Cooking is one of the favorite activities of many people, as it allows us to be creative and develop various skills, in addition to enjoying exquisite dishes as a result. Although it can be a pleasurable activity, sometimes cooking can be a
complex and
time-consuming process, so it's always good to turn to certain tools that can
save us time and effort.
Such is the case of the
pressure cooker or
express pot, which is one of the preferred utensils in households due to its practicality. However, many people feel intimidated by it and don’t know how to use it for fear that it might explode. The good news is that the express pot is very easy to use, and at
kiwilimón we provide you with the tips you need to learn how to
use the pressure cooker without dying in the attempt. What is a pressure cooker and how does it work? The pressure cooker, also known as an express pot, is an airtight container that reaches
high pressures that allows for faster cooking, as noted by the
Encyclopedia of Hospitality.
Invented in 1679 under the name of
Marmite de Papin by French physicist
Denis Papin, the express pot heats water to produce steam that, in turn, raises the internal temperature to 130 °C. Thanks to this high temperature, food cooks much faster than in a conventional pot.
Some of the
advantages of using a pressure cooker, as noted by
La Vanguardia, are that cooking time can be reduced by 70%, saving you time and gas, while preserving up to 50% of the nutritional content. Additionally, the food remains juicy and full of flavor.
You can also read: Conventional fryer vs air fryer. Which is better?What can you cook in a pressure cooker? Now that you know the advantages and practicality of the express pot, you might be wondering what you can cook in it.
The pressure cooker is ideal for cooking different types of meats, including
chicken,
beef, and
pork, and even
seafood, but it is very popular for those cuts that require long cooking times.
You can also cook a wide variety of
vegetables with your express pot. Potatoes, artichokes, peppers, Swiss chard, and squash are just a few options.
Of course, you can also take advantage of your express pot to cook
legumes such as beans, lentils, fava beans, or chickpeas.
How to use a pressure cooker? Learning how to use an express pot is essential for anyone interested in cooking, so we share the following beginner's guide that will allow you to use
the pressure cooker like an expert.
First, add the food you wish to cook inside the pot, as noted by
Cleanipedia. Next, add
liquid: at a minimum, it should be one cup or 2 cm of
liquid from the bottom, but it should never exceed half and much less be filled completely. You can add
water, wine, beer, broth, or fruit juice.
Close the lid, remove the valve, and place the pot on the stove over
high heat. You will know that the pot has started cooking the food when you notice that the
steam begins to come out of the grid and the pressure regulator starts to vibrate, or you can look at the valve markings that indicate the internal pressure. Place the
safety valve over the nozzle and reduce the heat until the pot stops hissing. Once the cooking time for the food you are cooking has passed, simply turn off the heat. It is important to mention that the cooking time varies according to the type and weight of the food and is counted from the moment the pot starts to release steam.
Do not open the express pot until the pressure has decreased. To
depressurize a pressure cooker, you can wait 10 to 30 minutes or use the quick release button; some people use the cold water method where the pot is cooled under running water, as noted by
La Vanguardia.
You will know that the pot is completely depressurized when you move the
pressure regulator or the
steam valve and it makes no sound. Finally, open the lid and enjoy your perfectly cooked food in record time.
You can also read: How to use different knives?What should not be done with a pressure cooker? If you want to
avoid accidents and take care of your pressure cooker, you should follow these tips:
Do not overfill the express pot. The pot needs free space to generate the steam that will cook the food. Additionally, if the pot is too full, the food can block the ventilation tube, the pressure release valve, or the overpressure plug.
Never use the express pot without adding liquid. If you heat an empty pressure cooker or if the water boils away completely, the pot can overheat, resulting in stains or possible damage to your utensil.
Never use the express pot with a dirty or blocked ventilation tube. If the ventilation tube is blocked, the pressure can rise to dangerous levels as it cannot be released.
Do not use the express pot without securely closing the lid. If you do not ensure that the lid is properly closed, the steam may end up moving it out of place, which can cause material damage and injuries.
Never open the express pot without depressurizing. If you open the pot without releasing the pressure, the hot contents will erupt violently, causing material damage or injuries.
Do not leave the express pot unattended. While the pressure cooker is safe to use when you follow the instructions, leaving it unattended could lead to accidents if all the water evaporates or if the pressure valve makes any sound indicating defects that are not attended to in time.
Do not forget to maintain your express pot. If you notice that the valve or seals of your pot have changed in appearance, texture, or have any damage, it's time to replace them with new ones to ensure safety when using it.
Now that you are an expert in the pressure cooker, you are ready to prepare the best
recipes with an express pot that
kiwilimón has for you. You will love them!