Important tips to consider while buying and using a pressure cooker.
A pressure cooker is one of the best tools for quick and easy cooking. They use less energy by increasing heat, reducing cooking time, and retaining moisture in the food.Nutritional ingredients.They cook food tender and delicious.
Pressure cookers are very popular among working women as they can prepare meals quickly and have them ready soon after returning home from work.
Today, new pressure cookers are available in various sizes and colors, with more functions than before. Here are some tips.Housekeeping Tips. SelMagz.We will cover the essential tips for preparing food with a pressure cooker.
The most important tips for using a pressure cooker.
Types of Pressure Cookers:
Pressure cookers come in various shapes and colors, but most are made of stainless steel, which is durable against washing and impacts. Some models have small handles like pots, while others have long handles.
Choosing a pressure cooker model depends on personal preference, but many women prefer models with long handles, as they are easier to lift. Short handles can get hot while on the stove and might burn your hand when lifting.
The body of pressure cookers is usually made of stainless steel or a type of aluminum. Stainless steel varieties are favored for their high resistance, heat distribution, and non-discoloration properties.
Recently, electric pressure cookers that also function as steamers have entered the market. The interior surfaces of these cookers are coated with non-stick material. They operate similarly to regular pressure cookers, but thanks to sensors, the food doesn’t burn, and the power shuts off before all the water evaporates. However, using these pots may increase your monthly electricity bill.
Regular pressure cookers require less time than electric ones to reach the right temperature for steaming. You cannot use the quick cooling method with electric pressure cookers.
Tips for choosing the most suitable pressure cooker for your needs.
Is a pressure cooker safe for preparing food?
There is a rubber ring at the joint where the lid meets the body of the pressure cooker to prevent steam from escaping. A safety valve on the lid opens when the steam pressure exceeds what the cooker can handle, allowing steam to escape.
When placing the pressure cooker on the flame, ensure the steam valve is functioning correctly. If the heat is too high, the valve will produce a loud sound due to excess steam building up, notifying you to lower the heat.
Essential tips for cooking food in a pressure cooker:
As mentioned in SelMagz’s housekeeping tips, check that the screws on the pressure cooker handle are tight before lifting it to prevent accidental dropping and burns.
Check the safety valve and steam outlet before closing the pressure cooker lid to ensure they are clear.
If the rubber ring is damaged or broken, replace it. If the washer is faulty or not seated properly, food can boil over and may extinguish the gas flame.
Avoid cooking small grains such as wheat or barley that produce froth in a pressure cooker, as these particles can block the steam outlet which could lead to an explosion.
Position the pressure cooker so that escaping steam won’t damage nearby objects.
Use these tips to make cooking with a pressure cooker easier.
Avoid flipping the lid open at once to prevent injury to your hands and face.
When cooking frozen meats, adjust the cooking time after thawing and separate the pieces of meat.
Using pressure steam can increase cooking speed since higher pressure raises the boiling point of water, allowing temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius.
To release steam from the pressure cooker, do not run it under water to avoid prolonging cooking time; instead, lift the valves to let the steam escape before removing the lid.
What type of pressure cooker should we buy and what should we pay attention to?
Buy pressure cookers with safety locks that prevent the lid from opening while steam is inside. To open these cookers after cooking, turn off the heat and release the safety valve to let steam escape before lifting the lid.
Ask the seller how to use the pressure cooker correctly during purchase so they can provide you with thorough training. Also, read the product instructions carefully before use.
For easier opening and closing of the pressure cooker lid and easier transport, choose models that have a long handle on one side and a short handle on the other.
Select pressure cookers that are equipped with emergency steam release valves. These cookers have safety measures in place, and if the steam pressure becomes too high, the lid remains secured, preventing any mess in the kitchen due to escaping contents, since there’s an emergency pressure release valve that activates if pressure rises excessively.
In these cookers, a sound similar to a whistle is heard when the pressure rises too high. If not acknowledged, the emergency pressure release valve will activate.
How to buy the best pressure cooker and what you should know.
Select the size of the pressure cooker based on your needs and the amount of food you plan to cook. Pressure cookers become heavy when filled with ingredients and water, so avoid large sizes that are unsuitable for your needs, as they can be hard to move and clean.
Buy a pressure cooker that comes with a manual and warranty and is certified for safety.
