A pressure cooker has appeared a long time ago and helps housewives in preparing various dishes. The cooking process in this case is halved, if not triple, which greatly facilitates our lives. In addition, all the nutrients in the cooking process are preserved, unlike other cooking methods. But some do not have it or they simply do not know how to use it. And you need to know the operation mode so that nothing bad happens. Now we will consider everything in detail.

How old-style pressure cookers work

This dish is used for faster cooking. When heated, steam appears, which helps to do this. In the old type there is a pressure valve located on the exhaust pipe, on the cover. One of the main elements is the o-ring. If it is not there, then the pan will not work as it should.

Important!  Before you begin to work, carefully inspect the sealing gum for defects, if any, then it must be replaced.

How to cook in an old-style pressure cooker: step-by-step instruction

If after the inspection everything starts to cook normally. At the same time, do not forget that this kitchen utensil should not be completely clogged with products - a maximum of two-thirds of the volume. So where to start?

We prepare pressure cooker products

Before cooking, you need to prepare products for this. Sometimes in the box from under it there is an instruction in which everything is written in detail. Consider the most common products that can be prepared in it:

• Meat. Before you start cooking, season with various spices. If you want, you can fry the meat in a pan before sending it to cook in a pressure cooker.
• Seafood. To begin with, they must be thoroughly washed, and then put in a pressure cooker and add at least 175 milliliters of water to them. When cooking fish, grease the basket with vegetable oil so that it does not stick.
• Legumes. Soak the food for five hours in water without salt, after the expiration date drain it. Add pure water, preferably with 1 tbsp. l vegetable oil. After that, add the bean products to the pan and start cooking.
• Vegetables. If they are frozen, defrost them, and if fresh, rinse them.
• Cereal products. Soak them for 4 hours in room temperature water. But if you are going to cook rice or oatmeal - you can not soak them.
• Fruits. First you need to wash them. To prepare fresh fruits, half a glass of water is required, and if it is dried fruit, pour only one glass.

The main stage of preparation

Once the vegetables and fruits are ready, you can proceed to the next step - laying vegetables. For this:

• First put the product that you want to cook in the pressure cooker and add as much water as needed to prepare this product.
• Before closing the lid tightly, remove the safety valve. Check that the closing mechanism works - and the lid is snug against the pan. Only then can it be put on a preheated oven or on the largest burner in a gas stove. Turn on the hotplate at full power, soon after that the pressure cooker will start to work - the water will evaporate, forming steam.
• As soon as she gains the right pressure, cooking will begin. You can check this with the help of a pressure sensor, which will start releasing steam.

Important! Do not forget that as soon as the steam starts to escape, you must install the valve.

• It is necessary to reduce the power of the heating element so that the pressure cooker stops whistling. Just be careful, the water should continue to boil. Take note of the time it takes for your chosen product to cook. The whole point is to maintain pressure in the dishes while cooking is in progress. The valve will only work if you do not reduce the heat in time.

Reference.  A pressure relief valve is necessary to prevent the pressure cooker from rupturing if you forget to relieve pressure in the pan.

How to get products from a pressure cooker

After the cooking time has ended, turn off the stove and reduce the pressure. There are three ways to do this:

• Natural. It is used if you cooked dishes that require a lot of time, for example, cabbage rolls. Even in the cooking process, you can begin to lower the pressure. The total time it takes is 10–20 minutes.
• Accelerated. You can press the button designed to relieve pressure, which is on most older models. After lowering it, the pressure decreases.
• Cold. In this case, you need cold water. The pressure cooker must be put in the sink and then turn on cold water so that it falls on the lid. Let her stand until the pressure drops. Make sure that no water enters the valve. This is the fastest way.

Important! This method is not suitable for electrical appliances.

It can be opened only after a complete decrease in pressure in the pressure cooker. To make sure of this, slide the pressure regulator, if no sounds are heard, then everything is in order - you can open it.

Important tips for using an old-style pressure cooker

In order for her to please delicious and healthy dishes as long as possible, it is necessary to properly care for her. Here are some guidelines to help you with this:

• Before the first use, be sure to wash as best as possible in order to wash off industrial dirt.
• Check the cleanliness of the O-ring and the body of the cover with which it is in contact so that it does not let steam through. Also protect from damage.
• Do not cover the dishes themselves during storage. This is necessary so that the ring is not damaged.
• When dry cleaned with cotton pads and tooth powder, it will always delight you with its radiance.
• So that the lid does not deform, it should not be tightly closed while the cooked food is cooling.
• Make sure that the fire does not touch the handles, otherwise they will deteriorate.

So, careful storage and operation, and the pressure cooker will work like a clock.

How to use a pressure cooker?

1. i cooked everything in a pressure cooker, a delicious pilaf is obtained. do not fully tighten the valve, and after it has boiled (hissed), unscrew the valve an additional half a turn.
2. Pressure cooker

   Speaking of kitchen utensils, one cannot but mention the pressure cooker pan, which has earned universal approval. She saves many times the time of the hostess and allows you to quickly cook tasty and varied food. In a pressure cooker, you can cook, stew and steam, while preserving vitamins, taste, color, aroma of the products.

   Judge for yourself how much faster this miracle pan cooks. For example, meat is cooked in an ordinary pan for 60-80 minutes, in a pressure cooker for 20-30 minutes, potatoes in an ordinary pan are cooked for 20-30 minutes, and in a pressure cooker for 5-8 minutes, it will take 10-15 minutes to cook peas instead of 60- 90 etc.

   This speed of cooking is explained by the fact that in a pressure cooker the products are cooked at a temperature of 117C and at high pressure. And using a pressure cooker is not a big deal.

   Pressure Cooker Secrets

   In a new pan, without closing it, boil milk, then the metal will not fade.

   For safe cooking, check for steam escaping through the cover instead of the valve. If this happens, remove the pan from the heat, place in cold water, let off steam, put the lid back on and tighten the handle well. And don't forget to check if the emergency valve is ok.

   Do not cook a fish in a pressure cooker it will be difficult to get rid of the smell. But if you have already managed to “put out” the pan, boil a little vinegar or lemon peel in it.

   The grill insert is intended for steamed dishes in which meat and vegetables should be in the form of large pieces.

   When you need to put vegetables in a pressure cooker at different times, remove it from the heat, cool in a cold will, discard steam through the valve and open the lid now you can lay it.

   Thinking of making four plates of soup, pour the same amount of water into the pan, because evaporation losses will be minimal.

   The countdown to the start of cooking starts from the moment of hissing, at which time you need to immediately reduce the fire under the pan.

   If the valve does not hiss or drops do not appear in the slot, and raising the valve, you don’t hear hissing, it means that it is dirty, it must be rinsed by first cooling the pan (it’s better to never manipulate a hot pan at all). But if in the dish you are preparing, there is little liquid “silence” of the valve is normal, although just in case you can check its working condition by lifting the valve: you still hear a quiet hiss.

   After each cooking, the valve must be thoroughly rinsed under a strong stream of water or cleaned with a wire.

3. Lower the pressure by letting out steam through the hole before opening. I have been using a pressure cooker for over 25 years. There have been no problems so far.
4. If you use a gas stove, the flame should not go beyond the bottom of the pressure cooker.
   Place a tested, properly filled and closed pressure cooker on a stove that is turned on at maximum or medium power.
   The taste of dishes cooked in a pressure cooker is completely different than in microwaves.
   If you use an electric stove, does the burner evenly heat up?
   Close the pressure cooker correctly before use.
5. I only cook soup in it. I put all the products, close, put on the maximum fire and wait for it to boil (it starts to whistle), then I make the smallest fire and cook for about 25-30 minutes. Then I turn it off and slowly start to let off steam by opening the valve. It is better to use something so as not to get burned. When the steam comes out (the pressure cooker is silent), you can open the lid. The meat is soft. It’s especially good to cook the jelly.

A pressure cooker saves all the useful substances of products that are lost in the cooking process by other methods. Knowing the principle of operation of a pressure cooker, you can cook many delicious, and most importantly healthy dishes.

There are two types of devices - gas-fired and powered by electricity. They work like this: under the lid, the pressure rises, due to which the cooking time is significantly reduced.

An important structural element is a sealed cover with a safety valve. Fixation between it and the tank is provided by special clamps on the outside and inside. They can be spring, screw or bayonet. The cover is equipped with a tight elastic gasket.

Precautionary measures

Before you start using a pressure cooker, you should read the instructions for use and adhere to such safety rules:

1. Children should not be around at the time of preparation to avoid steam burns.
2. Do not use in an oven or electric oven.
3. Do not touch the surfaces of the device during operation, because they are very hot.
4. Before starting work, you need to make sure that the structure is tightly closed.
5. Do not use excessive force to open the cover.
6. It can only be opened after steam is released.
7. Do not turn it on with an empty bowl, you can work with a pressure cooker only if there is water or broth inside.
8. Before cooking, check the condition of the valves every time. They can become clogged over time, so sometimes they need to be cleaned.

Before the first operation, the pan must be washed and dried well. Immediately before starting work in a new pressure cooker, you can boil milk, you do not need to close the lid. This will protect metal surfaces from tarnishing or darkening.

It is better not to leave cooked dishes inside the bowl. This will lead to stains from fats, salts and acids. At the end of cooking, transfer food to another container.

In addition, there are other rules.

Water level

During cooking, do not pour a full pot of water, because steam needs extra space. The recommended volume is 2/3 of the total tank capacity.  If cereals are prepared that swell, then you need to fill the tank half.

Frying

The pressure cooker is not suitable for frying under a closed lid, i.e. under pressure. When frying vegetables or meat, leave the lid open.  After passivation, you need to add the remaining products and a certain amount of liquid. Only then can the lid be closed and cooked under pressure.

For example, to cook pilaf, first fry onions, carrots and meat in an open bowl, after which rice with spices and water are added, and then the lid closes and the dish is cooked.

Steam output

A valve is provided for the removal of steam. When the pressure cooker is closed, pressure is generated during heating. If it exceeds the permissible norm, the valve opens automatically and steam escapes. At the end of work, you must first open the valve to release all the steam and only then open the cover.  This is the only way to protect yourself from burns.

Opening while cooking

During cooking, the pressure cooker cannot be opened, since the lid is equipped with a special mechanism that will not allow it to open until the pressure drops to a safe level.

Care

The appliance can only be washed after it has completely cooled down. In some models, removable parts are dishwasher safe, but this must be specified in the instructions. When the dish has cooled, place it in another container. After each cooking, the pan should be washed and left to dry, or wiped with a dry towel.

Do not store the pressure cooker with the lid closed to prevent deformation of the O-ring.

Preparation for work

To start cooking in a pressure cooker, you need to open the lid, place food, pour water, close the container tightly and set the cooking mode. How much fluid to pour in depends on the specific recipe.

If you need to add some ingredients during cooking, you must first let off the steam and only then can you open the lid.

Cooking time for different products

Of all the dishes that require cooking, stewing and frying in a pressure cooker, you can cook a lot of things. In any case, before you start cooking you need to read the instructions. Almost every model comes with a collection of recipes or general cooking tips.

Cooking time in a pressure cooker depends on the product:

• frozen vegetables - 1.5 min;
• legumes, chopped cabbage and carrots, small potatoes - 5 min;
• frozen fish - 4 min;
• liver, fresh fish - 6 min;
• sliced \u200b\u200beggplant, peppers, large tubers of new potatoes - 8 min;
• roasted young beef - 10 min;
• whole vegetables - 10 minutes;
• pieces of chicken, pork, rice - 14 min;
• lamb, duck - 25 min.

1. Potatoes, beets, carrots, meatballs are best cooked on a wire rack. It comes with the device.
2. The first dishes will be cooked in a pressure cooker much faster than in the classical way.
3. Steam cutlets need to simmer on the wire rack for 15 minutes, pouring a little water into the pan.
4. Stew meat, duck and chicken, previously fried in a pan with vegetables.
5. Pea porridge should be cooked for at least 30 minutes.
6. The jam is cooked for 7-10 minutes over low heat with standard proportions of berries and sugar. In this case, the color will remain as bright, and the beneficial substances will remain.

It’s not difficult to cook healthy food, especially if you have a pressure cooker on hand. In addition to a delicious lunch and dinner, you can save time on its preparation, paying attention to other household chores.

A pressure cooker has long been very popular among housewives. Indeed, thanks to its capabilities, you can not only make delicious dishes, but also speed up the process of their preparation. To reveal the taste of the products and transform the texture of the ingredients, such a pan will require much less time. It is a pressure cooker that can become a great helper in the house, if you know how to cook in it correctly.

Modern appliances have a huge range of functions, they can cook various dishes. You can cook anything you like in a pressure cooker. Among the most common programs can be identified:

• cooking soups;
• stewing vegetables;
• cooking cereals;
• jelly;
• canning and much more.

As a rule, it is preferable to use a pressure cooker for preparing those dishes that take a long time to cook on a regular stove. For example, pea or bean soup can be made in 30-40 minutes. Many housewives prefer to cook jelly in it - the meat will fall apart in an hour and a half. In general, a pressure cooker reduces cooking time by 3-5 times.

However, it should be remembered that a pressure cooker takes time to relieve pressure at the end of cooking. This takes about 30 minutes.

Another indisputable advantage of modern devices is the availability heating modewhich allows the dish to stay constantly warm. This mode is most attractive for caring mothers who are worried about the child's use of a gas stove to warm up lunch while parents are at work.

Basic principles of use

The main mistake of housewives who are just starting to use pressure cookers is cooking at too high temperatures. Such modes can simply lead to overloading the unit. And they can provoke an earlier failure of the equipment. First of all, it is important to read the factory instructions before starting the application, which clearly defines the pressure and temperature limits. This will help find the answer to the question of how to cook in a pressure cooker.

The whole cooking process in such dishes consists of the following steps.

If after opening it turned out that the dish is not ready, then you should not be upset. You can finish the cooking process with the lid open.

By observing simple rules and relying on instructions, you can greatly speed up and facilitate the process of preparing your favorite dishes, making them rich and aromatic.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that for the manufacture of modern models the most advanced technologies and reliable and environmentally friendly materials are used. Thanks to this, the equipment is durable and reliable. If once you thoroughly figure out how to use the miracle pan, then in the future there will be no problems with its operation.

Pressure cookers are ideal for preparing many foods and dishes, can reduce cooking time by up to 50 percent, and retain nutrients and vitamins well. They are economical in the amount of energy consumption, regardless of its type. If you do not have a pressure cooker yet, then this article will help you decide on her choice. And for those who have - find useful tips for use.

How to choose a pressure cooker

The principle of operation of all pressure cookers is the same regardless of its model. They differ only in price. More expensive models are made of better metal, have a larger set of functions.

Modern pressure cookers have undergone significant changes compared to the old Soviet models, when when cooking in it it seemed that now it would explode and take off, they became safer. They do not have that frightening whistle escaping from under the lid, easy to use. Today it is no longer just a pan with a sealed lid, but a whole kitchen appliance.

The first thing to consider when choosing is the type of pressure cooker pan. They are:

Mechanical, i.e. in which you can cook on an electric or gas stove;

Electric. Such pressure cookers, as a rule, are combined with the function of a multicooker.

When buying a pot of the first type, you need to consider that not all of them are equally suitable for any type of stove. Aluminum can only be used on ordinary electric or gas. But cooking on glass-ceramic or induction does not work. For them, you need to choose metal.

The second thing you should pay attention to is volume. It is better not to buy a pot of less than 5-6 liters. After all, when cooking, there should be room for steam.

High-tech devices are equipped with a timer, the function of locking the lid, selecting the vapor pressure and its discharge.

As for the form, these are personal preferences. You can buy with a long handle or like a regular pan.

How to use a pressure cooker

Using it is no more difficult than a conventional pan.

Read the instructions

Modern pressure cookers have a number of safety features, and this is not without reason. The heat generated by the steam reaches a temperature above the boiling point of water. Follow the instructions for your specific model.

Keep clean

It is important that your pan is clean and in good working condition. For example, you may need to replace a rubber gasket that provides good tightness. Keep the valves clean.

Liquid

Pressure cookers cook with steam. No fluid - no steam. You cannot and should not use your pressure cooker unless you have added enough water. The instructions should indicate the minimum and maximum amount of water. Some models may specifically indicate the amount of fluid for a particular product.

If you need to cook something with a golden brown crust, then you need to do this before you start cooking in a pressure cooker.

Do not overfill

Most, if not all modern models have a minimum and maximum mark on the inside. Do not exceed or lower them.

The pressure cooker should not be filled more than 2/3 of the volume. When preparing a liquid dish (such as soup), avoid filling more than half.

Overfilling leads to the release of products from the pressure relief valve. If this happens, you will need to disassemble and thoroughly clean the parts.

You also need a place for steam to make cooking easier. Here is an approximate filling of the volume:

Liquid products, including soup - no more than 1/2;

Vegetables and meat bones - no more than 2/3 pieces;

Food that can foam or expand, including cereals, legumes, rice, and more - no more than 1/3.

Heat

Set the highest heat right away. It is necessary that steam begins to form in the pan as quickly as possible. If heated for too long, then the products may turn out to be overcooked and not very tasty.

When the desired pressure is reached, reduce the heat to a minimum temperature that can maintain the set point. Most modern pressure cookers are equipped with a pressure sensor and it is not difficult to adjust it.

Gas and induction cookers immediately reset the temperature. Electric - keep warm for a while. Therefore, it is advisable to immediately turn on two burners, one of which will have a little heat. Then, when the required pressure is reached, the pressure cooker can be immediately rearranged to low heat.

Set cooking time

The instructions usually indicate the standard cooking time for each product. Consider the size of pieces of meat, vegetables, type of cereal. So, for example, cooking brown rice will take longer.

First put those foods that take longer to cook. Add the rest only after depressurization. Add more fluid if necessary.

Pressure relief

There are usually three ways to let off steam in a pressure cooker:

Remove it from the stove and allow time for the couple to free themselves;

Open the pressure relief valve. Be sure to use gloves so as not to burn yourself with hot steam;

Place a pressure cooker under cold water.

The first option is ideal for dishes, such as soup or borsch.

The second - for almost any dishes and products.

The third - such as fish and vegetables, where digestion can occur.

The last two options save time.

Never open the pressure cooker without relieving the pressure. Modern models have a security function that prevents its opening.

If you are in a hurry, place it under cold water until the pressure indicator drops and the lid opens easily.

The second option is to turn off the pressure cooker a few minutes before the end of cooking. Food will reach at residual pressure.

Take out the products

The materials from which most pressure cookers are made are not intended for food storage. Once you have prepared your dish, shift or transfer it to something else.

How to care for a pressure cooker

Pressure cooker covers must not be washed in the dishwasher. Rinse thoroughly under a tap with dishwashing liquid by removing the rubber seal.

Some pots are dishwasher safe, others are not. See instructions. Otherwise, rinse in the sink.

Other parts do not need to be disassembled and cleaned individually each time. You need to do this if they are blocked. The instruction will explain how to do it right.

Dry your pressure cooker completely, leaving it on the table. Do not clean immediately in the cabinet.

The lid must be stored upside down on the pan, not closed.

How to cook in a pressure cooker

When you need to cook a hard piece of meat, cook jellied meat, a pressure cooker is the best suited for this.

You can stew in it, hard pieces become soft and juicy.

Count the cooking time only after the desired pressure has been reached.

A necessary function is a timer, because the food is cooked so fast that one to two minutes can have a significant impact on the final taste.

Try to maintain the right pressure while cooking. You may need to increase or decrease the heat.

Pressure cooker is a wet method. To cook in it without water does not work. At least it should have a water level of at least 2 centimeters.

What foods can and cannot be cooked in a pressure cooker

When you return home from work late and don’t have anything for dinner, the pressure cooker can become a real lifesaver. Cooking a delicious dinner can take only a few minutes. You can immediately put even frozen foods in it.

It cooks all kinds of meat and poultry, almost all vegetables, including potatoes. It’s even possible to cook cheesecake or custard. Dishes are sometimes tastier than from the oven or steamed.

On the other hand, some products are not suitable for cooking in such a pan. If you try to cook them, you can clog it or spoil the taste of the products.

Do not cook in a pressure cooker such products that may froth during cooking, which will lead to clogging of the valve. This is noodles and pasta, cheese, fish, since it does not take a lot of time to cook it and it can just boil.

Do not cook or stew green leafy salads in it. Under the influence of high temperatures, beneficial nutrients are destroyed.

Remember that a pressure cooker adds moisture to food. Popcorn or potato chips are not for cooking in it. They just won't turn out crispy.

The same goes for baking. Do not even fry in it.

Some housewives make the mistake of adding all the ingredients at the same time and cooking them together. They think that while the right temperature is reached, some of the products will be cooked. This is not true.

If you cook at the same time, for example, meat with potatoes, the potato may eventually be overcooked or the meat will not be ready.

Pay particular attention to the order in which you must add the ingredients according to their cooking time according to the instructions for your model.

How to use a slow cooker

Multicooker pressure cookers are very convenient. You can cook in them as in a slow cooker or pressure cooker by setting the desired mode. Before using, carefully read the instructions for your model. They may vary between different models of even one manufacturer.

First, learn how to cook in it under pressure, do a test test:

• Add 1-2 glasses of water to the bowl;
• Lock the lid;
• Make sure the valve is in the cooking / pressure position;
• Press the pressure cooking button with a short time.
• Set the minimum cooking time. When the water boils, time will begin to count down.

The second thing you need to know is how to relieve pressure after the cooking time is up. The easiest way is to do nothing and give time for it to reset itself.

Thirdly, begin to master your slow cooker-pressure cooker with recipes that are in the instructions.

After you have done a simple water test, prepared a few recipes from the manual or the attached recipe book, you can begin to adapt your own.

What are the benefits of a pressure cooker

Most importantly, she saves money. Energy resources are expensive today. Therefore, the less time it takes you to prepare, the more money you save. It reduces cooking time by about a third.

Great for preparing foods that require a long cooking time, such as beans.

You can stew or boil hard meat in it, which would take more time on a regular stove. And the result might not have pleased.

Of course, it stores more nutrients.

A device such as a pressure cooker is a necessary assistant for a modern housewife.