I know this may sound like an extravagant spending item, but I have saved a lot of money in the long run with a stainless steel pressure cooker. Why? I can cook up to 1/4 the time it would conventionally. I find I save water, too. Just don't put more food or liquid than the recommended amount.
REAL pearl barley that takes up to an hour to cook, takes only 20 minutes. Just add 1/2 cup more water than the barley.
Rice is a cinch; SAME AMOUNTS of water and rice. If You have two cups of rice, you cook for only 2 minutes (and etc.) after the pressure gauge begins to jiggle or signals it is reaching the pressure point of cooking. There is no over boil to deal with either!
Pinto beans that may take up to 4 hours to boil tender or done in 30 minutes!
Even tough meat can be tenderized in a pressure cooker. I just marinade it and the flavor gets soaked in record time. I don't soak it, just put it in, and begin cooking! Depending on the amount and the way it is cut, it will take from 15-30 minutes.
I have seen STAINLESS STEEL pressure cookers starting as low as $30. It will definitely be worth the cost even if it costs $70 initially. Aluminum burns easily and has been thought to be a probable cause of Alzheimer's disease.
So what do you do if there are burns on the bottom? I put the pressure lid back on the pan and let it set. That alone usually loosens the burns.
By Tim from Science Hill
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Is a pressure cooker worth the investment? How does it differ from a crock pot?
Sara from Missouri
I have both and use both..The pressure cooker will have a roast done in about 45 min...but sometimes I use the crock pot and let it simmer all day while I'm at work..The pressure cooker makes the cooking time wayyy less :0)
For a better understanding of both the pressure cooker and the crock pot it will be helpful if you will type Pressure cooking - Wikipedia into your search engine. There you will receive detailed information as to what a pressure cooker will do. Then the next step is to type into your search engine Slow cooking - Wikipedia, where you will again get detailed information on the usage of the crock pot/slow cooker. After this you will know if either item will be helpful to you.
I have a big pressure cooker to use for canning, a small pressure pan for everyday cooking and a slow-cooker. They all are wonderful for their individual purposes. My latest items to cook in the pressure pan are potatoes for potato salad cooked in seven minutes and sweet and sour pork dish, 10 minutes after the control jiggled.
I agree with gardenlady and add that if you ever go camping or on a boat with a galley, the pressure cooker is nearly indispensable. Go for it (or them); just don't stint on quality and do be sure the pressure cooker is stainless, not the cheaper aluminum.
Also a pressure cooker will cook dried beans a lot faster than the usual way. If you forget to soak the beans, you can bring the pot of beans and water up to pressure and then let the beans soak for about an hour. Cooks magazine says this cuts down on the gas producing aspect of beans.
They have different purposes. Both are good for less expensive cuts that can't be grilled or pan fried. Crock pots are for when you go away for the day or don't want to watch the cooking because you are working on a project.
The pressure cooker is fast, and needs to be attended closely. The crock pot is slow, and can be left to cook all day alone, while you're away. I'm a crock pot kind of person.
I saw your post and wanted to caution you. I was a paramedic for almost 10 years, and have seen what a faulty pressure gauge will do. I've been on many calls where people received 2nd degree burns all over their chest, face, arms, etc. after removing the lid of a pressure cooker.
I LOVE LOVE my pressure cooker. A slow cooker takes hours where a pressure cooker takes minutes in comparsion. If I have a frozen piece of meat I put some potatoes on the bottom then the frozen meat on top with some seasoning and it takes about 30 minutes. If the meat is thawed I brown it really really good and then the potatos (so they get the drippings off the meat) and meat on top and after the jiggle starts about 30 minutes later you have tender meat and potatoes. Of course you can throw an onion and carrots in it also. My mother always used one and todays are a lot safer. I feel they are a great value. I got mine that had a large pan and small pan for about $45 sometime last year online through wal mart I believe. Hope that helps.
Hey Sara! A crock pot cooks great if you have all day to cook a meal. A pressure cooker will cook the whole meal in, most of the time, under an hour! They are great time savers! Good luck!
The flavor of the food is better when done in a Pressure Cooker. It is also faster. We have a Rival Pressure Cooker and it makes the best roast beef.Gary Dominicus
I like the taste of roast beef in pressure cooker it is so good for all meats. That being said I FEAR pressure cookers. My mom used hers a lot, but after a neighbor spent a few days in the hospital due to burns. My mom used it less and we were not allowed in kitchen during that time. In other words, I am chicken!
Not only is a pressure cooker dangerous, but it doesn't make meat nearly as tender as a crock pot can. I'll never use a pressure cooker again.
Any one know how to get presser cooker top off? it's a large one that can be used for canning, It was closed after it was washed by mistake, We tried running hot & cold water over it. I sure would like you help. Thanks Sharry
my husband said try heating it up on the stove.
try standing it upside down and putting a little oil on the rubber seal, then give it a good hard twist after a few minutes. Don't leave the oil on too long... it may damage the seal after time. Wash well and good luck
Maybe your cooker has pulled a vacuum. Try poking a thin wire, such as a twist-tie wire down the vent tube. It may be clogged.
This happened to me years ago!
I had canned a batch of food and couldn't get it off. Wellllll----I took the canner to my car dealer and had them take it off! It took them an hour to get it off. Even with all their tools. I think they used a torch to heat it, and 2 guys to unscrew it. And remember I had a load of jars canned in it too. I complained to the company and they sent me a new canner and I sent them back the one that did this. I hope you get a good laugh about this-- I did.
The other story I have to tell is that I went and bought a new stainless steel 6 quart one, 15 years ago. It was a popular brand and expensive at that time. Now I have had about 4 presure cookers in the past, but this one was an ornery one with a sealing ring to cuss at. Thinking that the ring was a problem, I bought a new one. That one was just as bad! I left it alone for 10 years then since the popularity of them came back and I had loved my first one that was electric, I decided to try again. I went on line and emailed the company about my problem cooker and seal. They emailed me back that I didn't know what I was doing and I should send the lid to me and they would install the seal for me. That made me verrrry verrrrrry angry. Needless to say their customer service @#^$@&*#@ !!!!! I figured when I went to wash it I would have to send it to them to get it clean?
Both of these were different brands and some of the best you could buy at the time.
I've been thinking of buying another sealing ring and trying again. But then I've lived this long without any and wonder if I want to risk the hassel.
Best,
CHML
When this happens to my canner, I take a flat head screw driver and pry upwards where the lid screws down. Once it pops, the seal is released and I can unscrew and remove lid normally. My canner doesn't have a ring but I don't know if that would make a difference.
I know this is unrelated; but could anyone tell me if they have heard that or have a site with information on whether or not cooking food with a pressure cooking causes cancer or not?
I have a pressure cooker that was used one time after I bought it about 5 years ago. It is like new, even the gasket. However, I lost the pressure gauge and had to buy another one. Unfortunately, the brand is discontinued (Innova), but I was told by another company that they could send one that would work. I am not familiar with these cookers and have lost the manual as well (can't replace it). Can anyone tell me, is the pressure gauge supposed to snap on the lid?
Problem solving here--- my giant canning pressure cooker has the gauge that just "sits" on the ?? outlet... it is heavy and that is part of the "works". Try a small amount of water, the rack and a potato in your pressure cooker-- let the steam ecape the outlet at a pretty fast speed, then sit the guage on the outlet. When the guage starts to intermittently jiggle and let steam ecape, turn the fire down to where the jiggle and psst is present but not fast... give it 5 minutes or so-- cool the cooker ( mother used running water in the sink-- when the psst stops-- lift the guage with a fork-- should be no steam escaping in a rush-- and it works. Check your potato for doneness. Assuming the outlet isn't blocked with something-----
Now, the greater problem is..... how to know if your food has cooked enough-- I'd google pressure cookers and receipes online and see if you can glean enough information.
good luck
I read your previous post and disagree with her directions. There should be a round "post"that sticks up in the middle of your lid to hold the gauge. The gauge has 3 different Pressures depending on what you are cooking. You are to put the gauge on immediately and heat until the gauge starts to jiggle. Turn the heat down until it only jiggles two or three times a minute.
Continue cooking according to the time specified in the recipe.Next cool for 5 minutes then run cold water over the lid until the steam stops.Lift the guage off with a 2 prong fork. If the lid doesn't want to open at that time,continue running the cold water over it while gently lifting the gauge off with the fork. Your food may be cooled more than you want,but you can heat it without any pressure gauge. I would be happy to send you some recipes via email if you like. My email address is bjptl AT bellsouth.net. Judy in Alabama
I've cooked with a pressure cooker many times and I do remember the recipe book saying that you can use running water to remove the pressure, but it also stated that there are some foods that need to cool on their own as this extra time is part of the cooking process. I always used running water over the lid, making sure to not hit the gauge - the pressure will cool with a hiss and then the "gauge" can be removed. Now there are different kinds of "gauges." A pressure cooker for canning is usually larger and its gauge is marked - maybe with temps. A cooker for regular meals is just a heavy knob with a hole in the bottom of it that sits on the post that sticks up from the lid - that post having a hole in it. Googling pressure cooker recipes should be good enough for regular cooking. I rarely use a cookbook anymore. I just google what I want and do a print-out.
Now, after googling Innova pressure cookers, I notice that the "regulator" as they call it is adjustable for 5-10-15 lbs of pressure. You might want to google your brand and order exactly what came with your cooker - even though your model might be discontinued, there are probably parts still available.
Can you use a pressure cooker on a smooth surface stove, is it safe?
Debbie from Gainesville, GA
I use it on mine with no problem.
I also use my pressure cooker on glass top surface and have never had a problem.
The book for my oven does not recommend it but I have done it the last two years with no problem.
What is the time for canning string beans with a pressure canner?
By Jim
Here's a site for pressure canning:
www.greenbeansnmore.com/
Green beans are canned at 10 lbs pressure for 25 minutes. Enjoy!
I have an 8-qt pressure cooker with no user manual (Mirror 92080 model). I have never used a pressure cooker in my life. Could someone give me some guidance?
By LFP
Here's a link to a PDF version of your user manual, hope it helps:
www.uncledavesenterprise.com/
I have an 8-qt pressure cooker with no user manual (Mirror 92080 model). I have never used a pressure cooker in my life. Could someone give me some guidance?
By LFP
I have an 8-qt pressure cooker with no user manual (Mirror 92080 model). I have never used a pressure cooker in my life. Could someone give me some guidance?
By LFP
