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Kitchen Cookware :
Pressure Cookers
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How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?
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Pressure cookers are quickly becoming one of more sought after kitchen appliances these days. Pressure cookers have evolved from a noisy and a bit scary appliance, to much quieter, efficient cooker that not only reduces cooking time, but preservers the nutrients in the food being cooked. They are also available as an electrical appliance and even with nonstick interiors.
How does a pressure cooker work? At sea level water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit in an open vessel. Seal that vessel and the water pressure builds up to a substantial level. At sea level, a pressure of about 5 pounds per square inch (psi) on the inside of the pressure cooker will increase the temperature to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. As water boils, steam is created and if this steam is trapped in an enclosed environment, like a pressure cooker, the temperature of the steam also rises to 220 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the steam is forced through the food inside the pressure cooker, causing it to cook faster.
Most pressure cookers are designed to go to a maximum pressure of 15 psi, which cooks at a temperature of 257 degrees Fahrenheit; that's six times the heat, allowing for a very efficient method of cooking food. You can reduce cooking times by as much as 70 percent - now that's worth lifting your eyebrows at!
Are pressure cookers safe? All pressure cookers have locking lids, with or without a gasket seal. They are to be locked in place before you start cooking and during the cooking process. After the cooking time has expired, do NOT attempt to open the pressure cooker until the pressure has stabilized inside the cooker. Pressure cookers are also equipped with pressure regulators to release steam when the pressure climbs above the safety levels. The regulators can either be weighted and are lifted by excessive amounts of steam, or pressure gauges that release the pressure at the right temperature. Modern pressure cookers are also equipped with as much as four independently operating safety systems.
So, what are the benefits of using a pressure cooker? Well they shorten cooking times, they are energy-efficient, food retains more of their nutrients, cooking in a pressure cooker requires very little fat and they are low maintainance while cooking.
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