Customer Reviews

Presto Pressure Cooker/Canner Air Vent Cover/Lock

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Keep an extra one of these assemblies on hand, as it may be IMPOSSIBLE to get the old one off without destroying it, even if your original objective was just to replace the #85659 rubber washer. My Presto pressure cooker is early 1980s vintage, and when I tried to unscrew the two aluminum parts of the lock I found -- to no great surprise -- that they were frozen together. The easiest thing was to gently file the narrow flange on the outer end off with a small mill file and discard the old assembly. To avoid grief the next time, put a little anti-seize lubricant on the threads before assembling the new one. You can find this grease-like stuff from Loctite or Permatex at most auto parts stores, or see ASIN B0002UEOLO here at Amazon.com for a small tube. It's a silvery petroleum-based paste fortified with graphite and metal flakes and the tiny amount needed is quite safe to use in this application.

This interlock assembly from Presto National has been redesigned ("for safety", according to their customer service department) and no longer appears like the original, although the illustration on their site still shows the old style as of August 29, 2011. The new style has knurled cups on both ends, is hollow, and has a transverse hole in the stem. This means it no longer recesses nicely in the lid when the pressure has dropped and may be prone to damage in storage and transport. On the other hand, having large knurled cups on both ends may mean that it is easier to disassemble without tools when the time comes to service it. If you REALLY hate the appearance and have some machine shop skills, you can turn down the outer cup on a lathe and just leave a thin flange 0.500 inch in diameter. The original had knurling on the edge of the flange, but this isn't strictly necessary. Due to the hollow center it will be lighter than the original, but should still work fine.

It's unclear why Presto National redesigned the part. Possibly, a few customers reported that the interlock failed to pop out properly with rising steam pressure and it may have allowed the lid to be removed from the pot, causing scalding. However, in using my Presto pressure cooker for nearly 25 years I never experienced any problems whatsoever in this regard, since there's no way that the cooker can develop full pressure with the interlock in the "down" position, as it allows too much steam to escape when the gasket isn't fully seated. (That's assuming the mechanism is kept clean and isn't allowed to get gummed up with food.)

This part is ultra simple, but necessary to to use the pressure cooker it fits. It unscrews then screws tightly back together to keep it secure in the hole. I found this part to fit and perform it's intended function. Decent price, and fast delivery.

I had a Presto Pressure cooker given to me without this piece in the lid. Doing some research I learned that this is a necessary piece that does two things:

1. It pops up and seals the cooker when the steam begins.

2. It assures that pressure cannot build unless the lid is properly locked closed.

It was super easy to install and took about a minute to put on.