FAQs Pressure Cookers

Fissler Pressure Cookers are easy to use and easy to maintain. If there are still problems, we have summarized the most important questions for you here.

The higher temperatures that are achieved in a pressure cooker results in cooking times that are reduced by up to 70° as compared to standard cooking methods. This saves up to 50° of expended energy. With the removal of atmospheric oxygen and the shorter cooking times, foods are cooked very gently. Vitamins, minerals and flavors are better preserved, colors remain fresh and natural flavors are intensified.

The recommended pressure cooker size depends upon the number of individuals you will be serving. As a general rule of thumb:

  • 1–2 persons >2.5 Qt 
  • 2–3 persons >4-4.5 Qt 
  • 3–4 persons >6.0Qt 
  • 4–5 persons >8.0Qt 
  • 5+ persons >10.0Qt

Fissler pressure cookers are suitable for all types of cooktops, including induction cooktops.

All Fissler vitaquick® series and vitavit® series of pressure cookers are induction-compatible. This is indicated by the stamp on the base of Fissler products. If the stamp reads "cookstar" or "Induction", the pressure cooker can be used on any cooktop surface to include induction stoves.

In general, vegetables and fish are cooked at the lower Setting 1, and meat, potatoes, soups and similar food at the higher Setting 2. Normal cooking times are approximately cut in half with Setting 1, and to one-third at Setting 2. However, exact cooking times will always depend upon the size and quantity of the food that you are cooking. Your pressure cooker instruction booklet, also available on this website, contains detailed information about the cooking times for various foods.

Generally speaking, nearly most cooking methods are possible with a pressure cooker. You can cook or stew, steam (with inset), sauté and fry (without lid) and also defrost, boil down or strain (with insets).

Apple sauce and compotes should not be prepared in pressure cookers since steam bubbles can build and burst upon opening. When preparing very frothy dishes, only fill the pot to ½ of the total capacity. Remove any froth from soups in the open pot before serving.

Stews must be brought to a boil again and stirred before the lid is closed. Foods should only be thickened after the end of the cooking time.

For conventional pressure cookers such as Fissler vitaquick®, the indicated cooking time begins as soon as the setting you have selected has been reached. For Fissler vitavit® pressure cookers, your cooking time begins once the green ring becomes visible.

The gentle setting, Setting I, with its relatively low temperature, is ideal for more delicate foods like fish or vegetables. The speed setting, Setting 2, cooks at a higher temperature and is intended for meat dishes and stews.

Adjustable settings mean that the pressure cooker regulates the temperature automatically. For example, if you have selected Setting I and the temperature inside the pressure cooker rises above 230 °F, the cooking display turns to red and the cooking valve starts to release steam. This feature puts a ceiling on your cooking temperature, even prior to reducing the temperature setting on your cooktop.

Conventional pressure cooker displays only indicate when Setting 1 or Setting 2 has been reached (vitaquick® series). The patented traffic light display (Available on the Fissler vitavit® series) indicates when you have to reduce the heat, when the optimal cooking temperature has been reached and when the temperature in the pot is either too high or too low.

Use the steam setting for particularly sensitive types of food with very short cooking times, or for dishes you wish to taste occasionally while cooking or to which you wish to add spices later. Generally speaking, with the steam setting you can also use your pressure cooker like a normal cooking pot.

The main control valve, lid handle and rubber gasket must be cleaned manually. The pot and lid (without main control valve, handle and rubber gasket) are dishwasher-safe.

The pot can be placed directly into the dishwasher. The lid can also be placed in the dishwasher but only after the main valve, rubber gasket, and the lid handle have been removed. These parts are easy to clean by hand using fresh water and a soft brush.

The extensive range of Fissler pressure cooker accessories lets you take full advantage of the many cooking possibilities that your Fissler pressure cooker has to offer:

Insets: You can use insets to steam (perforated inset), defrost deep-frozen food, strain fruit, or prepare several dishes simultaneously by stacking multiple insets.

Glass or metal lid: With a glass or metal lid accessory, you can also use your pressure cooker like a traditional cooking pot or frying pan.

Frying inset: The frying inset transforms your pressure cooker into a deep fryer for more versatility in your kitchen.

Please note: You cannot fry foods when utilizing the pressure cooker lid.

Yes, you can use insets with your Fissler pressure cooker for steaming (perforated inset), thawing frozen foods (perforated or unperforated inset), extracting juice from fruits (perforated on the unperforated inset), or cooking several foods at the same time (various insets stacked).

All of the instructions concerning your pressure cooker are contained in the Instruction Booklet. Following is a summary of the five most important things to remember:

  1. Be careful to put the minimum amount of liquid into the pressure cooker which is necessary to build steam ("min." mark). 
  2. Never fill the pressure cooker to more than 2/3 of its volume. When preparing frothy foods, fill the pressure cooker to only 1/2 of total capacity. When cooking beans and similar foods, fill the pressure cooker to only 1/3 capacity (see 1/3 marking). 
  3. Do not use force to open your pressure cooker. First let the steam completely dissipate, shake the pressure cooker slightly to remove condensation from the lid and then you can safely open your pressure cooker. 
  4. Do not modify the pot, lid, handles or valves. 
  5. Replace the gaskets regularly. In order to maintain optimal performance, it is recommended that Fissler pressure cooker gaskets be replaced after two years or approximately 400 uses, whichever comes first and only use original Fissler parts.

All gaskets are subject to natural wear and tear. In order to maintain optimal performance, it is recommended that Fissler pressure cooker gaskets be replaced after two years or approximately 400 uses, whichever comes first.

Genuine Fissler replacement parts are available from retailers that sell Fissler products or directly from www.fissler.com 

Yes. From the central Fissler Customer Service Department: customerservice(at)fisslerusa.com 

Obviously a pressure cooker works with pressure. However, there is no need to be concerned with Fissler pressure cookers because of the many built-in safety features which function automatically. For example, a Fissler pressure cooker will only build up pressure when the cooker is properly closed. Furthermore, the amount of pressure is automatically limited, and the pot can only be opened once the pressure has been completely eliminated. Please note the one important thing for you to remember is to clean your pressure cooker regularly and to maintain your Fissler pressure cooker as described in the Instruction Booklet.

These are generally discolorations which result from substances in the water being absorbed into the passive film of the stainless steel. Cleansers which contain a large amount of basic silicates and phosphates can also produce such discolorations in stainless steel. Adding salt to water which has not yet come to a boil can also produce deposits of salt crystals on the bottom of the pot. The salt then reacts with the stainless steel, forming little white spots on the bottom of the pot. Discolorations can also be produced if stainless steel cookware is placed on a burner that is already very hot. The majority of stains and discolorations on a Fissler pressure cooker can easily be removed with Fissler Stainless Steel Cleanser.

Please refer to Chapter 10 of the Instruction Booklet, "Questions and answers regarding pressure cookers". You can also request assistance from your authorized Fissler retailer's customer service. Finally, the Fissler Customer Service Department will also be pleased to assist you and can reached at 704.842.9608 or customerservice(at)fisslerusa.com 

Fissler America Inc. grants a limited lifetime warranty on all individual parts (excluding parts which are subject to wear, such as the rubber gasket, O-rings, valve base seals and silicone membranes). The limitations on the warranty are in case of improper use and does not apply to purely visual signs of wear.


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