Electric Pressure Cookers: What You Need to Know Callie Adams and Emily Smith
Introduction Electric pressure cookers (EPCs) are a popular kitchen appliance designed to make meal preparation easier, faster, and more efficient. On Black Friday in 2017, popular retailers experienced a surge in EPC sales, with top brands being in the top five or even top three items sold. Multiple brands manufacture EPCs, such as Instant Pot®, Ninja® Foodi, and Crock-Pot™ Express, among others (Good Housekeeping, 2024). It is important to note that electric pressure cookers are not the same as pressure canners. They cannot be used safely for home canning due to inconsistent processing results (Merrill et al., 2020; Hirneisen, 2025; Brandt & Oehler, 2023). However, EPCs do offer multiple cooking functions beyond pressure cooking, including sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, cooking rice, and preparing yogurt.
How Electric Pressure Cookers Work Electric pressure cookers typically consist of three main parts: inner pot, cooking base, and lid. •
Inner pot: This pot holds the food and required liquid (generally at least 1 cup, depending on the brand of EPC; users should refer to the manufacturer’s manual).
•
Cooking base: The base contains the heating element, control panel, and temperature sensors that regulate pressure and prevent unsafe conditions.
•
Lid: The lid contains a sealing ring, a steam release valve, and a float valve that locks when the correct pressure is reached. The steam release valve controls 1
Highlights •
•
•
• •
Electric pressure cookers (EPCs) are popular and provide multiple functions beyond pressure cooking: sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, cooking rice, and preparing yogurt. EPCs are not the same as pressure canners, and they cannot be safely used for home canning. EPCs use steam and pressure to cook foods more quickly than traditional stovetop methods. EPCs can reduce the need for multiple appliances and save kitchen space. EPCs have many safeguards, and most reported injuries involve hot contents escaping under pressure, often linked to improper operation or failure to follow manufacturer instructions.