Pressure Cookers

Pressure Cookers can reduce cooking times for many foods, depending on the pressure they can maintain. 15 psi (pounds per square inch, 1 bar, 100 kPa) is the highest allowed, but at this pressure food can cook in as little as 25% of the time taken in boiling water.

In 1950, 37% of U.S. households had a pressure cooker, but by 2011 that had dropped to 20%. Factors were fear of explosion (very unlikely today) and rise of the Microwave for quick cooking. It is, however, making a come-back in the form of Multi-Cookers like the "Instant Pot"®.

In India, Pressure Cookers are very popular. Long cooking beans and similar foods are extremely important in South Asia, and fuel is scarce and expensive there. Many Indian recipes just presume you have one and say to cook "to 2 whistles" or "to 3 whistles".

Whistles are no longer a valid measure. They were based on every urban Indian home having the same two burner stove. Since economic liberation there are many kinds of stoves in use, and those hotter than the standard will need more whistles. Timing should be stated as minutes after the first whistle (full pressure).

Brazilians, with another very bean oriented cuisine, consider a pressure cooker a household necessity.

The Pressure Cooker pictured here is made in India by Prestige, a brand very famous for cooking equipment there. They make them in 1.5 Liters to 20 Liters and in aluminum, stainless steel, and stainless steel with induction bottoms, all available in North America. The one shown is a 6.5 Liter and sells for around 2020 US $67.25.

More on Stovetop Cookware

Stovetop Gear Search Clovegarden SAFARI Users

Caution:   Pressure Cookers are sized by full capacity in Liters or Quarts - but only 2/3 of that capacity can be used for food. Only 1/2 the capacity can be used for liquids or foods that foam, such as Rice, and only 1/3 the capacity for Beans Peas and Lentils, because they foam a lot. Material:   Originally, most home Pressure Cookers were made of aluminum, but today stainless steel versions are available at similar prices. Aluminum is subject to corrosion, and acid foods have to be cooked in a non-reactive container, so we recommend stainless steel. If you have an induction range, stainless steel units with a magnetic bottom layer are available. Camping Pressure Cooker These are lightweight aluminum units, available in various sizes and designs. They are somewhat limited in maximum pressure, but are essential for folks camping at high altitudes, where water boils at so low a temperature cooking without pressure is impossible. Sherpas use cookers of this sort in their base camps in the Himalayas.The photo example by Gsi Outdoors weighs 4-1/2 pounds and holds 5.7 Liters, available for about 2020 US $48.71.