Boiling as a method of cooking makes the pressure cooker a must have in the kitchen. All you need is some water and voila! The pressure cooker takes care of the rest. However, more advanced cookers are in sale these days providing added features such as steam, delay cooking time and keep warm functions.

Despite these added features, the pressure cookers make use of the same basic principles – increasing the pressure in the cookers increases the boiling point of water allowing the food to cook at a higher temperature before boiling.

Operating a pressure cooker can be tricky and it is very important to read the instruction manual thoroughly before attempting to use it in any way. This is basically because pressure cookers cook food at very high temperatures and one can quite easily burn themselves if they use it the wrong way.

When shopping for a cooker, there some basic features you may want to check for such as frequency of use, your prowess and of course, your budget. The first thing you will want to check before making a purchase is the size of the pot. If you’re more of a family person you may want a large pressure cooker but keep in mind that the standard size is usually 6-quart.

Next, you should check if the cooker has a pressure regulator and safety valve. Different recipes require different temperatures. You therefore want a cooker that can allow you the flexibility to regulate the temperature using a regulator which automatically vents the steam through the valve thereby controlling its temperature.

Finally, also check for a pressure cooker that has heat resistant handles (some cookers come without them), a stainless steel bottom (for preparatory sautéing) and a lid that is easy to manoeuvre. Also check if there added accessories that come with the cooker they may make work easier for you as you prepare for your recipe.