Gigantic Pressure Cooker - used by Louis Pasteur Himself - HOW TO USE?

[ArnaudForestier]

OK, figured I'd get your attention.  I am so happy to have a great scrounging neighbor, who gave me Ugly Betty II today (the first was my own mig-welded 2 tier brewery). 

That said - HOW DO YOU USE IT?  As far as I can tell, the stem to the left is the PRV (safety relief - in case of clogging elsewhere), the steam pressure gauge (ancient, and I'm sure untested), and a ballcock assembly to the right. 

I'm used to this:



Seated on the vent pipe. 

Here's what I have:



So don't know quite how to regulate PSI here.  I'm pretty certain that I'm right, and the stem to the left is not supposed to support the bobble-psi weight; any guesses?  Is it as clumsy as micro-adjusting the ballcock valve, to maintain a given PSI (behooving a solidly accurate steam pressure gauge - replacement needed there, I'm sure). 

So far, by adjusting the ballcock, I've gotten a consistent 10 psi reading.  Just not confident of the pressure gauge, and not confident this is how one is supposed to do it.  Any thoughts, appreciated.

Paul

[mtncheesemaker]

I have a similar unit. I took it to the CO Univ Extension service here. They are set up to test pressure canners for accuracy. I'm guessing your state probably has something like that.
On mine, the little stem to the left has a little "rod" that you push over to 90degrees; that keeps the valve closed while the unit builds/maintains pressure for the allotted time. Then you release the pressure by opening the valve before trying to take the lid off.

[ArnaudForestier]

Oh, OK, thanks, Pam.  The knob to the left on mind is a simple vertical spring, a relief valve if things get too high.  The one on the right is only a ballcock, so I don't know.  It worked, just not sure that's what is supposed to happen. 

Thanks on the Univ. Extension info, will check it out.  On the other hand, at $16, probably just better to buy a new gauge, if it's the right one.  I did see a gauge here - (you can see it if you scroll down).  The parts all look to be standard (and the parts look like mine), but I'd hate to order the pressure gauge, only to find the stem size/thread configuration is different.  Do you happen to know - are these all pretty much standard?

Thanks - helpful info!

Paul