What to look for in a pressure cooker
Pressure cookers have now become an essential item in the Indian kitchen. On this page we explain some important things to know about pressure cookers and what the advantages of using pressure cooker are.
What to know about pressure cookers, pressure cooker guide
Now in India we have started seeing new types of pressure cookers which are explained on our pages about Electric Pressure Cooker and Microwave Pressure cooker
There are hundreds of models to select from in India. We are providing some tips on how to buy pressure cookers and also choose what we think are the best pressure cookers in India.
Why is pressure cooker better for cooking, advantages of using pressure cookers
The main advantages of using pressure cookers for everyday cooking are faster cooking and less gas consumption. Why the pressure cooks fast is because when the pressure inside a pressure cooker goes up the boiling point of water also increases. Most pressure cookers in India operate at a pressure of 1 Kg/cm2 or about 15 psi. At this pressure, the boiling point temperature of the water is slightly over 120°C. Foods cook faster at higher temperatures and hence cooking in a pressure cooker is faster and foods cooked in a pressure cooker is more soft and tender.
History of pressure cookers in India
The first pressure cooker in India was made by Hawkins India in 1957 with technical collaboration with L.G. Hawkins & Co. Ltd of UK. Two years later, in 1959, TTK Prestige India made pressure cookers in India with the technical cooperation of the Prestige Group, U.K.
Prestige vs Hawkins pressure cooker
Many ask the question “which pressure cooker is best Prestige or Hawkins ?” to which we answer that both are perfect pressure cookers, tried and tested to Indian cooking conditions over many years. So there is no reason to compare Prestige vs Hawkins pressure cooker, both are equally good. Hawkins started with pressure cookers having inner lids and Prestige with outer lid pressure cookers. Now both Hawkins and Prestige make the inside and outside lid design pressure cookers.
Types of pressure cooker in India
The two most common types of pressure cookers in India are pressure cookers with inside lid and pressure cookers with outside lid. These two types of pressure cookers have been in India for almost 60 years, and everyone is familiar with them. Now there are newer types of pressure cookers available in India. These newer latest models of pressure cookers available in India are the electric pressure cooker and the microwave pressure cooker. You can see full details of these latest pressure cookers on our page on Electric Pressure Cooker and Microwave Pressure cooker
Indian pressure cooker sizes
The smallest pressure cooker available in India now is of 1-litre capacity, and the biggest size pressure cooker in India is 12 litres. Various other Indian pressure cooker sizes are available between 1 and 12 litres at almost half a liter apart. There are also pressure cookers meant for commercial use which go up to 20 or more litres. Thus home pressure cooker size in litres in India is 1.5 Liter, 2 litres, 2.5 litres and so on till the size reaches 6.5 litres. After the 6.5 liter size, common pressure cooker sizes in India are 8, 10 and 12 liters.
Best size pressure cooker to buy in India
The 2, 3 and 5 litres are the most popular sizes of pressure cookers in India. When selecting the capacity of a pressure cooker, always bear in mind that you should not fill a pressure cooker more than ⅔ full. This is because when the content in the pressure cooker boils, it produces froth or foam bubbles on top of the liquid inside. This froth can get into the small hole of the weight of the pressure cooker and block it. This will lead to high pressure, and the safety valve of the pressure cooker could blow off. When a safety valve blows out, it usually leaves a mess in the kitchen with the contents of the pressure cooker going like a high-pressure fountain all over the kitchen.
What size pressure cooker to buy
For an approximate pressure cooker size guide, you can use 0.5 litres capacity required per person. The recommended minimum capacity of a pressure cooker is 2 litres. Better to buy a bigger pressure cooker, because you can always cook smaller quantities in a larger pressure cooker, but you cannot use more than ⅔ full in a smaller pressure cooker. A bigger pressure cooker may need slightly more cooking time, but it will be negligible.
Advantages of buying pressure cooker online in India
There are several advantages to buy pressure cookers online in India. First of all, you can see almost all model pressure cookers available in India and see their prices. This is the link to India’s biggest online retailer Amazon India. If you buy from Amazon, you have the option of easy return for refund or exchange in case you are not satisfied with the product. Amazon always have unbelievable offers, and if you time your purchase well, you could get some super discount deals. You can also be assured that you are getting a genuine product and not a fake. These giant online retailers will not risk their reputation by supplying fake products.
To see a selection and prices of the best selling pressure cookers visit the best online store in India Amazon India
Advantage of Online buying of Home Appliances
Whatever Home Appliance you plan to buy, it is best to first do an online research about all available types and models on the leading online retailers in India, namely Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. The advantage of first doing an online research about products you plan to buy is that you get to see all the available models of the product and you get to compare prices online. After this you can go around to the showrooms and do window shopping.
You should then decide to buy from the cheapest and most reliable source. When buying online, you can be sure that you will not get fake products and you are assured of after sales service. This is because the giant on-line retailers arrange for delivery to your house directly through the manufacturers of the product. Due to the high volume of business from the big online retailers, all manufacturers will make sure that any delivery on behalf of the big online retailers are of the best quality and that after sales service is provided on a priority basis.
If ever you have any problems, then you can go back to these online retailers and complain. All of these big online sellers have a reputation to keep and they always make sure that all complaints are promptly solved.
Advantage of buying AC, Fridge, Washing Machine, etc. online
Buying online fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and other major kitchen appliances is now the better option in India, just like it is in the USA and other advanced countries. There are several advantages of buying online. First of all, you get unbeatable bargain prices. Secondly, you get new and genuine products. Other benefits include no interest EMI payments, able to return the product for a full refund if not satisfied, etc.
Just to give you an example, below are some of the benefits Amazon India, the leading global online retailer, offered in India during their last sale. The same deals are not always available, but it is a good idea to check this link to the special offers page on Amazon.in India website.
- 30 to 50% off on ACs, Fridges, Washing Machines, Microwaves, Small Appliances, Chimneys, etc.
- Up to Rs. 10,000- off in Exchange
- No cost 0% EMI
- 10% Cashback on CitiBank Cards
- 100% Genuine Products
- Pre-Scheduled Delivery and Installation
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