Cooking is a necessity that everyone has to do at some point in their lives. But not everyone can master it. Smart people know the steps to a meal and manage their time accordingly. They also know that a pressure cooker is a magical invention that can save a lot of time. But can a regular pressure cooker be used on an induction stovetop?
Induction stovetops are quickly taking over conventional gas stoves. They may cost a bit more than the regular stoves, but the induction ones save a lot of hassle, especially if you have to cook regularly. Let’s take a deeper look into induction stovetops and whether a pressure cooker is suitable for them.
Can a pressure cooker work as an induction stove?
Yes, pressure cookers can be used on induction stoves just like any other pot, but there’s a catch – the material of the pressure cooker should be magnetic. To understand its science, you need to learn how an induction stove works.
An induction stove looks like a flat surface with circles at the top. The fundamental mechanism lies under it. There are metal coils behind the surface that uses electric current to produce a magnetic field. This field produces the heat that cooks our food in the pan.
So when we say that the pressure cooker has to be magnetic, we mean that a magnet should stick to it. Aluminum, copper, and glassware won’t work on induction stoves. In fact, they won’t even heat up. This happens because the material can’t capture the heat produced by the magnetic field.
Types of pressure cookers suitable for induction
How would you know if your pressure cooker works on induction stoves? It’s simple. Use a magnet and try sticking it on the base of the cooker. If it sticks, your pressure cooker is fit for the induction stove. If not, you better buy a new pressure cooker.
Cast iron, stainless steel, and enameled steel are all suitable for induction stoves. Some pots may be made out of a non-inductive material but have a base that can be used on induction stoves.
Certain types of material are preferred for induction stovetops because such stoves spread the heat evenly throughout the pot. Unlike gas stoves, where some spots get higher heat while others get none, induction stoves don’t make such hot spots in the pan. You don’t have to scrape off burnt food from the bottom anymore if you use induction stovetops.
Things to be careful about
Pressure cookers can be used on induction stovetops just like you do on regular ones. However, there are a few things you need to be careful about while using it:
- An induction stove heats a pan within seconds. You don’t have to put the pressure cooker on it and pre-heat it before adding the food to it.
- Please do not leave the cooker at one heat setting after it has built up pressure. On regular gas stoves, we usually leave the system on high heat for some time and let the cooker do its work. But induction stoves work differently. You have to start heating the cooker at medium settings. Any higher temperature might burn your food.
- The pot will immediately start heating up, but the corners will remain at a lower temperature. You will have to stick around and adjust the temperature to build up perfect pressure.
Final thoughts on whether pressure cookers can be used on induction stoves
Induction stovetops are wonderful if you want to save time and wind up the cooking process. While it may take some time to get used to it, you must also know what kind of material is suitable. Pressure cookers come in various designs and materials. Only the ones that attract magnets will work properly on induction stovetops.