AMC Speedcooker Leaflet

One of our most popular items of cookware is our pressure cooker. We refer to it as the Speedcooker® or the electrified version is called our Electrospeed®. Using the Speedcooker® and Electrospeed® is perfectly safe – provided you follow the instructions correctly. Before using for the first time, it is essential that you read the instructions carefully. This will explain the use and care of your unit, and provide tips and recipes.

Safety features of the AMC Speedcooker®

The AMC Speedcooker® is possibly the safest pressure cooker available on the market today. Below are descriptions of the 4 safety features which ensure this. 

1. Red safety valve used to open and close the Speedcooker®. This valve releases the pressure rapidly through two steam outlets on either side of the valve if there is excess pressure build-up. 
2. Extra metal valve on the inside of the lid. This valve lets air out on the sides of the black cover on top of the lid, creating a whistling sound. 
3. Extra rubber valve on the lid. This pushes out of its operating position should the previous 2 safety features be blocked. This valve will pop up revealing a red ring. If this happens the Speedcooker® should be sent to the factory for inspection. 
4. Final safety device on the rim of the Speedcooker® lid. This ensures that if an excessive amount of pressure should build up in the unit, the rubber sealing ring will automatically pop out of the opening in the rim of the lid and release the pressure.

Cooking instructions

• Filling the Speedcooker®:
  Never fill the Speedcooker® more than two-thirds (2/3) of its capacity. The minimum amount of liquid necessary for the Speedcooker® to maintain an adequate pressure is 250 ml (1 cup). Important: Do not fill the Speedcooker® to more than half (1/2) of its capacity when cooking dried fruit, pasta, beans and other foods that tends to foam. This will avoid the possible blockage of the safety valves.  
   
• Cooking with the correct temperature and pressure:
  It's recommended to start cooking at a medium temperature so that the Speedcooker® can reach the correct temperature level as rapidly as possible. Also bring the food inside the unit to the boil before the Speedcooker® is sealed. This will ensure that the desired cooking level on the cooking indicator is reached as soon as possible. As the Speedcooker® heats up, three coloured rings will progressively appear on the cooking indicator; a green ring, a yellow ring and a red ring. These rings indicate the optimum cooking pressure for different types of food: Green - vegetables & pasta; Yellow - poultry and Red - red meat, beans, legumes and pulses.
   
  The cooking indicator is heat and pressure sensitive, so the more heat one applies, the greater the pressure inside the Speedcooker® and the higher the indicator will rise. As soon as the correct level on the indicator has been reached, turn the heat down slightly to maintain that level. The cooking time is measured from this point. 

• Cleaning the Speedcooker®:
  After each use, clean the Speedcooker® with dish washing liquid or Classic Cleaner. Never put the Speedcooker® lid in the dishwasher. If food has bubbled up and touched the inside of the lid, remove and immediately run hot water over the cooking indicator valve, both inside and outside. To clean the indicator valve refer to point 16 on pg 06 of your leaflet. Remove and wash the rubber sealing ring and clean the lid thoroughly. Dry the Speedcooker® with a clean dish towel. 
   
• How to store the Speedcooker®:
  It is best to store the Speedcooker® without sealing it. Place the lid with the rubber sealing ring up, so that it can dry completely. To prolong the life of the rubber sealing ring, it is advisable to wipe it with a little oil every so often. If the ring becomes brittle or perishes, the Speedcooker® will not seal properly and could be unsafe to use. A new sealing ring is available at an AMC Cookware Consultant Centre or on our website.

Safety precautions & tips

1. Make sure that the lid fits properly, with the lid handle directly above the bottom handle. If not properly closed, the Speedcooker® will not build up steam and pressure.
2. Never try to open the Speedcooker® by force, especially when it is still hot. Wait until it cools sufficiently, and the cooking indicator has dropped completely before attempting to open it.
3. Never pour water over the hot sealed Speedcooker® – this is dangerous.
4. If steam escapes the rubber sealing ring is poorly positioned, dirty or damaged. In each case you must clean and reposition the rubber sealing ring once cooled down, or it may need to be replaced. 
5. Do not store the Speedcooker® with the lid on. Limited ventilation will cause musty smells and the rubber sealing ring may become over compressed and unable to perform its function. 
6. For best results, it is recommended to change the rubber sealing ring once a year. You can purchase new rubber sealing rings at any AMC Cookware branch nationwide, or from our website.  
7. Never fill your Speedcooker® more than two-thirds of its capacity. 
8. Do not fill the Speedcooker® more than half of its capacity when preparing foods that tend to foam a lot i.e. dried fruit, pasta, beans, pulses etc. 
9. The minimum amount of liquid necessary for the Speedcooker® to maintain an adequate pressure is 250 ml (1 cup). 
10. Always test that the cooking indicator is functioning properly before use. To do so, press the red valve shaft (red pin on the inside of the lid) two or three times with your fingertip. It should spring back with ease. 
11. If too much steam escapes from the valve during cooking or escapes in a violent burst, reduce the heat. If too much steam still continues to escape, check to see if there is too much liquid in the Speedcooker® or the condition of the rubber sealing ring.
12. If the cooking indicator does not rise accordingly, turn the heat up. If the indicator still does not rise, remove the unit from the heat source and allow to cool before removing the lid. Check that the cooking indicator valve on the inside of the lid is clean, and check the condition of the rubber sealing ring. If no food is stuck in the valve, you may have too little liquid in the Speedcooker® (250 ml is necessary to provide the adequate pressure).
13. It is important to remember that different heat sources and stoves will give you different reactions. After the first few uses, you will get to know how the Speedcooker® reacts to your heat source i.e. solid plate stove, spiral plate, glass top, gas etc. 
14. Never let the gas flames pass the diameter of the base of the Speedcooker®. If using an electric stove, the plate should be smaller than the base diameter of the Speedcooker®. 
15. Too high a temperature will cause the pressure inside the unit to become too much. This will result in steam escaping from the unit, spillage, and you could burn your food. 
16. Food particles and frothy foods can cause a build-up in the Cooking Indicator Valve. The residue may become hard and sticky after a while and may interfere with the operation of the Speedcooker® and Electrospeed®. It is important to clean the cooking indicator valve on a regular basis, or at least once a month depending on the type of cooking and frequency of use. To do this, unscrew the brass cap on the inside of the lid and remove the red pin.
    
    Allow hot water to run over the opening by keeping the lid in an upside down position, to remove the clogged particles. Use a drop of dishwashing liquid and a small brush to ensure any sticky residue inside the valve and the red pin is properly cleaned, and to ensure that movement is not impeded. Place the red pin back in the opening after cleaning, and ensure that the O-ring (small red rubber ring) is in its original position before the brass cap is screwed on again. 

By following these steps you will be guaranteed proper functioning of your Speedcooker® and Electrospeed®.

For more information download the leaflet and read at your leisure.