Pressure cooking

Pressure cooking is a cooking method that utilizes pressure to cook food more quickly than conventional cooking methods. This method is achieved by boiling a liquid, such as water or broth, inside a sealed vessel known as a pressure cooker.

History

The concept of pressure cooking was first developed by a French physicist named Denis Papin in the 17th century. He invented a device called the "steam digester" which was an early version of the pressure cooker. The modern pressure cooker, however, was not developed until the 20th century.

Function

A pressure cooker works by trapping the steam produced from boiling liquid inside the vessel. This increases the internal pressure, which allows the temperature inside the cooker to rise above the normal boiling point of water. The high temperature and pressure combined significantly speed up the cooking process.

Types of Pressure Cookers

There are two main types of pressure cookers: stovetop and electric. Stovetop pressure cookers are generally more powerful and can reach higher pressures than electric models. Electric pressure cookers, on the other hand, are easier to use and often come with digital controls and multiple cooking functions.

Benefits

Pressure cooking has several benefits. It can save time by cooking food up to 70% faster than traditional methods. It also retains more nutrients in the food because of the shorter cooking time. Furthermore, it can tenderize tough cuts of meat, making them more enjoyable to eat.

Safety

Modern pressure cookers are equipped with safety features to prevent accidents. These include a locking lid that cannot be opened while there is still pressure inside the cooker, a pressure release valve, and a gasket release system.

See Also

• Cooking
• Denis Papin
• Stovetop pressure cookers
• Electric pressure cookers