Anyone use a pressure cooker?

[daughtersrus]

I recently purchased an electric pressure cooker. I'm trying to save money by not ordering dinner at the last minute because cooking will take too long.

Honestly. I'm a little afraid to try it.

I'm hoping that someone has some tips and recipes for me.

 

[aprilchem]

Pressure cookers today are very safe. I think mine has something like 8 or 10 safety mechanisms that all have to fail before it blows, and even then just the lid will blow upwards. So I wouldn't worry.

I like cooking a whole chicken in my pressure cooker - it takes about 30 minutes. I also cook tons of soups in it, cook beans from dry, make pot roast, etc. It's about 75% quicker than doing it on the stove/oven.

 

[Shmily1]

I've looked at them and want to get one but don't know which one to get or even what recipes to use. I need to research more.

 

[ThistleMae]

My sister just bought one. My mom used to use one all the time but I was always nervous around it. The new ones are very safe. My sister cooks everything with it. It is not electric, she uses it on the stove. She said the main thing is to wait until the steam stops coming out of the valve before you open it. She makes home made beans in like 40 minutes. Her chicken is all tender and just falls right off the bone. The bean taste like she been baking them all day!

 

[jenf22]

We bought this one http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FLYWNYQ?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00 when it was on sale for $99 a month or so ago. We also bought a recipe book to go with it. We've only used it a handful of times, but so far it's been great!

 

[verleniahall]

I have the miccrowavable pressure cooker from Tupperware - LOVE IT!

 

[Mom2SamandJames]

I have one, and I use mine all the time. It will make chili that tastes like it has been slow simmering all day in 10 minutes of cook time. This week I have done chicken wings and chicken breasts in it too. My pressure cooker is used at least three times weekly. Our pressure cooker has paid for itself by letting me cook things quickly. Try it! You will LOVE it!

 

[ImDMous]

I have one. So far I've only made BBQ chicken breasts in it, but it's super easy. I will say that although the cook time says it's only 15 minutes to cook, that doesn't count the time to get it up to pressure, so it's a bit longer. Still way faster and cooler than the oven though!

I need to find more recipes though.

 

[LJSquishy]

I bought the InstantPot Duo 7-in-1 (6qt) a month or two ago and like it so far. I've only used it a few times...made yogurt (but my yogurt maker machine is easier), cooked dried beans, made vegetarian chili, and last night I made vegetable stock from veggie scraps. I have a whole chicken I plan to cook in it to use for several meals but it might be a day or two.

They are extremely safe to use (mine has different functions so you can use it as a slow cooker not under pressure, saute, etc) with multiple safety precautions in place. The biggest adjustment for me is the shape of the insert...it's like a big pot versus an oval shape of my old slow cooker so I think a whole chicken might have to sit upright in it. Not a big deal, just different. It is annoying having to clean several pieces on the lid (gasket, metal cover thingy, and lid) but there's no way around it.

 

[5kidsmommy]

I have one and love it. I have always been bad about getting ingredients in my crock pot in time for dinner to be done so when my mom bought me an electronic pressure cooker I was thrilled. Basically any recipe you make in a crockpot you can make in a pressure cooker, just way quicker. I turn roasts into meat for tacos, I cook chicken breasts and pork roasts, make chicken curry and asian food. I also do soups and stews. I just love the thing.

 

[daughtersrus]

Thanks for the replies.

I've read that you can cook from frozen but that seems odd to me. Has anyone tried it or do you thaw everything first?

This is the machine that I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Elite-EPC-813P-Electric-Stainless-Pressure/dp/B00V4QZGMG

 

[ImDMous]

Thanks for the replies.

I've read that you can cook from frozen but that seems odd to me. Has anyone tried it or do you thaw everything first?

When I make BBQ chicken breasts, that 15 minute cook time is from frozen, no thawing at all. Put a little water in the bottom, throw some frozen chicken breasts in, put some BBQ sauce on them. Done.

 

[LJSquishy]

Thanks for the replies.

I've read that you can cook from frozen but that seems odd to me. Has anyone tried it or do you thaw everything first?

This is the machine that I have.

http://www.amazon.com/Elite-EPC-813P-Electric-Stainless-Pressure/dp/B00V4QZGMG

I've also read that you can cook meat from frozen but I haven't tried it yet. I've considered trying it with a whole chicken I have in the freezer (which I use as an ingredient for multiple dishes, not as a main entrée like roasted chicken, etc). I'm a little hesitant to try it with a whole chicken but I'm sure it would work well with chicken breasts, thighs, stew meat, etc. Oooh...I was just thinking that pressure cooker stew would probably be amazing! We try to eat vegan or vegetarian most days, though!

 

[AquaDame]

Me! We love ours - no need to dethaw meat days ahead or wait 12 hours to eat from a slow cooker. YUM!

 

[pweyl36]

I got mine from QVC,after watching how easy and fast it is I bought one. I just love it,I can come
home from works and have nice roast for dinner in 35mins.

 

[holycow]

Look up Chef Brad. He is on BYU TV and he cooks with a pressure cooker all the time. One show he even talks about the different kinds of cookers. We had one and I was afraid to use it but since
watching him I've tried more things. He makes oatmeal, meat so many different things in it. Plus you learn how to cook with healthy grains to add nutrition into your diet.

I have the Cusinart one and really like it.

 

[DawnM]

I have wanted to get one! I have been eying the Instant Pot for a while now.

 

[usnuzuloose]

This is inspiring me to want one. Sounds faster than the crockpot.

 

[amcnj]

My mother always used a stovetop version, longer ago than I care to admit! I remember her mainly using it to cook vegetables, like broccoli and green beans as she said they cooked much faster. Are these the same type of device only electric now, or is this a whole other animal?

 

[hershey2014]

I have one but have only used it for canning. I would love to try it for dinner. Can you all share your favorite recipes?