Remodelling operational parameters on the performance of a modified domestic pressure cooker

Sub-Saharan Africa relies about 80% on biomass for cooking. Cooking by boiling is an energy-intensive method with glaring energy losses in steam escape and convection. This leads to forest resource depletion fueling climate change. The invention of pressure cooking significantly improved time and efficiency, resolving some of the challenges of ordinary boiling. However, pressure cookers have losses through whistling steam out and convection of heat from the surface to the environment. The objective of the current study was to vary different parameters and investigate their effects on energy usage, time to cook, and efficiency of a pressure cooker(s). The three parameters, mass, insulation, and heating rate varied at 1 kg – 6 kg, 0 – 100 W/(m²⋅K), and 800 – 2000 W were experimentally determined and results were statistically analyzed. The results of the modified and original pressure cooker systems were compared. It was observed that the lowest energy use, highest standby cooking time, and highest efficiency were 0.16 kWh, 97 minutes, and 93%, respectively for the… cooker. From the study findings, it can be inferred that insulation improved standby cooking time by 100% and efficiency by 1.07% - 9.09%. The mass and power rate variation improved pressure cooker efficiency by 12.05% - 14.67% and 10.84% - 19.4% respectively. Lastly, the energy to cook was found to be directly proportional to mass and indirectly proportional to insulation and power rate. These findings will guide the design of energy-efficient insulated, non-steam release pressure cookers for domestic and industrial applications. <strong>Received: 07 July 2024 </strong> <strong>Accepted: 09 September 2024 </strong> <strong>Published: 19 September 2024</strong>