Tips for Handling your Pressure Cooker

I don’t know about you, but a pressure cooker does seem a little intimidating to me. It might just be the word pressure, but it’s most likely the fact that the pressure cookers of yesterday were known to have some explosion issues. Luckily, as I have learned through my own research, pressure cookers have been updated significantly and are extremely safe. 

How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?

Did you know that the first pressure cooker was invented all of the way back in the 1600s? Denis Papin, a French physicist, invented the first pressure cooker, which used steam pressure in a sealed pot to cook food very quickly. Unfortunately, Papin did not put an emphasis on safety, so the first pressure cookers were definitely risky to use and would be for some time. Today’s pressure cooker, though, features pressure-activated locks, valves to control excess pressure, and other safety features, making it a very safe appliance to use on a day-to-day basis.

However, please keep in mind that there are things you can do to ensure even safer pressure cooking. Whether you’re cooking beans, tenderizing meats, or even cooking hard-boiled eggs, please keep the following tips in mind when handling your pressure cooker:

• ·         Check the rubber gasket of the pressure cooker to ensure it is intact and not cracked.
• ·         Make sure that there isn’t any dried food on the rim of the pressure cooker.
• ·         Fill the pressure cooker properly. For example, beans expand significantly once cooked so only fill the pot about halfway. You can fill the pot about two-thirds full with meats and vegetables.
• ·         Use enough liquid to reach pressure. This will depend on the recipe, but a good starting point is a half a cup.
• ·         Read the instructions on how to release steam from your pressure cooker. There are multiple ways to do so, but the most common way is the natural release where you remove the cooker from heat and wait for the pressure to go down.
• ·         Clean the pressure cooker thoroughly after each use.

Ok, do you have all of that? In truth, a pressure cooker is very easy to use, and it is the quickest way to cook your beans, pulses, meats, veggies, and more. If you’re thinking about adding one to your kitchen, please know that it is very safe and easy to operate.

Top 3 Must-Have Kitchen Appliances

Everybody loves kitchen appliances: They make your life easier, they can work much faster than the average person, and they're reliable.  Most of the time, they're easier to use than standard kitchen appliances, such as the oven.

The Toaster Oven

The great thing about the toaster oven is that it's much smaller, and faster than a conventional oven. It heats up faster, cooks small dishes faster, and is extremely energy-efficient, especially compared to its full-sized counterpart. Best of all, the toaster oven is easy-to-use, making the cooking process much simpler.

The Griddle

A griddle is great to have, mostly due to the fact that you can use it for anything from pancakes to cheesesteaks.  Electric griddles especially are inexpensive, easy to set up, and cook relatively fast. Cooking on a larger surface makes the meal-making process faster, and easier, giving you the ability to cook more than one item on a single surface. The smooth, large surface of a griddle is especially great for breakfast foods, grilled sandwiches, and hamburgers.

The Pressure Cooker

A pressure cooker is an absolute must-have, especially because it's quick, saves energy, and doesn't take up much space.  A pressure cooker can also be used to braise foods in much less time than previously possible. The energy-saving aspect of pressure cookers is one of the highest selling points for the product. If you prefer electric pressure cookers to traditional stove-use ones, it saves you even more money in energy costs.