Like most things, the pressure cooker has also come a long way. From bulky steam-producing machines, they have become sleek and easy-to-use cookware. For those who are unaware, a pressure cooker is an air-tight cookware that uses the liquid inside it to build steam and cook food. It requires a small amount of liquid, which when heated inside the closed vessel creates steam and pressure to cook food. However, using a pressure cooker might seem a complex task for many. If you are one of them, this guide will simplify all that is for you to know about this cookware. Let’s begin with the benefits.
Benefits of the Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking has been around since the 17th century, and it has evolved tremendously over centuries. While you can still cook without a pressure cooker, there are so many benefits to it that it only makes sense to invest in one and use it for everyday cooking. Some of the major benefits of the pressure cooker are:
- It saves energy and time.
- It helps the food retain minerals and nutrients.
- Food cooked in it remains flavorful and tasty.
- Needs less maintenance and care.
- Is safe and easy to use.
- Is environmentally friendly as it is energy efficient.
How Does the Pressure Cooker Work?
The pressure cooker is a heavy-bottom vessel that comes with a lid, that has a rubber ring, and a weighted valve or regulator. The rubber ring and the weighted valve seal the cooker to prevent steam from escaping. This helps in creating pressure inside the cooker when the temperature inside rises above boiling point. The pressure built inside expedites the cooking process. Thus, once the cooking is done, you need to turn off the flame and wait for the pressure to release before opening the lid.
Using a Pressure Cooker
Follow these steps to use the cooker:
- Check the instruction manual for care and maintenance.
- Fill the pressure cooker to ⅔ of its capacity so that there is enough space for the pressure to build and food to get cooked.
- Use a sufficient quantity of liquid to help build the pressure. Release the pressure, and then open the lid.
- When storing the cooker, place the lid upside down on the button so that the rubber seal does not get damaged.
Choose the Correct Cooker Size
The size of the pressure cooker is an important criterion you should check before purchasing it. A small size won’t suffice for a medium- to large-sized family, while a bigger cooker will end up consuming more time and fuel when cooking. A big cooker also needs more effort to clean and if you compromise on the quality, has a shorter life span too. The size you should choose depends on what you cook, how often, and for how many people.
These quick tips will help you decide the same:
- Choose a 3-5L pressure cooker for a family of 4.
- If you want to cook baby food, then a 1L pressure cooker would be ideal.
- For larger families of more than 5 people, opt for a 5- to 9-litre cooker.
Things to Consider When Buying a Pressure Cooker
- Look for advanced safety features when buying a pressure cooker.
- Choose a good quality stainless steel triply cooker, as you can then reap the benefits of triply material to cook food evenly, thoroughly, and faster.
- Opt for a multi-cooktop compatible pressure cooker so that you can use it on more than one cooktop. Usually, these are compatible with induction cooktops, which are commonly found in kitchens nowadays.
- Choose quality pressure cookers, as they are durable, safer, and worth the investment you make.
After going through the guide, if you are wondering which pressure cooker to buy, save your cooking time as well as fuel by investing in high-quality triply pressure cookers. They are durable, stylish, and effective.
