Pressure cooker vs. micro-pressure cooker: comparison and choice of cooking tools

Overview of pressure cookers and micro pressure cookers

Both pressure cookers and micro pressure cookers occupy an important place in the modern kitchen. As a traditional kitchen tool, pressure cookers greatly speed up the efficiency of stewing food by applying pressure to the water so that it reaches a higher temperature without boiling. In high altitude areas, the use of pressure cookers can avoid the problem of water boiling point is lowered and not easy to cook food, in cooking pressure cooker plays an irreplaceable role. For example, cooking beans, meat and other foods in a pressure cooker can significantly reduce the cooking time. The advantage of pressure cookers is that they save time and energy, but the disadvantage is that they can explode and cause injuries if they are not operated correctly or if they are defective.

The micro-pressure cooker is a new cookware in these years, the product range is rich and diverse, there are micro-pressure rice cooker, micro-pressure frying pan and so on. The working pressure of micro-pressure cooker is generally lower than 1.2 atmospheres, and under this pressure, it is easier to cook food than ordinary pots and pans. Its structure is relatively simple, equivalent to a better sealed ordinary pots and pans, and the lid can be opened at any time during use without the risk of explosion. For example, during the cooking process, you can check the status of the food at any time and add seasonings or ingredients as needed, which is very convenient. It is characterised by being faster than a normal pan, but does not create a sense of danger during use and even allows you to open the lid during use.

Both pressure cookers and micro pressure cookers have brought great convenience to people’s kitchen life, and they each have unique advantages and applicable scenarios to meet the needs of different consumers. Next, we will deeply compare the characteristics of these two kinds of cookware.

Features of the pressure cooker

1.Working Principle

Pressure cooker is the use of enhanced air pressure to raise the boiling point of water made of the principle of the boiling point of water affected by air pressure, the higher the boiling point of air pressure is also higher. Under normal circumstances, a standard atmospheric pressure water boiling point of 100 ℃, and the pressure cooker can be quite close to the water closed up, water evaporation produced by the heat of water vapour can not be diffused into the air, can only be retained in the pressure cooker, so that the pressure cooker inside the pressure is higher than 1 atmospheric pressure, the water to be higher than 100 ℃ before boiling. In this way, the pressure cooker inside the formation of high temperature and high pressure environment, the boiling point of water can be raised to about 120 ℃, the water temperature increases, you can cook the food in a relatively short period of time. Of course, the pressure inside the pressure cooker will not be unlimited, otherwise it will become a bomb.

2.Advantages

Pressure cookers have many advantages. First of all, save time and energy, pressure cooker by increasing pressure in a closed container, can be adjusted to the boiling point of water to shorten the cooking time, some of the more difficult to cook the physical objects such as beans to keep pressure on about 20 minutes can be cooked and achieve a very good taste, to do the rice time is even shorter, 10 minutes or so can be done. At the same time, due to the significant reduction in cooking time, pressure cookers can save a lot of gas or electricity, which is beneficial to household expenses and in line with the concept of environmental protection.Secondly, it better preserves the nutrient content of the ingredients, and in the case of meat, it helps to protect unsaturated fatty acids and reduce fat oxidation and the production of harmful substances such as oxidised polymers. Its versatility makes it a versatile cooker in the home kitchen.

3. Disadvantages

Pressure cookers also have disadvantages, the use of traditional pressure cookers requires a certain degree of skill and experience, improper use may lead to excessive pressure, there are certain safety hazards. Another is that the cooking process needs to manually monitor the fire and time, a little lack of attention may lead to overcooked or burnt food, which is a challenge for cooks and busy housewives.

4. Precautions for use

There are a number of safety precautions to take when using a pressure cooker. Firstly, make sure that you are using a qualified product purchased through regular channels (e.g. large supermarkets, e-commerce platforms). Before use, check whether the vent is smooth, you can blow or look at the light, check whether the safety valve is intact, to ensure safety. Do not overfill the pot with food, meat should not be more than 3/4 of the pot volume, rice should not be more than 2/3, porridge should not be more than 1/3, beans, seaweed and other foods that tend to expand should not be more than 1/2. Make sure to add water to the pot, do not boil it empty or dry. Make sure the handle of the lid and the handle of the pot are completely overlapped before heating. Do not remove the pressure limiting valve or open the lid violently in the middle of heating, wait until the heating is finished, the pan has cooled down and all the steam has been removed before opening the lid. Do not put rags or other things on top of the pressure limiting valve, not to mention blocking the exhaust outlet. If there is a sharp hissing sound during the heating process, stop the power or cease fire immediately, wait for the pot to cool down, and then check the exhaust. Do not soak the rubber ring in grease for a long time after use, so as not to damage the rubber ring and affect the airtightness. Prohibit unauthorised pressure: the size of the pressure in the pot is a strict technical parameters, ignoring this scientific design, it is the same as using their own lives to joke. Private dismantling, change the original structure of the goods design caused by the pot burst the serious consequences of human injury, the manufacturer is not responsible for, do not operate recklessly.

Features of Micro Pressure Cooker

1.Working Principle

A micro-pressure cooker is a cooking device that uses high pressure and low temperature to cook food. It works by applying high pressure in an airtight container and low temperatures to make food cook faster while retaining the nutrients of the ingredients. The pressure is lower than that of a pressure cooker, with a typical micro pressure cooker operating at around 40 – 70 kPa (5.8 – 10 PSI), but is still higher than atmospheric pressure, allowing temperatures inside the cooker to reach over 100°C. The pressure of a micro pressure cooker is lower than that of a pressure cooker. At this pressure, it is easier to cook food than with a normal cooker.

2. Advantages

There are a number of advantages to the Micro Pressure Cooker. Firstly, unlike pressure cookers where you have to wait until the pressure is released to open the lid, you can open the lid at any time during the process of using the micro-pressure cooker to check the status of the food and add seasonings or ingredients as needed, which is more flexible and convenient. For example, when making stewed pork ribs with radish, you can add the ingredients in batches, which can better balance the time and avoid the situation that the meat is hard to chew or the radish is stewed. Also because of the feature of opening the lid at any time, there is no danger of explosion compared to the pressure cooker, which greatly reduces the safety hazards in our cooking process. Secondly, the micro-pressure cooker adopts efficient heat conduction technology, which can complete the cooking task in a relatively short period of time. Compared with the traditional ordinary pots and pans, the micro-pressure cooker has a shorter cooking time, which makes the cooking faster and more convenient. Furthermore, micro pressure cookers are easy to operate. Modern micro pressure cookers are usually equipped with a digital control panel, and the preset cooking modes make the operation incredibly simple, so that even people with poor cooking skills can easily get started. Finally, the design of the micro-pressure cooker enables the ingredients to maintain more nutrients during the cooking process, effectively preserving the fresh taste of the ingredients and making the food more delicious.

3. Disadvantages

There are also some disadvantages of the Micro Pressure Cooker. Firstly, micro pressure cooker adopts advanced technology, the price is relatively high, which may be a bit expensive for some families, generally the price of micro pressure cooker ranges from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, which is not affordable for all families. Secondly, the capacity of a micro-pressure cooker is usually relatively small, which is not suitable for large batch cooking. It can only cook one or two servings of food, and if you need to cook a large amount of food, you will need to operate it several times. Its scope of application is also relatively narrow, some of the capacity of the pressure cooker is only suitable for cooking simple food such as soup, porridge, rice, noodles, etc. Some special cooking needs or ingredients need to be realized using other cooking appliances or methods. Furthermore, the construction of micro pressure cooker is more complicated, and it is more troublesome to clean and maintain, so you need to pay special attention to the cleaning and maintenance of different parts. Finally, the material and manufacturing process of some micro pressure cookers are not sophisticated enough, which may pose safety hazards and require special attention.

4.Applicable Scenarios

Pressure cookers are suitable for a variety of cooking scenarios. For people who are busy with work and pursue a convenient life, micro pressure cooker is the ideal choice. In the busy modern life, people can use the Micro Pressure Cooker to make a delicious meal quickly. For example, with a large capacity of about 3.5L, the Micro Pressure Cooker can satisfy a family’s gourmet needs, and even simmer chicken, duck, and pig’s feet, which are usually difficult to simmer, for a softer and more tender meal. Although the capacity of the micro-pressure cooker is smaller than other pots, it is enough for single or two people. At the same time, the Micro Pressure Cooker is suitable for boiling, simmering, stewing, boiling and other cooking methods, which is very practical for people who like to try different cooking methods.

Comparison of pressure cooker and micro pressure cooker

1. Pressure Differences

Micro-pressure cooker pressure is usually around 40 – 70 kPa (5.8 – 10PSI), less than 1.2 atmospheres, equivalent to the weight of 100g (about 2 slices of toast) on the nail cover; while the pressure cooker’s working pressure is relatively high, usually around 70 – 90 kPa (10 – 13PSI), can produce 170KPa, 180KPA, 190KPa high pressure, which is equivalent to 800g weight (about 2 slices of mineral water) on the nail cover. It can generate a high pressure of 170KPa, 180KPA, 190KPa, which is equivalent to the pressure of 800g of weight (about 2 bottles of mineral water) on a fingernail cap. Pressure cookers have higher pressure and can cook food faster.

2. Cooking Time Difference

Cooking time varies depending on the pressure. As pressure cookers have higher pressure, they can usually finish the cooking task faster. For example, for some beans that are difficult to cook, a pressure cooker can cook them in about 20 minutes and achieve a good taste, while a micro pressure cooker takes longer, usually more than 1 – 2 hours.

3. Difference in safety performance

Pressure cooker because of the high working pressure, the structure is more complex, so the design will pay special attention to the safety features, including safety valves, pressure indicators, etc., to ensure the safety of use. But improper use or poor maintenance may bring potential safety hazards, in the use of the process can not open the lid, you need to wait until the air pressure drops to open, otherwise the pressure inside the pot is too high, there will be a risk of explosion. Micro-pressure pot structure is relatively simple, the working pressure is relatively low, higher safety, the use of the process can be opened at any time to open the lid, there will be no over-pressure explosion safety hazards.

4. Difference in practical use

Because of its efficient cooking performance, pressure cooker is especially suitable for cooking food that needs to be stewed for a long time, such as beans, meat, etc., as well as in the plateau of the region with low air pressure. The micro pressure cooker, on the other hand, is suitable for everyday cooking and can produce tasty dishes quickly, but may not be as suitable as the pressure cooker for handling some very tough ingredients. It is suitable for boiling, simmering, stewing, boiling and other cooking methods, and can also meet different people’s taste needs, for example, when making stewed pork ribs with radish, you can add the ingredients in batches to get a better balance of time.

Suggestions for selection

Considering from the aspect of living habits, if you are in the habit of pursuing efficient and quick cooking, often need to deal with foods that are difficult to cook, such as beans, meat, etc., or live in areas with low air pressure in the highlands, then a pressure cooker may be a more suitable choice. Pressure cookers are able to cook food in a shorter period of time, saving time and energy. At the same time, if you have a high demand for softness in the food you cook, a pressure cooker can also meet this demand. However, if you have more free time, pursue exquisite cooking, want to be able to check the status of your food and add seasonings at any time, and have certain requirements for retaining the nutrients of your food, then a micro pressure cooker may be more suitable for you. Moreover, for those who pursue diversified cooking methods and like to try different methods such as boiling, simmering, stewing and boiling, micro pressure cookers are more widely applicable.

Considering in terms of family needs, if you have a large family and often need to cook a large amount of food at one time, a pressure cooker may be better suited to meet the needs. However, if the family size is small and pursues delicate cooking, a micro pressure cooker is a good choice. Meanwhile, if there are elderly or children in the family members who require higher safety performance, the feature of micro pressure cooker that the lid can be opened at any time will be safer.

In terms of budget, micro pressure cookers are relatively expensive, especially some high-end models with multiple functions and preset menus. If you’re on a budget, a pressure cooker may be a more affordable option. However, it should be noted that although pressure cookers are relatively low-priced, it is important to choose qualified products from regular channels when purchasing them to ensure safety in use.

In conclusion

choosing a pressure cooker or a micro pressure cooker requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as personal habits, family needs and budget. Before making a decision, you can refer to product reviews and user feedback, you can also go to the physical shop to actually experience the use of the two kinds of pots and pans, in order to choose the most suitable for their own kitchen tools.

In terms of my personal experience with pressure cookers, I recommend that you choose the Liantong pressure cooker, the pressure cooker is made of high-quality food-grade stainless steel, selected three-layer composite base material, the bottom of the pot of the polygonal ring also makes the heat conduction more uniform.

There are multiple safety protection designs such as pressure limiting valve, regulating valve, anti-blocking cover, safety valve, alarm valve, pressure relief window and silicone ring, and it also has user-friendly non-slip, anti-scald and heat-insulating safety handle. Unicom’s pressure regulator pressure cooker pot there are many new features, such as the new heating function, heat can be extended to the centre of the two walls back down, high-pressure heat can be circulated so that the meat is more tender taste better; secondly, there are pressure multi-position prompting function, there is a scientifically designed pressure prompting valve, real-time monitoring of the pressure in the pot, safe and no leakage. He also has a new lid type explosion-proof pressure cooker, stainless steel elastic beam design, effectively preventing the phenomenon of frying, and ergonomically designed anti-scald handle, machine user-friendly, anti-scald anti-slip and portable, extra-thick thickening of the bottom of the pot also makes the food heat conduction more uniform, sealing performance is very good, so that the pot is more safe and durable overall convenience. And his stainless steel pressure cooker size rich, 2L-16L various specifications complete, you can choose the right size according to their own family situation, but also inexpensive and very cost-effective, is now my right-hand man when cooking.