A pressure cooker utilizes high heat to tenderize meat or can vegetables, among other uses. The high heat can bake food right into the sides of the cooker, resulting in hard-to-remove stains. Hard water also can leave a thick, white ring around the inside of a cooker. Use an acidic substance to break through cooked-on or hard-water stains and remove them from the pressure cooker.
Mix equal amounts water and lemon juice, enough to cover all stains, in the pressure cooker.
Place the pressure cooker without the lid on the stove. Heat the liquid to almost boiling. Remove the cooker from the heat. Allow the mixture to remain in the cooker for 30 minutes.
Pour out the liquid from the pressure cooker. Fill the sink with warm water and 1 tsp. liquid dish soap. Wash the stains from the cooker with a nylon scrubber.
Rinse the pressure cooker with warm water and dry with a dish towel.
Fill the pressure cooker with enough tomato juice to cover any hard-water stains. Do not dilute the tomato juice.
Place the pressure cooker without the lid on the stove and heat the tomato juice to boiling. Turn the heat down so the juice simmers for 30 minutes.
Pour the juice from the pressure cooker after the allotted time. Wash the cooker in hot water and 1 tsp. of liquid dish soap.
Rinse the pressure cooker and dry with a dish towel before storing.