Can pressure cookers accidentally explode when trying to cook with them?
First generation pressure cookers use a weight to control the build up of pressure within the cooking vessel and relied upon that single valve to release any excess pressure but if the weight was accidentally knocked off, a messy eruption could occur, or that single valve could potentially get blocked. A popular form of this were the “jiggle top” style, and later models had a secondary manual pressure release valve to supplement the weight for a more controlled pressure release.Newer (second generation) pressure cookers have triple-redundant safety features to prevent overpressurization accidents. Not only is there the main pressure regulator, which is now a spring loaded valve that cannot be accidentally knocked off, there is also a pressure interlock that locks the lid in place and prevents the lid from being removed or opened while the vessel is pressurized, and finally there is a engineered failure point in the sealing gasket that will blow out and release the pressure in the event that the main valve is clogged and well before too much pressure can build.So if you have a second generation pressure cooker, there is very little chance that an accidental explosion could occur.
Under what circumstance would a pressure cooker explode, and what kind of damage would it do?
I have never seen a true pressure cooker explosion, but I have seen and heard the results of overfilling a cooker with a bean and meat stew. Some cookers do not have a domed lid, so it is dangerously easy to fill the cooker almost to the underside of the lid. The contents can boil up, and in this case they appear to have done so just enough to block the pressure regulator pipe. The pressure then built up further until the safety plug blew out, which rapidly decompressed the contents.At this point the contents would have been at about 130 °C, maybe more if the safety plug itself was obstructed. Water with 30 C of superheat can spontaneously boil off about 5% of its mass without any heat transfer, and that is roughly what happened - a scalding jet of boiling stew sprayed up out of the cooker onto the ceiling. After the excitement waned, we could see that the bottom of the cooker had been domed quite noticeably (all other pressure bearing surfaces are originally curved, of course). The lid itself stayed on. It wasn't as exciting as a petrol (gasoline) stove blowing its pressure relief valve, but it came close.Based on that experience, and other experience with deliberately ruptured pressure vessels, I'd say that these are the features of a pressure cooker 'explosion':1) Steam being generated at a faster rate than the pressure regulator can handle, possibly because the pressure regulator is obstructed by boiled-up food (quite possible);2) A safety pessure release system that is also obstructed somehow (much less likely than 1) because the safety device is usually resistant to seizure, obstruction or other catastrophic 'breakage' - it is a simple plug or rupture disk, often combined with a small fusible plug);3) Even if the vessel itself ruptures (instead of the lid or some other part detatching) it is unlikely to shatter into pieces, grenade-like: it will probably tear, with the tear starting at a weak point or stress concentration;4) The ejected contents may be as, or more, dangerous than the vessel itself, because they can transfer a lot of heat very quickly, causing severe burns.
Have you ever had a pressure cooker or "Instant Pot" explode?
It exploded when I was 5, and expelled the content to the ceiling and walls. The lid was found folded in half in the sink, snatched from the handle and every other parts. The weight made a dent in the ceiling broke a dish and end up through the window. The cooker body made a dent in a heavy pot and the explosion was very loud. The manufacturer like to take customers for idiots by telling that it won't explode because of the inner lid. But it's exactly the opposite of the truth. I have read on Indian sites that it still explodes today and hurts people. This should be banned because it can possibly kill you and I am shocked to see that it is still not the case. The worst appliance ever: Hawkins pressure cooker
Does anyone use a pressure cooker?
I use my pressure cooker for a few things...I cook dry beans (cannellini, garbanzo, pinto, etc.)...they get all creamy & yummy. Also I precook my babyback ribs in my pressure cooker, it softens & deeply flavors them, then they turn-out really tender off the grill. Next I cook my sweet brown rice to make Amasake. And, if I need chicken meat for a recipe, I pressure cook it...the flavors are incredible & the meat is extremely tender! Of course all these foods cooks faster in a pressure cooker, but my main reason to use it is for the flavor it forces into the foods... I hope this helps, you should try it for something...try a recipe from your book. I recommend a stainless steel pressure cooker!
Would a gas cylinder explode if there was a fire? I’m writing a story, and I need a “big explosion”. It goes like this, gas leaks from the stove and light ignite fire. Then, the fire make the gas cylinder explode. Is it possible?
Yes, in determinate conditions, if the gas cylinder is overheated and leaking gas, there may be an explosion.Personally I heard such an explosion, with consequent material damages. But I noticed two more incidents in my city and a near village.In the later some guy died and other were severely ustioned because they were celebrating and having dinner in a room heated by a gas stowe.Unfortunately the gas cylinder was too near the stowe, was overheated and finally the soldering yielded.To note: if you observe a domestic gas cylinder you can see soldiering lines. The cylinder is made from a relatively thin steel plate. Infact the gas is liquified at small pressure. If you observe the cylinder for gases at heavy pressure, you can not observe soldiering.Hope to be useful!excuse my english
Is it recommendable for elderly to use pressure cooker for home cooking?
,My mother always cooked in a pressure cooker. Everything came out great. I have a couple of friends that do, they love it. I wouldn't advise the older seniors that are to sick or weak cause there kinda dangerous.
What causes a crock pot to explode?
Are you talking about pressure cookers? Slow cookers don’t tend to explode because the lids sit loosely on the crock, plus the lids have little holes that allow steam to escape. If you do a Google image search for “slow cooker lid” you will see many examples of that little steam release hole. The only way I can imagine a slow cooker “exploding” would be if it were one of those “clip and carry” types that have a silicone lid gasket and locking clips for transport. Never cook with those clips in place.If you are in fact talking about pressure cookers, modern versions are practically fool-proof due to their multiple safety features. One of these features is a valve through which excess steam can release. Be sure to routinely check that valve. My technique is to literally blow through it and its lid port to be sure there’s air flow. These valves vary in appearance from model to model so check your manual.Another safety feature is a lid-locking mechanism that prevents you from opening the pot before the pressure has reduced to a safe level. The lock works in conjunction with a visual pressure indicator, which is a little button that pops up once you’ve reached pressure and later drops when it’s safe to open the pot. If the button is up, the lid will be locked tight. Always be sure this indicator is free-moving. I blow through this one too!Long story short, keep your valves clear and free-moving, set and lock the lid properly, and obey the visual pressure indicator (and your recipe) and you’ll be fine. If you have any doubts at all about using a modern pressure cooker, go for an electric model that does most of the thinking and calculating for you. They’re really great!