On The Hob

Pressure cookers are large saucepans with locking lids that cook food on the hob.  A pressure cooker is usually heavy as it has to be strong.  A pressure cooker works by sealing in all air and liquid so as the hob heats it and the contents expand the pressure increases.

Why cook at pressure?

As the pressure increases so does waters boiling point.  Pressure cooking allows you t0 cook food at a higher temperature than normal cooking.  The advantage of this is that food cooks much more quickly than normal.  For example a whole chicken only takes around 20 minutes.  Pressure cookers are also used to give the effect of braising or simmering but in much shorter time periods.

Safety

Cooking under pressure sounds dangerous, but it isn’t.  Many modern pressure cookers have an interlocking lid which is prevents you from opening the cooker while it is pressurised.  Also they have a safety valve which releases excess pressure.

Pressure Cooker Picks

Salton Tower 4 Litre Pressure Cooker

The Salton Tower 4 litre Pressure cooker is a good entry level cooker with a low price point.  It holds 4 litres, has an auto locking mechanism and a 10 year body guarantee.

WMF Perfect Plus Pressure Cooker 6.5 litres

The WMF Pressure cooker is slightly larger at 6.5 litres.  It has Four safety features to prevent over-pressurizing, scalding and damage to the pressure cooker, importantly it is also suitable for any heat source including Induction hobs as it has a “TransTherm” Base.  This cooker has a 3 year Guarantee.

Click here to buy Pressure cookers from Amazon UK

Here is an interesting You Tube Clip looking at how pressure cookers work and their history.

Click here to buy Pressure cookers from Amazon UK

You may be wanting to buy a pressure cooker cook book also or you may have a pressure cooker and want to expand your recipes.  Here are a couple of our picks.

Click on the image to find out more at Amazon UK

Pressure Cooking the Easy Way

Pressure Cookers for Dummies

The Le Creuset Kone Kettle is a stylish, enamelled steel, stove top kettle. With matt black phenolic trim and a decal on the base. Suitable for all heat sources including ceramic and induction hobs and Aga.

Le Creuset Kone Kettle with Whistle

Product Details

One of our readers Justine has written in asking “What type of saucepan should I use on an induction hob?”

Thanks for the message Justine, we discussed how to pick the perfect saucepan previously here

But I’ll try to go into a bit more information on Induction hobs here.

So what is an induction hob?

An induction hob uses induction to cook, therefore pans must be conductive.  This is because the hob itself doesn’t become hot or create heat.  Only the pan is heated through conduction.

This makes Induction hobs very energy efficient – Pick up the pan off the hob and energy stops being used (on many models).  Also heat is not wasted by going into the air as the pan itself is being heated directly.

They are very quick to heat aswell, depending on the cookers wattage a stirfry pan could be ready for cooking in as little as 10 minutes.

Saucepans.

For an induction hob to work the saucepan sits on top of the hob where it conducts heat.  The best saucepans benefit from being flat bottomed as they have more contact with the hob.

Saucepans must be ferromagnetic in order to conduct the heat.  Aluminium and other non magnetic materials will not work on an induction hob.

As Induction hobs heat very quickly beware of thin saucepans, as a sharp burst of heat could burn food.

Our Saucepan picks

There are many saucepans which work with induction hobs as this is becoming a very popular hob type as people convert from gas.

Here are two

Le Creuset Cast Iron 3 Piece Saucepan Set, Granite

The Le Creuset Cast Iron Saucepan set is perfect for use on a induction hob.  The enamelled finish makes these saucepans incredibly durable. Click here to read more and buy

Meyer Circulon Infinite Cookware Set, 5 Piece

Meyer are a well known Saucepan manufacturer with a great reputation.  These heavy gauge Hard Anodised pans are perfect for Induction hobs.  Click here to read more and buy from Amazon UK

Thanks for your question Justine I hope this helps.

Do you have a kitchen dilemma, contact us here and let us help!

It can be difficult to know what makes a saucepan better than others, what you should look for and the difference in price.  Never fear though as help is at hand.  We’ve put together our own On The Hob Saucepan Buying Guide to explain the key things you need to know when looking for a new saucepan range, something which can be both a product which will last for years and a long term investment.

What do you need?

The first question will be what do you need?  There are so many different types of saucepans and cookware on the market and one size doesn’t fit all.  Good starting points are

• Do you need dishwasher safe pans?
• Are they suitable for your hob?  Eg Induction and Gas hobs may have cookware which is better suited, equally some will also be suitable for oven use
• How do you like to cook, which pans are best for you?

What type of hob do you have?

The hob you use will affect your choice of cookware.  Here are the key things you need to know.

• Solid Fuel Hobs – Eg Rayburns and Agas.  These hobs will produce intense heat and the pans must be capable of withstanding it.
• Gas hobs – Any type of Saucepan is suitable for a gas hob.  just be wary of the handle – do not let the gas flame near it as it may be to hot to pick up.
• Induction Hobs – Induction hobs work by the transfer of heat magnetically from the induction coil.  Pans will state whether they are suitable for this type of hob, they must be magnetic – eg Cast Iron.  Aluminium and Copper are not suitable.
• Ceramic Hobs – Any pan can be used but they must be lifted and not slid as sliding may damage the ceramic plates.  With this in mind consider weight, cast iron pans may not be suitable.
• Halogen Hobs – Similar to ceramic except thick saucepans should be used as they may be subject to intense bursts of heat.
• Electrical Radiant Spiral Hobs – All types of Cookware can be used on Radiant Spiral Hobs
• Solid Hotplate Hobs – As these hobs are a solid plate it is best to use a flat based Pan for the most even heat coverage.

That describes the type of Hobs now on to the types of Cookware.

Stainless Steel Pans -  Stainless Steel pans can come in a variety of metal combinations, so be sure to check the quality – 18/10 (18% Chromium 10% Nickel) is considered high quality.  Stainless Steel Pans can be highly polished, Scratch and dent resistant, suitable for induction hobs (as a general rule but always check the product details), usually dishwasher safe.  Also many stainless steel ranges come with non stick coatings.

Aluminium Pans - Aluminum Pans can be coated or uncoated.  Aluminium is an inexpensive lightware marterial which heats quickly.  Coated pans will have an enamel coating to make them easy to clean and hard wearing.  Many Aluminium pans have non stick coatings.

Hard Anodised Pans – These Aluminum pans have been through a chemical process to make them smooth and non porous.  They are resistent to scratches and peeling, stronger than stainless steel with great durability and heat distribution.

Cast Iron Cookware – Cast Iron pans are heavy as they have thick walls.  As such they retain heat well.  A popular brand of Cast Iron cookware is Le Creuset.  Usually Dishwasher safe

Buy Online

Amazon – Click to buy Saucepans from Amazon

John Lewis – Click to buy Saucepans from John Lewis

Heals – Click to buy Saucepans from Heals

These are the key points to bear in mind when buying Saucepans.  Do you have any favourites?  Leave a comment with your views.