The Benefits of Using a Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are becoming an increasingly popular device to use in the kitchen. They are convenient, easy to use and produce fast and quality cooking. Let's go into detail on the main benefits to using this machine.
Benefit 1 - Faster Cooking
This tends to be the main benefit why most people use pressure cookers. With these you can cook food extremely fast as a relationship exists between pressure and temperature. The higher the pressure inside a closed container, the easier it is to raise the temperature. As the pressure is increased, the temperature naturally gets hotter. Furthermore, heat is pressed into the food in a pressure cooker for faster cooking.
If you are short on time and want to whip up a decent meal, a pressure cooker is just the device for the job.
Benefit 2 - Nutrient Retention
All cooking processes will cause food to lose some of its nutrients, so it's just a matter of minimizing the damage. Conventional steaming to some extent will cause nutrients and vitamins to leak, and boiling food is a big no-no as the water draws out even more nutrients, especially water-soluble vitamins. Ovens require a greater cook time.

So the key for nutrient retention is to use as little time and water as possible during the cooking process. Because pressure cooking is a fast process, and it uses little water, this is an ideal cooking method for your foods to keep their health benefits.
Benefit 3 - Ease of Use
Pressure Cooking does not have this advantage over all other cooking methods, but it does for most of them. These devices are easy to operate, clean and maintain. The only thing you need is some water and you are good to go. No messy pots and pans to clean, and no waiting for the oven to preheat.
Benefit 4 - Uniform Cooking
Because the heat tends to penetrate the food thoroughly during pressure cooking, your food will be cooked uniformly. You don't have to worry about parts of your food being overcooked and other portions undercooked. When you bake or broil you food, either the bottom half or top half will cook first. Grills have a tough time cooking food evenly because that is the nature of them with flame cooking. If you are strict about wanting your food to be cooked evenly, a pressure cooker is the way to go.
Benefit 5 - Less Energy and Less Heat
Because pressure cookers require little energy compared to an oven or stove, and take up much less cooking time, you will save energy in the process. You won't have to waste energy pre-heating the oven. If you use a grill you'll either have to spend money on charcoal or propane which can get expensive.

If you use a pressure cooker for most of your cooking needs, you'll be sure to notice a difference in your energy bill at the end of the month. Furthermore, since your cook time is much less and the heat is trapped inside the cooker, you kitchen will remain much cooler when using a pressure cooking. This is actually a huge advantage in the summertime and will help with your energy bill as well.
These are the five primary benefits of using a pressure cooker. If you don't currently own one, you should look into getting one as soon as possible. A pressure cooker will end up saving you time and money, and will help you cook healthier food as well. You can be sure to find high-quality pressure cookers at great prices online, so get yours today.

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Aluminium Cookware Versus Stainless Steel Cookware

Aluminum cookware versus stainless pans and pots. Some people like Aluminum while others prefer stainless. That s why we are going to talk about the pros and cons of both, so that you can make a better decision when buying them.
Stainless Steel Pros
Stainless steel is basically iron to which up to eight alloys have been added. The more alloys, the better the quality. In order to be consider as stainless steel, the metal must have at least 11% of chromium. This reduces the effects of rust that can be caused by moisture or air. Most of the stainless cookware has 18% of chromium and until 10% of nickel.
This king of metal is very resistant and durable and resists to almost any kind of scratches. Stainless steel cookware is also easy to clean.
Cooks choose stainless steel over Aluminum cookware. The reason for this is because unlike Aluminum cookware, the stainless steel does not react to alkaline or acidic foods that are cooked in it.

Aluminum Pros
Aluminum cookware has been produced since the late 19th century, however it was only in the 20th century that it started to sell pretty well. More than half of the cookware ever sold is made of Aluminum. This is so popular due the fact of its low prices and quick heating.
There are 3 types of Aluminum cookware:
-Pressed: This is the cheapest but is also the quickest to be tossed way after some uses because of wear.
-Cast: This one is thicker and more porous than pressed but is able to retain heat better.
-Anodized: These are the best types of Aluminum cookware, but also the most expensive. They are made through a process of electro-chemical and are scratch resistant and non-stick.
Stainless Steel Cons
The main problem with stainless cookware is that it is a bad conductor of heat and does not spread the heat evenly. This is bad because we need heat to cook and that s why most of the quality stainless cookware have Aluminum or copper placed between the layers to conduct heat better. Using these metal allows people to cook efficiently with any stainless steel cookware.
One other disadvantage s that tends to discolor over high heat and its surface may pit with prolonged exposure to a salty environment.
Aluminum cons
The main problem with Aluminum is that reacts with some types of foods, especially with those with alkaline of acidic components. For example, do not cook tomato sauce in an Aluminum pot because Aluminum particles might be leached into the food.

Another con is that some people believe that using the Aluminum cause Alzheimer's disease. The FDA as well most scientists believe that there is not threat, but if you are one of those that follow the "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure", then you should use stainless steel cookware.
How to Decide?
Choosing between Aluminum or stainless cookware it s all about the costs, quality and your cooking needs. For those who don t have much money, then Aluminum is great for you. On the other hand, if you got the money and are looking for quality cookware, you will find it in the stainless steel cookware. Cleaning is a fairly simple process, whatever you choose the Aluminum or stainless steel. They both can be washed with liquid detergent or be put in the dishwasher.

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