Pressure cookers are incredibly useful kitchen appliances that can significantly reduce cooking times for many foods. However, for those unfamiliar with pressure cookers, the buttons and settings can seem complicated and confusing. This article will provide an overview of the typical buttons found on a pressure cooker and explain what each button means.
The Pressure/Steam Release Button
One of the most important buttons on a pressure cooker is the pressure or steam release button. This button controls the pressure release valve and allows you to manually release pressure from the cooker before opening the lid. There are a few different types of pressure release buttons:
- Natural Pressure Release – This setting keeps the valve closed and allows pressure to come down naturally over 10-15 minutes. The cooker remains pressurized.
- Quick Pressure Release – This opens the valve immediately to quickly release steam and pressure. Pressurization stops.
- Pulse Pressure Release – This pulses the valve open and closed to gradually release some pressure at a time. Faster than natural release but gentler than quick.
Releasing the pressure properly with the release button is extremely important for safely operating the cooker. Most cookers have visual cues like steam icons or pop-up buttons to indicate when pressure is fully released and the lid can then be opened.
Pressure Level Buttons
Another key set of buttons on pressure cookers sets the pressure cooking level. There are typically two pressure options:
- High Pressure – The higher pressure setting, around 15 psi. Used for tough meats and braising.
- Low Pressure – The lower setting, around 5-8 psi. Used for more delicate foods like seafood, vegetables, eggs.
Choosing the correct pressure level is imperative to ensure food cooks properly and safely. High pressure achieves a higher internal temperature to break down connective tissues in meats and accelerate cooking. Low pressure is gentler for quickly cooking more delicate ingredients.
Timer Buttons
Digital pressure cookers will have buttons to set the timer for how long the food should cook once pressurized. This allows you to program the cooker in advance to cook for a precise amount of time.
There are a few options for setting the timer:
- Manual Timer – Manually set the minutes and/or hours desired for pressure cooking time.
- Preset Buttons – One-touch buttons for common cook times for foods like meat, beans, rice.
- Delay Start – Delays pressurization to begin cooking at a set time in the future.
The timer is one of the handiest pressure cooker features. You simply add your ingredients, set the time, and walk away until the cooker beeps to indicate cooking is finished.
Keep Warm/Cancel Buttons
Most digital pressure cookers will also have Keep Warm and Cancel buttons:
- Keep Warm – After cooking completes, keeps the contents warm for up to 10 hours.
- Cancel – Stops a cooking program at any point.
The Keep Warm function is extremely useful for maintaining food at a safe serving temperature if you are delayed getting to the cooker after it finishes. The Cancel button allows you flexibility to stop cooking immediately if needed.
Start/Off Buttons
Finally, there will be buttons to turn the pressure cooker on and off or start cooking. These include:
- On/Off – Powes on or off the cooker.
- Start – Initiates the cooking program after settings are chosen.
Always make sure to start the cooker after choosing settings for it to begin pressurizing and cooking.
Other Common Buttons
Some pressure cookers may also have buttons for the following additional functions:
- Sauté – Browns or sautés ingredients before pressure cooking.
- Simmer – Simmers or boils liquids without pressure.
- Steam – Steams foods like vegetables, seafood or eggs.
- Slow Cook – Converts the pressure cooker to a slow cooker.
- Yogurt – Makes homemade yogurt.
Status Indicators
Along with buttons, pressure cookers have visual displays and indicators that communicate the status:
- Heating Indicator – Illuminates when the cooker is heating up and building pressure.
- Pressure Indicator – Displays when high or low pressure is reached.
- Timer Display – Counts down the set cook time remaining.
- Keep Warm Indicator – Illuminates when the cooker has switched to the Keep Warm setting.
These indicators allow you to monitor progress and know what phase of pressure cooking the appliance is currently in.
Typical Pressure Cooking Process
When using a pressure cooker, a typical process would involve:
- Add ingredients to the pot and close the lid.
- Select High or Low pressure.
- Set the cook time on the timer.
- Press Start.
- Allow pressure to build until the indicator shows it is pressurized.
- Once the timer goes off, allow pressure to natural release for 10-15 minutes or use the quick release button.
- Unlatch the lid once the pressure indicator shows zero pressure.
- Check food and adjust seasoning if desired.
- Use Keep Warm setting to hold the dish until serving.
Special Features
Some higher end pressure cookers may boast special features like:
- Multiple pressure level options – Ultra, sterilize, custom PSI settings.
- Altitude adjustment – Increased pressure for high altitude locations.
- Connectivity – Wifi or Bluetooth app control.
- Pre-programming – Download recipes with pre-programmed settings.
Helpful Accessories
Some accessories that are useful for pressure cookers include:
- Extra sealing ring – Good to have a backup to prolong ring life.
- Springform pan – Fits in cooker to make cheesecakes and other desserts.
- Steamer basket – Elevates and steam foods over water.
- Glass lid – Lets you use pot for browning after pressure cooking.
Conclusion
While pressure cooker buttons may seem intimidating at first, understanding the main functions makes operating them much simpler. The key buttons control pressure release, set pressure level, program cook times, and start cooking. Indicator lights track the cooking status so you know what’s happening inside the pot. With a little practice, you’ll find that pressure cookers are very easy to use!