How to Use a Cleveland Pressure Steamer

Whether you're a new owner, manager or employee, learning how to use a Cleveland pressure steamer properly is vital not just to the smooth and seamless operation of your food business but to the safety of everyone involved. Let’s face it, pressure steamers can be dangerous if you don’t use them how the manufacturer intended. Luckily, we have the start-up, shutdown and safety procedures as well as cooking instructions so you can serve your menu items without hiccups or complaints. 

This guide addresses operating procedures specific to the PGM, PEM, PSM, PDM and PDL pressure steamer models. 

Pressure Steamer Start-Up Instructions 

• Step 1. Turn on the steam supply – Cleveland pressure steamers either have a built-in steam generator boiler located at the base of the unit or an external steam supply. Steps 2-4 or specific to models with the built-in steamer.
  • For units without a built-in broiler – Consult the start-up procedures for units with an external steam supply. Wait until the pressure gauge on the front console reads 10 PSI before preheating. Skip steps 2-4 and move on to step 5.
• Step 2. Fill the boiler with water – Ensure there is enough water in the boiler.
• Step 3. Switch the steamer on – Flip the rocker switch to its “on” position. From there, it will take approximately 5 minutes for the steam generator to fill with water.
• Step 4. Press the STEAM switch – Wait until the amber light on the STEAM switch turns on before pressing it. Wait about 15 minutes until the steam pressure gauge at the unit's base reads 10 PSI.
• Step 5. Preheat the steamer – Close the door and latch it, turning the bar handle clockwise so the gasket comes in contact with the compartment face.
• Step 6. Start the steam supply – Pull out the steam valve handle located to the left of the door hatch and set the timer for 5 minutes so the unit can preheat.
• Step 7. Seal the compartment door – Turn the bar handle clockwise until steam stops leaking. Be careful not to overtighten.
• Step 8. Depressurize and drain the compartment – After the 5-minute preheat, turn off the timer and push in the steam handle. Wait approximately 2 minutes for the steamer to depressurize and drain. The door should be slightly open.
• Step 9. Open the compartment door – The door should have opened slightly by the end of the two minutes. You can fully open the compartment door by turning the bar handle counterclockwise.
  • Warning: If the door doesn’t automatically open slightly by the end of the two minutes, do NOT attempt to open the compartment door. This means the drain line is clogged. An authorized service technician will need to repair the steamer before you can use it again.

How to Use a Cleveland Pressure Steamer 

• Step 1. Check that the cooking compartment is warm – Before you begin cooking food, double-check to make sure the cooking compartment is warm. If not, follow the preheating steps outlined above.
• Step 2. Place food into the cooking compartment – Taking care that you’re wearing your dry heat-proof gloves, slide the pans into the cooking compartment.
  • Note: Use shallow, perforated and uncovered pans for the tastiest results. If you have to cover the food, use a stainless steel lid designed for pan racks.

Cooking Instructions 

The manufacturer recommends these tips and tricks for food preparation and cooking times for meat, vegetables, desserts and other dishes:

Meat

Pressure steamers can cook a variety of different meats, whether that be whole birds, half cuts or chopped up, including:

• Chickens 
• Turkey
• Other poultry 
• Fowl
• Pot roasts
• Hams
• Corned Beef

Vegetables 

Cleveland recommends cooking and preparing vegetables in this manner for the best results:

• Cook al dente 
• Cut uniformly 
• Wash vegetables 
• Remove tough stems and skins 
• Season vegetables 
• Use perforated pans
• Defrost frozen vegetables 

Fresh Vegetable Cooking Times Chart 

Frozen Vegetable Cooking Times Chart 

Desserts

You may not have realized the multifaceted use of your pressure steamer can open up a world of new dessert menu options to attract customers. The pressure steamer can do this more safely than traditional means, making it ideal for custard or fruit-based desserts that require heating or scalding milk. 

Other Foods

In addition to traditional grub like meat and vegetables, you can also make frozen convenience foods. Just take it out of its packaging, place it on a perforated stainless steel pan, perforated it with a fork, cover it with a stainless steel lid, and cook it for 5-10 min for individual portion packs or 20-35 min for 5-pound muti-serving packs.

Pressure Steamer Shut Down Instructions

You have to shut down your Cleveland pressure steamer for at least 3 minutes every 8 hours to drain the mineralized water from the broiler. 

• Step 1. Turn the power switch off – Turn the power switch to the off position. The boiler will automatically drain. 
• Step 2. Wait 3 minutes – The drain water condenser will flush the drain for a full 3 minutes, emptying the boiler of its contents.
• Step 3. Turn the boiler back on – If you’re still intending to use your Cleveland pressure steamer, you may turn the power switch back on. 

Safety Precautions 

Follow the instructions for how to use a Cleveland pressure steamer above and the safety protocols and precautions below to minimize the risk of accident:

• Stand on the hinge side of the steamer – When opening the pressure steamer’s door, stand on the hinge side slightly back from the appliance to avoid contact with hot steam.
• Open the door slowly – When opening the door, be sure to vent the steam slowly to prevent scalding and avoid injury before retrieving food items.
• Wear dry heat-proof gloves – It’s always a good idea to wear the proper PPE when handling hot equipment and food.
• Keep the appliance well maintained – Scheduling routine maintenance by an authorized service technician and following the correct cleaning procedures can help prevent equipment malfunction and serious injury to personnel. 
• Do not light the burners with a flame – Never try to light the burners with an open flame on units with a gas broiler. These models have electronic ignition systems. 
• Don’t make adjustments to the electronic controls or gas valves – Only authorized service technicians should make adjustments to the controller valve or ignitor probe. 
• Only use fingers to press news and switches – Never use any other object other than your fingers to press switches and keys.

Operating, maintaining and troubleshooting your commercial cooking equipment can be effortless with the right resources. Parts Town keeps all of our Cleveland pressure steamer manuals and parts diagrams in one easy-to-navigate place for you to find.

Please contact a factory-authorized service agent who can help with this specific unit and all your commercial kitchen equipment needs.