Cooking dinner in a pressure cooker requires less time and effort to make a delicious meal. Why? Because pressure cookers are designed to use pressurized steam for cooking food in a fast and efficient way.
6-quart pressure cookers are ideal for most people because it’s an average size and it works perfectly for an average family. They are designed to be big, but not too big, so that you can still store the pot without having to give up too much space.
Instant Pot Duo
The Instant Pot Duo is a famous and well-known pressure cooker because it has everything that you need in a pressure cooker, and maybe even more. This 6-quart pressure cooker offers seven presets, including steamer, rice cooker, slow cooker, and pressure cooker. The control panel is easy to use, and the buttons are clearly labeled.
The inner pot is made from stainless steel and has a three-layer base to distribute food during the cook evenly. There are a few timer options available to users on this pressure cooker including delay time up to 24 hours. There is also a keep warm function that will work for up to nearly 100 hours.
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Presto Stainless-Steel Pressure Cooker
This Presto pressure cooker is probably one of the most popular stovetop pressure cookers on the market. The main advantage of this pressure cooker is that it’s incredibly affordable for the quality that you’re getting. The safety features on this model are designed to work even for those who are new to stovetop pressure cooking.
This pot is also non-stick, making clean up easy to do – especially since it’s dishwasher safe. The heating control helps keep the temperature at a consistent level to keep the heat constant so that you won’t experience temperature fluctuations.
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Fagor LUX Multi-Cooker
The Fagor LUX cooker is a slow cooker, pressure cooker, a rice maker, and so much more. It has 12 preset programs including white rice, slow cook, pressure cook, and steam settings. This pressure cooker is super safe and quiet and has very little evaporation and will automatically switch to warm mode after pressure cooking is finished.
A feature that this pressure cooker has that others don’t is that it beeps when it reaches pressure and then the timer starts counting down. This is a great way for you to know that you’ve put the valve in the pressure position and ensures that your food is cooking. Overall, this is a very user-friendly pressure cooker.
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Mealthy Multi-Pot Pressure Cooker
This 6-quart pressure cooker is designed to operate just like any other pressure cooker – large or small – but in a compact middle size. The Mealthy pressure cooker has nine cooking options, including slow cook, sauté, make rice, pressure cook, and more. The inner pot is made of stainless steel, so it’s perfect for making anything that you want inside the pressure cooker.
This pot also comes with a stainless steel steaming tray that can be used to steam veggies at the same time as you’re preparing your main dish. This is a very highly recommended pressure cooker and comes with recipes and an app, too.
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Calphalon Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Stovetop pressure cookers aren’t as popular as electric pressure cookers, but they’re still very useful. This particular model features a one-button locking system, a uniquely designed lid, and intuitive pressure controls that are easy to use and understand. The unique locking rim secures the pot in any position, so there’s no need to try to figure out how to perfectly put on the lid for a proper seal.
This pressure cooker can reach higher pressure than any electric pressure cooker, so it cooks faster – reducing cooking time by over 50 percent. The Calphalon is made out of stainless steel with silicon-wrapped handles. It can be used on any stovetop, including induction, and is dishwasher safe. Without the lid, you could use this pressure cooker as a regular stock pot.
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What to Look for in a Pressure Cooker
Before purchasing a pressure cooker, there are a couple of things that you should think about regarding a new pressure cooker. These include:
Stovetop vs. Electric
The very first decision that you need to make is whether you want an electric or stovetop pressure cooker. Both can reduce cooking times. However, stovetop cookers can reach higher pressures and cook food slightly faster. Electric cooks, on the other hand, have more features and can turn themselves off after cooking is finished.
Capacity
Pressure cookers are available in quite a few different sizes. You should keep in mind when searching for the perfect pot that you don’t need to fill the cooker to the top. Why? Because the pressure cooker needs space for food to expand, to create pressure, and to make sure that food doesn’t spill over through the pressure valve.
Features
Electric pressure cookers have more features and buttons to work with than a stovetop pressure cooker. However, there are differences to consider – like the style and placement of the pressure release valves, handles, and locking mechanism. When it comes down to this, you need to figure out what all you want your pressure cooker to be able to do!
