Using the best pressure cookers can be really safe and easy to do so long as you pay attention and know what you are doing. Reading the instruction manual that comes with your cooker is a good place to start.
Each Pressure Cooker Has Its Own Requirements
Each pressure cooker model is different and has different requirements when using it. What this means is that each cooker has a minimum liquid requirement which is how much water the pressure needs in order to boil and build up pressure. The liquid does not always necessarily have to be water.
Some examples of liquids that can be used are broth, fruit juice, and even wine. One thing that should never be used in your pressure cooker is hard liquor. The liquid from meat and vegetable counts toward the minimum liquid requirement. Most pressure cookers require half a cup to two cups of liquid. It is recommended that for stove top pressure cookers one cup be used and for electric pressure cookers, a cup and a half.
Know When Your Pressure Cooker Is Done
Once your cooker has reached the desired pressure level it will have a way to signal to you and it is important that you know how to recognize that signal. There are four types of signals which are spring valves, electric indicators, jiggle valves, and weight-modified valves.
- Spring valves occasionally have an auditory response but mostly they just tend to move a bar or rod.
- Electric cookers emit a beeping noise and they usually countdown their own cooking times which makes it easier for you to tell when the pressure level has been reached.
- Jiggle valves do exactly what you think they do. They jiggle. First they are slow but then as steam begins escaping they move faster.
- Weight-modified valves emit a whistling noise and the valve will move up and down to let out the extra pressure. These tend to be slightly noisy.
Equalize the Pressure Levels
Before you can open the lid of your cooker you must first get the pressure levels to equalize. There are a few ways to accomplish this. First, you can just turn off the heat source and let the steam dissipate and pressure levels drop of their own accord which can take anywhere from 10 to 15 minutes. After that time is up the locking mechanism holding the lid will release.
You can manually release your pressure cooker’s lid if you know where the vapors will exit from and in what direction. You must lift or even remove the valve and then push the button and move the lever until the locking mechanism disengages. If your cooker is newer is will most likely make a hissing noise and you will feel the lid give way.
Keep Your Pressure Cooker Clean
After each use of your pressure cooker it is important that you clean each part especially the valve to avoid any obstructions that could harm your cooker permanently during use. You need to read the manual that came with your pressure cooker in order to know how to clean your specific model and it is probably a good idea to do it before preparing your first dish.
Safety Locks
Safety locks are always being improved to ensure they prevent cooking disasters. These locks prevent the pressure cooker’s lid from being opened without the pressure being equalized. Some pressure cooker models have buttons that the user has to press to let the pressure level increase. Once the pressure level has dropped enough the button can be released which will then allow the lid to be opened.
Pressure Release Valves
Newer pressure cookers have a valve that makes usage of the cooker almost completely safe. The purpose of these valves is to get rid of any unwanted noises and vibrating that occurs during cooking. These valves come in several different forms.
Spring loaded pressure valves work best when the cooking temperature is above 212 degrees Fahrenheit which is the point at which water begins boiling.
Jiggle top indicators are very different from spring loaded valves. A jiggle top requires that the air be removed from inside of the pressure cooker before any weight can be added. Once the pressure level in the cooker reaches the desired limit the jiggle top indicator will begin to move and steam will escape through the sides.
Pop up indicator valves consist of a small weight placed on top of a stem along with two red rings, all of which are set on top of the pressure cooker’s lid before cooking so that the stem of the valve goes inside the cooker while all the weight stays on top of the lid. Once the pressure level reaches its medium setting around 10psi the top red ring will show up on top of the cooker’s lid. When the lower red ring appears it means that the cooker has reached its higher limit, 15psi.
Stainless Steel Pressure Cookers
Pressure cookers have to be made of very sturdy materials in order to withstand the amount of heat and pressure they experience. For that reason, they tend to be made of stainless steel which not only can handle the demands of being heated and pressurized, but it cleans easily and is usually dishwasher safe.
Pressure Cooking with Even Heating
Pressure cookers nowadays have bases that are made up of three layers. These layers help to ensure that the cooker heats up in an even manner in order to avoid hot spots forming. If the cooker is heating evenly it also means that less heat is required to cook the food.
With an even heating pressure cooker there is no need to adjust the temperature every little bit as it stays consistent. Another bonus is that consistent heat means the cooking food is less likely to burn or dry out which is helpful for the food directly at the bottom of the cooker.
Newer Models Are the Best Pressure Cookers for Beginners
Most later model pressure cookers were considered high maintenance because of the supervision that was required to use them. Not to mention their lack of features make them less desirable now that newer models have emerged.
Newer model cookers come with advanced safety features that make using them easier for beginners as they require less care. Depending on the brand that you buy, each cooker comes with a type of pressure releasing method that varies for what type of food you are preparing.
There are several options so it is best to do some research and think about what you will most likely be using your appliance for before you buy a pressure cooker. A few examples include the cold water release method, quick release mechanisms, and jiggle top indicators.
Each of the features mentioned in this article do well to make sure that the user of a pressure cooker is safe as well as satisfied with their experience and the quality of their food.
Check Out Reviews of the Top Pressure Cookers
You can check out our best pressure cooker reviews here and learn about the features that many consumers prefer. In addition, you can get feedback from others who have purchased the cookers you’ve been eyeing so you know if it’s what you actually want.