When looking for kitchen appliances and utensils for your new home, you can not miss a pressure cooker’s purchase. This device can replace the food steamer while preserving the taste and nutrients of the food. Allows fast cooking and saves energy thanks to the principle of pressure cooking. Many recipes require the use of a pressure cooker.
What are the best pressure cookers?
The pressure cooker is not bought every day. That is why it is good to spend enough time on good research and choose a durable and safe model.
1. Tefal Secure 5 NEO pressure cooker
There are usually no major differences between models in the world of pressure cookers, so the brand can be a determining factor in making a purchase decision. In the case of Tefal, it is a brand we can trust, as it has been offering products with proven quality on the market for more than sixty years.
A high-end product, Tefal Secure 5 NEO allows cooking with two different temperature settings, depending on the type of food you will prepare.
The triple bottom helps to reach the optimum temperature quickly, consuming less energy. It also distributes heat efficiently and can be used in any kitchen. The capacity of this model is 8 litres, which is enough for a medium-sized family.
To avoid accidents, Tefal Secure 5 NEO has five safety systems that control the pressure: a safety lock, a safety valve, an automatic locking system and a pressure control valve.
2. WMF Perfect Pressure cookers, set of 2-pieces
If you use the pressure cooker often, a good option is to buy a kit that allows you to use the lid with different container sizes.
This is the case with the WMF kit, which includes two pots. One with a capacity of 3 litres and one of 4.5 litres, from which you can choose depending on what you will cook.
They are made of stainless steel, with a heat-conducting base, which is suitable for all types of cookers, including induction hobs.
The safety mechanism is located in the handle, which is made of durable material. Both the safety valve and the cooking indicator are protected by seals that prevent damage and contamination.
The control button shows the two cooking programs: The first is for vegetables and the second for meat and harder foods. On the sides of the knob, you will find the valve for opening and closing, which allows the release of steam.
If you are not interested in the combination of two pots, the first model has the same functionalities as this one, sold singly.
3. Tower T80244 Pressure Cooker with Steamer Basket
The British brand Tower is known for its kitchen utensils and appliances. So it is no wonder that their pressure cookers are robust, convenient and easy to use. Tower T80244 is a typical example.
This model has a capacity of 6 litres, more than enough to make the typical dishes: beans, stews, broths, etc., recipes that are usually prepared in large quantities. If you need a larger model, Tower offers different models between 3 and 10 litres. Depending on the model, the capacity of the container varies, but the lid remains the same.
The pot is made of stainless steel and has a base suitable for all types of cookers, including induction. Also, it has an internal marking so that you never pour too much liquid, which will interfere with the proper functioning of the system.
Of course, this model has a security system and a progressive steam release system.
4. Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Inox Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker set of 2
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic pressure cooker, which includes an effective security system.
This pot comes with an eight-litre model and includes a smaller four-litre pot to cook for fewer people.
It is easy to use, has two different pressure levels and will allow you to prepare various dishes.
It is also made of stainless steel, making it durable, strong and easy to maintain the pot.
5. Tefal Clipso Minut Easy Pressure Cooker
This is a pressure cooker that has five different safety systems. It has a diameter of 22 centimetres and is very durable and easy to clean, as it has an effective stainless steel coating.
Will also allow you to cook with complete safety and comes with a closing system that you will handle with one hand.
It should also be noted that Tefal ClipsoMinut Easy Express is compatible with all types of hobs, including induction.
6. Braisogona Vitesse Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Braisogona is a pressure cooker for life. It allows gentle, low-pressure cooking or fast high-pressure cooking. That is, it works like standard models.
And all this without having to activate virtually any button, as the pot itself does almost everything itself. It locks automatically, and you need to be aware that the central indicator rises to select the type of cooking. It also includes a triple lock to control excess pressure.
Designed for every type of kitchen, Braisogona distributes heat evenly and preserves the food’s taste and qualities.
This model has short handles on both sides of the pot, but you can also choose a model with 4, 6 or 9 litres capacity.
7. Prestige – Quick and Easy – 6L Pressure Cooker
The Prestige pressure cooker is a typical kitchen tool that is easy to use.
This particular model has a capacity of 6 litres, more than enough to prepare stews or soups for the whole family.
It is made of stainless steel, shiny on the outside and matte on the inside. Also, the triple bottom ensures that the heat is distributed evenly over the entire surface, with excellent characteristics in all types of cookers, including induction.
The handle with a built-in safety system is straightforward to use and allows you to open and close the pot effortlessly.
The security system locks the lid, preventing you from opening it if the pressure inside is too high. There is also a safety valve and a working valve that allows for changing the pressure level.
8. Tefal P4620733 Clipso Minut Perfect Pressure Cooker
We finish with a pressure cooker from Tefal. It has a diameter of 22 centimetres and a capacity of 6 litres. Its base is made of aluminium to conduct heat much more efficiently, and of course, it is a non-stick titanium vessel.
Also, this pressure cooker includes a lid with two different cooking levels, which will allow you to cook both on steam and on low heat.
This device also includes five different security systems and is compatible with all types of cookers, including induction hobs.
What is a pressure cooker?
It has a round or oval shape available in different capacities. Made of aluminum or stainless steel, this thick-walled cookware has two handles and a lid with a seal that perfectly fits the pot. For efficient cooking, there is a valve that allows steam to escape when the maximum pressure is reached.
In addition, it may have a basket for steaming. This is a universal kitchen appliance that allows different types of cooking, especially steam cooking with stewing. It also allows you to make stews and sterilize cans, utensils and jars.
Advantages of the pressure cooker
Nowadays, all pressure cookers are suitable for all types of hobs to use it on gas, ceramic, and induction hobs. But this is a small part of the advantages that this device offers. Let’s see other benefits:
Saves time
This is its main feature and reason to buy it. The percentages are quite variable, but you can reduce cooking time by 75%.
Saves energy
If instead of keeping the pot on the stove for an hour, you can keep it for only fifteen minutes, it is obvious that you reduce energy costs a lot. If you use it every day, you will eventually notice a difference in your electricity bill.
Does not lose flavour or nutrients
Because you cook faster and with less water, you lose fewer nutrients in the process, ensuring that you maintain the quality of your family’s diet.
Preparation of dishes and desserts
Although the first thing that comes to mind is soups, the truth is that in a pressure cooker you can cook everything: meat, fish, vegetables. It’s a good idea to buy a good recipe book so you can reach your full potential.
Criteria for selection of a pressure cooker
With it, you can cook all kinds of food, such as vegetables, meat, soup and even desserts. Several types of pressure cookers can make it difficult to choose at the time of purchase. It is essential to know the selection criteria to make a right decision. Here is a detailed shopping guide to guide you to the right choice.
Materials
Choose a pressure cooker made of durable, high-quality stainless steel. This material is not always the same. Look for a label or stamp that shows the metal composition – “18/10 stainless steel” (the composition of 18% chromium and 10% nickel). Chromium and nickel add stain and corrosion resistance.
Stainless steel must contain at least 10.5% chromium to be considered stainless and no longer increases the durability of large chromium amounts. Nickel works to increase the protective layer and also gives shine to the metal.
Level indicator, quick release and timer
The pressure cooker can reach the high pressure required for most pressure cookers. You need to make sure that the selected model can reach the required level. Also, look for a model with a specific indicator that clearly shows when this level has been reached (pop-up indicator, colour marking, etc.).
It is recommended that you have a pressure cooker with a quick release option built into the pressure regulator. Modern pressure cookers allow this mechanism to reduce the pressure inside the pot without losing heat quickly. When the pressure equalizes quickly, the option will enable you to add other ingredients from the recipe. Then close the lid and resume pressure cooking.
It is also advisable to take a pressure cooker with a timer to program the exact cooking time. When the time you set expires, the timer will sound like a beep.
Safety features
Modern pressure cookers offer many safety features that models have not had in the past. In the case of overpressure, modern ones remove excess steam with the help of a valve. If the pressure continues to rise, a modern pressure cooker’s seal will be pushed out through a protective hole in the lid, releasing the pressure safely.
System for easy opening
For more comfortable use, it is recommended to choose a pressure cooker with a handle equipped with a rotation locking system. This is more practical because they do not require the use of force to close and open them.
Size and weight
There are different models of pressure cookers with different characteristics. The choice of size depends on the amount of food you want to cook or the number of people you want to serve.
Weight is also a criterion that should not be overlooked. It is recommended to use a lightweight model for more comfortable use.
Safety tips when using a pressure cooker
As you know, pressure cookers have their guaranteed safety if you follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Therefore, please read the instructions carefully and always follow them.
However, review the following tips:
Always keep the valve clean. This is the basic safety system, as if the pot exceeds the recommended pressure, it will be released by the safety valve.
So keep this in mind: if you want the valve to do its job, you need to clean it after each use to not accumulate grease or food residue.
Never fill the pot more than three quarters. If you’ve been able to afford it before, don’t do it anymore. Apart from the fact that the food is not cooked evenly, a more important reason is that some of the food can clog the valve.
Do not subject it to sudden temperature changes. Many people habitually remove the pot from the stove and immediately place it under a cold stream of water to reduce the temperature faster. This is not a good idea. It is recommended that after releasing the pressure from the pan, set it aside for at least 15 minutes to cool.
Replace the seal. Do it as soon as you see it getting old and losing elasticity or find cracks. The seal is an essential part of providing pressure. If there is any defect, the food may not be cooked properly.
With these instructions, you already know everything essential for the proper use of the pressure cooker.
Following the instructions in the purchase guide, you can choose the model with the best criteria. This is a kitchen helper that, with proper operation, will last a lifetime, even if you use it practically every day. You will see that as soon as you use it for the first time, you will no longer be able to live without it.
