What's the best pressure cooker for newbie?

BAGGY

I dont know anything about the 'specifics' of pressure cookers but I have 2. An aluminium small one which I cook boiled pots in - has only one setting, and a large one for stews etc which has two settings. this is steel. The large one gets the most use. I dont bother with 'so many psi pressure'. Stewed meat get put on high for about 20 mins and left to depressureise naturally. Came back from taking the boys swimming and it was still hot enogh for them to eat and cooked perfectly. I did this yesterday for chicken stew with loads of veg and 4 large chicken thighs.
Think it's a tefal or prestige.

maryb

I have a Kuhn Rikon and I love love love it!

It replaced my old Prestige 25 year old one which I never thought could be bettered - they simply don't make them like that any more since Prestige went bust, were bought out by Meyer and production outsourced. But you cannot get spare parts easily for the old ones (apart from the gaskets which I still see in my local Debenhams) and besides which, it was aluminium and I am steering clear of that.

Kuhn Rikon do, in fact, do one with an auto pressure release which is a bit more expensive but worth it. It makes no noise at all in operation, which is a bit disconcerting when you are used to an old style pressure cooker.

Because it is European it only has two pressures - the first red ring is equivalent to 0.4 bar and the second red ring is equivalent to 0.8 bar. 0.8 bar equates to 11.6 psi which is not as high as the old three pressure Prestige which worked on 15 psi, but because it is so well sealed and does not lose pressure in operation I find that, in practice, the same timings work fine. You can actually gun it a bit by not turning down the heat enough to leave it with the second red ring just showing so that the operating pressure is a bit higher - there's a fair bit of tolerance before it starts hissing loudly to tell you you are overdoing it - but I am happy with using the higher setting as it is and don't find I need to add any extra time even when cooking things like chickpeas. And because it doesn't lose pressure you only need to add a tiny amount of water and it comes up to pressure much more quickly as a result and your veg doesn't go mushy

I know that this would be well outside your preferred budget but this really is a lifetime purchase, it's so good

avantra

Today used my new Morphy Richards 46641 for the first time and what a champ this cooker is, used it to boil chickpeas for hummus and all is well.

Stainless Steel with layered base and 10 years warranty (which you need to call MR and registered straight after you buy it).

Like you didn't want to spend more than £50 and this was by far the best deal.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B00CVRD372/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new&qid=1389309226&sr=1-1

maddiemay

I used pressure cookers for many years, but not for some time. My shiny new Tefal arrrived today and I have done the preparation first use of it prior to making some soup. As instructed I turned off the heat after the designated time and moved the valve to the slow pressure release position. I was expecting to see the steam exit slowly, but it came out like a rocket. I switched the extractor on and stood well back:D

Is this how it should work does any one know?

Purple_kitten

We have a prestige one that is hissing away as I type, absolutely recommend them, but its about 6 litres. We have replaced the seal just once, and use a little drop of oil on it after it's been washed. But no complaints and I would definitely recommend it

Andrew_Cottrell

Aluminium ones might not work well on induction hobs, whereas stainless steel ones should work fine.

I used to use a very old five litre aluminium Prestige, but last year I replaced it with a five litre stainless steel Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top. I have used it about once per week. The new one works much better: it doesn't drip; is very quiet; and looks good!

The Amazon price is currently £140, but was only £112 when I purchased it. I figured it was a reasonable price for something I will use weekly for many decades.

The five litre Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Inox is basically the same as the one I have, although without the automatic steam release valve. The Amazon price is currently £119.

BobFranklin

You should buy stainless steal pressure cooker because aluminum is not good for health.

gothrockchic1

bluenose1 wrote: »

Nothing exciting I am afraid. Well, I had cooked a romantic meal for two - well I don't suppose shank soup is romantic but my husband loves it (allow me a bit of poetic license.)
I forgot I had put on the back ring on my cooker and put the lid on top of it. When I could smell the burning we ran in and the rubber on the seal and weight were in flames. Quite a big fire considering. I am terribly forgetful and I am getting worse.
Regards
Anne

If it makes you feel any better Bluenose, I did this once with a toaster. Plastic fumes took weeks to go away!