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There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 933,451 times. Pressure cookers are the cheetahs of the cooking world–they’re just so darn fast. Pressure cookers are great for cooking food quickly while also retaining the vitamins and minerals that can be lost when food is cooked using other methods.
There’s still a little bit of a learning curve, though, so if you’re using a pressure cooker for the first time, it’s important to know how to get started safely. Know what a pressure cooker does. When the pressure cooker is turned on, heat produces steam which cooks food faster by raising the boiling point. There are two types of pressure cookers. The second type is the newer style that uses spring valves and a closed system. Check to make sure there are no dents or cracks in your pressure cooker before using it.
Also check that the pressure cooker is clear of leftover food. Pressure cookers that have cracked can be dangerous as they could release hot steam and burn you. Know how to fill the pressure cooker. There must always be some sort of liquid in your pressure cooker before you cook anything in it. Most recipes call for water to be used.
For a jiggle top cooker: There must always be at least one cup of water in a jiggle top pressure cooker. This amount of water is generally sufficient for 20 minutes of cooking. Understand the steamer basket and trivet. Pressure cookers come with a steamer basket that vegetables, seafood, and fruit are generally cooked on in the pressure cooker. The trivet is the basket’s stand. The trivet is placed in the bottom of the pressure cooker and the basket is placed on top of it. Prepare your food for pressure cooking.
The box that your pressure cooker came in may have a guide for preparing different kinds of food. Preparing meat and poultry: You can season your meat before putting it in the cooker. Brown the meat first for maximum flavor. You can do this by heating a small amount of oil, such as canola oil, in the pressure cooker on medium high.