subject: Pressure Cookers – Shaky Past To Solid Future [print this page] Pressure Cookers Shaky Past To Solid Future
Back in Grandma's day (or at least my grandmother), there were no microwave ovens, reliable refrigerators or freezers. In stead, households had iceboxes. These held large blocks of ice that was delivered regularly by ice companies. In order to preserve foods, and their valuable nutrients, it was necessary to can them. This could be a very time consuming process for most households.
Enter the pressure cooker, an appliance that cooked foods thoroughly and quickly. Households could now purchase foods in season, cook and store those foods for consumption when out of season. As a bonus, the pressure cooker was also a great way to sterilize the jars before usage. Moms used the pressure cooker to sterilize baby bottles.
The popularity of pressure cookers rose dramatically. However, new pressure cookers were unavailable during World War II. The materials used in their manufacture, as well as those manufacturers were dedicated to the war effort. So, people shared their pressure cookers with other family members and with their neighbors.
The end of the war brought a huge rise in the availability new products. Manufacturing capacity was higher than ever. Numerous companies switched manufacturing war goods to consumer goods. Homemakers sought products that reduced the time it took to perform basic household tasks, including those in the kitchen. Unfortunately, many of these manufacturers offered products which, if not defective, were poorly produced. Many in fact, were simply dangerous. Pressure Cookers were no exception. Poor quality products led to a decline in their popularity.
Today, however, they have come back. In large part, this is due to the ever decreasing time homemakers have to work and keep house, as well as concerns over energy use. Pressure cookers not only cook more quickly, but use less energy as well. And, there has been a significant improvement in the quality of the cookers on the market today. Newer cookers have various safety devices and backup safety devices. Like many products, the litigious society we live in forced manufactures to design and produce products that much safer than earlier versions.
Somewhat recently, the electric pressure cooker became available. This gave the homemaker better control over cooking times and temperatures. Larger meals (microwave ovens usually handle smaller meals) can be cooked quickly and thoroughly without as much babysitting.
Different sizes are available, generally ranging from 2quart cookers to 8quart cookers. Prices can seem little steep because of the liability cost associated with being a manufacturer. Typical prices run between $50 and $200. But, reasonable care can make a unit last years plus the time and energy saved make a small investment worthwhile.
