February 6, 2012

A High Pressure Situation.

I recently bought myself an electric pressure cooker/slow cooker arrangement all in one.  One of my close friends had one and I had been enviously admiring it.  My Mum used to have a pressure cooker.  It was one of those aluminium stove top one with a valve on the top that got a whistle up and a funny elliptical lid that was difficult to seal.  She used it all the time when I was growing up.  I had always been slightly afraid of it.  The noise alone was enough to put me off.  Anyway I decided to embrace pressure cooking given that modern pressure cookers are supposed to be super safe and there is little chance of dinner winding up on the roof.

Look - here is my new cooker.

Fast Slow Cooker

The first couple of times I used it everything went like a dream and dinner was quick and delicious.  Hence I decided yesterday that Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to practice my domestic goddess skills which have been neglected of late.  I planned to make a rolled roast in an Italian white bean sauce.

I got busy in the kitchen and everything was going well.  And then I noticed a great deal of condensation behind the electronic screen thingy and steam escaping from all the areas it shouldn't (like the base of the pressure cooker...).  I went a bit closer to investigate and jumped through the roof when the cooker fired one of its knobs at me.  The little plastic bit was merrily blasted to the other side of the kitchen.

Look - here is my post cooking shot.  Kind of like a "here's one I prepared earlier".

I think something is wrong.

So instead of a post extolling my new found skills as a pressure cooker uber goddess, you get this.  A photo of a pressure cooker that I do not think will live to cook another day.  Needless to say I will be calling the warranty people at Breville first thing this morning.....

Addit - I called customer service at Appliances On-line which is where I purchased the cooker from.  They will replace it by Wednesday and have arranged for a courier to pick up the old one.  Excellent service.  My friend's cooker is perfect so I am happy to try again!

11 comments:

Lisa @ Blithe Moments said...

Wow! Glad you survived unscathed. I find pressure cookers so scary but had been thinking about this combo one. Let us know what Breville does/says.

Anonymous said...

We bought a new microwave (cause the old one blew up) and it also blew up. We went back to the store and exchanged it for another, it also blew up. We then changed brands, this one has lasted!

Debra said...

Strike a light! I had been considering buying one of these things but like you, memories of my mum's and the fear of it exploding has always held me back. I don't think I'll venture forth down this road...

ANB said...

We have one of the old fashioned stove-top ones and it does make scary noises. Aside from the noises, I managed to cook one curry so quickly and thoroughly I spent the next three days scrubbing it off the inside of the cooker. And apart from that, it is good! Very useful to be able to produce proper meals in a hurry.

Bungalowgirl said...

Very much looking forward to your post where you describe this incident to Breville. A pressure cooker blowing a button? too funny ( now that I know it didn't take your eye out of course) melx

A Farmer's Wife said...

I rang Appliances On-line which is where I purchased it from. They will have a new one to be by Weds and have arranged pick up of the old one. How's that for service? Th customer service man was lovely and had it sorted in no time. Apparently they haven't had this problem before and my friend loves hers so I am happy to try again.

Mummaducka said...

I used to sterilize all my baby's bottles etc in the pressure cooker, quick and easy.and i could leave then in there or release the pressure. I'm glad you didn't get shot in the kitchen by the murderous Mr Breville!

Joolz said...

Did you get the beef cooked for dinner? Glad you got good service.

Our 7.5 year old $4,000 fridge died on the weekend - the compressor apparently. We have lost all of our condiments that were in it, too dodgy to risk food poisoning, so it all goes in the bin today. We are hoping they can source a part to fix it but until then we are reduced to using our bar fridge! What a joke!

Cheers - Joolz

Anonymous said...

I had never heard of these, but despite this very scary story, you've still got me looking online pondering whether I should buy one! Are they any good for chicken? We don't eat much red meat (don't tell the farmer). Lots of canola oil, though!
Love to you, SuzM

A Farmer's Wife said...

Suz - It looks like it will be a good bit of gear. I got it more because you can saute and then slow cook in the same appliance. Will let you know how I go with the next one. xx

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to your getting a perfectly working one, this time!

Your roast in white bean sauce sounds delicious!

Ciao,

L