Pressured to Save

In the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, anyone on a fixed income is already doing what they can to tighten their belts, and this includes superannuitants. Sometimes, however, spending more can actually result in greater savings. Which is why, starting at around $50-70 for a smaller capacity pot, an energy-saving pressure cooker can be a worthwhile purchase.

Pressure cooker penny-saving

If you were raised in a budget-conscious household where your family owned and used a pressure cooker, please don’t stop reading – because your experience of these early models is most unlikely to be similar to what you would encounter with a modern pressure cooker, today. Pressure cookers of the 1950s were synonymous with stress and panic – and for good reason. These early models lacked the safety features modern pressure cookers have, and were well known for ‘exploding,’ often with a risk of injury to the user. Pressure cookers, today, come with multiple safety features. Unless there is a fault with the cooker (and faults can occur with any appliance), or they are not used according to instructions, they are designed to be safe to use. And worth doing so for a number of reasons, especially if you want to cut electricity costs.

Pressure cookers, today, are either stove-top or plug-in. Plug-in models are sold under a number of trade-names. Whatever model you use, a pressure cooker will cook your food in around a third of the time, use less water (which means fewer nutrients and flavours are lost to the cooking liquid), and ensure your food is tender while still remaining intact. As an example, chick peas, beans, and lentils, are more reminiscent of canned pulses than those you might cook through boiling. Meats from a pressure cooker will be more tender and ‘pull apart’ than those you might braise or casserole.

If you’re still feeling apprehensive about using a pressure cooker, bear in mind your mum’s pressure cooker of the 1950s did not come equipped with the modern safety features present in most of today’s models. These include vents or plugs to release excess pressure, and expanding rubber gaskets and lid locks which prevent users from removing or unlocking the lid while the cooker is still under pressure.

To further ensure your safety when using a pressure cooker, always study the instructions thoroughly. If you want to do this before you purchase a model, go online (with the make and model number at your fingertips), and search for the instructions manual so you can read it at your leisure. Also search the internet for first-hand reviews from users. If you do purchase a pressure cooker, be sure to follow instructions for keeping it clean and well-maintained (this ensures pressure vents don’t become blocked with food, and seals are in sound working condition. Use oven mitts when handling the hot pressure cooker, never over-fill your cooker, and stick with recommended recipes.

Using a pressure cooker may at first feel unnerving, especially if your early years exposed you to a parent who didn’t enjoy the same safety features pressure cookers have today. However, those who now employ these energy-efficient cookers seldom return to using their regular saucepans. Instead, they go on to find new and exciting recipes to use with a cooker that is providing savings, as well as delicious meals, every time they use it!

Top-tips:

• For even greater pressure cooker savings, as well as convenience, batch cook food, then divide into portions, and pop these into containers to freeze for future use.
• A pressure cooker won’t brown your foods. If you want to brown the likes of onions or meats, do so in a pan before adding the foods to your pressure cooker.
• Once your pressure cooker has reached the correct pressure (see the cooker’s instructions for details) it can be turned down to a minimum temperature. Always be sure to do this as it creates even greater energy savings.