How to Use a Pressure Cooker

Are you interested in buying a pressure cooker, but have no idea how to use one? In this article you’ll learn what you can cook with a pressure cooker, cooking times for basic ingredients, and how to use one. You’ll be able to expand the range of recipes that you can cook by taking advantage of pressure cookers.

Pressure cookers are a great tool in the kitchen to cook food such as tough meat cuts, mashed potatoes, soups, chicken, artichokes, lentils, stews and beans. Learn how to use a pressure cooker and it might become the most important piece of kitchen equipment in your home.

What is a pressure cooker?

A pressure cooker is a versatile kitchen wizard, capable of cooking meals in a fraction of the time, using the magic of high-pressure steam to tenderize even the toughest ingredients! Pressure cookers work by building up pressure within a tightly sealed pot. Once the pressure builds up, the heat energy is transferred to food at a faster rate. Therefore, you can cook food faster with a pressure cooker compared with other types of cooking.

The boiling point of the liquid within the cooker is increased, which means it will turn to steam at a higher temperature. Therefore, the steam is hotter within a pressure cooker, which increases the rate of heat transfer. It’s great if you need to cook recipes faster that typically take a long time.

Cooking with a pressure cooker

Pressure cookers are not difficult to operate, but there is a small learning curve. Here is a step by step process on how to get the job done:

1. Place the food and liquid inside the pressure cooker, of course you have to choose a recipe that is suitable for pressure cooking.
2. Place the ingredients into the pressure cooker, making sure to add a sufficient amount of liquid (usually water, broth, or sauce). The liquid is necessary to create steam and build pressure.
3. Secure the lid on the top and check to see if the valve is in the correct position, ensure that the seal is tight and the vent (if there is one) is closed.
4. Choose the right pressure setting, which depends on the cooking time and type of food. You can read the manual for specific guidelines on the correct settings for different types of food and cooking times. Most pressure cookers have high and low pressure settings.
5. Turn on the heat if using a stove-top model or press the start button if using an electric model).
6. Wait for the pressure build up and start cooking. The cooker will take some time to reach the selected pressure level.
7. If you’re using a stovetop pressure cooker, lower the heat once the desired pressure is reached.
8. Start your timer once the cooker has reached the desired pressure. Follow your recipe for cooking times.
9. After the cooking time is up, turn off the heat and let the cooker depressurize. You can let it depressurize naturally which takes longer, or you can use the quick release feature if your cooker has one and your recipe calls for it. 
10. Once the pressure is fully released and the locking mechanism has disengaged, open the lid. Pro tip: always lifting the side farthest from you first to avoid the hot steam.

 

Basic Pressure Cooking Times for Common Foods

Pressure cooking times can vary significantly depending on the type of food, its size and cut, and the pressure cooker model you’re using. However, here are some general guidelines for common foods as a starting point:

1. Meat (Beef, Pork, Lamb, etc.): For large pieces like roasts, a general guideline is about 15-20 minutes per pound. Smaller cuts like chops or steaks may only need 10-15 minutes total.

2. Poultry (Chicken, Turkey, etc.): Whole chickens often take around 20-25 minutes, while individual parts like breasts or thighs might only need 10-15 minutes.

3. Fish and Seafood: These typically cook very quickly in a pressure cooker, often in just 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook.

4. Rice: Brown rice usually takes about 20-22 minutes, while white rice may only need 3-5 minutes.

5. Beans and Legumes: Dried beans can take anywhere from 10-50 minutes depending on the type and if they’ve been pre-soaked. Lentils usually take around 10-15 minutes.

6. Vegetables: Most vegetables cook very quickly in a pressure cooker, often in just 2-5 minutes. Root vegetables like potatoes or carrots might need a bit longer, around 5-10 minutes.

 

Pressure cookers provide a healthy way of cooking food because they do not involve frying with oil or deep frying. You can cook a wide variety of meals using a pressure cooker, enough to feed the entire family. Take the time to learn how to use a pressure cooker and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the practicality.