Which Is Better: Outer Lid or Inner Lid Pressure Cooker?

The modern kitchen has evolved significantly over the years, and the pressure cooker has become an essential piece of equipment for quickly cooking food and saving valuable time. Pressure cookers feature two types of lids: inner and outer.  While both have advantages and disadvantages, there are some significant differences between inner-lid and outer-lid pressure cookers that customers should examine before making a purchase decision. In this blog, we’ll go over the differences between the inner and outer lids to assist you in making an informed purchase decision.

Inner Lid vs Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Internal Lid Pressure Cookers

Inner-lid pressure cookers are ones with lids that fit inside the pot’s rim, forming a tight seal. This type of design allows it to achieve and maintain higher amounts of pressure, making it suitable for recipes that demand strong pressure cooking.

Outer Lid Pressure Cookers

The outside lid pressure cookers are secured from the outside by a lid that sits over the pot. In larger homes and commercial kitchens, this vintage style is the height of style.

Key Difference Between Outer Lid and Inner Lid Pressure Cooker

Safety Elements: While they both have several safety features, their designs differ:
The inner lid models have multiple locking points and integrated pressure release valves. And the outer lid has features of safety locks and an easier-to-monitor pressure indicator.

Choice of Capacity: Typically, inner lids have options available in 2-6 liter capacity, whereas outer lid cookers are available in 5 to 12 capacity.

Heat Transfer: Pressure cookers with an outer lid provide more uniform cooking by allowing for more even heat and steam circulation. Certain areas of the inner lid variations, particularly those close to the edges, may become somewhat colder. As a result, some parts may be undercooked.

Cooking Effectiveness: In general, models with an inner lid exert pressure that is higher, typically not exceeding 15 PSI, while models with simply an exterior lid exert pressure that is slightly lower, typically between 12 and 13 PSI.

Ease of Use: Pressure cookers with an outer lid are more convenient to use. It is easier to open, close, and handle the cooker because the exterior lid and handles remain cooler. It is also easier to clean the exterior surfaces. Variants with inner lids require extra caution. We need it to be handled with care to prevent scorching from heat and steam exposure. 

 Pros & Cons Inner Lid Vs. Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Inner Lid Pressure Cookers

Pros:

  • Compact and lightweight
  • Lower-cost models available
  • The base can be used for regular cooking
  • It takes less storage space

Cons:

  • Less safe compared to the outer lid
  • Lid locking wears out over time
  • Less uniform heat circulation
  • Handling hot lids needs care

Outer Lid Pressure Cookers

Pros:

  • Easy to monitor pressure make it safe 
  • No need to be cautious; handles and lids stay cooler
  • Evenly distribute heat
  • Ease of Cleaning the outer lids
  • Durable as Lids and seals last longer

Cons:

  • Costlier than inner lid models
  • Bulkier and heavier

Is it better to cook with the pot lid on or off?

It all depends on what you’re cooking! Keeping the lid on allows the flavors to blend better, but if you boil at a rapid pace, the pot will certainly overflow. In rare circumstances, such as when cooking rice, pulses, or other similar foods requiring a precise water-to-substance ratio, leaving the lid off will result in undercooked food since liquid will evaporate rather than be absorbed into the dry materials.

 Is pressure cooking healthy?

Cooking with a pressure cooker is an excellent method for cooking food on many levels, including nutritional value. Shorter cooking times may also result in better vitamin and mineral preservation as compared to longer cooking times. This cooking approach is very advantageous for those who have a hectic life but want to eat healthy in a more efficient way.

While nutritionists agree that pressure cooking preserves more nutrients, many others believe that this form of food preparation also improves taste and texture.
People are increasingly cooking at home; therefore, employing a pressure cooker device has an economic benefit. Cooking in bulk and freezing for later is also useful when you don’t want to cook but want to preserve nutrition and flavor. This also helps with portion control, which means you waste less food.

Outer and Inner Lid Pressure Cooker at Summit Home Appliances

Conclusion

Outer lid pressure cookers are a preferable choice for most home kitchens because of their superior safety, ease of use, and longevity. For small families with little space, quality inner-lid cookers meet the majority of their cooking requirements. If you are looking for a pressure cooker to make curries, we recommend inner-lid cookers. If you require a pressure cooker to cook rice and drain excess starch, choose an outer-lid pressure cooker. When purchasing any model, it is recommended that you check for ISI quality markings.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *