Pressure cook agar

Clean the Pressure Cooker (optional)

If you haven't cleaned your pressure cooker since the last time you used it, give it a quick rinse to ensure it's clean. Your pressure cooker is arguably the most important (and expensive) tool in your sterilization process, so taking care of it should always be a priority.

Using warm and soapy water, gently wash the insides of the pressure cooker, then rinse off all the soap before drying it.

Add Water to the Pressure Cooker

To prevent the cooker from running dry during the sterilization process, add 2-3 inches of water before adding anything else.

Add water to pressure cooker

This step is crucial, and you should follow it carefully. If the pressure cooker runs out of water, the pressure could build to such a level that the lid of the pressure cooker and all of the extremely hot contents inside of it could burst. Adding 2-3 inches of water will keep you and the pressure cooker safe.

Add contents to the Pressure Cooker

Now that you've cleaned the cooker and added water, it's safe to add the necessary contents.

Add the pressure cooker rack

To avoid your glass appliances touching the bottom of the cooker directly, add the provided rack to the bottom of the cooker.

Adding pressure cooker rack

Add your glassware

Add your glassware and aluminum foil-covered tools (if any) to the cooker. Try to avoid contact between any of your appliances, such as the walls of the cooker, or with each other.

To prevent water from getting inside your tools, feel free to elevate them a bit higher with a mason jar you aren't using. You can also add a small amount of water to these jars.

Flask and petri dishes in pressure cooker

Connect the pressure cooker lid

You're almost there! Now that you've added all the necessary contents to the pressure cooker, it is time to connect and secure the lid.

Lubricating the seal of the cooker

The All-American pressure cooker relies on a metal-to-metal seal. Lubricate the edges before use to prevent sticking and maintain a proper seal.

Using petroleum jelly (or another similar lubricant), apply a thin layer along the seal. More specifically, the edge inside the pressure cooker where the inside wall begins to bevel out. Apply enough to wet the surface but not visibly see it.

Lubricating pressure cooker seal

Check the vent pipe

Before attaching the lid, point the top towards a light source and ensure you can see through the vent pipe. Clean the vent pipe thoroughly if any residue is blocking the hole.

Checking that the vent pipe isn't blocked

Attach lid

Securely attach the lid by tightening the wing nuts on opposite sides as you make your way around. Do not wholly tighten all wing nuts until you've successfully made your way around the lid and slightly tightened them.

Locking wing nuts

If you've tightened them all correctly, the lid should fit on top of the body flush and even. If any side of the lid seems uneven, unscrew the wing nuts and start over. The lid must sit on the body evenly to ensure a proper seal.

Check that the lid spacing is even across

Heating the pressure cooker

Warning: Once you start the pressure cooker, you should NEVER leave the cooker unattended. For your safety and that of those around you, it's vital that you continuously ensure the pressure of the cooker is stable.

Now that you've added your contents to the cooker and the lid is securely tightened, it's time to heat the cooker and begin sterilization.

Before attaching the weighted regulator

Place the pressure cooker on the stove and set the heat to medium. Make sure the weight regulator (aka jiggler) does not cover the vent pipe yet. Once you see a steady stream of steam from the vent pipe, start a timer for 10 minutes. The steam release allows all the air to escape the cooker, so pressure can build consistently while cooking.

Steady stream of steam coming from the vent pipe

After 10 minutes, add the weight regulator over the vent pipe. Make sure you attach the pipe to the hole indicating 15 psi.

Added weighted regulator

Set a 30 minute timer after the weight regulator starts to jiggle

Once the pot reaches 15 psi, the weight regulator jiggles and makes a noise. After hearing this noise, you should start the timer for 30 minutes. Adjust the heat so you only hear the regulator jiggle three times per minute at most.

Pressure at 15psi

After the timer goes off

Once your timer goes off, slowly turn the heat off and allow the pressure cooker to cool down before your next step. Leave the weighted regulator on the vent pipe until you're ready to remove the lid.