‘For kids, the damage is even worse:’ This is when you should replace your pressure cooker

Families with young children should be especially careful, since kids are most vulnerable, said Dr Aniket Mule, consultant, internal medicine, KIMS Hospitals, Thane

By: Lifestyle Desk

New Delhi | August 29, 2025 10:30 AM IST

4 min read

Do you use old cookers? (Photo: Freepik)

When should you replace that pressure cooker at home? “When your pressure cooker is old, it can leak lead into your food. It doesn’t leave your body easily. It builds up in your body, hiding in your bones, blood, and brain. You feel more tired, nerves become weak, and over time, your memory and mood are affected,” said Dr Manan Vora, an orthopaedic, in an Instagram post.

Dr Vora continued, “For kids, the damage is even worse. It can slow brain growth and lower IQ. So, when is the right time to replace your cooker? Ideally, once it crosses 10 years.”

How do you know when to replace?

*Scratches or black patches

*A loose lid or whistle

*Food that smells metallic instead of fresh

Can an old pressure cooker really be harmful to health?

Yes, surprisingly, it can, confirmed Dr. Aniket Mule, consultant in internal medicine at KIMS Hospitals, Thane. “As a pressure cooker gets older and shows signs of scratches or blackened areas inside, it can start to leak metals such as lead and aluminum into food. Lead is a very concerning metal because it does not leave the body easily. You can continue to get lead in your body over time as it builds in the blood, bones, and even the brain. That is what is so dangerous about lead,” said Dr Mule.

How harmful is lead exposure through food?

Lead can cause health issues, especially chronic exposure over multiple years, even with low levels of consumption in adults. “For adults, it can cause fatigue that does not go away, tenseness to nervousness, irritability, loss of memory, and mood changes. It can even impact blood pressure and kidney function. In younger children, the issue is far worse, as it can slow brain growth, lower IQ, and cause problems with learning and behaviour. The challenge is that symptoms are often vague and non-specific, so people rarely connect them to their cooking utensil,” said Dr Mule.

Is it affecting your digestion? (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

While lead poisoning and its symptoms are real, the actual amount of lead that seeps from most old pressure cookers is still uncertain. “In many cases, the levels may not be high enough to cause clear poisoning. However, since even low-level, long-term exposure can build up in the body, especially in children, it is safer to replace cookware once it shows signs of wear,” said Dr Mule.

It is time to replace your cooker, no matter how “well” it still seems to work.

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What is the doctor’s advice to families?

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My advice is simple: treat cookware like you treat medicines or health check-ups – it needs timely replacement. “Don’t wait until you feel unwell. Preventing exposure is always better than treating lead toxicity later. Families with young children should be especially careful, since kids are most vulnerable,” said Dr Mule.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.

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