Pressure cookers are handy kitchen tools that use steam pressure to cook food faster than traditional cooking methods. The Breville Fast Slow Pro is a popular electric pressure cooker that makes it easy to whip up quick weeknight meals or even prepare flavorful roasts and stews. This guide will walk you through the basics of using the Breville pressure cooker, from getting started to cleaning and maintenance.
What is the Breville Fast Slow Pro?
The Breville Fast Slow Pro is an electric, programmable pressure cooker with a variety of settings for pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, reducing, sautéing, and more. It has a 6 quart ceramic coated pot and a cooking capacity of 4 liters. It reaches high pressures of 11.6 psi to reduce cook times by up to 70%.
Some key features of the Breville pressure cooker include:
- 11 one-touch preset buttons for foods like beans/chili, poultry, soup, desserts, and more
- Adjustable temperature and pressure settings
- Slow cook function with 3 temperature selections
- Sear/sauté function to brown or caramelize ingredients
- Steam and reduce functions
- Bundle cooking – cooks food under pressure then automatically switches to sautéing
- 6 quart ceramic cooking pot
- LCD screen and control panel
Pressure Cooker Safety Tips
Pressure cookers build up extremely high pressures internally, so it’s important to follow safety precautions:
- Read the instruction manual thoroughly before first use
- Ensure the lid is securely locked before building pressure
- Do not fill the cooker more than 2/3 full
- Make sure the vent pipe is clear of any obstructions
- Do not open the lid until all internal pressure is fully released
- Do not use the cooker for anything other than its intended use
- Ensure gaskets and seals are installed correctly and in good condition
- Do not operate the cooker if damaged or malfunctioning
How to Use the Breville Pressure Cooker
Here are some step-by-step instructions for using the Breville Fast Slow Pro pressure cooker:
1. Add the Ingredients
Add the recipe ingredients to the cooking pot, making sure not to fill past the 2/3 full mark. The cooker should never be filled more than halfway when cooking foods that expand like beans, rice, pasta, etc.
2. Lock the Lid in Place
Place the lid on top and turn to lock it into position. Make sure the lid is fully sealed and locked before proceeding.
3. Select a Setting
Choose the appropriate cooking function based on what you’re making – pressure cook, slow cook, steam, etc. Use the preset function buttons or adjust time, temperature, and pressure as needed.
4. Start Cooking
The cooker will start building pressure and heat. The digital display will indicate when pressure has been achieved. Cooking time will start counting down once full pressure is reached.
5. Release the Pressure
Once cooking is complete, release the internal pressure using the steam release handle. Turning the handle to the venting position will steadily release the pressure. Wait for the floating valve to drop before unlocking and removing the lid.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
Carefully open the lid, tilt the cooker away from you to avoid escaping steam, and transfer cooked food to plates or bowls using oven mitts or tongs. Your meal cooked under pressure should be hot, tender and flavorful!
Tips for Getting the Best Results
Follow these tips for achieving the best results when using your Breville pressure cooker:
- Browning/searing: Browning meats and sautéing aromatics boosts flavor. Use the sear function before pressure cooking.
- Liquid: Use at least 1/2 cup liquid in the pot to create steam and prevent scorching.
- Thickness: Cut food into even-sized pieces for uniform cooking.
- Stacking: If stacking ingredients, place dense ones on bottom and delicate on top.
- Keep time: Don’t exceed max recipe cook times to avoid overcooking.
- Natural release: Let pressure release naturally for tender results for meats, beans, etc.
- Venting: Quick release is better for quick cooking veggies, grains, etc.
Pressure Cooker Cooking Charts
Here are some quick reference cooking time charts for common foods in the Breville pressure cooker:
Meats and Poultry
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | 5-8 minutes |
| Chicken thighs | 8-10 minutes |
| Beef roast | 25-40 minutes |
| Pork tenderloin | 10-15 minutes |
Beans and Legumes
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Chickpeas | 20-25 minutes |
| Kidney beans | 25-30 minutes |
| Lentils | 8-10 minutes |
| Black beans | 25-30 minutes |
Rice and Grains
| Food | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| White rice | 4-6 minutes |
| Brown rice | 15-20 minutes |
| Pearl barley | 25-30 minutes |
| Oatmeal | 4-6 minutes |
Cook times can vary based on amount and size of ingredients. Get to know your cooker’s settings to achieve desired tenderness.
Cleaning Your Pressure Cooker
Follow these steps to safely clean your Breville pressure cooker after each use:
- Unplug the cooker and let it cool completely before cleaning.
- Remove and hand wash the lid, pot, and accessories with soap and hot water. Do not submerge the base in water.
- Use a damp cloth or sponge to wipe down the cooker’s housing.
- Check that the float valve moves up and down properly when cleaning the lid.
- Make sure all valves, release pipes and gaskets are clear of any debris.
- Dry all parts thoroughly before storage.
- Let the inner pot air dry completely before inserting back in cooker.
The inner pot is dishwasher safe for easy cleanup. Check your manual regarding whether other parts are dishwasher safe.
Tips for Maintaining Your Pressure Cooker
Your pressure cooker will work best if you follow these maintenance guidelines:
- Inspect gaskets and seals before each use and replace if cracked or worn.
- Check that vent pipe is unobstructed before use.
- Remove any food debris stuck to the underside of the lid after cooking.
- Secure all valves, gaskets, pipes during cleaning to prevent loss.
- Store lid upside down, not sealed onto the pot, to preserve gaskets.
- Replace removable inner pot if significant staining/damage occurs.
- Descale inner pot as needed using distilled white vinegar.
- Contact manufacturer if any damage or malfunction occurs.
Troubleshooting Common Pressure Cooker Issues
Having trouble with your Breville pressure cooker? Review these troubleshooting tips:
| Problem | Possible Solution |
|---|---|
| Won’t build pressure |
|
| Won’t open lid |
|
| Food burns or scorches |
|
| Food undercooked |
|
Check your owner’s manual for further troubleshooting advice. Contact Breville customer service if problems persist.
Tips for Cooking in the Breville Pressure Cooker
Here are some helpful tips for getting great results using your Breville pressure cooker:
- Use the presets! The smart programs are tested for perfect doneness.
- Cut solid foods into even 2-inch chunks for ideal cooking.
- Layer dense ingredients on the bottom, delicate items on top.
- Add liquid as needed – broth, water, sauce to create steam.
- For beans, soak 8-12 hours first for tender, evenly cooked beans.
- Let pressure release naturally for meats, ribs, stews, whole grains.
- Quick release is ideal for quick cooking veggies, fish fillets, fruits.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness when cooking large cuts of meat.
- Allow liquids to simmer and thicken after cooking using the simmer function.
- Pre-cook ingredients like rice, grains, beans on stove before adding to dishes.
FAQs
Is the Breville pressure cooker safe to use?
Yes, the Breville Fast Slow Pro has many safety features including lid safety locks, pressure and overheat limits, and sensors. As with any appliance, proper usage following the instruction manual is important.
What recipes can I make in the Breville pressure cooker?
You can make almost anything – soups, stews, beans, grains, meats, veggies, even cheesecake! The options are endless. Choose recipes certified for electric pressure cookers for best results.
How long does the Breville pressure cooker take to build pressure?
It typically takes 10-15 minutes for full pressure to build before the cooking countdown begins. This varies slightly by ingredients and amount.
Should I quick release or natural release after pressure cooking?
Quick release is best for quickly cooked foods like vegetables, fish, fruits. Allow natural release for meats, beans, hearty stews to continue tenderizing.
Can I soak beans directly in the cooking pot?
Yes, you can soak beans right in the removable cooking pot. Drain the water afterwards before adding remaining ingredients.
What are the different smart program buttons for?
The preset buttons have tested times and pressures for chicken, poultry, rice, beans, soup, desserts, multigrain, steam, and more! Just add ingredients and press go.
How do I clean the pressure cooker safely?
Always unplug and allow cooker to cool completely before cleaning. Hand wash removable parts in soapy water. Do not submerge base in water. Towel dry.
Conclusion
The Breville Fast Slow Pro is an incredibly useful kitchen tool for fast, flavorful meals with minimal effort. Follow the instructions for safe usage and care. Experiment with cooking times to achieve your desired doneness as you get familiar with using the pressure cooker. With some helpful tips and your favorite recipes, you’ll be pressure cooking like a pro in no time!