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Pressure cooker, its advantages and use in the kitchen

Boiling pressure cooker in the kitchen.

Have you ever thought about buying a pressure cooker? In the past, it could not be missing in any household, but even today it does not go out of fashion. However, slightly more modern systems are available, thanks to which you do not have to worry about the soup exploding in the kitchen. In this article, we will shed some light on the benefits and use of a pressure cooker.

What is a pressure cooker and how does it work?

A pressure cooker is a handy household helper that makes cooking easier and especially faster. Basically, it is a special closable container that allows you to cook under higher pressure and at a higher temperature than in a regular pot.

A pressure cooker consists of a durable container (usually stainless steel or aluminium), a sealable lid, a pressure control and safety valve, a lid lock, and a pressure indicator. The mechanism of the pot allows its airtight closure and cooking under pressure. The valves allow the pressure and water vapor in the pot to be regulated.

Cooking in this pot is based on the principle of increasing the pressure and thus the boiling point of water. When the pot is closed, the water turns into steam, which has nowhere to escape, increasing the pressure in the pot. This allows cooking at temperatures of around 120 °C, which significantly shortens the time of food preparation. Thanks to this, food is cooked faster and, moreover, without losing nutrients and taste as with long cooking.

Multifunctional pressure cooker orava 9 in 1

Advantages of a pressure cooker

Using a pressure cooker brings many advantages to housewives, thanks to which it does not lose its popularity in both professional and home kitchens:

  • Faster cooking – a pressure cooker reduces cooking time by up to 50-70% compared to traditional cooking. Meals that would otherwise take hours to cook are thus prepared much faster.
  • Preservation of nutrients – shorter cooking time at high pressure and a closed system prevent excessive steam and nutrients from escaping into the air.
  • Energy saving – since cooking is faster, it consumes less energy and at the same time less water than during normal cooking. The pressure cooker is so environmentally friendly.
  • Intense taste – cooking under pressure helps to concentrate the flavours and aromas of food. The finished dishes are more aromatic and intense thanks to the retention of steam.

What can you cook in a pressure cooker?

A pressure cooker is a very versatile kitchen aid that can be used to prepare hundreds of dishes. However, since it enables faster cooking under pressure, it is most suitable for preparing harder foods that would otherwise need more time to cook.

These are the foods and types of food for which you will appreciate the pressure cooker the most:

  • Meat – beef, pork and chicken, for example in the form of goulash, meat in wine, stew or ribs.
  • Legumes – you can cook beans, lentils or chickpeas in a pot quickly and without lengthy soaking.
  • Side dishes – preparing rice, bulgur, risotto or boiled potatoes will be a piece of cake with the pressure cooker. No more long waits.
  • Vegetables – also suitable for cooking root vegetables, cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower.
  • Soups and sauces – vegetable and meat broths, goulash or thick vegetable soups from a pressure cooker will be better than ever.
  • Jams - you will also appreciate it when preparing homemade jams or compotes.
  • Dishes from one pot - last but not least, you can cook favourite dishes in it, such as chilli con carne or curry 

Prepared meals will be full of taste, vitamins and minerals. In addition, you will save a lot of dishes and you will not spend long hours preparing food. A pressure cooker is simply a universal helper that should not be missing in any kitchen where good and honest food is cooked.

Čerstvý guláš v tlakovom hrnci.

Safety tips

In conclusion, let's recall a few safety tips that should be considered when using a pressure cooker. Although modern pots are equipped with safety valves and the risk of danger is minimal. So you don't have to worry about any explosion.

  • Never open the pot under pressure - this is prevented by the closing mechanism of most modern pots.
  • Do not overfill the pot - it should always be no more than two-thirds full to allow space for steam or to prevent the valves from clogging.
  • Make sure the seals and valve are clean and functional - check key parts of the pot before each use.

We believe that if you decide to invest in a pressure cooker, it will serve you well for a long time. See also our offer, where you can find the Orava multifunctional pressure cooker 9 in 1.