Cookware

Pressure Cooker Safety Valve Function

You may be wondering what the safety valve on a pressure cooker is even for. Its main purpose is to let out steam if the internal pressure becomes too high or at a point that is no longer safe for the pressure cooker to try and maintain. 

There are other regulating valves that should be doing this first and the safety valve is a backup in case the first valves fail. 

This feature is needed and is what stops the possibility of a pressure cooker from ever exploding. 

Pressure Cooker Steam Coming Out Of Safety Valve

So let’s get onto why some steam might be coming out of the safety valve. If it’s leaking steam, it’s because the internal pressure is too high and the safety valve is working as intended to release excess pressure when the regulating valves fail. 

This indicates another issue with pressure cooking that could be one of the following. 

• Overfilled pressure cooker – The pressure cooker may have no faulty parts, but if it’s filled too high or has foam growing on the inside, it may be blocking the regulating valve from functioning properly. 
• Not enough water – This is the underfilled possibility. If all of the water has boiled off and there’s nothing for the heat to be easily regulated out, then the heat may rise too fast. 
• Issues with the regulating valve – If the regulating valve isn’t working properly, then the pressure will build up in the pressure cooker. This means the backup safety valve has to get rid of the excess pressure. 
• Broken safety valve – The safety valve may be broke and continuously releasing steam. 

Stone Cookware Pros And Cons

Stone cookware comes with numerous pros and only a few cons. While there may be better cookware for specific recipes, stone cookware in general is a great addition to any kitchen!

Despite what some might think, stone cookware isn’t made entirely out of a piece of rock. The core material of all non-stick stone cookware is a metal, usually stainless steel or aluminum. On the outside of the metal is the stone coating where stone cookware gets it’s name. The stones chosen for pots, pans, and other cooking gear can vary from granite, marble, and sometimes porcelain. 

These stone coatings are usually non-stick and non-reactive with any foods cooked on them. 

Not every piece of stone cookware is created equal though, including the differences between the different kinds of metal interiors.

Further down in the article are some great examples of the best stone cookware! 

The Pros Of Stone Cookware

There are plenty of pros for stone cookware and their many uses in the kitchen. Below are some of the most important things to consider when getting stone cookware and why they are great to have. 

No Harmful Chemicals

While cheaper nonstick pans contain a variety of chemicals that coat the pans, stone cookware does not! No lead, nickel, or zinc, are going to be exposed to your food, just plain rock dust. 

Because of the lack of chemicals, you don’t have to worry about the same problems you might experience from other cookware. For example, other nonstick coated pans contain chemicals such as POFA, which is known to cause health issues such as reproduction issues, kidney diseases, and more. 

Great Heat Distribution

If you find a piece of stone cookware with an aluminum base, it’ll distribute heat evenly across the pan. If you’ve ever cooked with a non-uniformly heated pan, you know the importance of having the heat evenly spread out across the cooking surface. 

Scratch Resistant

Most non-stick pans scratch easily and will have marks running up and down the surface after only a few uses. 

Stone cookware isn’t the same and will resist scratching, holding up much better than the conventional non-stick pans. Obviously, if you try to scratch the surface and vigorously scrub the cookware, it will eventually develop abrasions in the pan, pot, or whatever you’re cooking on. 

Very Durable 

Stone doesn’t rust and no coatings will be flaking off the surface, making stone cookware much more durable than alternative cookware. 

Easy Cleaning

Stone cookware is very easy to clean and maintain. Unless specified by the manufacturer, stone cookware will be dishwasher safe, adding to ease of cleaning. Even if you don’t have a dishwasher, cleaning with a non-toxic dish soap and a soft scrubber will more than do the trick. 

The Cons Of Stone Cookware

There are plenty of pros and good reasons to invest in some stone cookware, but there are also some cons to be aware of when buying.

Costly

The price tends to be higher compared to similar sized non-stick or ceramic cookware. It’s no surprise considering the quality you get from stone, but it is still something to keep in mind when shopping. 

Troubles With High Heat

Basically everything you’ll cook on a stove top will be fine, but you should be cautious about using stone cookware above 400F. The higher temperatures compromise the durability and unless rated for high temperatures by the manufacturer, I would avoid using above medium-high temps. 

Best Stone Cookware

There are plenty of options for stone cookware on the market, but these are some of the better options that won’t let you down. 

Granite Hammered Pan Set 12 Piece, Dishwasher Safe Cooking Pots and Pans Set

A set of granite cookware that works on a variety of stove tops, from electric to gas. It also comes with an aluminum core, the perfect metal for even heat distribution!

Toxic free, all pans and pots are free of PFOA and lead! In my opinion, all cookware you use should be free of these chemicals as it’s not worth the health risks to use them. 

On top of everything else, this cookware set is stick free and requires a lot less cooking oil to avoid scrapping food residue off your pans.

Buy Now On Amazon

MICHELANGELO Pots and Pans Set, Stone Cookware Set 12 Piece

Another great stone cookware set, the Michelangelo comes with a 12 piece set of pots and pans similar to the last one. However, this set is slightly cheaper with some other differences. This set is also 100% PFOA free, lead free, and cadmium free, making it a great option for those who are health conscious.

In addition to being chemical free, the pans are non-stick and require less cooking oil to avoid and sticking. No hot spots will occur either as these pans are made with an aluminum alloy at their center, which is a great metal for even heat dispersion.  

Buy Now On Amazon

Granitestone 20 Pcs Pots and Pans Set

This stone cookware set has more pieces and options for cooking with similar specs. 

All pieces are non-stick, toxic free, and easy to clean! The main difference between this set is that it includes stone bake ware in addition to the pots and pans. There are options for smaller piece sets if you don’t want all 20 as well. 

Buy Now On Amazon

Stone Cookware Dangers?

Thankfully there aren’t the same dangers with stone cookware that there are with others. Stone cookware is safe as long as no chemical coatings such as PFOA have been applied to the cookware. This safety is part of the appeal it has for most people who spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

How To Clean Stone Cookware

Most stone cookware you’ll buy will be dishwasher safe and help in cleaning. That being said, stone cookware can be easily cleaned with soap and water using a nylon brush or most sponges. 

A deep cleaning requires a bit more effort and requires cleaning with baking soda to get a thorough clean.