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1. Caution! Do not fill your Afghan kazan to the brim. It should be filled no more than two-thirds to leave room for steam. Visually ascertain where the top third is, and leave it free. This prevents pieces of food from blocking the steam holes and valves, which can cause the liquid to boil over. In other words, a 5-liter kazan can only be used to cook up to 3 liters of any dish – no more. Keep this in mind when choosing a kazan. 

 2. Before using it for the first time, you must season your kazan. This will ensure it lasts for years to come and can be passed down to your children and grandchildren. Seasoning your Afghan kazan with oil will remove any traces of the manufacturer’s oils and will help prevent food from sticking to it.
3. Do not leave the kazan on a high heat for long periods of time. It is better to turn down the open fire while cooking; you can also periodically remove it from the coals for half a minute at a time. You can track the heating temperature by the amount of steam produced, which should be moderate. If it is producing too much steam, then lift the emergency valve or let the boiler cool down, reduce the heat and then resume cooking. Reduce the heat as soon as the pot has come to the boil.

 4. It is not recommended to tighten the locking screw handle to its limit. It is enough to lightly press the lid with it to direct the steam into the designated holes and prevent leakage along the perimeter.

 5. Remove the pot from the heat for 1-2 minutes before opening the lid during or after cooking. Wait until the steam calms down and stops seeping from the valves before opening the lid of the kazan. If cooking on a stove, then simply reduce the heat to a minimum for a similar length of time.
6. Do not leave the kazan unattended. Dishes are quick to cook, so it does not take much time to keep an eye on them. Control on the amount of steam coming; this will allow you to correct the level of heat in time to avoid an explosion.
 
An Afghan pot can be used to cook everything you make at home – whether it’s your everyday meals or something more festive – except, perhaps, desserts and pastries. Even dried fruit compote, boiled for a few minutes in an Afghan kazan, becomes even tastier, more fragrant and more nutritious.

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