Everything You Need to Know About Pressure Cookers
Everything You Need to Know About Pressure Cookers
How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?
A pressure cooker is an airtight pot filled with a specific amount of ingredients and liquid. As the pot is heated, the trapped steam builds up pressure in the container, with excess steam released through a vent tube. The increase in pressure causes the boiling point of the liquid (in most cases, water) to rise, allowing the ingredients to cook at a higher temperature. As a result, the food inside the pot cooks much faster than it would under normal conditions.
The key advantage of pressure cooking is that it can prepare meals very quickly, saving chefs anywhere from a few minutes to multiple hours. This can be a godsend, especially in a busy, active kitchen where every second counts. Pressure cookers are also renowned for their versatility. There is a wide variety of foods that can be made inside a pressure cooker with delicious results, which we’ll describe later in the guide.
There are two main types of pressure cookers, however, and you’ll want to understand each of them before determining which one meets your needs.
Electric vs. Stovetop Pressure Cookers
Most pressure cookers fall into two categories: electric and stovetop. The primary advantage of electric pressure cookers is how easy they are to use, offering an almost completely hands-off experience. They automatically control the heat and pressure of the cooking pot, leaving very little guesswork on the part of the chef. Electric pressure cookers are user-friendly and highly programmable, with many models providing additional functions like steaming and slow cooking.
Stovetop pressure cookers can heat to higher temperatures and build up more pressure, which means ingredients will cook in an even shorter time. You may also see better results in browning and caramelizing food with a stovetop pressure cooker.
In general, an electric pressure cooker is the better choice for those seeking the easier, more convenient option. If you’re a more advanced chef who wants total control over the process, a stovetop pressure cooker may be the better choice.
Pressure Cookers vs. Slow Cookers
A pressure cooker may seem similar to a slow cooker or crock pot, but there are a few important differences. The most obvious is that while pressure cookers make meals very quickly, slow cookers take much longer to prepare food. They cook ingredients gently at lower temperatures, typically over the course of four to 10 hours. When using a slow cooker, it’s very common to put the ingredients in the pot and let them cook throughout the day or even overnight. This is particularly convenient for those who work during the day and would like to return home to a delicious, slow-cooked meal in the evening.
Both of these appliances provide a hands-off cooking experience with tasty results, but the one that’s best for you may largely depend on your time preference . If you’re a “set it and forget it” kind of person, a slow cooker may be more your style. Those who need to prepare food quickly or are more “spur of the moment” with their meal planning will appreciate having a pressure cooker.
What Foods Are Best Cooked in a Pressure Cooker?
A large selection of foods can be successfully prepared in a pressure cooker. It’s a highly versatile machine, able to steam, roast, boil, poach, braise, stew, and more. However, some foods are better suited to pressure cooking than others. In general, pressure cookers offer the greatest value in preparing foods that take a long time to cook with traditional methods. Don’t have time to cook that frozen chicken? Toss it in the pressure cooker and you’ll be done much faster.
Pressure cookers are ideal for tenderizing foods, like tough cuts of meat and raw vegetables. The high pressure inside the pot forces the liquid into the food, causing very tough ingredients to quickly become tender. This is perfect for getting dishes like roasts, braised meats, and beans onto the table in a more timely fashion.
We recommend exploring recipes online and in cookbooks to get a better idea of the diverse array of meals that can be created inside a pressure cooker. To whet your appetite, here are just a few of the popular foods you can make with a pressure cooker:
- White or brown rice
- Beef stew
- Pulled pork
- Pot roast
- Mashed potatoes
- Soup
- Chili
What Foods Should Not Be Cooked in a Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cookers are do-it-all appliances in many respects, but there are some foods you’ll probably want to reserve for another cooking method. Delicate foods like soft fish aren’t the best candidates for a pressure cooker, as they can easily be ruined by the high pressure. Dairy and pressure cookers are also not as compatible. The intense heat and pressure can cause milk and cheese to sour and curdle, leaving you with an unappealing meal.
Fried foods don’t fare well in pressure cookers, either, as the moisture tends to make them too soggy. Use an actual deep fryer or air fryer for your next batch of fried chicken wings. You should also avoid foods like noodles since they create a lot of foam and can clog the pressure cooker.
Preparing too many ingredients simultaneously in a pressure cooker is also a bad idea. Each type of food requires its own cooking time, so think twice before putting your main course and side dish together in the pot in an effort to save more time.
How to Use a Pressure Cooker
You should always carefully read and follow the instructions that came with your pressure cooker in order to operate it safely and effectively. Pressure cookers can vary by model, and there may be special steps and techniques to apply depending on the one you have.
To provide a basic outline of the process, here are the main steps involved in pressure cooking:
- Prepare food for cooking. This includes washing vegetables, seasoning meat, soaking beans in water, and other initial preparations.
- Determine how much water to put in the pressure cooker. Refer to your cooker’s instructions to learn the appropriate amount of water for different foods. In general, the pressure cooker should be no more than two-thirds full for most foods, and no more than half full for foods that produce a lot of foam (e.g. beans).
- Place the water and ingredients inside the pot. Securely close the lid.
- Select the pressure setting. For an electric pressure cooker, this means choosing the appropriate cooking program and time. If you have a stovetop model, place it on your stovetop, select the pressure setting, and set the heat to high.
- Allow the cooker to build pressure. When the pressure reaches the safety limit, the food will begin to simmer.
- Let the ingredients cook under pressure for the allotted time. This will occur automatically for most newer electric models. If you’re using a stovetop cooker, lower the heat so the increased pressure does not cause it to whistle, and keep track of time per your recipe.
- Turn off the heat when the food has cooked for the recommended time.
- Safely release the pressure inside the cooker. Your recipe may call for natural or quick release of the pressure. With natural release, the pot is allowed to cool naturally over 10-20 minutes. When using the quick release method, a handle on the cooker is turned to rapidly release the built-up steam.
- Take off the lid carefully and remove the food. Enjoy your meal!
If you have questions about pressure cookers or any other professional chef tools, JB Prince is here to help. Contact us for assistance from our experts.
