How long do I steam for a non-can cooker recipe? I.e., I want to cook my own recipe, so how long do I let it steam?
1652688
It would all depend on what and how much you are cooking. You could get some idea on how long to cook.. from the recipes in the cookbook that came with the CanCooker. That may help.
1652689
It really depends. That did not help. But really. I would start checking food temps at 30 mins if you have a lot of vegges and meats. I can cook corn and sausages in about 30 mins. Hope that helps
1652690
This is a low pressure steamer. Of course, it depends on what you're cooking but I would cut your time down by about a half. We do a low country boil in ours and what we cook, we add in stages. So....you start with your denser foods and then as time passes, you open it and add the foods that cook more quickly. For example, we add the shrimp at the very end, when the chicken and sausage and corn and potatoes are done. Or, we start with corn on the cob and crab legs and bring it back up to steam, steam 15 min. and then add the shrimp and take it off the heat. Hope that helps.
2197579
Hi :) I bought this specifically to steam 1-2 person servings of veggies and it's fantastic. Yeah, you could totally warm-up or make soup in the bottom pot, and not use the top/steaming basket at all. I'm not sure if it's non-stick surface so maybe be careful with creamy soups that could burn, stick, and turn into a super mess & headache to clean afterwards. Maybe broth based soups? Just keep in mind this puppy is only 1 quart so it's pretty tiny. If you're making soup for 1 person it's probably perfect but you've got limited space. Last thing, be careful the handles get super hot. Use with care and don't burn yourself! I hope this helps a little with your purchase InvisibleCloak -Best, Katherina
218494
I sent my unit back because it never would start the timer, as if it hadn't gotten to pressure. However, what was in there got cooked. Ok....if you just let the pressure go down by itself, it may take 15 minutes before it will unlock. Just keep in mind that it will continue to cook some during this process. If you want to lower the pressure quickly, and think it will be messy, you can hold paper towels loosely over the valve while you release it.
1009179
Not sure, Allen. My silicone steamer says it's ok up to 450º, but how do we find out temp inside a pressure cooker (without being sorry... ) : ) I have a flat metal (aluminum probably) steamer rack that rests on bottom of a canning pot and something like this could withstand higher heat? Hope someone knows how to find an answer.
1853418
I have never done that but I don't see why not. Of course it would depend on cooking time. You would not want to steam something that would take longer than the pasta to cook. Know what ? I think I'll try it. Hope this helps. CW
375717
2 minutes. If you start steam then move to brewing, there is a trick to cool down the machine. You can release some heat through release water at steam ward at brewing settings. It will allow you to brew immediately. You should always do brewing then move to steaming.
988288
I am a novice (been doing this 3 days), but I purposely chose a model with a timer to shut off. It has already been most valuable. I was dehydrating a pasta sauce, and saw recommendations to check it after about 10 hrs and turn it over when it is solid enough. At 10 hrs it was not ready, but was a couple hrs later, when I was ready to go to bed. So I turned it over, set the timer for a few hours, went to bed and my dehydrated sauce was ready to package this morning.
316920
I have to agree with Michael...I sent mine back as it was scratched up, looked used and every time I plugged it in the controller smoked (I tried 8-10 times). Was afraid to even give it a whirl, so wouldn't recommend. My suggestion: invest in a 1600 watt portable induction cooktop and use your own clad induction ready cookware. With those you can use them as a slow cooker. It's the solution I finally came up with.I never took the opportunity to measure volume since, as I said, the controller smoked, even after leaving it plugged in for 30+ minutes 8-10 times. It did look to hold 4 qts. to the top, but would advise using only 2-3 qts., just in case it boiled over. I have to agree with Michael...I sent mine back as it was scratched up, looked used and every time I plugged it in the controller smoked (I tried 8-10 times). Was afraid to even give it a whirl, so wouldn't recommend. My suggestion: invest in a 1600 watt portable induction cooktop and use your own clad induction ready cookware. With those you can use them as a slow cooker. It's the solution I finally came up with.I never took the opportunity to measure volume since, as I said, the controller smoked, even after leaving it plugged in for 30+ minutes 8-10 times. It did look to hold... » Read More I have to agree with Michael...I sent mine back as it was scratched up, looked used and every time I plugged it in the controller smoked (I tried 8-10 times). Was afraid to even give it a whirl, so wouldn't recommend. My suggestion: invest in a 1600 watt portable induction cooktop and use your own clad induction ready cookware. With those you can use them as a slow cooker. It's the solution I finally came up with.I never took the opportunity to measure volume since, as I said, the controller smoked, even after leaving it plugged in for 30+ minutes 8-10 times. It did look to hold 4 qts. to the top, but would advise using only 2-3 qts., just in case it boiled over. « Show Less
647737
Hi Nancy, I'm Joe. Believe it or not we have 2 of these and they're very good for almost anything. For steaming veggies, I put about 2 inches of water, and place a large colander over the pan, put whatever veggies in it, cover with lid and let the steam do its job. I also use it to steam hamburger or hot dog buns. We've had these about 2 years now. What I would suggest is that every time you take get ready to use it put 2 or 3 drops olive oil, swish it around with a paper towel. This will help keep pans non-stick properties. Be sure to keep an eye on the water level. Hope this helps, Joe
2224601
I am glad I stumbled across this q & a section, as I was intending to purchase this for canning veggies. I am a first-time canner, but grew up around the process of "Water Bath Canning" as well as the use of a Pressure Canner. My question, if anyone can help, What is a good dependable safe Pressure Canner for a Beginner? I appreciate any suggestions I can get..., thank you in advance ~ Denise
1818568
I do steam. Only put on high temp until the water boils then I lower it until I get an even boil. Any higher and you just boil off the water quicker. I.E. temp of steam is always 212 degrees no mater how much of it we make.
72387
The structure of the steamer is like a double boiler steamer that you use on the stove-top. You get four parts to your unit: 1) The bottom "pan" is where you put just an INCH of water. The idea is to get this small amount of water boiling. I start with hot tap water to get things rolling faster. 2) The insert "pan" (just a bit smaller than the water holding pan) has holes through the bottom so the steam can get through to do the cooking. 3) There is an insert "shelf" for the pan with the holes, so that you can put two layers of veggies in--say potatoes in the bottom and something that needs less heat or cooking time on the shelf. One thing that I do all the time is put veggies in the bottom and poach a salmon fillet on the shelf. 4) The fourth piece is the lid. All in all, this is a great item. I eat steamed veggies from it all the time and they cook in less than half the time that a steamer on the stove does. Cut up potatoes or broccoli cooks in 4-6 minutes. Frozen peas are ready in a minute (the water has to get boiling to make steam!) Of course time increases with the amount of stuff you load in! Mine are single servings. If you are cooking for a family, just do it in a stove-top steamer! PS: Cleans with a quick rinse under the tap. Just the thing for a busy single person like me!
987532
Hi. I have never overshot the cooking time. There is also a "1 minute" button that I use more often. So if I need 4 minutes, I just press that button 4 times. I almost never use the knob actually.
1354331
My instruction booklet says to use at least 1 cup of water. Thats what I use for vegetables, anything cooked under 15 minutes.
69679
Pressure cooker comes with grid, place in bottom. fill with 2 c water. prepare & pour batter into mold. (you can use browning to heat water. grease mold carefully pour batter into each mold with a ladle covering 75% of area. Leave a little space for batter to rise. Place mold filled with batter into cooker. cover with lid with out adding weight or whisle on lid. increase heat to high pressure, once steam starts to come from vent cook for 10 min. turn off let cooker cool for 5 minutes. remove the mold, scoop out with butter knife. never overfill mold or batter all over. hope its helpful! Pressure cooker comes with grid, place in bottom. fill with 2 c water. prepare & pour batter into mold. (you can use browning to heat water. grease mold carefully pour batter into each mold with a ladle covering 75% of area. Leave a little space for batter to rise. Place mold filled with batter into cooker. cover with lid with out adding weight or whisle on lid. increase heat to high pressure, once steam starts to come from vent cook for 10 min. turn off let cooker cool for 5 minutes. remove the mold, scoop out with butter knife. never overfill mold or batter all over. hope its helpful!
762980
I have one of these steamers and it is awesome. I do not have a manual but I would think you can find one online doing a google search? It is a relatively simple steamer though so I am not really sure you would need one. I steam all kinds of vegetables in mine and the time varies depending on the vegetable and the amount in the steamer as well as the microwave power. I would recommend experimenting with the amount of time needed for various items and then record or make a mental note for future reference. I can tell you that a pound of Asparagus takes 8 min. in an 1100 watt microwave. I microwave a large stalk of Broccoli for 12 minutes and let it stand in the steam another 15 minutes before serving and it is perfect. Baby Carrots take about 9 minutes , peas and sugar snap peas take about 8 or 9 minutes. Letting what ever you steam stand about 15 minutes to complete the cooking process is important. Good Luck and hope this helps.
1137380
I just follow the directions. I normally put broth instead of water with rice and it says you can delay the cook time for 15 hrs. I haven't done this but you should be okay but I would be real careful because soaking rice can get mushy. the rest I am not sure I steam veggies in the basket. I use a little olive oil