Does anyone else use a pressure cooker for meals? We have an Aroma electric pressure cooker we use often. It is so easy to use and the food is great. Our slow cooker has been gathering dust in the bottom of the cabinet for several years now. In fact the pressure cooker has a slow cooking mode but we've never used it. We also Have a stovetop pressure canner which can be used for cooking but it's too big for us. We only used it one time for a meal when we had lots of company.
Our pressure cooker is more than 5 years old and probably having some problems already. Where before we tenderize beef for 10 minutes, now it is only 6 minutes, i.e. from the time the sound of pressure is heard. Or maybe the sounding of pressure is the problem because the beef is still tender and quite good. I was thinking of buying a new one but my husband said it is not broken so why fix it. Maybe it can still serve us for a year or two.
Many years ago, I had a little electric pressure cooker, and I just loved it ! I don't remember what the brand name was, but it was about the size of a regular crockpot, and just perfect for cooking a chicken or a roast. I think that you could have used it like a crockpot as well, since it had the regulator on it just like an electric skillet does. I don't think that I ever used it as a crockpot though, but it sure was great for making a meal fast. I have thought about looking on Amazon to see if they still made such things, and I guess they must, if you have one, Sheldon.
I used to use a pressure cooker when I was younger. Lately I don't like to cook much, so it was sent to the goodwill.
I use my Tower pressure cooker everyday. Not being a salad lover I make fresh soups for lunch then it is used again for braising meat, vegetables, potatoes,casseroles. For time and energy saving it's a terrific piece of kitchen equipment to have in your kitchen
My sister swears by them. But I have never used one, and wouldn't know what to do if one was sitting right in front of me.
It's more than 30 years since last used a pressure cooker. I had one when I was first married and I used it mainly to make soups and stews. My mother had one and she used to buy a whole cow's tongue to cook in it and then serve cold slices of tongue with salad. The raw tongue looked horrendous but when cooked and thinly sliced it tasted very nice.
I have never had cow tongue, in any manner. If the opportunity arose, I would probably take it. I have had pig brains and eggs. Its disgusting when you think about what you're eating, But if you can stop thinking about it, it is actually pretty good.
What would you cook with a pressure cooker, and what advantage would there be to using a pressure cooker over something else?
I for one would finally can some more of my own tomato sauce. I never had used a pressure cooker for anything other then canning, and that was quite some time ago Now mostly I just can in the boil bath since it is usually jams or jellies. In fact I don't have a slow cooker anymore, a batch of cowboy beans did that in, and it is probably just as well that was an old sunbeam crock pot. I have been feeling like I want to get another one, but there is a part of me that says when Xmas comes that could be a great gift from someone so why buy it now?
I have seen the commerical for the pressure cooker and have thought about getting one to be able to cook food faster. I am concerned about the safety of the pressure cooker. I can remember people getting burned from the pressure release many years ago. I am sure the cookers are safer now.
I think the food has more flavor. That's the main draw for me. Other than that, I don't too many uses. As a matter of fact, if I could find a cast iron dutch oven, I'd never use most of these appliances, anyway.
I have never learned how to use pressure cookers nor slower cookers (crock-pots) but my mother has both of these and loves to use them. I remember one day, being still a teen, when she left me in charge of the pressure cooker and I ended up with the beans scattered in the ceiling, LOL So that I have never bought one of these cookers for my own use, not to mention that I mostly cook for one or two persons at most, unless is a party or reunion.
Carlota, there is just the two of us here and the electric pressure cooker we have is just the right size for us. The electric ones don't have to be watched like the stovetop kind. Just set the time and it shuts off the pressure and goes to a keep warm mode when done.