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Enter the characters you see below Sorry, we just need to make sure you’re not a robot. Looking to save money and make meals in record time? Modern pressure cookers can easily revolutionise your mealtimes. Not only will they help you save money on ingredients and energy, but they are also super-speedy. The latest designs include smart safety features, useful accessories and greater cooking versatility, giving them the ability to make everything from casseroles, curries and risottos, to melt-in-the-mouth ribs, tender cheap cuts, whole chickens, and even ten-minute dals. And if you needed any more reasons to cook under pressure, it can be a lot healthier too. As pressure cookers use less water compared to conventional methods and there’s less oxidation, your food retains more vitamins and minerals.
However, not all models are built the same and the right one for you will depend largely on how much kitchen space you have and the dishes you’re most likely to cook. Check out our buying guide and reviews below to find out more. While in a conventional pan, food is cooked by boiling, a pressure cooker uses a different method. Its tight-fitting lid allows steam to build up under pressure, pushing heat into the food. This reduces the cooking time, which preserves more of the food’s nutrition and requires less energy. For the best results, this means you’ll need to leave enough space for the steam to build into pressure, so only fill the pan halfway and include enough liquid. Pressure cookers differ in price yet they all work on the same principle.
How much you spend will depend on whether you’re choosing a hob-top model or electric and how much you’re planning to use it. Is a multicooker the same as a pressure cooker? If you’re opting for an electric pressure cooker, there’s a good chance it’ll also be a multicooker, namely a model that offers other methods of cooking. While all these extra features can be useful, and help your appliance to earn its place on the worktop, consider how many of them you’re likely to use on a regular basis. If you’re mainly interested in pressure-cooking, look for a model that prioritises that function over the others or a pan that will last decades with proper care. What features should I look for?
If you’re buying a hob-top pressure cooker, look for features that’ll make using it easier. Dishwasher-safe parts, suitability for all hob types, a timer and accessories for steaming will also come in handy. Most of the former features will apply to electric pressure cookers too. In addition, look for a high wattage, different heat settings or programmes, the option of a quick pressure release and an auto temperature control to prevent food burning.
Most range from 3l to 6l, with the larger models being suitable for batch-cooking and meals for up to six people. Smaller, 3l cookers are better for catering for one to two people. As they tend to be heavy, bulky pieces of equipment, often with accessories, make sure you have room to store larger models before you buy. The best pressure cookers to buy1.
If you’re stuck between buying a pressure cooker and an air fryer for healthy quick meals, the Foodi is here to tick both off your list. As a pressure cooker, it’s simple to use, although the natural release can take a while to unlock. The crisping function is a little trickier to get the hang of as the heat can be fierce, so it’s best to keep checking on the progress of food before it becomes too brown. A big plus is that all the accessories are dishwasher-safe, so at least you can cook without factoring in time to wash up. Accessories: Recipe book, pressure cooking lid, reversible rack, 3.
Proving that pressure cookers can do so much more than stews and curries, the Pressure King Pro uses its speedy cooking power to whip up everything from pasta dishes and fish to creamy risotto and tender meat. Ideal for busy families, it’ll even cook a whole chicken in just 25 minutes, while a handy 24-hour delay timer, automatic keep-warm function and fast reheat button work around the most hectic lifestyle. Accessories: Recipe book, steam tray, measuring cup, cooking spoon. If you want your pressure cooker to do a lot of the hard work for you, Instant Pot’s newest addition to its UK range is a great buy. With 48 preset functions and a number of one-touch buttons, including options for rice and sous vide, you can pressure cook anything from a curry to a shoulder of lamb in a jiffy. The Duo Evo Plus is not only feature-rich, but it also looks the part. The elegant digital display and dial are a joy to use and make choosing your preferred timings, presets or pressure levels easy.
We’re also big fans of the enhanced safety features on this machine. It plays a distinct jingle when the lid is open or closed, so you know when it’s locked into place, and there’s a steam diffusing cap on top, so you don’t get caught out when manually releasing steam from the pot. For more details, information and specs, read our full Instant Pot review here. Image of Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1, 5. Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 10-in-1, 5.