General purpose products: Checks to make before use

Before first time use

Wash off any oil or dust: Some products may have oil or dust remaining from the production process. Clean the pressure cooker with a sponge using a mild detergent and warm soapy water and 2 or 3 drops of vinegar, before using for the first time. Any oil adhering to the cooker will yellow and harden if it is exposed to heat before the oil is cleaned off and will be difficult to remove.

Heating temperature

Use low to medium heat, but high heat is not needed

High heat is not needed because our pot holds the heat and effectively transfers it to the whole pot. Unnecessary heating not only causes food to be burned, but can result in the loss of nutrients and flavor. It can cause stress to the handle and may damage the pot.
*The same applies when using an electric cooking heater.

Mesium heat

Medium heat: “Medium heat” means the tip of the flame just touches the bottom of the pot.
700 W to 1100 W in case of IH (Induction Heating) equipment.

Low heat

Low heat: “Low heat” means the tip of the flame stays in the middle between the bottom of the pot and the burner.
300 W to 400 W in case of IH (Induction Heating) equipment.

Extremely low heat

Extremely low heat: “Extremely low heat” is the lowest heat possible before the flame goes out.
200 W to 300 W in case of IH (Induction Heating) equipment.

When you cannot make “Extremely low heat”

When you cannot make “Extremely low heat”: When you cannot make “Extremely low heat” (or otherwise it goes off), and it would consequently burn rice or cakes, use a wire grid or grate under the pot.

Bring back to low heat when pot forms a vapor seal

Please bring the heat back to low when vapor comes out from the shoulder of the utensil and forms a vapor seal (lid spins easily when you turn it).

Hint for heat level

Read Owner’s Manual before using and follow the cooking instructions. Heat levels are “Medium heat”, “Low heat” and “Extremely low heat”. Please refer to the following in the chart to adjust the heat. Always follow the instructions for the specific model of IH (Induction Heating) cooking heater, because heat levels vary from model to model:

Stove	IH cooking heater	Cooking with Vita Craft cookware
Medium heat	700W ～ 1100W	Pre-heating or start of boiling, cooking, steaming, baking or frying for normal cooking.
Low heat	300W ～ 400W	After vapor seal is formed when boiling, steaming or cooking, or when the surface of the food comes to a crisp during frying. For baking and frying with lid covered.
Extremely low heat	200W ～ 300W	After a vapor seal is formed while cooking rice, etc.

In case lid does not come off

Reheat with medium to slightly higher heat

When pot has cooled during or after cooking, the lid tends to stick to the pot. Reheat the pot with slightly higher than medium heat to open the lid.

Preventions

When you cook using residual heat or steam the rice, wipe drops from the underside of the lid after stopping the heat to prevent the lid from sticking to the pot. Reheating the pot may cause food to burn if there is small amount of water such as when cooking rice.
Lid may not come off easily if it is placed face down on a flat surface when it is still hot. Place the lid with its top knob down, or on a cloth when placed face down.

For long lasting use

When you cook vegetables or pasta, or add salt, please stir well to make the salt completely dissolved. If there is salt left at the bottom of the pot, it may cause corrosion. Wash the pot as soon as possible when salty food or salt is used.
Do not leave our products in contact with other metal products (iron knife, pan, spoon, fork, etc.)
Do not leave food in the pot, or leave it without washing it.