Pressure cookers are a necessity in every Indian kitchen. The ability to make a delicious meal in minutes without much effort is what makes pressure cookers so popular.
Although most people are aware of the benefits, there are some myths that need to be busted before you purchase one for your home. Here’s everything you need to know about pressure cookers and their use in Indian cooking.
A pressure cooker is a heavy, airtight pot with a locking lid and a valve that releases steam when the pressure inside reaches high levels. It was invented to cook food faster while keeping it moist and full of flavor. The seal keeps the vapor from escaping and locks in the nutrients, flavors, and aromas.
Pressure cookers are made of a ceramic pot that is coated with metal to make it non-reactive. The valves are made out of aluminum or copper to ensure durability. Pressure cookers come in different sizes but they all have a similar design.
In order for the pressure cooker to work, you have to preheat it before adding food. This is because the pot needs some time to reach its cooking temperature and create enough steam in order to maximize its potential. For instance, if your pressure cooker has a 1 litre capacity, it will take five minutes to reach pressure. When the steam valve starts whistling, you can then add your food and close the lid. Wait for another 10 to 15 minutes until the whistle sounds again before releasing all of that pressure through the valve.
The amount of time it takes for a pressure cooker to reach its maximum temperature depends on the size of the pot. For instance, a large pot will take longer than a smaller one.
Anyway, here are the best brands of pressure cookers in India today:
5. Preethi Touch Electric Pressure Cooker
This pressure cooker from Preethi comes in a range of beautiful colors. It has a 2-liter capacity and it’s an ideal size for people who live by themselves or have small families. The device is very easy to use and features preset cooking modes that will help you save a lot of time. You can cook meat, rice, and vegetables with ease using this pressure cooker from Preethi.
The Preethi Touch Electric Pressure Cooker has a digital display that will remind you of the status of your food. It features an automatic timer that allows you to set the cooking time and then forget about it. The automatic timer will count down the cooking time and switch off the pressure cooker once your dish is ready to be served.
The Preethi Touch Electric Pressure Cooker has a stainless steel body that’s easy to clean and maintain, especially if you use non-stick cookware. Its lid features a locking mechanism that’s designed to lock in all of the flavors and aromas from your food. It also has a glass lid that allows you to see what’s going on inside during the entire cooking process without opening it up which is good for the health of your dish.
4. Meyer Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
This is one of the best pressure cookers available in India. I’ve had my eye on it for quite some time now, however, its price tag makes it difficult to justify buying. If you’re looking for a top-quality product that will last you for years without making you pay an arm and a leg, then this is the pressure cooker for you.
It has two pressure settings (high and low) as well as three temperature settings (low, medium, high). It also has a locking lid that ensures no steam escapes while cooking your meals. The inner pot is made out of stainless steel and has a non-stick coating. The inner pot is not removable which means you can’t use it for other purposes, but the entire pot gets very hot so I don’t see that being much of an issue.
The pressure cooker comes with a warranty and has been manufactured by a respected company with more than 50 years of experience.
3. Prestige Clip-On Jug Pressure Cooker
This pressure cooker is made of stainless steel and comes in two variants – 1 litre and 2 litres. The clips on the Jug Pressure Cookers allow you to carry it easily while keeping your hands free. It has a heat resistance handle that makes it easy to lift, even when it’s hot. It also comes with a knob on the handle that makes it easy to carry when you are carrying things in your hands.
The Prestige Jug Pressure Cooker also comes with accessories that let you cook different types of food. The vent pipe is made out of stainless steel, making it durable and easy to clean. This pressure cooker is available online on Amazon India at the best price ever.
2. Hawkins Futura Pressure Cooker
The Hawkins pressure cooker is a top-rated product. The design of the lid allows for even cooking and easier removal of food once it has finished cooking. It also comes with an easy to read gauge that tells you when the pressure level reaches high or low. This feature makes it very convenient especially for first-time users.
The Hawkins Futura is also easy to clean, making it a great choice for people who don’t have much time on their hands. The pot can be removed from the base and placed under running water while the lid is dishwasher safe. Despite its ability to cook food in less time, the Hawkins Futura pressure cooker is also energy efficient.
1. Wonderchef Power Pressure Cooker
The Wonderchef Power Pressure Cooker is a multi-functional pressure cooker that’s great for everyday use. It comes with a stainless steel lid and can be used to cook all kinds of food, from soups to stews. The pot has been designed in such a way that it distributes heat evenly, which means you get the same results whether you’re cooking at low or high settings.
The pot also has a scratch-resistant nonstick coating that makes it easy to clean after use. The other great thing is that this pressure cooker comes with a recipe book containing delicious recipes that you can try.
There are a lot of benefits to using a pressure cooker. It allows you to cook many different types of food in a short period of time, leading to less stress and more delicious meals. The only downside is that it can be very dangerous if not properly used or maintained. While they’re definitely worth it, pressure cookers require a lot of care and attention and you should exercise due diligence when selecting what brand you will buy.