Just what is the best pressure cooker? Endeavouring to discover one specific answer is in fact close to unachievable. Why? since there are almost as many pressure cookers as there are users needs, and each user will look for a different set of criteria when choosing the best pressure cooker, for his or her requirements.
The choice to start cooking with a pressure cooker is sure to ease your cooking process on a daily basis and add new flavours and tastes to your mealtime. For this decision to purchase a pressure cooker to really have the proper impact however, you need to make sure you are getting the right tool, the best pressure cooker, that meets your specific needs as a cook. A wrong cooker will be only a hindrance in the kitchen.
Figuring out what cooker suits your needs and identifying a list of requirements that your product of choice needs to meet, will make the process of choosing a pressure cooker, easier and more enjoyable. Here's a list of 'preferences' that you might consider satisfying before you make a decision to get your very own best pressure cooker.
Size
Pressure Cookers come in different measurements. From 4 quart to 30 quart, and with sets in between - two or three cookers of different sizes, in the same box. How to decide between those options? Just consider how many mouths you feed on a regular basis. Are you a single person, sometimes having one or two friends over for dinner? or do you cater for a family of 6 with never ending appetites? how many people will this product be used to cook for? don't forget to include guests and special occasions in your calculations, if they are a thing of habit in your household. If you only prepare food for 2-3 people daily, then a basic 4 quart cooker devoid of extras is more than likely your best choice.
If you are planning to do some canning quite regularly, then the larger up to 30 quarts pressure canners and cookers are what you should probably look at. Most of these cookers + canners are large in size and as a result weightier to deal with and maintain. They are not intended for the regular sized family, if they are not into canning, and are not usually the best solution for amateurs. Chefs and cooks who are familiar with preparing food with pressure cookers are probably a better fit for these large sized cookers / canners.
Utilisation:
How routinely or scarcely you need to work with a your cooker will allow you to opt for the material that's most suitable for pot you are about to purchase. The stainless steel cookers are a whole lot more resilient, simple and easy to clean, look better and are scratch, warp and corrosion immune. But unfortunately, these will be more expensive. By contrast, the aluminium models conduct heat better and are usually cheaper, yet they get corroded and dented very easily.
The best pressure cookers are the stainless steel cookers with a steel - aluminium - steel base. This way, the product body is of the highest quality material and the aluminium sandwich base helps in conducting heat uniformly thus helping cook food faster and thoroughly. These pressure cookers can last more time, function to the best of their ability for many years on end and are easy to maintain.
Functionality:
Consider what features you need when cooking a meal, before making a decision.
One crucial thing to consider is the pressure setting on your cooker of choice. Most foods demand a high pressure setting of 15 psi and a low one of 8psi. If the cooker provides both these settings, then it is an ideal choice. If you need to compromise on just one pressure setting, always opt for the high pressure setting of 15psi. Most recipes cook at 15psi, so not having a low setting will not harm your cooking in any way.
Price level:
Purchase prices for good cookers fluctuate based on the brand, size and variety. The premium solutions sell for over 200$, The multi-set cookers usually sell for just over $100, and the smaller sized cookers come at around $50. Pressure cookers are an expensive financial investment, but the ones worth the price tag deliver for a minimum for a period of 10 years. That is why, it is highly recommended to pay for precisely what you require.
It is often worth investing in the best pressure cooker you can afford, to ensure that it will last as long as possible and meet your needs, without the need to look for a new replacement, too often.
rahul