How We Tested

We considered over 20 pressure cookers. From consulting more than 100 shoppers and consumers, we narrowed the search to these five picks. We suggest the best products based on user experience, price features, and value.

These products cater to every budget, containing all the basic features and more. Everyone wants a versatile kitchen appliance. The hours we put into testing and researching ensure buyers like you are happy with the pressure cooker they select.

We also want to give you some of the latest technology and features in the market. So our tests also consider the brand and manufacturers.

Buying Guide for

Best Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers have become very popular in modern kitchens. They can prepare meats, beans, and other hard-to-cook foods in minutes. They use steam in the unique pot to fasten the cooking process. However, buying can be challenging, especially when you don‘t know what to look for.

Stainless steel cookers are very durable. Aluminum products are not, but they are less durable, and the aluminum can react to acidic foods. Electric pressure cookers are more modern, and they come with a multitude of programmable features. You want a cooker that fits the size of your kitchen and can withstand at least 12 PSI.

Also, consider the amount of cooking presets and how versatile the cooking equipment is. If it‘s your first cooker, go for something easy to use and clean.

How Pressure Cookers Work

The cooker is a sealed chamber that traps steam from the food you cook. The trapped steam will increase pressure, which drives the boiling point of water past 212°F. The high temperatures are what shortens the cooking time.

With modern pressure cookers, you can select the amount of pressure depending on what you are cooking. There are stove-top and electric pressure cookers. The technique is the same except one uses a stove and the other electricity.

The lack of evaporation helps extract flavor from food more efficiently. After cooking, you have to release the pressure inside. Most cookers these days use a quick release. There are even hand-free steam releases to avoid heat accidents. But if you have an old cooker, you can let it rest for a few minutes so that the steam is naturally released.

Pressure Cooker History

The technique was invented in the 1600s, but it took a long while before technology and manufacturing standards could make the high-pressure pots safe. The first-generation cookers are the ones your grandmother used to have. They are functional, but they lack most of the advanced features second-generation cookers and beyond have.

You couldn‘t adjust the temperature with the first-generation cookers. Once food goes it, it cooks under the same pressure. However, the second-generation cookers came with a built-in gauge. You can adjust the pressure, which expands your choices on foods you can cook using the appliance.

The electric pressure cookers are the most advanced. You can regulate heat the way you want, and they come with preset cooking programs. They also have a smart function; you can connect them to WiFi and access recipes, and so much more.

What to Cook in Your Pressure Cooker

Almost anything! Your pressure cooker can indeed cook just about anything. But you have to remember some foods don‘t do well under such high temperatures. The best options are roast, stews, soups, rice, and things that need to be tenderized.

There are plenty of ideas you can try. If you search online, you will see hundreds of pressure cooker recipes. But beans, stews, vegetables, and soups are the most common foods for instant pots.

Safety First

There are a few must-haves when you are looking at pressure cooker features. Safety is very crucial because you will be cooking with buildup steam. The cooker needs a cover-locking safety system that ensures pressure doesn’t build up if the lid isn’t secure. The locking system will also prevent you from lifting the lid when the pot is under pressure.

A quick-release valve releases vapor from the pot safely. You should ensure you don‘t put too much food in the pot; more than half is too much. There should be enough water in the pressure cooker, and always open the lid carefully.

Price

Pressure cooker prices usually range from $ 50 to $ 200. The dramatic price difference is usually determined by the features and the type of pressure cooker. Versatile electric cookers that can do more than pressure cook are the most expensive.

You can use them for simmering, browning, warming, sautéing, and even yogurt-making. A $ 50 pressure cooker is the most basic; it only has the necessary features and has a small capacity. But you can find something under $ 100 that still has all the desirable features.

Consider your budget and the features you want before you go shopping.