Which pressure cooker to choose?

How to choose your pressure cooker?

A pressure cooker, also known as a pressure cooker and Presto in Quebec, is a kitchen tool that cooks food using high-pressure steam.

Cooking with the pressure cooker achieves similar results to cooking in a slow cooker, but much faster. While the first models represented certain risks of accidents, the pressure cookers found on the market today are much safer.

To help you choose a pressure cooker, 10 Tips presents a buying guide that will answer your questions.

Tips for choosing the best pressure cooker:

1. The advantages of the pressure cooker

Very efficient for cooking tough meats and faster than the slow cooker, the pressure cooker has many advantages:

Speed:

The pressure cooker will allow you to serve a stew in less than 15 minutes. Same as for a whole chicken, potatoes, etc. Most dishes made in the slow cooker can be made in the pressure cooker much faster.

Economic:

Thanks to the efficiency of cooking under high pressure, you can cook tougher meats that are often cheaper to buy. Among others, blade roast, stewing cubes and shoulder roast.

Versatile:

It’s not just the meats that can be cooked there. You can use the pressure cooker for cooking rice, legumes, root vegetables, and even make good desserts.

Nutrition and flavor:

Using less water and cooking faster, cooking in a pressure cooker helps preserve the vitamins and minerals in food. In addition, cooking in the pressure cooker helps to concentrate the flavors, just like the slow cooker.

2. Features to check before buying a pressure cooker

Since today’s pressure cookers are much safer than those our mothers or grandmothers used to use, it is worth investing in a modern, quality model. As there are several on the market, it can be difficult to decide on the best pressure cooker for your own needs. Consider these few features:

The format:

There are pressure cookers in various sizes, ranging from 4 to 10 liters. Know that a pressure cooker of 4 liters will be ideal for a small family of 3 or 4 people.

The opening:

Depending on the model, the pressure cooker opening device will be either push-button, stirrup, lever, by a sliding system or by the classic bayonet opening system.

Handles:

They should be easy to grab, but also fold down to save space when storing. Cooking programs: preferably, your pressure cooker will offer different cooking programs, helping you to successfully cook your meat, vegetables or fish.

Types of fire:

Most pressure cookers can be used with all types of heat, but if you have an induction cooker, you will need to ensure that your pressure cooker is compatible.

The Steamer Basket:

Some models are offered with a basket specifically designed for steam cooking, allowing you to use your pressure cooker for recipes calling for this type of cooking.

The timer:

You will find two types of timers for pressure cookers: a removable timer that is not plugged into the pressure cooker and is not programmable, and an equally removable but smart one, which is connected to it and takes pressure into account. inside the tank. In addition, the latter is programmable.

3. Multicookers

This multifunctional kitchen appliance can be used to boil, fry, roast, simmer and steam a wide range of foods, thus replacing a large number of appliances including the pressure cooker.

If you’re short on storage space, it might be worth having one device that can do it all.

4. Pressure cooker price ranges

There really is something for every budget. Some basic models sell for around $50, while high-end, large-capacity pressure cookers can sell for upwards of $300. Before buying a pressure cooker, you will need to consider what you want to use it for in order to assess which is the best pressure cooker for your needs. As with many kitchen appliances, you should be able to find a good value model in the mid-range, around a hundred dollars.

5. The best models of pressure cookers

Here are some of the most popular models to help you buy a pressure cooker that will meet your needs:

Seb pressure cooker Clipso pressure cooker:

Clipso Chrono pressure cookers have a capacity of 4.5, 6, 8 or 10 litres. Its sliding opening system allows easy opening and closing. With its 2 cooking programs, smart timer and folding handles, it offers excellent value for money.

Novia Vitamin Lagostina pressure cooker

This pressure cooker is available in several sizes, ranging from 3.5 to 12 litres. Its lever system facilitates opening and closing. It offers even cooking thanks to its Lagoplan bottom, as well as 2 cooking programs.

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

This pressure cooker, available in 6 or 8 liter format, is a multifunction device that can replace the slow cooker, the rice cooker and the yogurt maker while presenting the functions of a pressure cooker. Very safe appliance thanks to its 10 safety mechanisms, it offers 14 cooking programs.

Moulinex Cookeo Multicooker

This smart multicooker has a capacity of 6 litres. It offers 7 cooking modes, and can connect to your tablet via Bluetooth to give you access to recipes and tips. The Cookeo also offers the functions of delayed start and keeping warm at the end of cooking.