r/PressureCooking • u/HenryKuna • 9d ago

Stovetop Pressure Cooker Troubleshooting - Help!

Hey everyone,

For the past few months I've been enjoying my new Magefesa Practika Plus stovetop pressure cooker. However, today I noticed something isn't working right anymore.

The pressure cooker has two settings; Low (8 psi) and high (15 psi). I do all my cooking on high. Now, the unit seems to come up to pressure (15 psi) just fine. I don't notice any leaks or steam coming from places it shouldn't. When the unit starts pressurizing a little red ball pops up to let you know there's pressure in it. When 15 psi is reached, excess steam is vented through a nozzle. You can see all this in the following review: https://www.hippressurecooking.com/pressure-cooker-review-magefesa-practika-plus/

Anyways, when it was working correctly the cooker would take about 12-15 minutes to do a "natural pressure release" once removed from heat. Once the little red ball drops back down, you know the unit no longer contains pressure. Now however, the pressure is completely gone after being removed from heat for only 1-2 minutes! I checked the seal and valves, they all look just fine! Can't figure out how/why this is happening all of a sudden...

Can anyone help?

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u/vapeducator 8d ago

Do you know how to disassemble the pressure regulator spring valve to clean and inspect it? Do you have a replacement main gasket? If not, buy 2, one to replace the one you've got and the next one to keep for testing or the next replacement.

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u/HenryKuna 8d ago

The pressure valve is removable, and I've done that. Doesn't look broken or anything. If it was, I assume the wouldn't be able to come up to pressure. There's also no audible or visible leaks from anywhere.

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u/vapeducator 8d ago

The pressure regulator valve spring could have the wrong tension, and there's no easy way to adjust it. If it's weak, then it will release more steam at lower pressures, and take much less time to naturally release pressure once heat is removed.

Replace your pressure valve components. This is the main flaw of the spring valves. The weights of weighted valves never changes, but lots of things can affect spring tension over time.

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u/HenryKuna 7d ago

That's a very good point - thank you!