How to Choose the Best Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are one of the most important kitchen cookware and if you don't have one in your kitchen you are missing out on what they offer. We live in a world where almost everyone is in a hurry trying to keep up with their schedules and living with the hassles of every day life. Anything that can speed up something is welcomed in our homes. And a pressure cooker can do just that. Wouldn't it be nice to spend more time eating dinner with your family? With a pressure cooker, you can!

 You won't be spending too much time preparing the meal, and the time you save can be spent with your family or even just on yourself. Pressure cookers not only speed up the cooking process, they are also healthier to cook with. They help lock in the food's nutrients, flavor and juices. They also require less water and energy as compared to other methods of cooking.

With these benefits, who wouldn't want to own a cooker? With that in mind, here are a few matters you should look into when you are looking for the best cooker. Looking for the best pressure cooker can be confusing and intimidating because you have a lot to choose from, so always start with thinking about your needs. Not all cookers are created the same way and they have varying features. For example, think of how much food you usually cook and how many mouths you frequently feed.

Pressure cookers have varying sizes and you will be able to choose one that is just right for your needs. If you frequently cook for two to three then a four-quart one is enough. And if you want to cook for more people, then you will need a bigger one. You can even several different sized cookers if you want because there are several brands that offer affordable high quality ones.

 The next thing to look into is how often you plan on using a pressure cooker. This will help you decide whether you need an aluminum or stainless steel one. Cookers that are made of stainless steel are more durable and easier to clean, however they can cost a little more. They do look much better and are even warp, scratch and corrosion resistant. Aluminum ones can conduct heat better but they can react to acidic food like tomatoes.

They are also easily dented and scratched so you need to be more careful with them. If your budget allows you to opt for the stainless steel ones, I suggest you get them and choose one with a base that has a layer of aluminum in the center. This helps improve heat conduction so you can get the benefits of the two types of pressure cookers in a single one.

 Another option is to get an electric pressure cooker. Now these ones cost a lot more but they really make a great investment. They are also made of stainless steel and the best part is that they are multipurpose. You can use them as a rice cooker, slow cooker or to steam and brown food. If you already have these in your home though, then a stainless steel cooker would be the wiser choice.

 Once you have decided the type and size of pressure cooker you want, you should check out reviews from customers about specific brands and models. They can tell you which ones are worth buying. Remember though, the best cooker is one that will fit your needs. Reviews can narrow down the search for you but the choice is still up to you.

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How to Buy a Great Pressure Cooker?

Pressure cookers have a bad reputation. There are countless stories out there about exploding ones. The truth is that only old cookers are prone to explode, the new models are very safe and easy to use. Pressure cooking is worth trying out as it produces delicious and healthy food in a lot less time than ordinary cooking. Risotto takes only five minutes to prepare, a stew takes less than sixty minutes.

 These devices work based on the fact that under pressure, the boiling point of any liquid is higher. When the pot is sealed, the pressure inside the device begins to build. The pressure raises the boiling point of water from 212 to 250 degrees. The elevated pressure produces steam. The hot steam heats the food, making cooking a faster process. Thanks to this, pressure cooking uses less energy than ordinary cooking, and produces a richer flavour as no molecule can get out of the pot. 

What are pressure cookers made of?

 Pressure cookers can be made of two materials. Aluminum and stainless steel. It is best to avoid devices that are made of aluminum. They are less robust than those made of stainless steel. Heavy usage will result in deformation and damages. Aluminum pressure cookers are less pricey, but if you plan on using the pressure cooker for years, I advise you to save up, and buy a pressure cooker made of stainless steel.

 However, stainless steel is not a good conductor of heat. A device made of nothing but stainless steel would contain hot spots. These are areas which are a lot hotter than others. Hot spots mean longer cooking time. To buy the best pressure cooker, select a type that has an aluminium disc attached to the bottom of it. This way, you can get the best of two worlds.

 How big should it be?

 Most pressure cookers are 6 quart models. However, I advise you to purchase a bigger one. There are two reasons for this. First, it is impossible to fill a pressure cooker more than up to 2/3 of the way. All the minerals and juices from the ingredients will stay in the cooker, you need to leave space for them. Second, some recipes ask for bigger pots. I recommend an 8 quart model. This allows you to cook bigger pieces of meat, like whole chicken, turkey breasts, ribs. You can always prepare less food in a bigger pot, while you can't do it the other way around.

 Tall or wide?

 It is widely accepted that wide models are better than tall ones. A wide bottom means bigger cooking surface. This is more efficient, and you have to spend less time cooking meat before closing the pressure cooker. A wide cooker's inside is easier to reach when cooking, the food easier to see. The useful models are the ones around 7.5 to 9 inches in diameter. The best pressure cookers are 9 inches wide.

 How about pressure?

 A pressure cooker is essentially a sealed pot that does not allow steam to get out below a pre-set pressure. The higher the pressure, the shorter the cooking time. Cooking under 15 pounds of pressure would take away the speed gained by the process. Longer cooking defeats the aim of pressure cooking, as you do not save any energy by doing so. Also, you will need to adjust your recipes. Most recipes are written for exactly 15 pounds of pressure.

 Electric or stovetop?

 Electric pressure cookers became widespread in recent years. Inexperienced cooks like them as they are easy to use. However, electric pressure cookers are a constant source of pain. They usually come with a one year warrantee, while their stovetop counterparts come with a warrantee of a decade. The programmable feature defeats your options of coming up with innovative recipes. For example, quick cooling is impossible, which prevents you from prepairing crisp vegetables. Electric pressure cookers are harder to repair, parts harder to replace. A good stovetop model will make your life easier, allow you greater freedom, and serve you for a lifetime.

 Does the handle matter?

 Never purchase a pressure cooker with just one short handle. You will burn your fingers almost all the time. A long handle offers extra leverage when locking the lid on top of the cooker. Having a shorter helped handle on the opposite side of the bottom unit is an absolute must. It is hard to lift an 8 quart model full of food with only one handle.

 Old or new?

 Old pressure cookers might seem like bargains, but they can be unsafe, and hard to repair.

 If the manufacturer of the cooker is already out of business, parts are hard to come by, a manual almost impossible to obtain.

 An old cooker's bottom can be full of bumps which prevent the heat from spreading evenly. The top might not fit the bottom perfectly. If the vapor can escape through the cracks, the pressure cooker is useless.

 If the pressure regulator doesn't fit well, the cooker is unable to maintain pressure as indicated. This defeats the aim of the process.

 Any of these can result in a useless device.

 Are non-stick interiors safe?

 Non-stick interiors can't withstand pressure cooking. Non-stick interiors made of fluorocarbons drop off as the result of sustained pressure. These parts end up in the food. Fluorocarbons release poisonous gases that are not able to escape the pot. 

You can not use metal forks or knives as these damage the non-stick finish.

 One final piece of advice

 Your newly purchased great pressure cooker will serve you and your family for a lifetime. It is very important to find the best pressure cooker out there. Save up some cash and purchase an expensive, but better model. Don't buy bargain cookers. If you buy a cheaper, used model, you risk having to buy another one a few years later.

 Your one time investment will pay off in a short time by reducing your energy bills and saving you valuable time that you can spend with your loved ones.

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Explaining How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

The electric pressure cookers are the next trendy kitchen additions. People are happy about these products' efficiency and convenience. A typical pressure cooker that uses electric power contains an inner pot. This pot has different sizes, which determine how big or small the outer casing would be. Usually, their holding capacities range from three to six liters. This does not mean that you cannot find larger inner pots. These are available, but at a higher price. To ensure durability, manufacturers make some inner pots with stainless steel and clad their bottoms with copper.

This ensures consistent heating when using the electric cooker. In addition, a person who would rather pay less money can get a model with an aluminum inner vessel. The only problem it would give him or her is cleaning, because aluminum is usually not dishwasher safe. You can easily remove the pan and return it without any hassles. Another feature that your electric pressure cooker would have is a lid with a tight sealing gasket. When fastened, the lid and the inner pot create a very airtight compartment.

 When you connect the pressure cooker to the power supply, the inner-pot would warm up. This heat then increases the pressure inside it. If the lid were not tight enough, the pressure being generated in the compartment would force it up. This is why some manufacturers prefer a special lock mechanism involving a float valve with a pin. As the swelling pressure pushes up the lid, the pin exerts more tightness.

 It works in a similar manner as the latch lock. As you explore the pressure cooker market, you will notice some differences in the construction of the lid lock. Safety is a major consideration when one is cooking with any electric or gas appliance. Most pressure appliances have high-tech safety valves and pushdown pressure release systems.

You can find very innovative safety mechanisms on many modern instant pots. All the items that utilize a float valve with pin are secure, but not necessarily in the long run. At some point, large amounts of heat and pressure generation could destroy the pin. Once the pin functionality fails, then it means that the lid would not sustain itself in a locked position, if pressure mounts excessively in the inside vessel.

 Additionally, you can find some cookers that use a pressure release-regulating valve. This would only let go of excess pressure when the pot is in use and sealed.

Another major feature that this equipment has is a heating element situated on the outer casing. It also consists of a control box with a role of regulating heat and pressure of the inside vessel. It controls both temperature and pressure sensors because it has a microprocessor. Moreover it has a timer to help you prepare food properly. It would warn you if something goes wrong by producing some sound.

Most electric pressure cookers models operate at a pressure range of about seventy-to eighty-kilopascal. This is equivalent to a heat range of about 239 to 244 degrees F. That is why it is quick and it is able to save your time. With this cooking appliance, you can prepare broccoli, dry beans, corns, and other related foods. It would only take two minutes of your time to prepare vegetables. The dry legumes might take extra time.

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Three of the Best Electric Pressure Cookers That Will Help Narrow Down Your Search

If you do not have a lot of free time to dabble in the kitchen, but still enjoy cooking and eating great home cooked food, then what options do you have? Sure, you could just eat ready meals, but these are unhealthy and don't taste as good as home cooking, and besides, there is no sense of achievement or satisfaction after buying a microwave dinner.

The alternative is to use a pressure cooker, a special device that uses high pressure to increase the temperature in the cooker and greatly reduce the cooking time, meaning you can enjoy a great meal after cooking for only a few minutes. Here are some of the best electric pressure cookers on the market, so take a look around.

Cuisinart Electric Pressure Cooker

At around $100, this is a great quality model that gives you the performance that you pay for. It features a large metal container to fit in more food, making it ideal for cooking for your family or a group of friends. In addition there is a transparent lid allowing you to see the food as it cooks, so you will not accidentally overcook it and ruin the meal.

Presto 6 Qt Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

Specially designed to cook all kinds of food quickly while retaining the natural flavors and colors for the best tasting meal, this cooker makes short work of vegetables and meat. It provides uniform heat almost instantly meaning you barely have any waiting at all to do.

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