Abstract: A pressure cooker has a cover which is removably secured in pressure-tight relation to the cooker body. The cover has a centrally disposed valve, which regulates pressure development in the cooker, and an over-pressure release plug in the cover margin adjacent a cover handle, which separates from the cover in response to excessive pressure development in the cooker is captivated by an overhang portion of the cover handle which directs the escaping fluids away from the hand grip portion of the handle. The cooker also has a pressure-actuated interlock in the margin of its cover opposite the cover handle which inhibits removal of the cover when the cooker is in a pressurized condition, and prevents pressure build up in the cooker when the cover is incompletely locked to the cooker body.