Electric pressure cookers are becoming more popular in kitchens all over the world these days. But there are many questions people ask about them before buying. So we thought we would try and answer some of them for you below.
What is a Pressure Cooker & How Do They Work?
A pressure cooker looks similar to a regular large pan. It has a lid which when installed correctly locks all the air in the pan. This causes pressure to build up and also rises the temperature inside. This pressure and steam help food to cook faster and also locks in more nutrients too, which could potentially be lost if cooking in a regular pan.
How do you Open a Pressure Cooker?
This can be something many people are afraid of. They know that there is a huge amount of pressure in the pan and need to get it out but what is the safest way to do it? It’s actually quite easy. You just need to open the valve slowly until the steam starts to come out, then increase the opening gradually over a few minutes. You don’t want to open it too fast, just take things slowly and keep opening the valve until all the pressure has been released.
Can You Cook Rice in a Pressure Cooker?
Yes you can and a lot faster than doing it in a regular pan. Just add in your water, the rice and some salt for seasoning, give it a good stir and turn the pressure cooker on. Just cook it for around 3 minutes, then turn it off and start releasing the pressure. When all the pressure is out, just fluff up the rice using a fork and it’s good to be eaten right away.
Why Do Pressure Cookers Cook Food Faster?
When they increase the pressure, it raises the boiling point of the water to be higher than that of a regular pan. This is what allows the food to be cooked faster. They also lock in nutrients too, as they have no where to go and can’t evaporate.
How Long Does It Take To Release The Pressure?
This will depend on your model and what settings you have been using. But the typical time to release pressure from a pressure cooker is anywhere in between 8 to 25 minutes.
What is the Difference Between A Pressure Cooker and a Slow Cooker?
The main difference is the time taken by each appliance to cook the food. A slow cooker can take hours and hours to cook food. This can be a good way to get tender meats and great tasting vegetables. But a pressure cooker is made to cook food fast and can cook things in minutes that will take hours in a slow cooker.
What Food Can You Cook in a Pressure Cooker?
Whilst many people use them mainly for stews, soups and beans, you can actually cook most things in a pressure cooker. Just search online for pressure cooker recipes and you’ll find hundreds of different meals you can cook fast.
