Pressure cooker - do many of you use one?

Question

I've a 5 quart one at home that I often use to make beans and even chicken soup in. I'd like to know how many of you use one.

I don't have a crock pot either. I don't like the idea of being away all day with someting cooking in the kitchen.

Answer 1

Modern pressure cookers are a safe and quick option in today's kitchen. A pressure cooker can give you slow cooker like results with out the all day wait.

I frequently use mine, especially for roasts. I grease the inside, put in my onion, celery, and carrots, place my seasoned roast on top (you can even cook a frozen one), surround with potatoes (added later if meat is still frozen), add some stock/broth/water, a little wine, and put the lid on. Once it gets going, I turn down the burner to a steady rhythm and let it go for 1 to 1.5 hours. The roast falls apart like I had it in a crock pot for 8 hours, tender and delicious. If the meat was frozen, I add the potatoes for the last 30 mins. The leftover juices make a quick gravy by whisking in a roux or cornstarch slurry.

I do beef, pork, and chicken in mine whenever I want a fall off the bone result and I have neglected to thaw anything out, didn't plan ahead for a slow cooker meal, or am time crunched at the end of the day. The other benefits to having a modern pressure cooker include pressure canning and super quick cooking for things like veggies. Be careful with beans, they turn out great but you should read the instruction manual to avoid a mess. The cooking beans can foam and clog the vents if you don't leave enogh space in the pot.

Answer 2

I have a pressure cooker that my mom gave me. She got it when she first married my dad. Can you believe that? It's over 40 years old and it still works great. I make beans, cook potatoes for potato salad, whole chickens when I need it cooked fast for soups.

I'm curious as to why people think beans will make it explode? That's the primary use of my pressure cooker. That way I don't haev to soak my beans or cook them for hours. They are done in about 45 - 50 mins. depending.

It's a great kitchen tool to have around.

Answer 3

A crock pot is not like you describe. People set it up and do other things and its finished around dinnertime. Theyre "slow" cookers and really don't put that much heat out. Very safe.
I have plans on learning to use a pressure cooker. There are tons of good recipes using them.

Answer 4

In my humble opinion, a crockpot is much safer than a pressure cooker. I have one, but have never used it. It belonged to my husband's mother. When I read the instructions, I got scared and put it away among the other memorabilia. I've left crockpots on all day many times while I was away at work. It's no different than leaving other appliances plugged in, such as the toaster, coffee pot, etc. One thing my pressure cooker recipe book said was never to cook beans in it, or it could explode. Nowadays, I think pressure cookers are pretty much outmoded, and have been replaced not only by crockpots, which are actually slow cookers, but microwaves, grills, toaster ovens, convection ovens, and Jenn Airs -- lots of safer alternatives.

Answer 5

I use one for stews, excellent and quick, makes meat soo tender,

I have never made beans in it, I would think at pressure the beans would Pop, but there is a ton of websites for cooking with one, people actually make deserts and such,,

I google it BTW,

Answer 6

I would say a Slow Cooker. I have both but, much prefer the slow cooker.

Answer 7

I have one,its electric.I love to cook ribs in mine,they fall of the bone quickly.I thought beans couldn't be cooked in a pressure cooker...

Answer 8

I used one this year for the first time to can green beans. They turned out really good.

Answer 9

I use it for dried beans all the time, once the pressure is up - 20 minutes and they're done.

Answer 10

Yep mainly to cook kidney beans, black eyed beans etc.