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Things You Need To Know About Electric Pressure Cooker

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If you are planning to add more pressure cooker recipe in your arsenal, and wondering whether electric pressure cooker is safe or not, well it is very safe. In this article, we will answer some of the most asked questions about pressurized cookers.

How does it work?

An electric pressure cooker is a sealed contraption that creates pressurized steam by heating water. It builds up the steam pressure generated inside the sealed pot, but allows excess pressure through the tube on the pot’s lid. It maintains a stable pressure inside to cook the food faster.

(If you want to know more about the science behind pressure cooking, click here.)

Things You Need To Know About Electric Pressure Cooker

Benefits of using the pressure cooker

If you are cooking something wet, liked steamed seafood or steamed vegetables using normal cooking, it is important to know that the maximum heat the food can achieve is the boiling point of water which is 212 degrees Fahrenheit. But if you add pressurized steam into the mix, it allows the boiling point of water to reach up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. It cooks the food much faster compared to conventional cooking. The liquid is forced inside the ingredients because of the pressure the sealed pot produces. The pressure of steam also increases the caramelization of the food due to the increased heat. It allows the ingredients to enhance their flavors and create new and complex ones.

History of Pressure Cooker

The pressure cooker was invented by Dennis Papin, a 17th-century French scientist. Dennis Pippin has been interested with pressure and steam, and he wants to new ways to cook food using pressurized steam. He called his first pressurized pot “The Digester.” But his prototype was not safe for commercial use, and its purpose was not commercialized. Not until the technology became available and corrected every flaw it has.

Is it safe to use?

You need to be careful when using Instant Pots. There are safety measures you need to know before handling pressurized pots. If handled correctly, it is as safe as other kitchen gadgets. The only rule when using Instant Pot is you don’t open the container without letting all the pressurized steam out first because if you open it without letting off steam first, the water inside will burst out and will damage the equipment and potentially cause a 3rd-degree severe burn.

Why use a pressure cooker?

Instant Pots can be used for cooking or canning. It is a very versatile tool and very affordable. You can also use the Instant Pot as a fryer, a steamer or a boiler.

Pressure canning

The electric pressure cooker is sometimes used for canning because the pressure and the heat kill the bacteria that did not die at the standard boiling point of water. Most companies use bigger pressure canners because it is way cheaper compared to electric cookers.

Pressure Cooking

The most common use of Instant Pot is to tenderize meats and vegetables faster. It is used to make stews, soups and braised meats. As a rule of thumb, they are not supposed to be used to cook food that is dry and crispy. You also don’t use an electric pressure cooker on meats that are too delicate to cook like fish. The pressure inside the cooker will damage its soft meat.

How much liquid do you put inside the pressure cooker?

These cookers allow you to be creative with your cooking. You can use water, bouillon, wines, beer, fruit juice, vegetable juices or any liquid that you think will taste good. When putting liquid in cookers, you need to put more than what is written in your recipe book. Always remember that you should not use less liquid. It will burn your meat and vegetables. They have higher temperature compared to conventional cooking. You don’t also fill the cooker to the brim. Make sure you don’t fill it more than half full to avoid clogging the tubes where the excess steam comes out during cooking.

Electric Pressure Cooker

Just as its name suggests, the electric pressure cooker is operated using electricity. It is portable and straightforward to use not to mention safer compared to a stove top pressure cooker since electric cookers don’t use fire and they have different settings depending on your needs. Electric cookers also have built-in-timers, making it very easy to use. It’s also dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.