The Best Pressure Cookers for All Types of Cooking
To cook meat, fish, vegetables and vegetables by halving cooking times, here are the best pressure cookers on the market to buy today, how to choose it and what features to evaluate to make the right choice.
Here are the best pressure cookers for induction and traditional hobs to buy today to cook meat, fish, vegetables, and legumes by halving cooking times. Which one to choose and which features to evaluate to make the right choice
Thanks to the pressure cooker, we can prepare different types of food and many tasty recipes using only one pot, which fits most existing cooktops. The pressure cooker works thanks to a watertight lid that quickly reaches temperatures up to 250°F. In addition, the vent valve allows excess steam to escape during cooking.
With steam power, we can cook in half the time foods that usually require long cooking, such as meat, pulses, and soups. The pan allows browning and then completes steam cooking with the special lid.
Similarly, we can quickly cook delicate foods such as vegetables or fish without spoiling flavors and losing nutritional properties. Another advantage of the pressure cooker is the non-emission of cooking fumes and odors, which are released only minimally when the pot is opened and do not invade the house during cooking.
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How to choose a pressure cooker: Types and Characteristics
To choose correctly which pressure cooker to buy, these are the most important characteristics to consider when making sure you make the right and lasting purchase over time.
Capacity and dimensions
The size of the pressure cooker is the first important parameter to be evaluated. The dimensions are important depending on how much food we cook in the family. A standard pressure cooker is 8.6 inches in diameter, but we can find more capacious pressure cookers up to 10-11 inches.
Another parameter to remember to understand the pot’s size is the capacity expressed in liters. Usually, a diameter of 8.6-9.5 inches corresponds to a 5-liter pressure cooker, while the larger pots have a 7 – 8 liters capacity.
The liters shown represent the pot’s volume and should not be confused with the liters of water used, as the pressure cooker works with a much lower amount of water than other pots.
Display and indicator lights
The only methods to monitor the pot were a kitchen timer and the valve vent. Today, the best pressure cookers have a display to monitor the temperature and, sometimes, even the end of cooking.
From the display, you can also choose preset cooking programs for a perfect result of the dishes, and some models, also have lights that indicate the end of cooking and then signal that it is time to open the pot.
Built-in timer
The top-range pressure cookers have a built-in timer, often combined with a display. The timer allows you to set cooking times precisely and then easily cook more foods.
Cooking systems
Temperature and steam power distinguish the cooking systems obtainable from the pressure cooker. We have a meat program that can also be used for legumes, cooking at maximum temperatures, and a second program dedicated to vegetables, which need more delicate cooking to lose nutritional properties.
Closing system
The lid-closing system is always hermetic. The technology varies from pot to pot, but a good pressure cooker is always equipped with a hermetic lid, with handles that can be lowered or rotated, depending on the case.
The closure confirmation generally occurs with a click or light signals on display. In most pressure cookers, a safety system prevents opening the lid when the pan is operating.
The steam jet is dangerous, so the vent valve should always be placed upwards. The lid opens only at the end of cooking after the stove has been switched off and after the excess steam comes out of the valve.
Materials
Given the pot’s high temperatures, the most-used material is almost always stainless steel. In some cases, we can also find aluminum, especially for the bottom, composed of several layers. The pressure cooker is a robust pot, so it is not very light and weighs around 2 kg.
Today, most steel pressure cookers are compatible with all cooktops, including the induction hob. The handles are made of silicone and are a high-quality product. They should always be heat resistant. Sometimes, they are also removable, allowing the pot to be washed in the dishwasher.
Basket
The basket is included in many models of pressure cookers. It steers vegetables or fish and keeps the food raised from the pot’s bottom, not in contact with water.
Cookbook
Given the particularity of the pressure cooker, many manufacturers include a recipe book. Therefore, knowing cooking times and methods based on the ingredients is beneficial. In this way, you can cook many recipes in a short time.
[divider style="solid" top="10" bottom="10"]The best pressure cookers to buy
To help you choose the pressure cooker, we have selected the ten best models for value for money.
Below is the selection of the best pressure cookers to buy with their respective characteristics, capacities, and prices.
Product prices and availability are subject to change. Therefore, any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to purchasing any products.