You can take those hands-free Crock Pot recipes and make them even faster in a pressure cooker. (Which will still be relatively hands-free if you use an electric pressure cooker like the Instant Pot .) Here’s how to convert your favorite slow cooker recipes to be pressure cooked instead!

Ensure your pressure cooker is clean and has no cracks or dents. Add your food and liquid according to your recipe. Close and lock the lid, then turn on the cooker to build pressure. Release the pressure when your food is done. Unlock and open the lid only after all the pressure has been released.

For example, if a recipe calls for cooking on the stovetop for 1 hour, cook for only about 20 minutes in the pressure cooker, then release the steam following the manufacturer's directions, and test the food for doneness. You can refasten the lid and cook for 1 to 3 minutes longer if the food needs it.

Once you get the gist of it, it’s very easy. One disadvantage of cooking with a pressure cooker is you can’t inspect, taste, or adjust the food along the way. That’s why it’s essential to follow a recipe with accurate timings as you learn how to use a pressure cooker.