Cookers and Grills-Tips on Using Electric Cookers

Tips on Electric Pressure Cooker Recipes

Since, most recipes are written for use with pressure cookers, there's a tendency for food to be under or overcooked if you don't know how to use these cooking gadgets. Pressure cookery is preparation of food  by steam pressure in a heavy saucepan with an airtight lid and safety valve.

Today, there are a variety of pressure cookers in designs and sizes for large or small families. The modern, compact, streamlined saucepan is easy to handle and clean. Pressure cooking saves time and it is especially useful for foods which take a long time, such as beetroot or ham. When buying any type of pressure cooker always ask for a booklet of instructions and recipes which will help you to get the best results from your cooker. Furthermore, here are tips on how to use these electric gadgets:

•     Always use a boiling plate in preference to a grill boiler unless grill is in use or is hot from previous use.
•     Use broad-based utensils for speed which will cover the whole surface of the boiling plate.
•     Two or three pans, according to size, can be kept simmering on one plate. Specially shaped pans are available.
•     Use heavy type saucepans with ground-flat bases on the enclosed boiling plate.
•     Place the utensils on the boiling plate before switching on the heat.
•     Save electricity. the normal enclosed boiling plate will continue boiling operations for 10 minutes after switching off.
•     Watch the thermometer and the clock. Do not overheat the oven or cook at too high temperature.
•     Use an electric iron. It is not advisable to heat non-electric irons on a boiling plate.
•     Use electric kettle for boiling small quantities of water.

Electric Oven:

•     Arrange oven shelves according to the type of food to be cooked.
•     Switch on full heat.
•     Leave on full heat until required temperature is obtained.
•     Place food in oven and turn switch to low position for cooking. Do not leave switch at high for any length of time after the food is put into oven.
•     Watch the thermometer and the clock and do not open the oven door often.
•     Turn oven switch off for the last 20-30 minutes.
•     Fill oven to capacity when possible. A fully loaded oven should be given 50 degrees higher initial temperature to allow for the temperature drop caused by heat absorbed by the larger quantity of food put in the oven. Afterwards, do not maintain this temperature during cooking.

To test for temperature for other types of ovens, perform this simple test:

1.     Heat the oven
2.     Place a piece of white kitchen paper in the oven for 3 minutes.
3.     If the paper is black, the oven is too hot; deep brown, the oven is very hot; golden brown, the oven is hot; light brown, the oven is fairly hot; light biscuit, the oven is slow.

Use of Boiling Plates:

•     Bring liquid to boiling point with switch at full heat.
•     Turn switch to low to keep liquid boiling.
•     To simmer turn switch to low before liquid reaches boiling point.
•     Use a small amount of water for cooking vegetables and keep the saucepans covered.

Use of Grill Boiler:

•     This is a double-purpose plate. the top surface resembles the enclosed type of boiling plate and the element which is covered below gives even heat downwards for grilling and upwards for boiling at the same time.
•     Place deflector plates under the grill when using the top of the plate for boiling or cooking scones which are ring-shaped.
•     When the food on the top of the plate is nearly cooked remove the deflector plate. Turn switch to full to heat grill for 2-3 minutes before toasting or grilling.

    Place food in grill pan underneath grill and use far sparingly so that the food does not become dry.

    Brown food on each side and then turn switch to low to cook, switch off as soon as the food is cooked.

    Replace deflector plate and if necessary continue cooking on top of the grill boiler with switch at medium or low as required.

 Care of cooker after use:

•     Always switch off the main control switch.
•     Wipe over all enamel or paint with a damp (not wet) cloth.
•     Clean under hot cupboard.
•     Clean and polish deflector plate
•     Rub a very little grease over hot-plates to prevent rusting.
•     Remove oven shelves for cleaning when necessary