Pressure cooker

[K. Slink]

I don't have one yet, but am seriously considering buying one. Anybody got advice for a novice, like what to look for or avoid???

[Cassie-Jane]

I have never had one so I am also looking for advice!

[K. Slink]

I think I posted this under the wrong forum, CJ. If we look under Kitchen Gear--pressure cooker, and Cooking Gadgetry--It's all about speed and flavor--I think we'll find the answers we're looking for...

[KarenB]

Bought one last month. Lid locked. Returned it next day. Enough said.. not for me.

[CM]

You can get a cheap pressure cooker for under $30 - I saw one at BJ's on clearance the other day for about $20. At this price, they're usually aluminum. I used aluminum pressure cookers for years and they work well for items requiring short cooking times, like potatoes and carrots. I prefer stainless steel for making stocks/broths, soups, stews and beans. I have a number of old Mirro pressure cookers and canners that have served me well. Don't believe what you read about older pressure cookers - they're quite reliable as long as you have a good rubber gasket, a flat bottom, and none of the handles are loose. Check the safety valves to be sure they're clear and the fuse is intact. All American pressure cookers are the best in the aluminum pressure cooker/canner group (and they don't require a gasket!)

Currently, I use Kuhn-Rikon stainless steel pressure cookers for cooking (I have a Dutch oven and a saucepan size) and I use All American canners in sizes of 7.5 to 24 quarts for canning and roasts). Once you've used a pressure cooker for steaming potatoes or cooking lentils and/or other beans and grains, you won't want to be without. I also have a few vintage novelty pressure cookers that were intended for pressure frying (KFC style).

Karen - often there is a safety latch to prevent you from opening the pressure cooker before the pressure has normalized. If you try to turn the top before the pressure has dropped, it might seem stuck until you back off the cover in the opposite direction (assuming the pressure is dropped and the vent is not clogged).

Here's more on a similar thread that might help!

[KarenB]

Actually I was just playing with the lid to get used to it before heat was involved. My husband couldn't even get it off. Yes, I read the directions. Yes, I'm professionally trained to write those user manuals so reading is not the problem Just not meant to be....

[CM]

Karen, I'm just curious what brand/make/model of pressure cooker it was? Maybe we should all just avoid this one!

[KarenB]

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...age_reviews_li

Here are the mixed reviews of the Fresco 9L that I had bought.

[Big Daddy's House]

Here's what one of mine look like! Click on the link below.


It's the 6-qt model. I didn't pay that amount for it though.

Had it since around '97 and it costed about $187 or so back then. It's very reliable!! i've replaced the handles, tightening knob and gasket since then, but the performance of the unit has never been compromised at all!!


http://www.pro-selections.com/product.cfm/25930/

[Big Daddy's House]

Here's what my other one looks like.

It's the 7-qt Kuhn Rikon model. This one is hiss-free for quieter operation, which means no hissing while it cooks!

Click on the attachment below to see it.