Tag: pressure cooker

If you’re trying to make a big batch of fried chicken or shrimp tempura, you know the process takes ages. Frying requires time and patience, and you need to do it in batches. 

If you’ve been looking for a shortcut, you may have asked: can you fry in a pressure cooker?

The idea is super tempting, especially when considering the speed at which you could fry things. But before you dump in 3 cups of oil into your pressure cooker, give this article a read first.

Using a Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are a little intimidating, but are easy to use once you get used to it. They cook things at high temperatures under high pressure. 

This combination speeds up the cooking process which makes it a great choice when cooking things that take a long time to boil or steam.

As a result, they are perfect for making beef stock, rich and heavy broths, as well as cooking dried beans, lentils, and chickpeas. Because you can broil, steam, and boil things, this leads to the question: can you deep fry in a pressure cooker?

The short answer is no. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t fry things in a pressure cooker at all. So, frying chicken in a pressure cooker is a bad idea if you want to recreate a KFC bucket.

However, you can absolutely shallow fry or sauté things in a pressure cooker using a small amount of oil. So, can you fry in an instant pot? Yes, as long as you don’t deep fry things in lots of oil or clarified butter.

Using an instant pot as a deep fryer simply wouldn’t work because an instant pot can’t reach the high temperature (350F-375F) needed for deep frying.

Deep Frying in a Pressure Cooker

As we mentioned, pressure cookers cook things under high pressure. If we combine the 375F temperature needed to deep fry things with the 30-psi pressure, it becomes clear why it is so dangerous.

Deep frying in a regular pot at such a high temperature is scary enough ─ imagine boiling oil under high pressure! The cooker becomes a disaster just waiting to explode.

As a result, you should never deep-fry things in a pressure cooker. So, can you put oil in a pressure cooker at all? Sauteing and shallow frying is alright, and you can add up to a quarter cup of oil in your cooker without any danger.

What is Pressure Frying?

Pressure frying is a cooking method that creates delicious food by using high-pressure cookers to fry meat and vegetables.

It’s most known for its use in making fried chicken, but other dishes such as french fries or tempura batter can also be made with this technique!

Deep Frying Under Pressure

As it turns out, you can deep fry things in pressurized conditions. In fact, KFC pressure cooker fried chicken is made this way. To do so, one will need a pressure fryer that can deep fry things under pressure more safely.

This kind of cooking has certain benefits. It saves on both cooking time and oil. At the same time, it leaves the chicken crispy without drying it out, so the interior is soft and juicy.

Frying chicken in a pressure fryer is known as broasting and, and these cookers are known as broasters in many places. Broasted chicken is very popular in parts of the Middle East and South Asia, due to the crisp exterior and melt-in-your-mouth meat.

But how to make broasted chicken in a pressure cooker? Just invest in a pressure fryer. It is safer and will make your favorite fried chicken a tad bit healthier.

Instant Pot Frying chicken Recipe

If you’re running short on time and still want to enjoy fried chicken, this recipe can serve you well.

Recipe Nutritional Facts

Total chicken weight	500 grams
Protein	55 grams
Fat	8 grams
Vitamins	A, B, D
Calories	850 Kcal

Ingredient:

• 600 g chicken (drumstick form)
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• ½ cup of corn flour
• ½ tablespoon turmeric powder
• 1.5 tablespoons mixed herbs (powdered)
• ½ tablespoon paprika
• 1/8 tablespoon food color
• 2 egg whites
• 1 tablespoon ginger (powdered)
• 1 tablespoon pepper powder
• Salt as per taste
• 3 tablespoons yogurt
• 8 tablespoons cooking oil

Procedure:

Step 1- wash the chicken

Wash the entire 600 g of chicken and drain off the water. If you’re not a fan of chicken drumsticks, you can also go with chicken thighs.

Step 2- coat the chicken on all sides

Place the chicken in a mixing bowl. Add herb powders, red chili powder, turmeric, paprika, ginger powder, and yogurt to the chicken and mix it well. Marinate the mixture in the refrigerator for four hours.

Step 3- get the eggs ready

In a pot, add two eggs and beat them well.

Step 4- mix corn flour and all-purpose flour

Mix corn flour, all-purpose flour, pepper, food color, and paprika in a separate bowl.

Step 5- coat the chicken:

Remove the chicken from the refrigerator and dip it in the bowl of beaten eggs. Then, coat it with the flour mixture from the other bowl. Ensure an even but thick on all sides.

Repeat the coating process if desired.

Step 6- prepare the pressure cooker

Add 8 tablespoons of cooking oil to the pressure cooker and heat it. Check the temperature of oil using a food thermometer. Once it reachesIf it is 375°F, move to the next step.

Step 7- dip the chicken pieces

Once the temperature is perfect, place the chicken pieces in oil and close the pressure cooker lid.

Step 8- leave it for eight minutes

After eight minutes, remove a chicken piece and create an incision in the thickest part to check the color of the meat. If it is white, it is well cooked. If you notice any pink tinge, cook the chicken longer.

Another way is to insert the food thermometer in the deepest part of the chicken piece. If the temperature is upwards of 165°F (73°C), it is well cooked. Repeat this process at 2 to 3 spots in the piece; if the temperature is higher than the threshold in all areas, the chicken is well cooked.

Step 9- extract the chicken and garnish it:

Once the pieces are well cooked, remove them from the pressure cooker and garnish with green chili, spring onion, and thyme.

Why is this recipe such a good choice?

This recipe is such a good choice because it requires just 8 minutes of cooking time, and the probability of the chicken pieces getting cooked evenly is pretty high.

In Short

To make a long story short, the answer to ‘Can you fry in a pressure cooker?’ is no. Deep frying in a pressure cooker is a bad idea because it is dangerous and prone to causing explosions. Instead, it is better to stick to traditional methods like deep frying in a Dutch oven or wok.

But if you want to deep fry large amounts of food quickly in a restaurant, it is best to use a pressure fryer. Whichever method you choose, you will end up with a crisp, delicate piece of fried chicken that you won’t be able to get away from!

FAQs

Here you will find answers to questions people have about deep frying and pressure cookers.

Want to know a little secret?

I’ve always been rather terrified of pressure cookers. My mom was always wary of them, and we had both heard stories of injuries sustained from exploding pressure cookers. Because of this, I preferred to cook the old-fashioned way, even though it meant a much longer cook time.

But since moving out, I’ve had little time to indulge in cooking. Gone are the days when I could spend an hour boiling dried beans on the stovetop. So, I got myself a Fagor pressure cooker and tried to get over my fears.

As I unpacked my new Fagor appliance, I asked myself: How to use Fagor pressure cooker? I had to go through a lot of trial and error when getting the hang of using a pressure cooker, but you don’t have to!

Instead, this set of a comprehensive set of Fagor pressure cooker directions will have you cooking like you’ve used pressure cookers all your life.

What is a Fagor Pressure Cooker?

Fagor is a manufacturer of home appliances, specializing in kitchen and laundry goods. Their most popular products are their range of pressure cookers. But Fagor gets its specialty because their pressure cookers are different from conventional ones.

How so? For starters, they have a slightly different construction. Fagor pressure cookers are made of 18/10 steel, which allows for meat and vegetables to be directly browned in the cooker. 

As a result, stews and curries will be much more flavorful as the browning produces a richer taste.

However, the main difference between Fagor and older cookers is the safety feature. Fagor pressure cookers are much safer when compared to older models of pressure cookers, so they have fewer chances of exploding in your face.

These cookers have a lock button and a pressure indicator. The pressure will not build up in the cooker unless the lock button is pressed down, preventing any accidents. 

Moreover, the pressure indicator will show you that the pot is under pressure and ensures that the food is cooked through.

Different Types of Fagor Pressure Cookers

As mentioned before, Fagor has different kinds of pressure cookers, with slightly different functions. Each cooker is designed to suit different cooking needs.

For instance, the Fagor stovetop pressure cooker like the Innova Pressure Cooker can be used on gas, electric, and induction cooktops. Meanwhile, a Fagor Electric Pressure Cooker needs to be plugged in for it to cook.

On the other hand, the Fagor Rapid Express pressure cooker is a stovetop cooker that can cook up to 8 quarts of food in no time at all. The Fagor Splendid pressure cooker has a 6-quart capacity and 15 PSI. Fagor pressure cooker settings can also vary from model to model.

The Fagor pressure cooker cooking times are pretty much consistent regardless of device. They are also similar to those of more conventional pressure cookers. 

How to Use a Fagor Pressure Cooker

Now let’s dive straight into the meat of the matter. Fagor pressure cooker instructions usually come in a manual with the cooker itself. But in case you tossed out yours, or you’ve inherited a second-hand pressure cooker, this section is for.

Here’s how you should use your pressure cooker safely for the best results:

1. Check your pressure cooker gasket for cracks or breaks. Ensure that the gasket is flexible and properly set in the lid. Examine the lid and pressure valves to make sure they are clean and free from food residue.

2. Put the food into the pressure cooker. Remember to adapt recipes for cooking in the pressure cooker as the cooking time is reduced to 1/3 of the original cooking time. Brown meats and vegetables in the cooker if directed in the recipe.

3. Don’t go beyond filling the cooker over 2/3 full. Foods that expand like rice and soups, stews, and stocks shouldn’t surpass 1/2 the volume of the cooker.

4. Add the liquid as this is what produces the steam. Use at least 1/2 cup of liquid for cooking times of 10 minutes or less. 
   
   Two cups of liquid are required for cooking times over 10 minutes. Water, broth, stock wine, and even juice can be used.

5. Cover with the lid. The mark on the lid should be parallel with the mark on the top of the pot. Press the lid down gently and rotate the lid handle to align the pot and lid handles.

6. Press the pressure-lock button to lock the lid and allow the pressure to build and turn on the heat.

7. Select the pressure level suggested by your recipe. Heat the cooker over high heat if using a stovetop cooker until the pressure indicator button rises, showing that the cooker is at the recommended pressure level.

8. Reduce the heat and time the recipe. Maintain the heat so that a gentle, steady stream of steam is released.

9. Remove the pressure cooker from the heat once cooking is finished. Reduce the pressure by turning the steam release valve to slowly release the pressure.

10. Knowing how to open a Fagor pressure cooker may be the most important part. Remove the lid when the pressure has been lowered and the pressure indicator button shows that the pressure is down.

11. The lock will then release so that the cooker can be opened. Open the lid facing away from you to prevent getting burned by escaping steam.

How to Lock Fagor Pressure Cooker

Locking your pressure may be the most important part of cooking, as this prevents your pressure cooking from blowing up in your face.

Set the lid of your cooker. The mark on the lid should be aligned with the mark on the top of the pot. 

Press the lid down and rotate the lid handle until the pot and lid handles are parallel to each other. Press the yellow pressure-lock button to lock the lid and this will let the pressure build-up.

You can find out how to use your pressure cooker here.

How to Clean Your Fagor Pressure Cooker

Cleaning and maintaining your pressure cooker after each use ensures that it works well and lasts longer without any hiccups. Here’s how you should go about doing it.

1. Unplug your pressure cooker and let it cool down if you just cooked in it.

2. Take out the lid and interior pot. Set them in the sink for the time being and let them soak in some warm water if needed.

3. Clean the exterior of your pressure cooker. Do not ever dunk your pressure cooker in the water. Use a mild soap and dishcloth to get rid of the grime and crumbs on the outside of the cooker.

4. Hand wash the lid and its components with dish soap and a sponge.

5. Remove the steam-release handle and check for food particles. You can use a damp dishcloth or sponge to get rid of oil and crumbs.

6. Next, remove the anti-block shield. Remove this from the underside of the lid to wipe the steam valve clean.

7. Take out the float valve and silicone ring. Wipe both pieces down with a damp cloth sprayed with diluted vinegar solution.

8. Let all these parts dry. You can pat everything down with a microfiber cloth or take the time to air dry these parts.

9. Clean the sealing ring. This is what seals the lid closed and should be cleaned frequently to remove any lingering smells and then left to air dry.

10. Wash the inner pot and steam rack. It is best to wash by hand unless specified by the manufacturer to be dishwasher safe.

11. Once everything is dried completely, reassemble the pressure cooker and use it as needed.

You may also like: How to clean electric kettle with vinegar

Frequently Asked Questions 

Below you’ll find answers to questions we get asked the most about using the Fagor pressure cooker.

01. Is Fagor a Good Brand?

For most home cooks, Fagor is a good and reliable brand that makes a range of pressure cookers. They are particularly favorable because you can get electric and stove top options.

02. Are Fagor and Zavor the Same?

Fagor and Zavor are two different entities and do not have any affiliation with each other.

03. How to Cook Rice in a Fagor Pressure Cooker?

Add the water and rice to the pressure cooker, set it to 15 PSI, and let it cook for 5-12 minutes depending on the kind of rice used, as brown rice takes longer to cook.

04. How to Use Fagor Pressure Cooker Steamer Basket?

Let the water boil for 10 minutes before you add the basket with the food inside and close the cover. Wait the time mentioned in your recipe for your food to get steamed.

In Brief

Knowing how to use Fagor pressure cooker appliances can significantly cut down the time you spend in the kitchen. As we’ve established before, Fagor pressure cookers are much safer than you’d expect pressure cookers to be, so even beginners can use them without fear. 

So, what’s stopping you from upping your meal prep game with one of these?