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Pressure cookers have been around for a long time. In fact, they were first invented in the 16th century. They work on the simple principle of steam pressure. Pressure cookers are sealed and produce a lot of steam which helps to cook food faster than normal methods. The steam allows the contents to reach up to 250F which is higher than the boiling point of water, 212F.
Last update on 2023-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Table of Contents
Which Pressure Cooker is Best for Indian Cooking?
There are so many pressure cookers out there that it may be difficult to choose the best one. Here we’re going to give you some ideas to get you started on your search.
Instant Pot Duo 6-quart 7-in-1, One Touch, Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
This is a fantastic appliance. not only is it a pressure cooker, but it’s also a rice cooker, slow cooker, steamer, yoghurt maker, sauté pan and warmer. It is my top choice and not just because it does all these things, but because it has simple controls and 14 one-touch smart programs. The pressure cooker also cooks 70% quicker than traditional methods.
The capacity is large at 6 quarts so will easily feed a family of six and is great for batch cooking if you are a smaller family.
This pressure cooker comes with two pressure settings so you can cook at either low or high pressure. The low pressure stops delicate food from overcooking, while the high-pressure setting reduces cooking time up to 6 times.
There are both automatic and manual settings for keeping food warm which means that you can decide at exactly what time you eat.
The pressure cooker comes with a stainless steel inner which is durable and also safe for the dishwasher.
- Best for beginners: An upgrade to the all-time bestseller Instant Pot Duo series, the Duo Nova combines 7 appliances in...
- Healthy & consistently delicious: Duo Nova is powered by a sophisticated micro-processor that monitors and adjusts...
- Smart lid: The new easy seal lid gives you 1 less thing to worry about because it automatically seals your Instant Pot....
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- Clear, simple controls: Elegant blue LCD intuitively indicates the cooking process of the multicooker. Convenient...
Last update on 2023-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The programs include the Poultry Smart program which even means that you can cook a whole chicken, even from frozen. The Meat/Stew program will cook meat to your choice, be it rare or well-done.
With the Bean/Chili program, you can cook dried beans and peas in less than an hour. You won’t have all that pre-soaking time. Lentils, a staple of Indian cookery will take next-to-no time to cook.
It has an easy-seal lid which keeps nutrients, aromas and flavors sealed inside the cooker. Great for Indian cooking.
Over 19 safety features including a safety lock and overheat protection.
There is a program indicator which lets you know when the cooker is reaching pressure and when it starts to cook.
It is made from stainless steel so is very easy to clean and doesn’t leave an aftertaste in your mouth as aluminum does.
There are accessories which come with this appliance including a steam rack.
It’s a learning curve to find out how to use the different controls.
Deenkee 10-in-1 Multi-Function Pressure Cooker
This appliance is 10-in-1 and has 16 preset smart programs which give you the option of setting the programs or manually inputting them. Preset programs include soup, poultry, eggs, beans, rice, meat and even cake.
The appliance is stainless steel with a ceramic non-stick interior coating 3-ply bottom. This means that your food will have heat equally distributed throughout the pot and any aromas will be kept sealed inside until you are ready to serve the dish. This is good for Indian cookery as you don’t want the smells permeating the whole house.
If your power cuts out, the appliance will restart within 20 minutes so you won’t have to do this manually.
The pressure cooker is suitable for up to 6 people as the appliance is 6 quarts in size.
There is an accessory kit with stainless steel steaming trivets, a rice paddle and a silicone gasket.
All you have to do is press one button and the pressure is released. You won’t get covered in hot steam and will be able to enjoy your meal more quickly.
The lid opens simply whether you are left or right-handed.
There are no recipes included with this pressure cooker.
You can’t set the pressure to high manually.
Sharff & Mueller Electric Pressure Cooker
This pressure cooker has 14 different modes which include soup/broth, poultry, beans/chili, pasta, boil, steam, rice, a slow cooker, bread maker, sauté function, a warmer mode, yogurt maker and a manual mode. In addition, it can sterilize and perform different methods of canning. There’s practically nothing you can’t make with this appliance.
- USER-FRIENDLY AT ITS MAX: This electric pressure cooker by Sharff&Mueller was designed entirely for easy use, equipped...
- 14 DIFFERENT MODES: are a button away, all enabling you to cook up a meal in an instant, even without prior kitchen...
- STERILIZE MODE: is also included where one can pasteurize milk, sterilize baby bottles, jars, and utensils; as well as,...
- EXTRA FEATURES: like delayed start, lets you prepare food on a timer, to come home to a wholesome meal. Also, don’t...
- 2 YEAR WARRANTY: allows you to cook with no worries! The Duopro Plus Multicooker, has been carefully designed with...
Last update on 2023-03-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
It’s stainless steel which is very easy to clean and will hold up to 6 quarts. It’s plenty enough for a big family, entertaining or cooking portions to freeze.
There is a delayed start which means that you can put your food onto a 24-hour timer. There’s no need to come home from a hard day at work to prepare a meal from scratch. It will be ready for you as soon as you walk in the door.
There is a keep-warm feature which works automatically.
The pressure cooker has an auto-release button which releases the steam and so avoids injury.
It is sealed well so the aromas from your curry won’t permeate the whole house.
It has a microprocessor which keeps an eye on the temperature and the pressure.
The pot and accessories are dishwasher-safe.
It comes with a recipe book which has lots of different recipes. It even comes with recipes for cakes.
The recipes for beans are for an instapot and this appliance is completely different.
Is a Pressure Cooker Good for Indian Cooking?
A pressure cooker is perfect for Indian cooking. Stovetop pressure cookers have been used for decades in Indian kitchens, but are now being taken over by electric pressure cookers which don’t have the noisy sounds you get from a stovetop cooker.
Pressure cookers are ideal for curries. Curries can take a lot of time to make by traditional methods as it takes time to merge the spices. However, a pressure cooker can produce the perfect curry in less than half an hour.
You can even add the rice a few minutes before you are ready to serve the meal. In this way, the aromas and juices will flavor the rice. You also don’t get the curry flavor permeating the house and your clothes.
Why are Pressure Cookers so Popular?
Pressure cookers are so popular because you can cook just about everything in them and more quickly. Rice can be cooked in just a few minutes, beans in less than an hour and tough meats can be cooked more quickly than traditional methods. You can even hard boil eggs in them.
Pressure cookers are also very efficient and use a lot less energy than many other appliances leading to a reduction in energy usage as well.
Which Metal is the Best for a Pressure Cooker?
Pressure cookers can be made of different materials, but stainless steel ones are the most popular. They are durable and the material is the best for regulating the temperature. In addition, they are easy to clean.
Aluminum is also used and they’re not toxic or harmful in the same way lead is, but food can absorb aluminum which gives a metallic flavor to your food. In addition, the absorption of aluminum into your food corrodes the cooker.
Final thoughts
I hope you have enjoyed reading about my selection of pressure cookers for Indian cooking. They all keep the aromas and scents inside the pot until you take the dish out. Pressure cookers are also excellent in Indian cuisine as you can add the rice near the end of the cooking time and have it coming out fluffy and light.
