Pressure cookers, also known in some areas as “slow cookers” or “crock pots,” are electric pots used to cook foods over a long period of time. Pressure cookers are typically oval shaped containers with two small handles, a lid, and an interior oval shaped basin that can be lifted in and out.
Pressure cookers come in a variety of sizes determined by the capacity of liquid they hold inside, but all are quite large and require a considerable amount of storage space. That said, pressure cookers have an excellent reputation for their ease of use. You can throw together whatever ingredients are required in the morning, set the temperature and time dials, go to work all day, and come home to a fabulous meal. Alternatively, you can do the reverse and have the pressure cooker cook throughout the night.
Pressure cookers can cook French onion soup, chilli, roasts, and meats of all types. Like stockpots and Dutch ovens, pressure cookers retain an amazing amount of liquid during the cooking process. When cooked at a low heat with a fair amount of liquid over a long period of time, meat will simply fall off of bones and be extremely moist. Pressure cookers come with simple sets of instructions regarding their temperature and time settings, and other than that are very easy to use. Temperature settings typically include a range from high to low, and an option to not cook the food but keep it warm.
Most pressure cookers are metal or plastic on the outside, although this only matters for aesthetic appeal. The interior inset is typically ceramic, which is dishwasher safe, or aluminium. With some models, an aluminium insert can be used on the stove to brown meats before beginning the slow-cook process inside the pressure cooker. Some inserts come with a non-stick lining, but if not can be sprayed or greased for the same result.
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