Buzz
The pressure cooker is the cheetah of the kitchen world -- meaning it can cook food incredibly fast. Additionally, food prepared in a pressure cooker retains vitamins and minerals that might otherwise be lost through other cooking methods. However, there are some key details you need to understand before using a pressure cooker for the first time, as knowing how to use it safely is crucial. To begin using a pressure cooker, you must grasp its working mechanism and recognize when the system is unsafe to operate.
Steps
Understanding the Pressure Cooker
Learn how a pressure cooker works. When a pressure cooker is activated, heat causes water to evaporate, and the steam cooks food faster by raising the boiling point. There are two types of pressure cookers: The first is the older-style pressure cooker with a jiggler valve (weighted pressure regulator) on the steam vent of the lid. The second is a newer model that uses a spring valve and a sealed system.
Inspect the pot to ensure there are no dents or cracks before use. You should also check inside the pot to make sure no food residue remains. A cracked pressure cooker can be dangerous as hot steam may escape and cause burns.
Learn how to add water to the pressure cooker. Always ensure there is some liquid in the pot before cooking anything. Most recipes require water. The liquid in the pot should never exceed two-thirds of its capacity, as space is needed for steam to build up.
- For jiggler valve cookers: Always have at least one cup of water in the pot. This amount is usually sufficient for 20 minutes of cooking.
- For spring valve cookers: The minimum liquid required is half a cup.
Understand how to use a steaming basket and trivet. Pressure cookers often come with a steaming basket for cooking vegetables, seafood, and fruits. The trivet is used to elevate the steaming basket. Place the trivet at the bottom of the pressure cooker and set the steaming basket on top.
Preparing Food for Pressure Cooking
Prepare the ingredients.Prepare meat and poultry
Prepare seafood
Prepare dried beans and chickpeas
Prepare rice and grains
Prepare vegetables (fresh and frozen)
Prepare fruits
Determine the amount of water needed for the pot. Refer to the pressure cooker's manual to find out the required amount of food and water. You can also check the instructions online. Each type of food will need an appropriate amount of water for cooking.
Using the Pressure Cooker
Place the food to be cooked into the pot. Measure the necessary amount of water for the specific food and add it to the pressure cooker.
Remove the safety valve or pressure regulator and close the lid properly. Ensure the lid is locked. Place the pressure cooker on the stove. Set the cooking temperature to high. The pot will begin converting water into steam.
Wait for the pressure inside the pot to build up. Steam will cause the pressure to rise. Once the pressure reaches the designed safe limit, the food begins to cook.
- For jiggler valve cookers, this is when steam escapes from the vent hole and the pressure regulator starts to jiggle (hence the name). Place the safety valve over the vent hole once steam starts escaping.
- For modern pressure cookers, markings on the valve stem indicate the pressure level. These markings will appear as the pressure increases.
Reduce the stove's heat to let the pot simmer quietly without whistling. Start timing from this point based on your recipe. The goal is to maintain pressure throughout the cooking process. If you don’t lower the heat, the pressure will continue to rise, and the safety valve will release steam (producing a whistling sound) to prevent excessive pressure buildup. The safety valve is designed to prevent the pot from exploding. The activation of the safety valve does not indicate that the food is fully cooked.
Removing Food from the Pressure Cooker
Turn off the stove once the food has cooked for the required time according to the recipe. If you cook it longer, it may turn mushy like porridge. You certainly don’t want that to happen.
Release the pressure from the pot.Natural Pressure Release Method
Quick Pressure Release Method
Cold Water Pressure Release Method
Check to ensure all pressure has been released. Try shaking the pressure regulator. If no steam escapes, it means the pressure has been fully released. For newer models, move the valve stem. If no steam is released, there is no pressure left in the pot.
Open the lid carefully. Remove the cooked food from the pot.
Warnings
- Even when it’s safe to open the lid, keep your face away from the pot as hot steam will still rise.
- Older-style pressure cookers can be opened while under pressure and may potentially explode. Modern pressure cookers have additional safety mechanisms to prevent opening the lid when pressure remains inside. Be aware of pressure indicators and never attempt to open the lid if pressure is still present. You risk burns from escaping steam.
