Pressure Cookers

A pressure cooker  cooks food using steam. Unlike its cousin, the slow cooker, the pressure cooker creates a sealed environment with high atmospheric pressure, usually 15 psi (pounds per square inch). At this pressure, water boils at a much higher temperature, cooking food rapidly while sealing in flavor, moisture and nutrients. Foods that would take hours to cook in a slow cooker  or the oven can take a fraction of that time in a pressure cooker.

The newest models of pressure cookers have many safety features built in to avoid becoming a pressure-cooker situation themselves.

Recommendations

What to Look For

  • Safety: Very important when using a pressure cooker. Be sure the model you choose has redundant safety systems:
    • Good valves with pressure regulators (five or more pressure release mechanisms), and a quick-release mechanism.
    • Pressure indicator to adequately measure proper timing.
    • Heavy-duty, encapsulated three-ply base for even, consistent heat.
    • Foolproof moving parts for ultimate durability.
    • Stainless steel will be your best bet.
  • Capacity: When buying a pressure cooker you will see them listed by capacity in quarts (from 5 to 24) or in liters. Usually size will correlate with price, starting at about $30 and reaching $200.
  • Electric vs. Stovetop
    • The main difference is the price (electric pressure cookers are more expensive).
    • What gives stovetop models  an advantage is their higher safety standards and easy-clean feature (most models are dishwasher-safe).
    • What makes electric models  stand out is their timer.
  • Pressure : Most recipes for pressure cookers assume a pressure of 15 psi, which is fairly standard across the board. If you buy a cooker that uses a different pressure, you will have to alter recipes accordingly.
  • Warranty: Look for long warranties to guarantee a quality product.
  • Special Features: Timer, gadgets, etc. Browning and steaming functions. Non-stick finishes, though often they are not able to withstand the heat and intense uses of a pressure cooker.

Major Manufacturers

Related Products

Pressure Cooker Cookbooks 

Pots and Pans

Slow Cookers

Rice Cookers

Egg Cookers

External Links

  • Miss Vickie's -- Learn EVERYTHING about pressure cookers. Lots of diagrams, recipes, timing recommendations, and more.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Snelkookpannen Shopgids