Recommend me a pressure cooker

sb44

Well I didn't have a huge budget as buying a pressure cooker wasn't something I had planned to buy but I bought one today.

I got the Smartplus 5L aluminium in black for £34.99 from TJ Hughes, the same one is £45 in Tesco.

I know other places have them online for less but they all seem out of stock.

I'm not sure what the difference is between the shiny one and the black one that I bought, I assume it is just the appearance.



http://www.tjhughes.co.uk/fcp/product/brands-for-less//Prestige-Aluminium-Pressure-Cooker/3132

I haven't had a look at it yet it's still in the box so I shall have a mooch later.

sb44

I have just found this site showing cooking times which may be of interest to any other pressure cooker newbies like me.

Perhaps experts out there can confirm if these time look ok according to their experience.

http://pressure-cookin.com/Pressure_cooker_time_table.html#chick

Red29

Hi folks I wonder if anyone could give me some advice please?

I want to buy a pressure cooker and I've looked at loads of models, read all the user reviews on places like Amazon and read all the threads I can find on Money Saving to help me choose which one to buy.

However I think I've information overloaded and feel very confused! Plus I'm terrified of blowing up my house so need a model that is very very easy to use and understand, and that is safe.

Any pointers would be great - eg do I need a stainless steel one or will aluminium do?

I'm looking at Jamie Oliver one for about £100 and then a Tower one which is about £50 - so quite a difference in price. I don't want to pay an extra £50 for the same thing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Thank you

Pink.

Hi Red29,

I got the tefal secure pressure cooker recently and I'm very happy with it, althought the instruction booklet isn't the best, but thankfully I'm familiar with pressure cookers. Personally I prefer not to use aluminuim if I can avoid it.

I'll add your thread to the main one on pressure cooker recommendations later to keep the suggestions together:

Recommend me a pressure cooker

Pink

morganlefay

Hi Red !
Am sure Pink's advice will answer all your questions. But I just have to say that I have Kuhn Rikon (stainless steel, not non-stick) which I got from lakeland. It is wonderful (and I have had other makes - Prestige, Tefal, in the past) but this is the best fpr me because it doesn't hiss and sound scary and is very idiot-proof. The thing about Lakeland is that if you really hate it or can't get it to work they will take it back. Good hunting !
(It was about £90 I think)

shepherdgirl

Hi Red

Another vote for the Kuhn Rikon. Got one from Father Christmas and well chuffed. Like you I was scared of blowing it up, but it has been very kind to me so far - LOL

Made spare ribs in bbq sauce for tea and it was pronounced the best yet.

The latest edition of Delicious magazine (subscription with Mr T clubcard vouchers !), has an article about the comeback of pressure cookers and recipes (including the ribs). They don't mention the Kuhn, but do rate some other models.

Good luck with your search

cooking-mama

hello red29..i use the prestige smartplus, from Argos, http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8612012/Trail/searchtext%3EPRESSURE+COOKER.htm#pdpFullProductInformation
I did try the kuhn rikon from lakeland,but i didnt get on well with it,it was a lot nosier then the prestige and would give out a sudden whoosh,i had problems regulating the pressure,but this seemed to be a problem due to my gas hob rather than a problem with the pressure cooker.however lakeland kindly agreed to take it back when i phoned them.
As far as i know aluminium PC's are not good if you cook with tomato based sauces etc..something to do with acid flavours reacting with the aluminium?

Red29

Hi just wanted to say thanks for your help and advice. I've gone for a WMF one from amazon as the reviews on it and other sites have been really good. Plus it looks incredilbly straight forward to use for a baby like me who is scared of her first pressure cooker experience!!

Many thanks again for all your advice.

JulieGeorgiana

I bought the Jamie Oliver one for £100... if it's the same as mine, it electric! I consider this cheaper to run... and I LOVE mine. The instructions are easy to read and simple to follow.

I am also not scared it's going to blow up uin my face!

It's saved us well over £100 since we bought it 3/4 months ago!

Red29

Hi just wanted to give everyone an update hopefully it'll help anyone else looking to buy a pressure cooker.

Just used my WMF for the first time and it was soooooooooooo easy :j

Instructions really clear. No hissing noise only a teeny weeny little whisper but not all the time just to let you know it's working right.

I cooked chick peas for a curry...they are perfect.

Happy to answer any questions if it helps anyone.:)