If fear of explosion has kept you from trying out a pressure cooker, rest assured that modern models are safe and user-friendly. Most have built-in fail-safe protection that prevents pressure from building too rapidly while meeting and maintaining appropriate pressure levels quickly.
This model offers precision cooking with hands-free steam release and an elegant digital display. Although its price tag may be steep, this machine performed exceptionally in our tests.
1. Kuhn Rikon Duromatic 8.4-Quart Family-Style Pressure Cooker
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Kuhn Rikon Duromatic 8.4-Quart Family-Style Pressure Cooker Image |
Stovetop pressure cookers require you to manually manage heat and pressure. However, most models include multiple redundant safety features to protect the user if they follow directions properly; our Kuhn Rikon model featured a pressure release valve that doesn't let steam escape under high pressure, only venting when there's an actual issue with venting steam out when needed.
We prefer cookers with sturdy yet comfortable handles similar to what one would find on a standard pot and spring-loaded lids that lock securely shut. Furthermore, our top picks have clear screens displaying how much internal pressure the cooker has as well as options to customize altitude settings and cooking times accordingly.
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Kuhn Rikon Duromatic 8.4-Quart Family-Style Pressure Cooker |
Many of the modern pressure cookers we've tested are also multi-cookers with settings for slow cooking, steaming and sauteing - perfect for one-pot meals for your family or hosting large parties! Their speed cuts cooking times by up to 75% so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time socializing with guests!
2. Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker
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Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker |
Breville Fast Slow Pro stands out as an impressive test-runner favorite, packing an array of cooking features into one compact, user-friendly appliance.
This digitally pre-programmed multi-cooker can pressure cook, slow cook, steam saute sear and keep food warm with one press of a button - ideal for novice chefs as its user-friendly interface and hands-free steam release valve make this device convenient to operate without risk of burnt fingers! Reviewers were especially fond of its versatile capabilities.
Testers loved its versatility; reviewers especially appreciated its versatility as users fine-tuning pressure settings and cooking times for precise control as well as its user-friendliness for precise control.
Reviewers were appreciative of its versatility with fine tuning pressure settings and cooking times with pinpoint control.
Reviewers appreciated its versatility and user fine-tuning pressure settings and cooking times with precision control; reviewers especially liked its hands-free steam release valve for easy depressurization without fear of getting burned by accident!
This device also boasts dual sensors at both its base and lid to give a more accurate representation of internal pressure, enabling it to detect and adjust heating as necessary for safe and effective cooking.
This provides a major advantage over models which only gauge pressure via temperature probe.
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Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker Image |
This model is an excellent option for those seeking the ability to finely tune their pressure levels and appreciate hands-free steam release, without feeling limited by its pricey tag.
With its sleek, intuitive design and reliable performance, this investment proves itself worthy.
3. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Use Pressure Cooker
Multi-cookers are great space savers in any kitchen. Not only can they function as pressure cookers, but they can also slow cook, saute, reduce, steam and make yogurt!
Multi-cookers typically cook faster than standalone stovetop pressure cookers while creating a tighter seal so more flavor transfers to your food.
Plus they come equipped with multiple fail-safe vents so you can open and close them as necessary without fear of getting burned on the lid or suffering a steam facial (let out too many hot beans!).
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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Use Pressure Cooker |
Paying more usually results in improved cooking performance, easier cleanup surfaces and additional functions like auto-shutoff and hands-free steam release.
We believe the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Use Pressure Cooker offers the ideal blend of preprogrammed options, intuitive controls and painless cleanup at an attractive mid-price point.
4. Lakeland Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers can be an invaluable asset in today's hectic environment of balancing careers, children and family life.
Not only can they cook food faster than standard stovetop cooking, saving both energy and money but they are also fantastic tools for tenderizing meat quickly or creating nutritious stock more efficiently.
This Lakeland model is simple to operate, with a clear digital display showing you cooking times.
Additionally, its instruction booklet offers tips for adapting recipes specifically for pressure cooking.
Furthermore, its keep-warm and slow cook settings can be programmed so you can tailor their duration based on what you're cooking.
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Lakeland Pressure Cooker |
We tested this model steaming broccoli and found it was cooked perfectly with great flavor and texture.
Additionally, this appliance makes an outstanding risotto, can make beef short ribs fall off the bone in 45 minutes, snaps closed securely with a solid click, has an indicator to let you know when you're ready to begin, removable inner pot and steam basket are dishwasher-safe - making this model much simpler to keep clean than some.
5. Fissler Vitaquick Pressure Cooker
The Fissler Vitaquick stovetop pressure cooker made in Germany is widely regarded as an exceptional pressure cooker. While more costly than its Instant Pot counterpart, this high-end option boasts higher quality construction with multiple redundant safety features - an ideal choice for beginners in pressure cooking.
We consider the Best Quality Cooker among our test group as well as most affordable. It evenly disburses heat for sauteing and its pressure settings were the easiest for us to read (and set).
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Fissler Vitaquick Pressure Cooker |
As with other pressure cookers, this one saves both time and energy while simultaneously preserving vitamins, minerals, and flavor.
Ideal for beans, rice, stock or tenderizing cuts of meat for long braises; newcomers to pressure cooking should start here; it is less costly than Presto models we tested; we would advise purchasing the latter only for tasks requiring simple procedures without regard for redundant safety mechanisms.
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