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lynnm1947 posted 11/12/2013 12:17 PM

It's been ages--and an overseas move-- since I owned a pressure cooker, but I want one again.

Does anyone have any preferences? I'd be looking medium size.

Rebreather posted 11/12/2013 13:59 PM

Ooh, I dunno, but I am in the market as well!

tushnurse posted 11/12/2013 15:02 PM

OOOH me too.

I have been wanting one, but don't know what a good one is. I remember the one Grandma used weighed about 20 pounds, and the few I have looked at just seem chintzy compared to it. I wish I woulda asked for that when she passed. I think my Dad threw it away!!!!

I have looked a few times at the thrift shop, but none there so far.

Deeply Scared posted 11/12/2013 15:14 PM

I've always been so scared of them.

My mother was an excellent cook and never fumbled in the kitchen, but even she was nervous around them. I guess I inherited her fear

Rebreather posted 11/12/2013 15:22 PM

They are a little better now, DS, lol. I want one for cooking beans and doing things like short ribs in record time. They have smaller ones now as well.

I saw Cuisinart has an electric one which sounded kind of interesting.

Deeply Scared posted 11/12/2013 15:53 PM

Rebreather...

I'm so glad they've come a lot further...lol!!

Just be careful and don't blow up your house!

Rebreather posted 11/12/2013 16:28 PM

My mom used to not even let us in the house when they were canning. I am still kind of scared of the whole idea! lol

Deeply Scared posted 11/12/2013 16:31 PM

You should be scared...they're dangerous!

Rebreather posted 11/12/2013 16:32 PM

If I am killed by exploding short ribs, you'll know you were right. lol

Deeply Scared posted 11/12/2013 16:46 PM

I hope it doesn't come to that!

osxgirl posted 11/13/2013 10:17 AM

I wouldn't be without a pressure cooker! They are the best way to make a tough cut of meat tender, and you can cook things a lot faster with them than in the oven, without all the issues you can have cooking in the microwave.

The only way I will do stuffed cabbage is in the pressure cooker - the cabbage never gets done enough just cooking it in the oven, and they can be cooked in about 20 minutes in the pressure cooker.

They are definitely a lot safer than they used to be. And don't worry about how much lighter they are than the ones your grandmother (or great-grandmother, or even your mother!) had. The metals used are strong - they won't just blow apart. The only real risk with a pressure cooker is the lid blowing off. Even there, newer cookers have improved the steam valve and the locking mechanisms in a way that makes them a lot safer. The main thing to do is check the rubber gasket every time you use it - if that becomes degraded at all, you need to get a new gasket, and make sure you have one that fits the pot exactly. The rubber gasket is what makes the seal. As long as you take care of that, you should never have any problems. My mom used one for as long as I can remember, and I've used them my whole adult life, and neither of us have ever had any incidents.

As far as recommendations for buying - we just bought one we got a good deal on. Don't buy a used one. Other than that - well, we just got a very basic, inexpensive one (might be a Presto, but I'm not sure) and it works fine. Having said that, though, if I were going to buy a new one now, I would use this to help:

http://missvickie.com/workshop/buying.html

Especially the recommendations for cookers that stick less!

Good luck!

lynnm1947 posted 11/13/2013 12:21 PM

I've never had a pressure cooker blow, but a one-time co-worker blew a meat and tomato sauce all over her ceiling! As usual, a worn gasket.

Glad they are lighter now because if they were the old honkers, I wouldn't be able to lift them. My arthritic fingers make even lifting my favourite wide stainless saute pan a heap big painful chore.

tushnurse posted 11/13/2013 14:05 PM

Lymn I know what you are saying about lifting those pans, I'm old school, or have gone back to old school, I use Cast Iron for skillets. Nothing better in my book. Those suckers are HEAVY!!!!

ladies_first posted 11/13/2013 19:48 PM

I use mine at least 2x/week. Don't know the brand. Since they are much lighter, I wish I'd purchased a bigger pot.

America's Test Kitchen reviewed and rated.

And what about Consumer Reports?