How to ensure 100% safety while working with Pressure Cookers?

by Manohar C. Blogger

Pressure cookers have come a long way in the three centuries they've been around. Pressure cookers became must-have cooking appliances for most kitchens.

Tips for 100% safety while working with pressure cookers

Follow these instructions to get ideal pressure cooker results without having to worry about further problems. These guidelines will also provide you a safer and effective cooking experience with your good-quality branded pressure cooker.

Get a brand new Pressure Cooker & examine it thoroughly

The very first thing is to have a safe pressure cooker from a well-known brand. Make sure the pressure cooker’s pot and cover are free of dents and fractures. Pressure cookers are prone to damage since they cook under high pressure. If a cooker has been dropped, it should be thoroughly examined for damage. Each type of cooker has its unique safety procedures, so read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Electric pressure cookers are the latest innovation in this field. Most electric pressure cookers contain many safety measures. If that doesn’t appeal to you, many will automatically switch off when the PSI reaches a harmful level. A newbie to pressure cookers couldn’t ask for a better solution. Explosions are rare if you use and maintain them appropriately. It uses a microchip to release steam.

Check Your Pressure Cooker and rubber gasket before you cook

At the beginning of cooking, make sure the rubber gasket isn’t damaged or dried up. Depending on how often you use your stove, some manufacturers recommend replacing the gasket annually. If yours gets ripped just as you’re getting started on a dish, you might want to order one additional to keep on hand. Make sure there’s no dried food on the pot’s rim, as this could cause the seal to break. Never use a pressure cooker without a rubber gasket. The gasket is the rubber ring seal on the lid’s underside. It creates a seal and allows pressure to accumulate. Replace the rubber gasket when it becomes hard or sticky.

Cooker Shouldn’t Be Overfilled

The amount of liquid within the pressure cooker causes an excessive pressure. Too much food in the pressure release vent can cause a blockage. Unless the steam can escape, the pressure builds until it explodes. A stove-top pressure cooker without the technology could explode. Overfilling a pressure cooker not only increases the risk of an explosion but also degrades the food’s texture and flavor by destroying vitamins and minerals. To avoid the danger of food obstructing the vents, fill the pressure cooker no more than two-thirds full for most items. Foods that swell while they cook, such as beans and grains, should only fill the cooker halfway.

Cooking Frothy Foods Should Be Approached With Caution

Some foods like rice, corn, beans expand when cooked, and cause the pressure cooker to overfill. Fill the pressure cooker only halfway for this food. You certainly don’t want the foods to swell to the point of explosion, right..? The foaming might cause the steam valves and pressure release vents to get blocked. Pasta, rhubarb, split peas, oatmeal, applesauce, and cranberries are just a few examples of frothy foods. If you do decide to prepare these meals, stick to a tried-and-true recipe and keep the amount in the pot well below the maximum fill line.

Slice food items evenly

Food should be sliced into uniformly sized pieces to ensure that they cook at the same rate. You can use a cutter, chopper, or slicer in order to evenly cut the food items like potato, tomato, vegetables, etc. This will avoid overcooking certain pieces. It is recommended that the meal be marinated or parboiled before cooking. Cooking time varies per recipe and relies on the components used. Rice, fruits, vegetables, chicken all require varying amounts of time to cook, as does the amount of water used.

Using a Safe Method to Release Pressure

You can release pressure in three ways: by simply removing the cooker from the heat and letting it rest until the pressure drops naturally (natural release), by running cold water over the closed pan’s lid (cold water release), or by utilizing the pot’s steam release valve (quick release). Natural release is good for meals that you want to keep cooking and is safer than quick-release. Wait for the pressure in the pot to drop before opening it. Forcing it open can cause it to explode. Most experts advise waiting 10 minutes before opening the lid, but others advise waiting 30 minutes until all the pressure has gone.

When using the cooker, use potholders to protect your hands, and keep your face, hands, and body away from the steam vent if utilizing the quick-release method. When you open the cooker after the steam has been released, hot steam will still emerge from the pan, so tip the lid away from you and hold it over the pan to prevent the hot condensation from dripping onto you.

Ensure that the Cooker is in good working order

Remove the gasket, the cover, and the pot from the pot and wash them separately. With a wooden toothpick, clean the valve to ensure it is free-moving and not jammed. Instead of being locked in place, store the cooker with the lid on the pot upside down. The rubber gasket seal and the steam vent tube are vital pieces of this appliance, so make sure they’re clean, solid, and not split or broken. Keep the exhaust tube clean with the pressure cooker’s cleaning tool or a pipe cleaner.

These guidelines will assist you in safely and successfully preparing meals in your pressure cooker.