS MUST HAVE A RELEASE VALVE to release steam when the pressure gets too high; otherwise they can explode causing a SERIOUS accident.For your reference: I hold a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and I have taught high school chemistry and physics for 20 years.
84642
I agree with Jeff, George, and Sandra. My Fagor emits minimal steam, and I believe that even if I can smell what's cooking, the nutrient loss is insignificant. To answer your question, sharan, it is NOT TRUE.
84643
Mine releases less (really, little) steam if I oil the gasket well and keep it at full pressure but not at high enough heat that it produces excess pressure and vents steam. I have no commention on nutrtion, only on how I've used the pressure cooker itself.
84644
(1) There are no nutrients lost in the steam. The water turns to a gas but the MUCH larger molecules in your food do not. (2) ALL PRESSURE COOKERS MUST HAVE A RELEASE VALVE to release steam when the pressure gets too high; otherwise they can explode causing a SERIOUS accident. For your reference: I hold a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering and I have taught high school chemistry and physics for 20 years.
686424
I normally see quite a bit of steam coming out as it is coming up to pressure then just a little bit as it is cooking throughout the remainder of time. If it is coming through heavy, the lid is probably not on correctly (not locked) or the pressure valve may not be seeded correctly to the "pressure" setting. Hope this helps! :)
888378
Are you adding enough water? I find that if I don't add enough water I get no steam otherwise it works great!! I hope I don't offend you but are you pulling the trigger?
281703
I have a moderate amount of steam coming from mine at it seems to be working... I've never had one before so I haven't got anything to compare it with. I can only say it seems to do the job intended. hope this helps.
2083909
If nothing else, the hole allows steam to vent off... if it didn't, this would be a PRESSURE cooker not a SLOW cooker.
1203159
No, I never received a response. I chose to buy the rice/pasta cooker (and steamer) by Aroma. I am very happy with it.I don't recall if the VitaClay manufacturer's website had the specs you are looking for, but that's where I'd start.Good luck...
1564390
It's nice because you can brown/saute things before you start slow cooking them and not dirty another dish. I haven't noticed any excessive sticking, either. There is a "vapor seal" formed from the steam and maybe that has something to do with it. I love mine!
1882513
If the only thing you want to do is steam veggies, it may not be the best appliance. I use it as a pressure cooker for beans, a rice/grain cooker, a soup pot (great because you can saute right in the pot before you put in water or stock) and a slow cooker. I really love this appliance and use it regularly. That being said, I usually steam my veggies on the stove top in a stainless steamer pot.
249148
I have the 8 qt Presto aluminum pressure cooker-love it, a recent purchase. I wonder if that happens because of the aluminum. I used it once for a potato ragu with sirloin beef: yum!! Hadn't cooked that in a couple of years. Where I'm from people love Magnalite aluminum pots. Except for my Presto, I don't use aluminum pots because of acidic foods like spaghetti sauce that could leach out the aluminum. Will probably get the Presto 6 qt stainless pressure cooker next.
355267
Mine does the same thing, I believe it is a defect that these pressure cookers have. I didn't use mine for months after a I bought it so I didn't noticed that it had the defect and decided not to return it, but if I was you I would return it and get a better one, it should not be leaking water or steam through anywhere but the top.
108241
I hadn't noticed the comments on the cooker not being suitable for brown/other rices. I typically steam/cook brown rice and it seems to do okay. Some people might comment that the rice is perhaps a little stiff, (its not crunchy by any stretch, but sometimes it seems a bit underdone), but I find the brown rice is very edible. I've also steamed quinoa successfully.
355271
It should definitely not leak from there. Remove the lid and close it again to make sure it is sealed tightly. Only the steam shod be coming from the pressure piece at the top. If it continues it may be faulty and you should return it. Pressure cookers last for a several years. So I would double check that. Hopes this helps.
1123086
I have had no problems with this. I have used the sauté several times and the pressure cooker and slow cooker settings. Have not burned anything. Perhaps not enough water was used?
1511700
I have the same issue. It's coming out of the hole and when I turned it off after a while and ran cold water over the pot, the orange safety thing plopped into my food and most of the liquid was gone. I put the thing back in but I wasn't sure how far it's supposed to be in. I pushed almost all the way (it's housed in a rubber thing under the lid) and partway and either way the steam just comes out of that hole. The instructions don't mention anything about steam coming out of that hole. I've never used a PC before so this is very confusing.
758828
I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with wonderful results. The prices are plummeting and is a very accurate product. I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with... » Read More I had the same concern but found out as long as the sensor does not touch the heated sides of the cooker. Insert thru the class cover thru the hole that the top knob is attached to.....Also you see the the probe is rather long so if your probe is not totally incased in a piece of meat you will get an accurate reading. This may sound nuts but is you but a cheap aquarium pump with a small plastic tube and what the call a "air stone" this will keep most you your water circulating and it is totally safe. About 6.00 at Walmart. I have moved on to a PolyScience heat/circulator with wonderful results. The prices are plummeting and is a very accurate product. « Show Less
422185
I have used pressure cookers for years and don't know that I can specifically answer your question without more research....which is what I'll suggest. I have ordered replacement parts for my pressure cookers and they've always worked well. The one time I had one failed is when I crammed the cooker too full of frozen chicken and it blocked the pressure release valve. It eventually blew the pressure valve forcing me to buy another. Now it works good as new. So if the manufacturer says the valve is the right one I'd say it is the right one. You just need to bleed off that excess pressure or you'll have a lot of hot steam and grease all over your kitchen walls, ceiling and floor --- hope that helps. Bruce I have used pressure cookers for years and don't know that I can specifically answer your question without more research....which is what I'll suggest. I have ordered replacement parts for my pressure cookers and they've always worked well. The one time I had one failed is when I crammed the cooker too full of frozen chicken and it blocked the pressure release valve. It eventually blew the pressure valve forcing me to buy another. Now it works good as new. So if the manufacturer says the valve is the right one I'd say it is the right one. You just need to bleed off that excess pressure or... » Read More I have used pressure cookers for years and don't know that I can specifically answer your question without more research....which is what I'll suggest. I have ordered replacement parts for my pressure cookers and they've always worked well. The one time I had one failed is when I crammed the cooker too full of frozen chicken and it blocked the pressure release valve. It eventually blew the pressure valve forcing me to buy another. Now it works good as new. So if the manufacturer says the valve is the right one I'd say it is the right one. You just need to bleed off that excess pressure or you'll have a lot of hot steam and grease all over your kitchen walls, ceiling and floor --- hope that helps. Bruce « Show Less
957514
My suggestion is that you check the seal on the lid and make sure that you are seating and locking the lid on properly. As far as the steam making a mess---you are probably not letting the pot cool down enough before you release the pressure. Please, read the book!