Using a pressure cooker can be a great way to quickly cook food, but sometimes the food on the bottom can get burnt or overcooked. This can lead to frustration and ruin an otherwise delicious meal. Thankfully, there are some simple tips and tricks you can use to help prevent burning in your pressure cooker.
Why Food Burns in a Pressure Cooker
There are a few main reasons why food might burn on the bottom of your pressure cooker:
- The heat source is too high – If the heat under your pressure cooker is too high, this can lead to overheating and burning on the bottom.
- Not enough liquid – Pressure cookers need liquid to create steam and pressure. If there isn’t enough, the food is more likely to burn.
- Cooking too long – Cooking times vary in pressure cookers. Going over the recommended time can lead to burning.
- Poor pot choice – Thinner pots conduct heat faster leading to more likely burning on the bottom.
- Improper release – Quick pressure releasing can cause splattering of food leading to burning.
Understanding why food might burn can help you troubleshoot and prevent it in the future.
Tips to Prevent Burning
Luckily, there are some easy tips you can follow to help prevent burning in your pressure cooker:
Use the Proper Heat Setting
Make sure you are using the manufacturer’s recommended heat setting for pressure cooking. Using too high heat is a common cause of burning. A lower or medium setting is usually best for pressure cooking.
Don’t Overfill the Pot
Filling the pot too full can lead to burning. Make sure you are following recipe filling instructions. As a general rule, don’t fill pressure cookers over 2/3 full when cooking foods like grains, beans, meats etc.
Add Enough Liquid
Having enough liquid in your pressure cooker is key. Follow recipe guidelines for amount of water or stock. Usually a minimum of 1 cup of liquid is needed for pressure cooking. Adding a little extra won’t hurt.
Use a Steamer Basket or Trivet
Lifting food off the bottom using a steamer basket or trivet is an easy way to prevent direct burning. The liquid and steam will still circulate and cook the food.
Cook for Recommended Time
Burning can happen if food is cooked too long. Use the minimum cook time recommended in recipes then check for doneness. It’s easy to add more time if needed.
Naturally Release Pressure
Don’t force release the pressure quickly. Allowing the pressure to come down naturally over 5-15 minutes prevents splattering that leads to burning.
Avoid Stirring Before Serving
Stirring before releasing pressure can scrape up burnt bits from the bottom. Leave food undisturbed until ready to serve.
Tips for Different Foods
Certain foods are more prone to burning. Here are some tips for avoiding burning with common pressure cooker foods:
Rice
- Use 1:1 rice to liquid ratio
- Allow natural pressure release
- Fluff gently with fork, don’t stir
Beans
- Soak before cooking
- Use steamer basket or trivet
- Add 1-2 tbsp oil to help prevent foaming
Meat and Poultry
- Brown meats first for flavor
- Usenatural release method
- Add marinades and sauces at end
Vegetables
- Cut in even sized pieces
- Place delicate veggies on top
- Add an extra 1/4 cup liquid
Grains like Farro, Barley, and Quinoa
- Toast grains first for added flavor
- Use a 1:2 grain to liquid ratio
- Allow natural release
Helpful Equipment
Having the right equipment can make a big difference in preventing burning in your pressure cooker. Here are some useful items to try:
- Steamer basket – Lifts food off the bottom for even cooking
- Trivet – Like a steamer but saves space for larger batches
- Heat diffuser – Placed under cooker to prevent direct heat
- Non-stick liner – Prevent food from sticking and burning on bottom
Cleaning Burnt Residue
Even with the best efforts, some burning can still occur. Here are some cleaning tips if you end up with burnt bits in your pressure cooker:
- Make a baking soda paste – Mix 2 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water and scrub the bottom with a sponge or brush
- Simmer water and lemon – Fill pot with water, add lemon slices, bring to a boil, then simmer 5 minutes
- Use a non-abrasive scrub pad – Gently scrub the burnt areas after cooking
- Soak overnight – For really stubborn burnt bits, soak pot overnight then scrub in the morning
Know When to Toss It
If burnt residue remains after thorough cleaning, it may be time to replace the inner pot. Built up burning and staining can impact cooking performance. Check your pressure cooker manual for recommendations on replacement.
Conclusion
Burning food is one of the most common problems with pressure cookers but there are many ways to prevent it. Use lower heat, properly time recipes, and invest in some helpful accessories. With the tips above and a little practice, you’ll be pressure cooking without burns in no time.