How To Choose The Best Pressure Cooker?

A pressure cooker is a useful kitchen tool, but no all of them work efficiently. Thus, you have to know how to choose the best rated electric pressure cooker, suiting your demands.

Before reading the best pressure cooker reviews and making a purchase, you need to learn the key factors below:

Material

The durable stainless steel is always the top material of high-quality pressure cookers. However, not all of them are the same. You need to check the label or the bottom stamp of the cooker. Ensure that it indicates 18/10 stainless steel, meaning 18% of chromium and 10% nickel. The chromium and nickel bring some benefits as follows:

• They protect your pressure cooker from stain and corrosion. A good stainless steel cooker must include at least 10.5% of chromium. The higher amount of chromium comprises, the more durable your cooker is.


• Nickel functions as a protective layer, making your cooker shine. At the same time, it also improves the gleam and shine of your cooker.

Accurate pressure indicator and quick release

Make sure that your pressure cooker can reach at least the level of a standard model (15psi). Moreover, it should have an accurate indicator, which indicates when your cooker reaches this level. There are 2 types: a colored marker and a pop-up indicator.

You had better choose a quick-release option built into the pressure regulator of the cooker. Nowadays, many top pressure cookers come with this mechanism, which lowers the pressure quickly, but it still can keep the heat. After equalizing the pressure, you can add other ingredients from the recipe to continue the pressure cooking.

Fill lines

Fill lines are inside of the cooking pot. Any modern pressure cooker has maximum and minimum fill lines on the inside. This feature tells you how you are filling the content.

Gasket

The gasket is a rubber or silicone or plastic ring inside the lid rim. You need to care this part more carefully because, without a gasket, it's impossible to cook at pressure. The manual will let you know the care details.

Safety

Unlike the hazard of the old-designed cookers in the past, the current designs of the modern pressure cookers are pretty safe. In the event of overpressure, the modern machines will vent excess steam from valve steam. You can easily recognize this thing through an audible "hiss". In case pressure keeps increasing, the sealing gasket will be pushed out through a safety aperture in the cooker lid.

Size

If you want to know which one you should buy: 4, 6, 7, or 8 qt quart cooker, help me to answer some questions as follows:

• How many portions do you usually prepare?


• How much storage space do you have?


• And how is your budget for a good pressure cooker?

According to the recommendation of Vickie Smith, a 6-quart pressure cooker is a minimum option. But, if possible, you should invest in a 7-8- quart machine.

Keep in mind this rule:

You can just fill a pressure cooker with two-thirds full for most foods. Meanwhile, a regular model can hold half full of foods that froth or foam while cooking.

Brand

Pressure cooker brands play a vital role in choosing The Best Pressure Cookers on the Market for Your Needs:

• Kuhn Rikon belongs to the highest range price. Of course, the manufacturer has produced high-quality pressure cookers with extremely safe features.


• Fagor features nice and sturdy products at a reasonable price.


• The Presto machines are cheaper than Fagor ones, but you can still buy some great pressure cookers.

Warranty and accessories

Even you pick up a pressure cooker that is able to last several decades, and you had better consider the reliability of the company. Which kind of warranty and policy can the company provide its customers?

For a worthy and long-term investment, you should buy a product from a reliable company where covers replacement parts and accessories.

Avoid non-stick

Why should you avoid non-stick pressure cookers?

It is because of the following reasons:

• The non-stick surface doesn't last long.


• The non-stick coatings usually come with a lot of health issues.

2-in-1 cooker

Are you looking for a two-in-one cooker, which functions as a pressure cooker and a standalone cooking pot? If your answer is yes, a stainless steel stovetop unit is an ideal solution. In case your kitchen has plenty of space for a countertop appliance, it's better to choose an electric model.

Durability

To break down the matter, let you answer this question:

How often will you use a pressure cooker?

With regular use, a non-stick cook pot will discolor even take on smell over time. This is also the case of the aluminum stovetop machines. Instead, the stainless steel pressure cooker lasts longer and has a higher level of durability.

Note

If you want to make a purchase of the highest rated pressure cooker on the market, never do the 2 following things:

Never buy a second-hand pressure cooker because it is rare to find out a good second-hand model. Usually, they would come with some problems like the degraded parts. Buying this type of cooker means that you are facing a higher chance of going wrong even before using it. Of course, when any part of this pressure cooker is broken, you can't get any guarantee from the manufacturer.

Don't purchase an aluminum pressure cooker. Although it is cheap, this flimsy cooker is really bad. The aluminum pressure cooker even can't stand a light drop or damage. What if you take care of it carefully and try to keep it in good shape? It still discolors even stains after a long time of use. Though this thing doesn't affect the cooking ability, there will be scent retention.

What is the best pressure cooker?

It should be a stainless steel pressure cooker, having enough safety features and functions. It’s better if it comes with an extended warranty. Don’t forget some notes that you have to remember to avoid wasting your money as well. Also, please share this post and leave a comment.