If you’re wondering how to use a pressure cooker, this simple guide is for you!
What comes to mind when you think of cooking with a pressure cooker?
Chickens exploding from mom or grandma blowing food through the roof? It seems crazy that one wants to challenge that smoky, noisy beast in the kitchen.
But hey, those scary dinosaurs are long gone!
Modern pressure cookers are quiet, very safe and easy to use.
We have been using our Instant Pot electric pressure cookers largely over the past few years and the kitchen has never been so peaceful.
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We want to get you excited about pressure cooking because we totally are!
If you haven’t started cooking with a pressure cooker, you’re missing it completely. It’s never too late to start NOW. 😀
Basic on how to use
a pressure cooker: What is a pressure cooker? How does a pressure cooker work? How to cook with a pressure cooker? What can be cooked in a pressure cooker?
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with a pressure cooker
- What is a pressure cooker
- ?
” />
A pressure cooker
is a
hermetically sealed pot that cooks food under high
pressure.
Pressure cookers have been around for over 300 years, but it was only after World War II that they became super popular.
But what happened? Is it because people don’t know how to use a pressure cooker? Why doesn’t everyone use them now?
One word: Greed.
Many companies began manufacturing defective pressure cookers that met the growing demand. Eventually, the explosive incidents happened again and again until housewives were too scared to use them.
However, it is starting to have a big comeback because the new generation of pressure cookers is much safer to use.
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How does
a pressure cooker work? Before we learn how to use a pressure cooker
, let’s take a look at how
the pressure cooker works.
Pressure cooking is using vapor pressure in a hermetically sealed pot for cooking food.
Well, here’s a bit of Physics 101. Please bear with me, but I won’t blame you if you REALLY need to rest your eyes 😛
How does steam pressure build up in the pot?
When you heat a pot, the liquid inside boils and turns into steam. When this vapor is trapped in a hermetically sealed pot, pressure begins to build up.
How does the steam pressure cook the food?
Pressure cooks food
by transferring thermal energy from steam and water pressure to food.
Why does pressure cooking cook faster than most other methods?
Pressure cooking cooks faster due
to high pressure: increases
- the boiling point of Liquid: At standard pressure, when the liquid boils and turns into vapor, the liquid will remain at the same temperature no matter how long it continues to boil to you. However, you can increase the temperature beyond the boiling point by adding pressure. Therefore, food is cooked faster under pressure using the extra hot steam.
- Force the extra hot liquid into the food – Imagine putting your hand over boiling water compared to putting your hand in the oven. Steam is the one that burns immediately because steam is very efficient at transferring heat. With pressure cooking, it’s as if there’s an extra force pushing this extra-high, fast thermal energy into the food. That’s why food cooks faster than usual.
Since you need a cooking liquid to
create steam and pressure, this explains why cooking with a pressure cooker always requires some kind of liquid. How to cook with a pressure cooker
?
Pressure
cooking
is a completely new way of cooking. There’s certainly a bit of a learning curve. But fear not! Once you get the essence of it, it’s very easy.
Cooking with a
pressure cooker in 6 easy steps:
- Add food and liquid in the pot Close the lid, make sure the
- valve is in the correct position Select
-
- cooking program and time Stove pressure cookers
- : place them on the stove, Select pressure setting, load heat to high
- Wait for pressure to build up inside the
- Start cooking under pressure
- Electric pressure cookers: the display will show the countdown of
- : Turn down the heat and start the timer using the required cooking time
the cooking time Stove pressure cookers
- Release
the pressure setting Electric pressure cookers: select the
pot
One disadvantage of cooking with a pressure cooker is that
you can’t inspect, taste, or adjust food along the way
.
That’s why it’s essential to follow a recipe with precise times as you learn how to use a pressure cooker.
However, you can stop cooking by quickly reducing the pressure and opening the lid if necessary.
For step-by-step instructions, check out our pressure cooker and instant cooker recipes and pressure cooker videos.
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What can be cooked in a pressure cooker?
You can cook most food in a pressure cooker. However, most people use it to cook foods that take a long time to cook with conventional methods.
- Beans
- Stews Hard cuts
- beef,
- pork Lentils
- Artichokes
- Pumpkin Soups
- Mashed potatoes
- Chicken – including whole chicken
- Homemade broths
- and many more!
of meat, including
What cooking methods can you use with a pressure cooker?
You can use a pressure cooker to brown, boil, steam, poach, steam, stew, or roast food. Today, you can even bake in your pressure cooker!
Many people who use electric pressure cookers like Instant Pot Pressure Cooker are even making homemade cheesecakes and yogurt.
So really, the possibilities on how to use a pressure cooker are endless!
Want some ideas and inspirations on what to cook? Check out our pressure cooker and instant cooker recipes and pressure cooker videos.
If you have any questions or comments on how to use a pressure cooker, please let us know in the comments below.
Read also:
- 7 reasons why you need a pressure cooker
