Buying a New Pressure Cooker? Where to Start?

As I search the Web for information about pressure cookers, I see threads and inquiries about what kind and size of pressure cooker to buy, what characteristics to look for, pricing and so on. Once convinced that this kitchen helper would be a good item to own, the next problem is how to choose the right one for your needs.

I chose a pressure cooker set. What I got was a four quart pot and an eight quart pot with two lids. One of the lids is used on either pot for pressure cooking and the other lid, a clear, tempered glass is used on either pot for regular or ordinary cooking. This eliminates the need for another set of pots in the kitchen and the challenge of adequate storage space as well.

I like the smaller pot because I live alone and cooking for one is not always fun. I always seem to wind up with too many left overs. At least the smaller pot allows me to cut recipes in half and still savor a good, hearty stew on a cold winter day.

The larger pot is wonderful for making a dessert where you insert another container into the pressure cooker and still need space around the inside container to allow the pressurized steam to do its job. It's great for making a big batch of stew or chili or even giant size corn on the cob. Remembering that rice and beans tend to froth and that with these foods the cooker should not be filled to more than one-half of its capacity... a larger pot makes good sense.

The eight quart pot can be used as a canner for smaller jars. Unless you're into canning the produce from a whole garden or tons of vegetables and meats to last a whole winter, this combination of pots may be all you need for your lifestyle. You'll have the pressure cooker that will do the job and the correct high-level heat of 240 degrees or more to be sure to remove any health hazard.

The set I bought has two temperature settings - a low and high - allowing you to pressure cook delicate foods such as desserts or fish at a lower temperature and veggies and stews or roasts at a higher level.

Safety is always a concern. Keeping the pots clean and the vent holes clear will assure safe, easy performance. Today's models usually have two or three safety valves.

And pricing! Don't think "cheap" when considering this purchase. Prices for a good, stainless steel pressure cooker range from $60.00 to $200.00. You will use this cookware often, and expect it to last a lifetime. Quality and dependability are worth the investment.

Sue Wiskowski-Fair has developed a special site to provide a one-stop experience for the busy cook to assist in today's stress-filled lives. Check out the wide variety of pressure cookers and pressure canners and determine what fits your lifestyle. Cookbooks to help you. Check out http://www.pressurizeit.com/why-pressure-cookers/ for more information and assistance.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Buying The Best Pressure Cooker

Buying the best pressure cooker, does not always mean buying the brand that is considered to be top of the line. Some top of the line cookers don't cook as efficiently as those that cost less.

The efficiency of a pressure cooker is determined by how much constant pressure is being exerted within the pot while cooking a meal. This pressure is known as operating pressure and should remain constant though out the cooking cycle. In 1917, the USDA(United States Department of Agriculture} set a standard of 15 psi(pounds per square inch) for pressure cookers manufactured in the US to target and destroy microorganism such as botulism and salmonella that are found on all foods and are associated with food being mishandled. Yet all cookers do not adhere to this standard and take longer to cook than those that do. Most recipes that are created for pressure cooking are written to cook by the USDA standard. Knowing what to look for, before buying, can be an essential step in purchasing a cooker that provides the maximum savings in energy and the time it takes to cook a meal. Pressure cookers today, are a lot safer than the one that grandmother used and are equipped with more safety features to prevent explosions, that haunted their use in the past.

Here are some questions that you may want to have answered before buying what you consider to be the best pressure cooker for you.

1. How do you plan to use your cooker? Cooking, canning or both? The pressure cooker, You choose, should not be used to can foods. It does not meet the USDA standards for a canner If you plan on using it for both cooking and canning, buy a pressure canner. It is better suited for both cooking a meal and canning.

2. What size pot is adequate to feed your family. The size of the pot can be a significant factor in how much you pay for the convenience of cooking food under pressure. A six quart pot is the most common size.

3. What is the maximum pressure your cooker will achieve? Many cookers today come with more than 1 setting of pressure for cooking various types of food. They provide versatility in the cooking of foods that would fall apart at a pressure of 15 psi. Buying a pot that adheres to the USDA standard will provide you with the maximum in savings on energy and time used in preparing a meal.

4. What type of warranty does the manufacturer offer? Warranties should long enough to allow you to obtain the maximum return on your investment. A short warranty period puts you at the mercy of the manufacturer and you can find yourself in the position of replacing your cooker sooner than you expect.

5. Are replacement parts readily available for your cooker and for how long? Some brands have parts that are extremely difficult to find - the manufacturer may no longer in business or no longer makes the parts for your brand of cooker. Encountering either one of these situations, can make the pot you are thinking of buying, useless in a relatively short period of time.

These are some of the more important questions to consider before making your decision to buy, but there are other facts you may want to consider before making a choice as to which is the best pressure cooker for you.

Find out what you need to know to make an informed decision as to which pressure cooker is the best one to buy and provide you with the maximum savings in energy and time in cooking your meals.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.