Pressure cooker: tips for choosing the right one

A crock-pot is a household appliance item that has appeared on store windows quite recently, but has already gained recognition and has settled in the kitchens of housewives around the world. Now, a multicooker-pressure cooker is becoming more and more popular. This is a special “smart” pan with a microprocessor, a heating element and a temperature sensor.

Some mistakenly believe that things like a slow cooker, a double boiler, a pressure cooker are only suitable for those who do not know how or do not like to cook. This opinion is fundamentally wrong, because this unit will become your best home helper, because he knows many recipes, copes with any dish simply and quickly.

In this article we will talk about what multicookers are, and how they differ, as well as how to choose a multicooker for the home.

What is a multicooker pressure cooker

In fact, a pressure cooker is the same multicooker, only improved and complemented by a couple of interesting functions that make life easier. Of the main design improvements:

• high efficiency and speed;
• gasket made of silicone or rubber for a tight fit of the cover to the body;
• clamps for even more reliable fixing;
• valves to achieve and maintain optimal pressure inside the pan;
• maximum safety during operation.

The principle of operation of the pressure cooker is simple. Inside the bowl, steam pressure is created. An induction heater and a multi-layer steel structure hold the temperature and maintain the pressure level. Due to the high pressure, the boiling point of water rises to 120 ° C, therefore, the products are prepared much faster.

What is a multicooker with a pressure cooker function for?

The functionality of the pressure cooker is not much different from the multicooker. With both, you can cook soups and cereals, fry and stew vegetables, poultry, meat, fish, and bake sweet desserts. The main advantage lies in the amount of time spent cooking a dish. For example, beets can be cooked in just 10 minutes, and the soup will be ready in half an hour.

Thus, the time during which food is cooked in a pressure cooker approaches the figure when cooking occurs using a conventional stove. The significant difference is that you have to constantly monitor the stove, stir and turn the food over, and a pressure cooker needs only to place all the necessary ingredients, close the lid, press the button and leave to engage by their deeds.

Selection options

The choice of a multicooker is not the easiest thing, since there are already many offers on the market, various models, types of multicookers that are easy to get confused in. To know how to choose a multicooker, you need to pay attention to the descriptions of household appliances and the reviews of people about the work of purchased devices.

Unit power

The paramount parameter is the indicator of the power of the multicooker. The higher this number, the faster the food will cook. The price of the device directly depends on power. Inexpensive models have an indicator of about 800 watts, more expensive options start at 1000 watts.

Pan material

Modern models of crock-pots, pressure cookers, and steamers are made of the following materials:

• Aluminum.

Food in such a pan heats up quickly and evenly due to the properties of the metal. This option weighs a little and is inexpensive. The main drawback is the food acids and salt, which are contained in the ingredients, interact with the surface, destroying the oxide film. Aluminum salts harmful to health enter the food, poisoning it. This problem can be solved if you purchase a pressure cooker with a Teflon coating.

• Stainless steel.

Buying such a bowl is the most popular option. There are reasons for this: good appearance, lack of reaction to interaction with salts and acids, resistance to rust and long service life. It is also easy to clean from dirt, and the material does not absorb odors. A stainless steel bowl can warm food for a long time and unevenly, so a special element is installed at the bottom of some models that eliminates this problem.

• Ceramic coating.

Eco-friendly and completely harmless, able to withstand the effects of high temperatures (up to 450 ° C). At the same time, it is impossible to leave scratches on the surface, and no harmful substances are released during cooking. A significant drawback is the fragility, which is present in cheaper models. A bowl for a small price will not last you longer than a year, so it will be more practical to purchase a pressure cooker more expensive, but be sure of its reliability.

Bowl Gasket

For the manufacture of this element, only high-quality heat-resistant materials are used:

1. Rubber. Low price, ease of use and care, impermeability and elasticity - these are the main advantages of rubber gaskets. The disadvantage that crosses out all of the above is a short service life. Therefore, rubber is not the best-selling material.
2. Silicone In comparison with rubber competitors, it cannot but please a long operating time. They are also more durable, flexible, environmentally friendly and quietly respond to aggressive cleaning products.

Pan volume

The main task is to determine the size and capacity of the bowl (varies from 2 to 10 liters). It is important to understand that the total volume of the bowl is greater than the working volume. When choosing the right size, rely on the number of members of your family.

• 1 person - 2-2.5 liters are suitable for a dish that can be divided into several days;
• 2 people - about 3 liters;
• 3-4 people - up to 5 liters;
• 4 and more people - 6-10 liters will make it possible to cook both small and large quantities of food.

Cap type

The method of opening and closing the lid is diverse and depends on the specific model of the pressure cooker. There are special latches that press the cover from the outside and securely fix it. There are models where fixation is carried out from the inside. There is no option here that would appear to be objectively better or worse than others. The choice in this case is only yours - navigate based on personal preferences.

Valve location

Most models have two valves. One main, another spare. Both are designed to release excess steam. The best solution is to choose a pressure cooker where the valves are installed in a horizontal plane and directed in different directions. The valve pointing up can burn you with hot steam.

Protection and security

The advice of any experienced buyer is as follows: be sure to check for all 6 security levels:

1. Lock cover. An important function that is responsible for fixing the lid during cooking. This is a guarantee of safety and allows you not to worry about the health of curious children who may begin to explore an interesting saucepan.
2. Pressure regulator. It hides inside the device, adjusts the pressure level. If it exceeds 70 kPa, then the heating is turned off, and the device waits until the indicator drops below 60 kPa, then the work continues.
3. Bypass valve. This system is designed to reduce pressure if the adjustment suddenly fails.
4. Temperature sensor. When the temperature reaches the set, the sensor stops the pressure cooker. And vice versa, when the temperature drops below the set, it turns on and brings it to the desired rate.
5. Emergency temperature sensor. Designed to disable the main temperature sensor, if it turned out to be faulty. The maximum permissible indicator is 145 ° C, when it is reached, a shutdown occurs.
6. Springs 3 springs are installed at the bottom of the pressure cooker in order to sharply relieve pressure in an emergency. The safety valve will allow bleeding; the system will return to normal.

Number of modes

Most multicookers have from 5 to 20 programs, basically, this number comes down to 10. Obviously, the more programs are installed in the device’s memory, the more expensive it will cost. Before buying a pressure cooker, carefully consider which programs you need and which ones you will really use. It will be a shame to overpay money for something that will never be applied. Here is a list of basic programs that are really needed:

1. Porridge. Cereals are cooked in milk or water. In automatic mode, the temperature changes so as to first bring the liquid to a boil, and then simmer. Settings can also be changed by making them individual.
2. Pilaf. Provides not only cooking, but also frying ingredients at the final stage of preparation. It turns out not only an excellent pilaf, but also potatoes, as well as navy pasta.
3. Quenching. A universal program with which you will equally well get soup, vegetables, stews, jellied meat, tender and aromatic meat in large pieces.
4. Bakery products. He cooks not only pies, muffins, biscuits, but also pizza, scrambled eggs, poultry, fish.
5. Frying. Fish and vegetable dishes are prepared with an open lid, as well as excellent meat steaks and steaks.
6. Steam cooking. Manti, fish, meat and steamed vegetables - all this is possible with this function. It is also used to warm dishes.
7. Soup. Program for creating ordinary soups, broths, mashed soups, as well as compotes.

Best multicooker pressure cookers

Now that you know what the correct pressure cooker should be, you are most likely wondering: “Which slow cooker is better to buy?” In household appliances stores in Moscow and other major cities, many models are presented. Here are the most popular and adequately good brands in terms of price and quality:

• Redmond
• Panasonic
• Moulinex;
• Brand
• Vitesse.