Pressure cooker working principle

A pressure cooker is a type of “smart” pan that greatly facilitates the long and laborious process of cooking. It allows you to significantly reduce the cooking time and turn the toughest products into the most delicate dishes. In it you can cook soups, side dishes, meat, desserts. A sealed pan limits contact with air and reduces the oxidation process of products, thereby preserving vitamins, aroma, color and taste in the finished dish as much as possible.

The first pressure cooker was invented back in the 17th century; our ancestors successfully used them. Despite the fact that modern devices have stepped far forward, many people avoid cooking in them, possibly due to problems that may occur when used improperly. You can not worry - in current models, safety is in the first place, you just need to learn simple safety precautions.The principle of operation of the pressure cooker has been preserved despite many changes.

Operating principle

The modern device is a special pan with a hermetically sealed lid and valves that regulate the pressure inside. When heated, steam is formed that does not leave the sealed container and increases the internal pressure, as a result of which the boiling point rises to about 120 degrees. This allows food to cook faster.

At maximum pressure, valves are activated that allow steam to escape. Usually the device is equipped with a working and emergency valves. In addition to devices intended for use on a conventional stove, they also produce autonomous electric pressure cookers equipped with heating elements and a control panel.

How to use a pressure cooker

Having placed all the ingredients in the pan and mixed thoroughly, you need to close the lid tightly and put on the stove. The cooking time must be counted from the moment the liquid boils. This will tell the steam coming out of the valves or special sensors. Heating under the pan must be reduced.

Important! Do not cook at too high a temperature. This does not accelerate the cooking process, but only leads to an overload of the apparatus.

At the end of the process, you need to turn off the heat and let off steam from the pan without opening the lid. To do this, set the valve in the desired position, first for slow release, then fast. Steam may take 5 to 20 minutes.

For quick cooling, you can direct a stream of cold water onto the cover, avoiding contact with the valves. The dish continues to cook while pressure is maintained in the pan. After use, the pressure cooker must be thoroughly rinsed, especially the rim and gaskets on the lid, so that subsequently stuck residues do not break the seal.

Attention! Since the degree of readiness cannot be checked in the process, it is recommended to calculate the cooking time or use recipes for pressure cookers. It should also be borne in mind that the liquid practically does not boil, and it requires less than for a conventional pan.

What can not be done

If you forget about the precautions, the cooking process can turn into unpleasant surprises, since the principle of the pressure cooker is associated with the formation of steam and increased pressure inside the pan. You need to remember the simple rules:

1. There must be liquid in the pan, its minimum amount is about 0.5 liters.
2. You can’t fill the tank more than 2/3, the rest of the space is filled with steam. Typically, the pan has a label for the maximum allowable volume.
3. Do not open the cover if the valve continues to release steam. Care must be taken when opening so as not to burn yourself with steam, even if it has stopped exiting.
4. Do not cook foods that cause excessive foaming (some types of cereals, vegetables, fruits), as the valve may become clogged. It is better to bring the meat broth to a boil with a conventional lid and remove the foam first.
5. Do not use a pressure cooker in which there are defects and cracks, including on rubber gaskets.
6. It is not recommended to store and reheat cooked food in a pressure cooker, it should be transferred to another dish.

Currently, well-known brands of household appliances produce multicookers with the function of pressure cookers. Such devices can be great helpers in any kitchen.