Science
How does a pressure cooker work?
A pressure cooker works by trapping steam in a sealed pot, which raises the pressure and lets water boil hotter than usual. The higher temperature cooks food much faster, because heat penetrates and breaks it down more quickly.
See it in motion.
Watch a 2-minute animated lesson that shows exactly how a pressure cooker works.
Step by step
- 1A tight seal traps steam, building up pressure inside.
- 2Higher pressure raises water's boiling point above the usual 100°C.
- 3Hotter steam cooks food faster than ordinary boiling.
- 4A valve releases excess steam to keep the pressure safe.
- 5It saves time and energy, especially at high altitude.
Frequently asked questions
- Why does a pressure cooker cook faster?
- Trapped steam raises the pressure, which lets water get hotter than 100°C; that extra heat cooks food significantly faster.
- Why is a pressure cooker useful at high altitude?
- Up high, low air pressure makes water boil too cool to cook well; a pressure cooker restores high pressure and proper cooking heat.
- How does a pressure cooker stay safe?
- A regulated valve vents excess steam to cap the pressure, and a backup safety release prevents dangerous build-up.