Cooking a variety of meals in a short period is something that many people look forward to. This is especially true if you work long hours and do not want to spend a lot of time preparing a nutritious meal for yourself or your family. Kitchen appliance aficionados recommend having a pressure cooker specifically for this purpose. Are they really worth it, though?
A pressure cooker is one appliance that is worth having around, although many other kitchen appliances make cooking easier. They use less electricity than cookstoves, provide an even and consistent cooking process, and as a result of the pressurized environment, they use less water.
Discover whether or not a pressure cooker is worth having in your kitchen by exploring the advantages and disadvantages. Read on to find out about the pros and cons of owning a pressure cooker and other details that may help you decide whether it is something you can benefit from.
What Are the Pros and Cons of a Pressure Cooker?
Many people have been using pressure cookers for a long time and swear that it is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can own. Before you decide to purchase one for your kitchen, you should consider the pros and cons and make your decision from there.
The following table lists the pros and cons of using a pressure cooker:
| Pros of Using a Pressure Cooker | Cons of Using a Pressure Cooker |
| Less cook time is required | Since foods do not always cook at the same time, you may have to cook some outside of the pressure cooker |
| Food tends to keep the nutrients since it is cooked in a locked pot | Since the lid is locked, you cannot check the meal or add more seasonings |
| Energy-efficient because of reduced cook time | Overcooking can be a concern if you do not pay close attention to the recipe |
| Keeps your kitchen cool since the heat is contained in the pot | Can take some time to learn how to use them properly |
| Modern models have added safety features | Some foods are not suitable for the pressure cooker |
Does Pressure Cooked Food Taste Different?
Food cooked in a pressure cooker typically tastes more robust and flavorful than food cooked by other methods. This is because of the locking mechanism that allows all of the seasonings and liquid to remain in the pot, therefore, increasing the flavor outcome.
Despite being more of a personal preference, the taste of food cooked in a pressure cooker has been hotly debated. According to some, the food’s flavor is preserved in the pressure cooker since it’s locked. Other people believe that flavor is lost in the pressure cooker.
As a result of the closed and sealed lid, the steam from the liquid keeps most foods from drying out as they might if cooked in other ways. Also, slow cooking preserves the flavor of the food rather than letting it escape.
Should I Get A Pressure Cooker or a Slow Cooker?
The decision to get a pressure cooker or a slow cooker is, again, a personal choice, however, many people prefer a pressure cooker for its ability to allow food to retain its flavors. While both appliances have been used by kitchen experts for years, there is usually a preference for one of them over the other.
When it comes down to having only one of these fine appliances, most people choose the pressure cooker. This is typically because they do not have to plan time before their workday to prep the meal and get it started. Instead, they can prepare the meal once they are home and eat dinner a short time after.
Of course, with today’s technological advances, you do not have to decide on one over the other. Some machines have been created to do both types of cooking which make it even more convenient.
What Do You Cook in a Pressure Cooker?
When it comes to deciding what to cook in a pressure cooker, many people choose to prepare those foods that typically take a long time to cook normally. These choices include a variety of stews and soups, beans, tougher cuts of meats, vegetables, and much more.
Most people know that cooking beans conventionally requires quite a lot of preparation to get them just right. This usually includes soaking them overnight and then either cooking them for hours in a slow cooker or on the stovetop.
Cooking beans in a pressure cooker, however, cuts out a large part of the process and even reduces the cooking time. This is because when cooking beans in the pressure cooker, it does not require you to soak them overnight.
Many people also enjoy making stews and various soups in the pressure cooker because, since they cook, in normal circumstances, for long periods, much of the flavor can escape. Cooking these meals in the pressure cooker, however, allows the flavors to cycle around and stay with the food creating a more robust flavor.
While it is not recommended to cook steak in the pressure cooker, other tough cuts of meats such as roasts, other beef cuts, and pork tend to turn out perfectly. This usually occurs because the moisture inside the pressure cooker tenderizes the tougher cut and makes them much more tender.
There are quite a few other things people cook in a pressure cooker, in fact, many agree that you can cook almost anything in a pressure cooker. There are a plethora of recipes you can find for cooking in the pressure cooker on the internet and other sources.
What Size Pressure Cooker Should I Get?
Choosing the right size pressure cooker can be a challenge, especially if you have never used one before. If you are cooking for yourself and your family, most people purchase a pressure cooker that is between 4-7 quarts since this size is the standard size.
When it comes to purchasing a new pressure cooker, there are many different sizes you can choose from depending on your cooking needs. Since they come in sizes ranging from 2-quarts to more than 10-quarts, you will need to decide on the one that fits your needs better.
Since most households are typically less than six people, most choose to purchase a 4-5 quart pressure cooker since you can usually serve between 4-6 people. If your family is larger, or you are cooking for a bigger purpose, you may wish to consider a much bigger size.
Are Pressure Cookers Energy-Efficient?
The most appealing feature of a pressure cooker is the energy that it can save you overall. This is because a pressure cooker typically runs on about 70% less energy than your average stove. This means that cooking a meal in the oven that takes several hours could be done in the pressure cooker in just one hour, thus using less energy.
When you think about it, the average stove may use about 2,000-3,000 watts of energy overall to run. If you use the stove for several hours, you may use about 6-9 kWh of energy for just one meal. If this is done over time, the electricity bill can really add up.
On the other hand, since using a pressure cooker takes less time and uses less energy, you can put money back in your pocket. Additionally, you can also save energy since the pressure cooker does not cause your kitchen or the rest of your home to get hot thus reducing the need for additional air conditioning to cool it back down.
It is important to keep in mind that the pressure cooker functions by heating the liquid in the pot to a much higher temperature than you would typically get on the stovetop. Because of this, it can cook food at a much faster rate. Once the pressure cooker reaches an accurate temperature, it releases pressure to help maintain the overall heat inside the pot.
What Pressure Cooker Should I Buy?
While there are several good options for anyone who’s interested in purchasing a pressure cooker, one specific pressure cooker comes to mind, if you ask me. It’s an appliance that I deem worthy of a spot in my kitchen, and that’s the Instant Pot.
The instant pot can function as a pressure cooker, a slow cooker, and much more. All of these functions are integrated into one single unit, making it one of the better options available.
It’s a quality product with a big company backing it. The customer support has been good whenever I’ve had questions (which, as a blogger, I’ve had plenty of).
For anyone looking for a multi-purpose cooker that does everything just as it should be done, I recommend the Instant Pot.