Why 15 psi max on pressure cookers?

[Bill_Door]

@FRE0

I have unsuccessfully attempted to find a pressure cooker that can be operated at more than 15 psi, perhaps 30 psi. Obviously it would cook faster, but they don’t seem to be available. 30 psi is not especially high; I have an air compressor that goes up to 125 psi and it does not require any special permits. Pressurized water nuclear reactors operate at around 1,500 psi.(snip)It is unclear why we cannot buy pressure cookers that operate at greater than 15 psi.

The air compressor is an unfired pressure vessel, while the pressure cooker is fired, it may be that that’s the difference. Vessels with a design temperature less than 210 degrees Fahrenheit are exempt.

ASME code Section VIII specifically exempts vessels having an internal or external pressure not exceeding 15 psi (100 kPa). I don’t know why 15 psi was selected rather than 16 or 20, it’s about one atmosphere of pressure, and that may be it.