How do you cook tamales in a pressure cooker?

Pressure cookers can be dangerous. You have to make sure the seal (gasket) is in good condition and that the valve is working if you are using one you got secondhand. There should be instruction manuals for many pressure cookers on the internet.

Basically pressure cookers build up heat because they are sealed so well. They cook food much faster than a normal pot - You can cook a roast in about 20 minutes. They are also used frequently in canning veggies and other nonacidic foods.

There is a pressure gauge on the top. You have to let the pressure go down before opening the pot! Please don't use one until you know what you are doing or your least problem will be a huge mess.
First inspect the pressure cooker tharoughly and ensure that there are no damages especially to the gasket and see that it is clean.

Next, you also need to ensure that the vent pipe is open and clear for pressure cooker with weighted pressure regulator. Check recipe for specific cooking method and cooking time. If your recipe requires a rack place it to the bottom of the cooker.

Add a 1/2 cup water to pot if you're using a cooker that has a weighted system. Add 1 cup for pressure cooker that uses valve system. This should be sufficient for 20 minutes of cooking time.

Place the food on rack.

With the weighted system cooker remove the regulator then close and secure the lid. The cover handle should be parallel to the body handle. Place the cooker on heat.

Once the steam begins to exit the vent pipe, replace the regulator. The weight on top the lid will begin to rock once the cooker reaches cooking pressure.

The valve system cooker has markings on the cooker that indicate the pressure levels. Once the indicator is at 15 PSI the cooker is at the standard cooking pressure.

Now, lower the heat once the cooker is at the cooking pressure in order to maintain the pressure. Comeback and chek and adjust the heat setting periodically.

Use the timer to time the recipe.

Once the required time is passed, you can turn off the heat.

Next, you need to release the pressure inside by allowing it to reduce on its own.

Once the pressure is released the lid can be opened after the removing the regulator.

Hope this helps.