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However, people often fail to understand the correct number and timing of whistles for each item, causing the vegetable to overcook and the flavor to be crunchy.
Today, pressure cookers have become an integral part of kitchens not only in India but across the world. From pulses and rice to vegetables, pressure cookers are considered the most reliable way to cook food quickly. However, people often fail to understand the correct number and timing of whistles for each item, causing the vegetable to overcook and the flavor to be crunchy.
The number of whistles in the cooker depends on the type of food you are cooking. For bland foods like rice, lentils and finely chopped vegetables, 1 to 3 whistles is sufficient. Too many whistles can make food soft and sticky. However, harder foods like rajma, gram, whole pulses, or meat require 4 to 8 whistles, as they take longer to cook.
Hard pulses and grains should be soaked for 6 to 8 hours or overnight before cooking. This softens them and they cook faster. Soaking can reduce the number of whistles by about 30 to 50 percent, saving both time and gas.
The right amount of water is also important. Too much water can take longer to build pressure, while too little can cause the cooker to whistle too quickly. Therefore, it is important to add water to the base of the dish. Start by setting the cooker to rapid bake to build pressure quickly. After the first whistle, reduce the gas heat. Cooking on low heat ensures that food does not burn. After the whistles are done, do not open the lid immediately. Switch off the gas and let the cooker cool for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the food to melt properly and enhances its taste. Be aware that the size and design of the cooker also affects the number of whistles, so there may be some variation with experience, but mainly the type of ingredients and the amount of water used are the main factors that can make any dish delicious.
December 17, 2025 2:46 PM IST
How many times should the pressure cooker whistle be blown while cooking? Most people do not know this simple cooking trick