Do you remember the scene from Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) where the pressure cooker suddenly exploded? It sends Holly jumping into Paul’s arms. While the scene seems romantic to viewers, the real fear of pressure cooker explosions inspired it.
A New York Times article from the 1950s stated that 37% of Americans owned a pressure cooker. However, cooker ownership plummeted to 20% by 2011 due to the fear of explosions. Today the exact ownership percentage is unknown, but there is an estimated CAGR growth of 5.53% by 2030 in the pressure cooker market.
However, there have been various reported occasions when such explosions led to second-degree burns. For instance, in March 2023, a Texas woman suffered severe burns after her pressure cooker exploded. Similarly, a Tennessee woman sued Breville, a leading manufacturer, after her multi-use utensil exploded.
In this blog, we will learn why pressure cookers explode, tips for avoiding them, and more.
Why Do Pressure Cookers Explode?
As you know, a pressure cooker is a multi-use utensil that traps steam to cook food items. This vessel expels air to raise the internal pressure and produce higher cooking temperatures. However, improper manufacturing methods lead to excessive internal pressure in these cookers, making them explode.
According to TorHoerman Law, cookers from brands such as Breville, NuWave, NutriPot, etc., have manufacturing defects. These defects include the following:
- Incorrect and inadequate lid seals or locks
- Premature opening due to faulty gaskets
- Malfunctioning ventilation that blocks the steam
- Faulty wiring and bad-quality release valves
You can sustain serious injuries such as lacerations, electrocution, and burns due to an exploding pressure cooker. However, that will only happen if you buy a defective product. Similarly, improper usage can also cause explosions.
Victims have held the manufacturers liable for their injuries. Hence, they filed lawsuits against the companies and models. Some implicated models include the Power Pressure Cooker XL from Tristar and the Ninja Foodi Pressure Cooker from SharkNinja. Over the years, the accused brands have paid USD 95 million to USD 1 billion in settlement amounts.
Food Items to Avoid Cooking in a Pressure Cooker
Safety failures in pressure cookers can lead to disfigured or catastrophic scars. In some cases, overfilling these utensils or cooking the wrong food can also lead to blasts. There are certain food items that you should keep away from pressure cookers:
- Any dairy product can curdle or separate, which will ruin its texture
- Cooking fried food may lead to explosions due to the absence of moist heat
- Pasta and noodles can get mushy, overcooked, or have a soggy texture
- Boiling eggs can turn into a mess as they can burst inside the cooker
Even then, pressure cookers are versatile utensils. Hence, you can cook cheesecake, applesauce, risotto, yogurt, oatmeal, toffee pudding, and more. Furthermore, pressure cookers are good for soups, rice, quesadillas, lasagnas, frozen foods, and more.
Tips for Using a Pressure Cooker to Avoid Explosions
As mentioned, you should avoid overfilling pressure cookers to keep the cooking process safe. Using enough liquid to produce steam and being mindful of the food items will also help. Additionally, you should slowly release and vent the pressure to avoid sudden blasts. Check the instructions to see if the cooker requires a natural or cold water release.
Keeping this multi-use utensil clean after every use will remove blocked valves and reduce the build-up of food particles. As a result, you can avoid any mishaps. Moreover, make sure to read the instructions and directions of use thoroughly.
After a few months of usage, you should replace the rubber gasket as it can become worn out. During that time, you must check the workability of the cooker’s seals, latches, valves, and sensors. A constant inspection will help you find potential damage and worn-out areas.
Moreover, some pressure cooker brands have safety features like leaky lid detection, lid lock, expanding gaskets, and more. In any case, you should wear gloves or oven mitts when handling this utensil.
The Bottom Line
Pressure cookers can cook food items quicker. Hence, you can save up on your energy bills. Moreover, cooking in these vessels can enhance the taste of your food and maximize the flavor.
Even with these benefits, you tend to stay away from pressure cookers. Of course, thousands of explosion stories can negatively impact you and stop you from buying one. But the government is on your side and can aid you in the buying process.
For instance, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has listed and documented all the unsafe products. Therefore, you can check by product name in the Search for Unsafe Products section to find related incidents. Doing this will help you decide which brand and product to buy.
Once decided, you should inspect the utensil for potential defects. Furthermore, ensure to cook the correct food items and use the tips mentioned in the blog to be safe.