How to handle a Pressure Cooker for the first time?

Pressure cookers in general create a fear of accidents amongst new users, due to mishandling. So, if you are one of such new owners of a versatile pressure cooker, worry not! All you need to do is to have some simple understanding beforehand.

Have you already bought it? Or are you planning to buy it, thus surfing for answers?

In both cases, you need a structural understanding of a pressure cooker. Things such as,

• What are pressure cookers ideally used for?
• Are pressure cookers easy to maintain?
• How to spot a well-made pressure cooker?
• What are the features to look forward to in modern-day pressure cookers?
• Are there Made in India pressure cooker that meets international quality standards?

Let’s go through the points one by one.

1. Pressure cookers are ideally used for a lot of things, as they are very versatile. However, in most households, their usage is limited to steaming, pressure cooking and one-pot dishes.
2. Yes, pressure cookers are easy to maintain. Make sure to buy a cooker online that is dishwasher safe, if you want to clean them in dishwashers.
3. A well-made pressure cooker will be versatile in its shape and function. It will have a reliable inner layer. For best results prefer a pressure cooker made with three layers – triply stainless steel pressure cooker.
4. The essential features to look forward to in modern safe pressure cookers will be —
   1. Even heat distribution
   2. Easy to open and close
   3. Heat proof durable handles
   4. Triple safety features
   5. 0% food contact with aluminium

5. Yes you can find Made in India brands serving international-level quality pressure cooker.

Tips for using a pressure cooker for the first time

Once you are aware of the safety options available, now you can voluntarily choose the safer pressure cookers to handle.

1. Keep the pressure cooker clean to avoid any steam blockages. Give proper notice to the nozzle and the rim, a lot of food residue can accumulate there. If it’s your first time putting the lid on a pressure cooker, be triple sure that it’s well-locked.
2. Premium quality pressure cookers never compromise with their qualities, however, before putting it over a flame, check for dents or cracks on the external body. Cracks, if any, might cause unexpected accidents due to the explosion of the steam.
3. Try not to leave a cooker unadministered whilst it’s on the gas stove.
4. Never overfill the cooker with any kind of liquid. It might spill and cause burns. Always go by the water level indicators that are associated with the volume of the cooker you are using.

   The pressure cookers come in various shapes — baby, tall, broad, pan, and belly. Their volume capacity ranges from 1 litre to 8 litres. If you are a new user, always start with the smaller models.

5. After turning off the heat, always wait (ideally 15 minutes) until the steam has completely escaped the vessel. Never hurry to open the lid, even if you smell your food to be burnt by accident.

Thus, whilst handling a pressure cooker for the first time, make sure it is from safe and reputed brands for the best experience. Brands like Stahl are pioneering in certain new technologies. For example, they make India’s first ISI mark triply cooker.