Your online resource

for all things culinary


Home

Search this Site

All Recipe Sections Special Sections Culinary Information Pages Kitchenware Pages Growing Herbs & Veg Directories Online Shop
Printing / Abbreviations Subscribe to Newsletter/Feedback Links Pages Media Resources Private Privacy/Disclaimer Advertise on this Site

Missing an Ingredient?  www.UKFoodOnline.co.uk

 

Cookware - Pressure Cookers

Back to:-  Cooking with Pressure Cookers  |  Buy Pressure Cookers  |   Main Cookware Page

Jump to :-   How do they work?  |  Are they Safe?  | Benefits  |  Buying Guidelines

 

Pressure cookers are an important tool for any cook. In today’s life, full of work, family activities, and social pressures, pressure cookers are especially useful in cutting down the amount of time spent in the kitchen. This guide to pressure cookers will tell you everything you need to know to understand these important appliances and choose the right one for your home

 

Back to top


 

How Do Pressure Cookers Work?


Under normal circumstances, water comes to a boil at 212°F (100°C). That means that water cannot get any hotter than 212°F because at that point, the liquid is converted to steam and dissipates into the atmosphere. This means that there is a limit to how hot you can cook food in water.

Note, however, that’s what happens to water “under normal circumstances.” The rules change if you put water under pressure. By sealing the lid of your cooker so that no steam can escape into the air, you increase the pressure on the water. This means that the water boils at a higher temperature, and that you can make your cooking temperature higher than normal

 

Back to top

 

 

What are the Benefits of Using a Pressure Cooker?

So why would you want to use a pressure cooker?  What’s the point of cooking at a higher temperature, anyway?  A pressure cooker gives you:

  • Faster cooking times, since the temperature inside your cooker is higher than normal.

  • More nutrients remain in the food because the cooking time is shorter, and fewer healthy vitamins and minerals are boiled away with the water.

  • Save money on energy by needing less cooking time to achieve the same goals.

So your meals will be done more quickly, they’ll be more healthy, and you’ll save money and energy in preparation – those are three great reasons for using pressure cookers.

 

Are Pressure Cookers Safe?

 

When pressure cookers were first produced, some people had accidents with them, usually because the food was left unattended or overcooked.  Today’s technology, however, has created a number of safety features that make working with pressure cookers a breeze.  These include:

 

  • Sturdy construction.

  • Better seals.

  • Release valves that prevent over pressurization.

  • Redundant safety measures, so that if one valve fails, the others will still work.

  • Pressure cookers can’t be opened until steam is released.

  • Easy ways to monitor internal pressure.

 

If you follow a few safety steps, like not overfilling your pressure cooker and not using too much heat, your pressure cooker can last a lifetime without any danger whatsoever to yourself or your family.

 

Back to top

 

 

What Should I Look For in a Pressure Cooker?


If you would like to have one of these useful tools in your own kitchen, here are the top things that you should consider before making a purchase.

 

New Model.  Pressure cookers from a few decades ago lacked many of today’s modern safety features.  If you are buying a pressure cooker used or on eBay, make sure that it’s not only of those older designs.

 

Standard Safety Marks.   Look for a pressure cooker with a recognised safety mark for your particular country which is a sign that the manufacturer follows the best safety precautions.

 

Right Size.  The size of your family will have an impact on the pressure cooker you’ll want to buy.  Consider whether you’ll be more likely to cook for two or eight when making your decision.

 

Good Construction.  It doesn’t help to save time if your food ends up scorched because of hot spots in the metal of your pressure cooker.  Invest in a good, stainless steel cooker with a heavy 3-ply base to ensure even cooking.

 

Solid Handles.  When you’re dealing with a very hot pressure cooker, good, solid handles are a must.  Look for one long handle with a shorter helper handle on the other side of the pot.  Make sure that the handles feel solid and are firmly attached.

 

Good Reviews.  Check cooking magazines and websites to read pressure cooker reviews from other consumers and businesses.

 

Article Source: Provided courtesy of Only Cookware - a resource for

 cast iron cookware and All Clad cookware sets


 

 

Back to top

 

Recipes4us.co.uk is not a medical site. All recipes are published for your convenience and are both suitable and tasty enough to be eaten by anyone without  food  allergies,  as  part of a normal diet. We  advise you to consult

a qualified doctor before starting any special diet.

 

If you suffer from and food allergies, always check the ingredients on the label  of commercially prepared products.

 

Sorry, unfortunately no correspondence can  be entered into regarding medical matters.

Find UK Holiday Cottages


Click here to sign up to our FREE Monthly

Newsletter for recent site updates &  food articles

Culinary Videos

New Section !

Concise, quality " how to" culinary videos featuring preparation & techniques. No  downloads  required.

Find Cookery Courses

Choose from over 30 cuisines in 30 countries from single lessons to complete vacations

Online learning for Everyone

Whilst this is not meant to be a site about calorie counting,  we are confident that there is something for everyone and we are constantly adding new recipes and other cooking related material such as growing herbs and vegetables, culinary terms, ingredient analysis, UK Online Food shopping directory plus, we think, the best conversion charts on the net.

For ease of reference,  below are direct links to most  sections on this site.
 

Soups & Starters            Soups        Fish        Other      Vegetarian        Gluten Free

 

Main Courses         Barbecues  and  Picnics       Beef  and Veal       Casseroles Fish and Shellfish      Lamb     Offal    Pasta, Rice and Pulses      Pork and Bacon    Poultry & Game    Salads      Stews      Vegetarian

Side Dishes             Dips and  Dressings      Jams,  Pickles  and  Preserves     Marinades      Pasta and  Rice        Side Salads      Salsas and Relishes        Sauces    Savoury  Sauces      Sweet  Sauces       Stuffings            Vegetables

 

Desserts, Puddings      Cold Desserts     Hot Puddings                Cakes & Bakes        Cakes, Breads, Biscuits (Cookies), Pastry  and Pastries

 

International           Cooking by Country      Chinese       Indian                  Special Diets       Dairy Free    Gluten Free     Vegan        Egg  Free

 

Other Recipe Sections    Cooking with Alcohol    Edible Flowers    Food in Film   Ingredients   Meals in Minutes   Party Food and Cocktails      Slow Food      Smoothies Section      Special days & Holidays      Sports Recipes   Summer Recipes   Weekday Menus      What's in Season

 

Reference Pages        5 - A -Day Portions    Cooking Holidays & Schools    Conversion Charts     Directories       Farmers Markets     Food Celebration Days     Growing Veg    Growing Herbs    Guide to Kitchenware      Holidays    Ingredients      Online Shop     Preserving Fresh Produce    Special days     UK Food Shopping Directory     What's in Season 

   

Search     About Recipes4us     Links     Contact Us     Advertise/Sponsor       Disclaimer/Private Privacy     Media Resources

 

Google

This Web Site was designed and created by Recipes4us.co.uk. Copyright © 2000-2008 [Recipes4us] All rights reserved.

Clipart © 1999 (2000) www.arttoday.com  Some Photos ©  www.fotolia.co.uk