I am diligently working on my pressure cooking ebook titled, The New Fast Food: The Veggie Queen Pressure Cooks Whole Food Meals in less than 30 Minutes. I know that the title is more than a mouthful but if you just remember The New Fast Food, The Veggie Queen and Pressure Cooks, or any combination of those words, that will be fine.
Since I am immersed in polishing the book, I’m talking a lot about it. Yesterday I attended a publishing conference through the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association at the amazing Preservation Park in Oakland.
I found out a number of interesting things about people and their perception of pressure cookers and the current state of pressure cooking.
Here are some of the questions:
- Can you buy one that’s not made of aluminum?
- Are they safe?
- Do they blow up?
- Do you have to buy a big one?
- Can you use it on a boat?
- Why do I want to use it instead of my slow cooker?
- What foods do you cook in there?
There were likely more questions but I have since forgotten them, as my head was filled with publishing information throughout the day.
Let me briefly answer the questions that were posed. Do you have any questions of your own? If so, please post them below.
Can you buy pressure cookers that aren’t aluminum?
Yes, you can. In fact, all of the pressure cookers that I own and use are made of stainless steel. Most of the modern pressure cookers which have a spring-valve, which is what I recommend, are made of stainless steel. Likely, almost all the new pressure cookers designed for cooking, and not canning, are made of stainless steel.
Are they safe? Do they blow up?
The cookers are very safe if you follow safety precautions such as adding enough liquid and not forcing open the lid before the pressure is released. Unlike the older model cookers, these pressure cookers usually have at least 4 safety release valves which cause the steam to come out places other than the top. Since there is no longer any jiggler to hiss and twist, nothing can blow off. Or at least that’s my experience with all my various classes over the years.
Can I use it on a boat?
The pressure cooker is a perfect piece of cookware for a boat since it has a lid that locks on. So no matter how much movement there is, the food won’t come sloshing out. Also, since food cooks in 50 t0 70% less time, you use much less fuel which is often a consideration when boating. Additionally, many of the foods that taste great in a pressure cooker such as soup, stew, chili and curry are all wonderful one pot meals.
Why do you want to use it instead of your slow cooker?
The slow cooker is great if you like to plan in advance. I find that the food in the slow cooker has muddled flavors which is just fine for some foods such as chili but not as good for mixed dishes with vegetables where you want all the flavors to be bright. The pressure cooker cooks in an air-free environment which helps lock in colors and flavors and helps preserve nutrients. Also, your food will cook quite quickly so you don’t have to think in advance. You can wait until later in the day and use pantry items to make a great meal.
What foods do I cook in the pressure cooker?
I do most of my cooking in the pressure cooker these days. Of course it doesn’t bake or toast but that’s just a small part of cooking.
I cook whole grains such as brown, red, pink or black rice, quinoa, barley, steel cut oats, all my legumes, beans, pea and lentils in about 70% less time than stove top cooking, vegetables and many mixed dishes that contain variations on these. Currently I am eating one of my favorite dishes: Breakfast potatoes, tofu and vegetables which I also make without the tofu, substituting tempeh, or just the potatoes and vegetables. I make vegetable stock weekly in my pressure cooker which has likely saved me hundreds of dollars each year of using my cooker.
That’s probably enough Q and A for today. Please post any questions that you have below.
I hope to start sharing some of my ebook with you very soon so that I can continue my quest to have you start using a pressure cooker to improve your health and that of the planet, as you save time, money and energy using a pressure cooker.
Marie says
I bought an electric pc (Power Cooker, 6qt). Â I have enjoyed using it, but I’m only doing basics, like cooking solo veggies or the scant handful of recipes for it. Â I would love to do more and try to adapt existing recipes, but I’m scared of accidentally using the wrong pressure. Â I bought the electric pc because I want to start teaching my sons how to cook (and eventually can the produce from the garden).
Jill Nussinow says
Marie,
Don’t be afraid of the cooker. I am not sure what buttons the Power Cooker has but on the Instant Pot, I use the manual button most often and cook many foods at high pressure. I then either quick release or let the pressure come down naturally.
Take a look at the recipes here and see if they will help you use your pressure cooker more often.
Regarding canning, there was a statement recently online (which I agree with) that the electric pressure cooker probably does not come to consistent sustained pressure that would make it safe to do pressure canning. Check with your manufacturer before doing so for sanitation and safety reasons.
Linda Altaffer says
Can you use a pressure canner/cooker on a smooth top electric stove or an electric stove with grates?
Jill Nussinow says
Linda,
You can use a pressure cooker on any kind of heat. The manufacturers sometimes say not to but I know that the pressure cooker works on a glass top electric stove because my assistant uses hers all the time with her pressure cooker.
Diane says
What make pressure cooker do you have and would recommend?
Jill Nussinow says
Hi Diane,
I am not sure why but I didn’t see your reply here until now. The pressure cooker that I recommend depends upon how many people you cook for and how much you want to spend on a pressure cooker. A future blog post will explain more about this. Stay tuned…