How to choose a pressure cooker? What to consider and how to choose correctly

Pressure cookers are one of the biggest helpers in the kitchen, saving you time and also money. This piece of cookware works on the principle of pressure cooking. The dishes are cooked faster with less energy consumption. Pressure cookers have undergone a lot of development in the last few decades. Their construction, opening method, safety locks and also design have improved. The unsightly pots have evolved into pieces that are not only practical but also beautiful to look at.

A little bit of history

• The pressure cooker can be known by another name, namely “papinák”. This name was derived from the French mathematician Denise Papin, who built it in 1679 and is thus considered the founder of this invention.
• However, as early as the 2nd century in North Africa, Mary the Jewess (called the Prophetess) came up with an invention called kerotakiswhich, according to the experts, is the forerunner of the pressure cooker.

On what principle does it work?

• The pot works on a simple principle. The body of the pot is made of a thick-walled metal container, which is closed by means of safety lid with seal. During cooking, the pressure in the pot increases and with it the boiling point temperature. The pressure in the pot rises to about 280 – 300 kPa and then a pressure relief valve operates to regulate the pressure in the pot by releasing the steam.
• At normal pressure the boiling point is 100 °C. At at elevated pressure the boiling point temperature in the pot is about 120 – 130 °C. At lower consumption of gas or electricity, we will achieve higher cooking temperatures. The food is so much Finished faster.
• To give you an idea – we fill the pot with ingredients, add a lid and close it with a lever, then just put the pot on the hob, where we set the highest setting at the beginning, when steam starts escaping from the pot – it will hiss, we’ll turn the heat down to the lowest setting.. When the cooking is finished, do not forget to let all the remaining steam out.

Why cook in a pressure cooker?

• The main advantage is faster food preparation, up to three times faster. You save on consumption of electricity and gas and your time.
• The pressure cooker has a wide range of uses. It is suitable not only for the preparation of meat, but also side dishes, soups, desserts, and even preserves can be prepared in it.
• The prepared meals will be healthier. Steaming leaves us with a lot of valuable nutrients and a distinctive flavour.
• The kitchen stays clean. If you handle the pot correctly nothing can get out until you remove the lid, so nothing spills out. No one on your stove will know you used it.

So how do you pick one?

• Size – for this criterion depends on how many members we plan to cook for. For a couple, a pot up to 5 liters is sufficient, for a family of four between 6-10 liters, and for 5 or more people, 10-15 liters is worthwhile.
• Electric vs. Classic:

• The electric steamer does not need to be checked, the pressure regulates itself and does not release steam. It also uses its own heat sources during use. It also prides itself on having pre-set programmes. It is described as a multifunctional pressure cooker.
• You need to pay more attention to the classic and keep checking.

• One-handed operation – For your convenience and comfort, you can purchase a pot that is easy to open with one hand.
• Purchase price – Even though the prices of pressure cookers are higher, we should not skimp on this product. The rule of thumb here is that quality is worth investing in.
• Types of closing – Pressure cookers have 3 types of closure, namely bayonet, lever or snap closure. All three guarantee safety, the difference is only in appearance and comfort.

• The bayonets are put in the designated places on the lid and rotated, this should make the closure go into the grooves and not move until you take it off yourself.
• Insert the lever closure under the rim of the pot and secure with the lever.
• The easiest is the clickable one. You put it on the pot and snap it on.

• Safety features – When choosing a pot, focus on the quality of the safety features. No pressure cooker should lack a safety lock to prevent the pot from opening when under pressure, as well as a valve that safely releases excess steam. Always read the package leaflet before use, where everything is explained. Because even the safety features won’t help if mishandled.
• Accessories – In the market, we can find a large number of products from different manufacturers. We are often contacted by customers who are looking for a replacement gasket for their pressure cooker or want to have the lid serviced and safety valves checked, but are unable to find a dealer or service to provide this. The pot is then ripe for the discarding. When choosing the right pressure cooker, we recommend finding out if spare parts are available and if the manufacturer has an authorised service to carry out repairs and maintenance.

We’ve covered the basics of choosing the right pressure cooker. Now it’s no problem to choose the perfect one. All you need to do is choose the brand and the look and you can start cooking.