We’ve had a rash of emails from people looking for replacement weights for their 1970’s era Revere Ware pressure cookers that look like this:
(You can find all of our accumulated information for this model here.)
These pressure cookers use a weight similar in shape and size to a standard Revere Ware lid knob to regulate the pressure which was alternately called the “pressure control regulator” or the “pressure control knob.” While I seem to recall that different weighted control knobs were available that were calibrated to different pressures, our manual for these pressure cookers indicates only a single weight that is calibrated for 17 1/2 lbs of pressure.
If you are unlucky enough to lose your pressure control knob, your pressure cooker is good as a doorstop, not much else, as replacements aren’t available anywhere we are aware of. For the enterprising DIYer that might want to make or have a replacement made, here are the important dimensions of the part:
Weight: 6.1 oz
Material: Brass
The inside of the hole is a very specific shape, shown here thanks to Playdoh.
The diameter of the largest part of the weight is 1.75 in or 44 mm.
Please let us know (and send us pictures) if you’ve successfully made your own replacement.
WOULD YOU KNOW OF ANYBODY THAT MAKES THERE WEIGHTS
I’m afraid not.
It has been a year and a half since John asked the question inquiring about a manufacturer for the 70’s Revere model weight. Have there been makers identified?? I need one.
There aren’t likely to be any people making weights for these older pressure cookers.
It would seem to me that for such a vital part of the pressure cooker for the weights of the 1576 and others would be beneficial for the company to find some outlet to make these pressure controllers as they are needed to replace this cooker to a useable stage. Also it would be company friendly and also who to heck makes them in the first place? seems like a great market would be established.
The Revere Ware brand, along with Corning Ware and Pyrex, are owned by Word Kitchen LLC. They produce cheap (in quality) versions of the formerly excellent products and seem to have no interest in providing good customers service. They discontinued selling any replacement parts more than 10 years ago and on the few occasions I’ve contacted them through email for warranty support, I have never gotten a reply.
I dont own one of these cookers, was looking at one on ebay and wondered parts availability. Thats how I happened to find this site. Mom had set Revere Ware pans but not a Revere Ware pressure cooker.
Alas since I dont have a Revere Ware cooker, I dont know size of hole in lid that OEM vent tube (part that sticks up and jiggler sets on top of) fits into. Its the kind of vent tube that acts as a bulkhead fitting with flange on top, a rubber washer, and nut that clamps it down tight on underside of lid. Presto part number #85608 vent pipe would maybe fit the hole and replace existing one. It looks similar size hole from photos though one would need to measure. Then use Presto part #09978 jiggler weight. It wont look like the original Revere Ware jigger weight, but it would let cooker be functional and not a doorstop. Might even remove the plastic handle part of Presto jiggler weight and glue on a Revere Ware knob???? Though personally I wouldnt bother.
Lot of possible interchangability in parts once you can actually measure things and not try to stick with official applications and part numbers. Just have to use some common sense and not blindly block saftey fuses or popoff valves.
I have a couple old pressure cookers I modified. A 1930s Minitmaid that now has both a gauge and a modern era Presto jiggler weight type pressure regulator. I really like having a gauge on any pressure cooker I use. And a 1920s National (no gaskets needed) that I actually put Mirro vent tube and jiggler weight on. It originally just had gauge and a manual steam bleed valve and mechanical popoff valve, as it was designed in days before jiggler weight pressure regulators were used. Both modifications work fine. And frankly better quality than any modern cooker I have seen. Modern ones are thin gauge materials and very plastic encrusted and made in China. Or the super high dollar ones out of Europe. Betting none of them will be around still functioning in 80 or 90 years like my two old relics have done.
Has anyone started making the 1576 control knob #020?
No, not at this time