Pressure Cooker Vs Microwave: Which One Is Better?

If you are searching for the query “pressure cooker vs microwave” or “instant pot vs microwave” then you are at the right place.

This article will guide you on the difference between a pressure cooker and a microwave oven…

The single best way to enjoy healthier meals is to prepare them yourself.

As such, any handy modern kitchen tool that can help you and save you time in the kitchen while also saving money is always a welcome addition to the modern kitchen.

Most people know they can escape the hassle and bustle of home cooking by cooking with microwaves.

However, another kitchen gadget that can reduce the cooking time even further is the pressure cooker.

How does a pressure cooker work?

When you place water in a cooking pot, it is transformed into steam, which then raises the pressure within the cooking pot.

As the pressure continues to build up within the pot, the boiling point of water is raised to as high as 250°F or 120°C.

Pressure cooking speeds up the cooking process as a result of the high heat inside the pot as well as the high pressure…

Which is responsible for forcing moisture into the food so that it can cook quickly.

How does a microwave work?

Microwaves, as the name suggests, utilize microwave technology to prepare food.

Microwaves refer to electrical and magnetic energy waves that move together through space.

When microwaves are produced in the cavity of the microwave oven…

They bounce back and forth until they become absorbed into the food being prepared.

As the food continues to absorb the energy from the waves…

The energy is transformed into heat, which then allows food to cook through.

Pressure Cooker:

A pressure cooker can prepare food faster than any other cooking method including boiling, baking, or microwaving.

For dishes that take an hour or more to fully cook such as brown rice, tough cuts of meat, and dry beans…

The pressure cooker can reduce the cooking time by as much as 70 percent.

Microwave Oven:

Different elements of microwaved foods generally absorb waves differently…

Which can leave certain areas undercooked.

The Winner:

If these areas contain bacteria in them, the warm, moist environment that is created by the waves creates the perfect environment for bacteria to multiply and thrive.

If left uncooked, the bacteria can lead to gastrointestinal problems that can range from stomach discomforts to diarrhea and more.

A pressure cooker is much better than a microwave oven in terms of health…

Pros:

1. A pressure cooker can cook food much faster than conventional cooking methods.
2. Pressure cooking requires less energy to complete a meal.
3. The container will preserve flavors more effectively than other cooking methods.
4. Food that is cooked in a pressure cooker maintains more vitamins and minerals compared to food that is boiled.
5. They are available to purchase in cheap-priced models as well as expensive-priced models. However, there is not that much difference.
6. A pressure cooker can create a stable atmosphere with its unique design, allowing constant and precise pressure to be used for cooking.
7. If it is an Electric pressure cooker, it will not consume much electricity as other cooking appliances
8. Pressure Cooking kills most of the bacteria that are present in raw food.

Cons:

1. It involves some learning curve. Recipes must be altered when using a pressure cooker.
2. In a pressure cooker, the cooking process relies on timing more than anything else.
3. It only takes a couple of minutes for the food to overcook when using a pressure cooker. That one should be aware of it.

Wrap Up

The best candidates for microwave cooking are small veggies and easy-to-cook food such as rice.

With a pressure cooker, you can prepare all types of food, even preparing desserts…

This is something worth considering when it comes to picking the most flexible cooking method.