Why are Pressure Cookers Recommended for Cooking at High Altitude?
We know how a pressure cooker can help us save time voice cooking. It is a perfect appliance for every kitchen and is safe to use. A pressure cooker allows you to prepare different types of food items. It is great for people living in high altitudes and can cook food faster and better. We shall now explain the theory that makes a pressure cooker perfect for high altitudes.
How Does a Pressure Cooker Work?
A pressure cooker can cook food quickly as it helps to retain moisture. The overall construction of the pressure cooker makes the pressure build so that it cannot escape. It comes with a rubber gasket that can create an airtight seal. This makes it reduce the cooking time and provide you with evenly cooked food. Not only this, it includes a valve that can relieve the excess pressure. This makes it increase food safety and let you have flavorful food.
Pressure Cooking and High Altitudes
Firstly we need to understand the relationship between high altitude and pressure cooking. In high altitudes, there is less atmospheric pressure and less oxygen. This can result in the slow cooking of food. The dry air makes the evaporation of moisture quickly which leads to the slow cooking of food. This is one of the reasons that a pressure cooker can be great for higher altitudes.
The Boiling Point Factor
Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit when it is at sea level. However, at high altitudes, it can descend drastically. The lower temperature lever affects the boiling time of water. This can also be since in high altitudes there is less heat. This makes it difficult to kill bacteria by boiling alone, and a pressure cooker can be very helpful. Cooking time drastically depends upon the level of high altitude. The boiling temperature of water decreases by almost 1% every 500 feet.
Pressure Cooker for High Altitudes
When you use a pressure cooker at a higher altitude, you can save energy and time. It can drastically reduce the cooking time when compared to traditional methods. This primarily happens as it can retain moisture so that there will be perfectly cooked tasty. Pressure cooking technology will also allow you to adjust the cooking time irrespective of the sea level. You can have a tender and moist food that can be perfect for your health.
How to Pressure Cook in High Altitudes?
You should know that you will have to adjust the cooking time at a high altitude. For every 300 meters, it must be increased by 5% approximately. It makes sure there will be a perfect balance between the ambient and the interior pressure. By increasing the cooking time, there will be absolute pressure on the interior. Also, the material of the pressure cooker has to be thin that helps to increase the cooking temperature quickly. This can also benefit from conserving fuel. A pressure cooker can be a lifesaver when you are in higher altitudes. This makes it great for camping and other adventurous trips.
