Types of Pressure Cookers and Their Benefits

There are certain gadgets and appliances we take so much for granted that we don’t realise their value unless we decide to buy or upgrade them. So, you have been planning to buy a stainless steel pressure cooker or pick up a hard anodized cooker, and are clueless about the kinds of pressure cookers available? Read on for more on the types of pressure cookers available and their many advantages.

 

Kinds of pressure cookers

 

The earliest pressure cookers were made of aluminium. These are light and also cook faster and evenly. On the flip side, they tend to lose their sheen very quickly. It also tends to develop a lot of blemishes, bumps or pits rather easily. Aluminium is also not a very strong material. Cleaning aluminium pressure cookers can be quite difficult, and you would need to scrub and wash quite often to ensure it looks good.

 

Then came the stainless steel pressure cooker. It is easy to handle, and also aesthetically appealing. Stainless steel cookers are scratch-proof and also don’t chip. What’s more, heating is efficient even when they have an aluminium bottom. They are easy to wash and maintain as well. Steel pressure cookers are safe for dishwasher use.

 

Today, there are pressure cookers made of hard anodized material. A hard anodized cooker will last really long, and is in fact, the most durable of all cookware materials. Hard anodized material is made to make the oxide (naturally formed) layer on a metal’s surface thicker. This is what makes the material resistance to wear and tear, and corrosion. Washing a hard anodized cooker is effortless because food does not stick to it, and it is stain-free. All you need is a simple sponge to rinse out the cooker. You cannot use a metal scrubber the way you would on a stainless steel cooker. Aesthetically, hard anodized cookers win hands down!

 

Then, there are pressure cookers that come with an induction-stove friendly bottom so you can use them both on electric induction stoves and the regular gas-top cooking stoves.

 

What to keep in mind when you choose a pressure cooker

 

So, when you choose from among these pressure cookers, you would need to keep certain aspects in mind. One of them is the capacity of the stainless steel pressure cooker or the hard anodized cooker you plan to buy. The capacity could be 5 litres, 6.5 litres, 3.5 litres, 2 litres and so on. If you cook regular meals on a daily basis, you could opt for a bigger one, as you can simultaneously cook lentils, rice and vegetables for your various preparations.

 

Also, check for the quality of the handles. Because you tend to use your cooker rather frequently, you sold ensure that the handles are sturdy and heat-resistant. If your hard anodize cooker comes with a Bakelite soft grip handle, you should go for it!

 

When you buy your cooker, also check the weight used, the kind of material used at the base of the cooker, gaskets and most importantly, the warranty. Once you are convinced, get home your pressure cooker and enjoy healthy, flavourful meals cooked in no time at all!