How to Use an Automatic Pressure Cooker

Cook meat or vegetables in your pressure cooker.

Pressure cookers from the past could explode if not used with caution. Today, pressure cookers are safer. The automatic pressure cooker has a pressure gauge to assure that food is cooking at the correct PSI or force per square inch. Automatic pressure cookers also have automatic release systems to assure that you do not open the cooker before all the pressure escapes. There are still rules to follow for safe results, but once you know how to use an automatic pressure cooker, you can create quick, convenient, and nutritious meals.

Things You'll Need

• Four, six, or eight quart automatic pressure cooker

Instructions

1. Examine the rubber seal before you use your automatic pressure cooker to make sure it is free of dried food and is not cracked. The rubber seal is an important part of keeping the pressure cooker sealed tightly, so there are no leaks.

2. Prepare your food. If you are going to cook meat in the pressure cooker, brown it first in the bottom of the cooker. Use a small amount of oil. This will help seal in the juices before using the cooker. If you are cooking vegetables, slice them as you wish.

3. Add the water after you put the meat or vegetables into the cooker. Do not go above the marked line inside the cooker. Most foods cook fine on 2 cups of water unless your directions call for more.

4. Place the top of the pressure cooker on to the bottom and lock into place. You will know that the top is locked in place because it will line up with the handles or will not budge.

5. Turn the heat to medium high or high on your range. You want to warm up the ingredients inside the cooker. As the contents heat, adjust the temperature for the correct PSI on your gauge. Your manual will tell what the correct PSI should be for what you are cooking.

6. Time your ingredients according to the manual. When the time is up, take the cooker off the stove and let it cool down. You can release the pressure quicker, if the cooker has an automatic release. Another method to cool the cooker is to run the top under cold water for one minute. You cannot open the pressure cooker until the pressure is released.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are cooking meat and vegetables, cook them separately or the vegetables will be overcooked.

• Don't fill the automatic pressure cooker more than 2/3 full of meat and 1/2 full of liquid.

Resources

• Pressure Cooker Primer