What Should I Consider When Buying a Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cooker is one of the indispensable tools of the kitchen. There are dozens of different types of pressure cookers, which are often preferred for their ease of use, time-saving and almost guaranteed soft cooking.
Choosing between these options can be challenging for some. The factor that can facilitate this situation is to make an evaluation in accordance with certain quality standards.
When pressure cookers are not fully functional, the desired efficiency is not obtained. For this reason, you should make sure that the pressure cooker you choose has a lid rubber.
It is very important to check that no other material is used in pressure cookers, which are usually made of steel. Because a material other than steel may not withstand the internal pressure of the pressure cooker and cause an explosion.
Lid safety is the most important element of attention in pressure cookers that cannot cook the food in the specified time when not fully closed. In addition to an interlocking system, inner rubber and compression lids are ideal for pressure cookers.
In order for your pressure cooker, which cooks with high pressure, not to explode, it needs to let some air out. This makes it important that you choose pressure cookers with the appropriate apparatus and those with air venting feature.
How to Understand Pressure Cooker Quality?
The element that determines the quality of the pressure cooker is the lid. The safety of the pot lid is the only factor that can prevent a possible explosion. For this reason, pressure cooker types focus on the lid part, not the chamber. The presence of a safety tire in the lid prevents air from leaking out. This situation both prevents the occurrence of unwanted accidents and shortens the cooking time of meals. Another important point is the air venting apparatus on the lid.
These apparatuses work with manual control. If it is closed while cooking, it allows the pressure cooker to keep the heat and air inside. After the cooking process is completed, the internal air must be released so that the pot can be opened. By pressing or lifting, these apparatuses allow the air to escape before the pot is opened. All these features must be included in a quality pressure cooker.
Is Pressure Cooker Dangerous?
The lid provides safety in pressure cookers. Therefore, a quality pressure cooker poses absolutely no danger. However, a loose lid rubber or a lid without an air release mechanism can cause various problems as it can cause the pressure inside the pot to suddenly come out. What can make a pressure cooker dangerous is the pressure that builds up in the chamber. Even if you choose a quality pressure cooker to eliminate this danger, there are some steps you should follow.
After the food is placed on the stove, wait for the water to boil to close the air venting apparatus. After the water boils, a sound similar to a whistle will come out of the open lid. After this sound, the pot should be completely closed and the fire level should be reduced.
After the average cooking time has elapsed, turn off the heat and allow the pressure cooker to cool down. In cases where it needs to be fast, the pressure cooker can be cooled by placing it under cold water. However, it should never be opened while hot.
After the pressure cooker has cooled down, the air venting device should be opened gradually and kept open until the air in the cooker is completely emptied.
It is safe to open the pressure cooker when there is no air coming out of the venting mechanism.
