Alcohol In Pressure Cookers: Safe Or Not?

Pressure cookers are a popular kitchen appliance used to cook food quickly and efficiently. While they are generally safe to use, some people may be curious about whether it is safe to put alcohol in a pressure cooker. Alcohol is often used in cooking to add flavour to dishes, and pressure cookers typically require a certain amount of liquid to function properly, so it is natural to wonder if alcohol can be used as this liquid ingredient. However, there are safety concerns about using alcohol in pressure cookers, as evaporating alcohol is flammable and could combust unexpectedly. Despite this, some people use alcohol in their pressure cookers without incident, and some manufacturers' guidelines do not explicitly forbid it. So, is it safe to put alcohol in a pressure cooker?

Alcohol in pressure cookers may not burn off

While some people use alcohol in pressure cookers, manufacturers are reluctant to reveal their official policy on the safety of doing so. This is because alcohol is flammable and could combust unexpectedly.

When cooking with alcohol in a pressure cooker, the alcohol won't burn off because a pressure cooker is a closed system. The steam generated inside a pressure cooker builds up and creates pressure, which causes the temperature inside the cooker to rise. This means that foods inside the pressure cooker can get hotter and cook quicker than on a stove.

The boiling point of alcohol is not relevant when cooking with a mixture of water and alcohol, as the two will boil together. However, the resulting vapour will have a higher concentration of alcohol than the liquid. When you open the vent of a pressure cooker, you release a lot of alcohol vapour all at once, which could be enough to set off a gas detector.

If you are concerned about the alcohol content in your pressure cooker recipes, you can try reducing the wine/beer/liquor before adding it to your dish. This will get rid of the booziness while preserving the flavour. You can also add the alcohol when using the Sauté function and allow the liquid to boil with the lid off for a minute or two before closing the lid and using the pressure cook function.

The pressure cooker's closed system

Pressure cookers are sealed cooking environments that do not release vapours during the cooking process. The steam generated inside a pressure cooker builds up, creating pressure that causes the temperature inside to rise. This temperature can go over the boiling point, up to around 240ºF. This means that foods inside a pressure cooker can cook up to 60% quicker than on a stove.

Because of this, pressure cookers need liquid to function. This liquid evaporates and creates steam, which builds up pressure. Common liquids used in pressure cookers include water, wine, broth, and beer. However, it is important to note that the amount of liquid used should correspond to the desired amount in the final dish, as too much liquid can result in a watery and less flavourful dish.

When cooking with alcohol in a pressure cooker, it is important to reduce the alcohol content before adding other ingredients. This can be done by using the sauté function and allowing the alcohol to boil with the lid off for a few minutes before proceeding with the recipe. This helps to eliminate the "booziness" while retaining the flavour of the alcohol.

It is worth noting that the use of liquor in pressure cookers has been the subject of safety concerns. Some sources advise against pressure cooking with liquor due to the risk of injury and fire. Alcohol fumes can serve as a source of ignition, and evaporated alcohol can unexpectedly combust. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise caution and refer to the manufacturer's guidelines before using alcohol in a pressure cooker.

Safety concerns and the possibility of fire

There are several safety concerns and risks associated with putting alcohol in a pressure cooker. Firstly, evaporating alcohol is flammable and could unexpectedly combust, leading to injuries and fires. This is a significant hazard, especially when considering recipes that involve filling the pressure cooker with high concentrations of alcohol, such as vodka, for pressure cooking at high pressure.

Recipe websites, blogs, magazines, apps, booklets, recipe repositories, and even videos created or promoted by pressure cooker manufacturers often offer recipes that include the addition of liquor. However, it is important to note that pressure cooker manufacturers themselves may be reluctant to reveal their official policy on the safety of pressure cooking with alcohol, and some explicitly state that they do not recommend it.

When cooking with alcohol in a pressure cooker, there are many factors that could generate a source of ignition for the alcohol fumes, posing unforeseen risks. While it is true that a pressure cooker requires liquid to function, and small amounts of alcohol may be used for flavouring or deglazing, the possibility of combustion and fire due to the evaporation of alcohol is a serious concern.

Furthermore, the concentration of alcohol in the vapour released from a pressure cooker is higher than in the liquid form. When the vent is opened, a significant amount of alcohol vapour is released, which could easily trigger a gas detector or pose other safety hazards. Therefore, it is crucial to exercise extreme caution when considering cooking with alcohol in a pressure cooker and always follow the manufacturer's guidelines and safety instructions.

To mitigate the risks associated with cooking with alcohol, it is recommended to reduce the alcohol content by simmering or using the sauté function before closing the lid and applying pressure. Additionally, it is important to note that the amount of alcohol used in pressure cooking recipes should be significantly less than what would be used in traditional stovetop cooking to achieve the desired flavour without compromising safety.

Alcohol vapour and gas detectors

It is strongly advised against cooking with alcohol in a pressure cooker, as evaporating alcohol is flammable and could combust unexpectedly, resulting in injury and fire. This is true even if the pressure cooker does not vent a lot of vapour, as the vapour will still contain a higher concentration of alcohol than the liquid. When the lid is opened, a large amount of alcohol vapour is released all at once, which could easily be enough to set off a gas detector.

Alcohol gas detectors are crucial instruments for detecting harmful alcohol gases, such as methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol (IPA) vapours, which are commonly used in the production of consumer plastics and industrial goods. These detectors use various sensing technologies, such as electrochemical sensors or infrared sensors, to detect the concentration of alcohol gas in the air and provide an alarm or warning if the concentration exceeds a safe threshold.

Gas detection is essential in industrial settings, as alcohol vapours are highly flammable and can be detrimental when inhaled, often without any noticeable signs. Alcohol gas detectors play a vital role in ensuring human safety, particularly in industrial occupational areas where exposure to these gases is more likely.

Breathalysers, for example, detect ethanol vapours in the breath and translate that to a blood alcohol concentration. These detectors are typically made with heated semiconducting metal oxide sensors made from tin dioxide (SnO2).

Other types of alcohol gas detectors include:

• Measurement instruments
• Point detection
• Stationary wall mount units
• Handheld personal protection meters

Cooking with wine in an Instant Pot

There are a few things to consider when cooking with wine in an Instant Pot. Firstly, it is important to note that the CEO of Instant Pot, Robert Wang, has stated that the company cannot officially endorse the use of alcohol in their product due to the possibility of unforeseen risks, including ignition and fire. Therefore, it is recommended to exercise caution when using wine in an Instant Pot and to follow some general guidelines for safe and successful cooking.

When adapting a recipe for the Instant Pot, it is suggested to cut back on the amount of wine or liquid used. This is because there is minimal evaporation in the pressure cooker, and you only need enough liquid to bring the cooker up to pressure. For example, a recipe may call for a ½ cup of wine or up to 1 cup, depending on the desired consistency of the dish. It is also recommended to boil the wine for a minute before sealing the lid to simmer off some of the alcohol content. This can help reduce any bitter flavours that may develop during cooking.

Additionally, it is suggested to add the wine after cooking or to cook it beforehand separately. This is because cooking wine under pressure can result in a sharp and bitter flavour. Instead, you can brown the meat, remove it, and then add onions, garlic, and herbs. Sauté these ingredients for a few minutes before adding the wine and using it to deglaze the pan. Then, add the broth and other ingredients before pressure cooking. This will help develop a more balanced and desirable flavour profile in your dish.

It is worth noting that pressure cooking will not completely remove the alcohol content from your dish. The alcohol and water will boil together, and while some alcohol will evaporate, it will still remain in the pot until you open the lid. The vapour released upon opening will have a higher concentration of alcohol than the liquid. Therefore, it is important to consider the amount of wine used and the cooking time to manage the alcohol content in your dish.

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