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Beginners Guide => Hints, Tips, Methods and so on.. => Cooking Equipment => Topic started by: Unclefrank on December 30, 2011, 10:40 PM

Title: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on December 30, 2011, 10:40 PM
Hi all what pressure cooker do you recommend, also has anybody tried an electric pressure cooker.
Thanks, would appreciate your wisdom and views.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: vinotinto on December 31, 2011, 10:12 AM
I have a Tefal Clipso- Its pretty expensive (it was bought as a present) - but I find it great to use, has a digital timer that automatically starts when you reach pressure.  I find it great for making stock in particular, and it also did my Christmas puddings this yr.  Whether Id pay that amount for a pressure cooker I am not sure, they all do pretty much the same job.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on December 31, 2011, 12:27 PM
Thanks vinotinto like you say its a little expensive, i found the Morphy Richards Rapid Cook http://www.amazon.co.uk/Morphy-Richards-48815-Electric-Pressure/dp/B003TSE25Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1325334097&sr=1-1 (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Morphy-Richards-48815-Electric-Pressure/dp/B003TSE25Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1325334097&sr=1-1)
But not really got good  reviews(for the price).
 I also found this http://instantpot.com/ (http://instantpot.com/)
But only in USA (i think)
So i need some more info and feedback on which pressure to get.
Thanks for your reply.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on December 31, 2011, 12:41 PM
Hi all what pressure cooker do you recommend >
Very happy with my Fagor 6l, except that we lost (literally lost) the pressure seal/gasket recently and I had to do yesterday's Christmas pudding without a seal :-(

** Phil.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on January 02, 2012, 12:51 PM
Hi UF
I've got two Pressure cookers, an old Aluminium Prestige 6ltr, had for years, don't know how long. Which I use in my kitchen at home. (It's never been a problem)

The other is a new Russell Hobbs Aluminium 4ltr, (25 quid ASDA) which I use at my old man's kitchen, which is where i shoot my curry vids.
Really good pot, nothing fancy and cheap as chips. would recommend this one.

Both great for making curry base and much much more.
watch the Russell Hobbs in action here
http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5606.0 (http://www.curry-recipes.co.uk/curry/index.php?topic=5606.0)


cheers Chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 02, 2012, 01:04 PM
Chewy you are a life saver thanks for posting will invest in an ASDA one, have you used an electric pressure cooker?
Thanks also Phil will have a closer look into the Fagor one as well.
Cheers.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on January 02, 2012, 01:32 PM
Hi UF
Nope never used an electric one, truth is I don't really like using my electric deep fat fryer, much prefer the stove top.
I think the advantage of say the Russell Hobbs Aluminium 4ltr is its a really good all round cooking pot, the pressure part is just the added bonus.
I have loads of pots and pans, but I usually make a grab for this one.
I cook all my Handi Curries (on the bone) in it and its spot on.
cheers Chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Razor on January 02, 2012, 02:31 PM
Just come back from Asda and they've got a 4ltr pressure cooker in there for 20 quid.  Didn't get the make of it though, sorry :(

Ray :)
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 02, 2012, 03:05 PM
Cheers Razor might get one from ASDA.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: natterjak on January 02, 2012, 03:35 PM
Quick question for those who have pressure cookers - what do you find yourself cooking in them? I can see the logic of reduced energy consumption but I can't think what I would cook apart from the occasional boiled gammon. I know chewy makes curry base sauce with his but to be honest I'm finding my slow cooker ideal for that at present, you just load it up and run it overnight.

I'm open to being persuaded - just need to know what they're good at  :)
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: George on January 02, 2012, 03:50 PM
Quick question for those who have pressure cookers - what do you find yourself cooking in them?

Kentucky type fried chicken in oil.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 02, 2012, 04:56 PM
Quick question for those who have pressure cookers - what do you find yourself cooking in them?
In mine : curry base/gurabi/w-h-y; stock from bones; congee; steak-and-kidney; casseroled mutton/goat.  Possibly others, but those come immediately to mind.

** Phil.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 02, 2012, 05:16 PM
Got a 5 litre Prestige Pressure Cooker over ASDA 25GBP just got me one  ;)
Will be doing Chewy's base in the week, thanks for all your help.
Cheers.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 02, 2012, 05:36 PM
Just a quick question in this picture http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=208-0555 (http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=208-0555)
The wire thing on the right is that to rest the basket on inside the pressure cooker?
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: PaulP on January 02, 2012, 06:05 PM
Quick question for those who have pressure cookers - what do you find yourself cooking in them?

Kentucky type fried chicken in oil.

So you tried it after all George and survived to tell the tale!

Cheers,

Paul
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: George on January 02, 2012, 06:17 PM
So you tried it after all George and survived to tell the tale!

Yes, just the once, after I took lots of precautions. Nothing went wrong but I know it's risky, so not a cooking method for the feint hearted. The chicken was good - but not perfect - and I must try it again.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Peripatetic Phil on January 02, 2012, 06:31 PM
Just a quick question in this picture http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=208-0555 (http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=208-0555)The wire thing on the right is that to rest the basket on inside the pressure cooker?
It is indeed : the idea is that it insulates whatever sits in the basket (e.g., a Christmas pudding) from the direct heat being applied to the base of the pressure cooker, and ensures that it therefore is heated only by contact with the water and the steam, not with the base.  Which of course reminds me that that is another use for a pressure cooker : Christmas puddings !

** Phil.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on January 02, 2012, 06:57 PM
Hi UF
The wire is called a trivet, also ideal for doing pot in pot fast cooking
Do an ideal Pilau in 5 minutes. Good info on this website
http://fastcooking.ca/index.htm (http://fastcooking.ca/index.htm)
have fun ;)
cheers Chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 02, 2012, 09:46 PM
Thanks for that Chewy good site there. The last time i saw a pressure cooker, i was only a child and was watching my mom fight back the steam to open the thing up, but my moms stew was excellent, she always cooked in a pressure cooker.
So when you are cooking in the basket the water you place in shouldnt touch the basket thing then?
Sorry if i sound a bit thick but i have never cooked with a pressure cooker.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Whandsy on January 04, 2012, 04:23 PM
I'm thinking of investing in a pressure cooker as well as unclefrank, to help eliminate lengthy kitchen smells as well as to save time.

Question for chewy, or anyone for that matter, I'm thinking of using the low fluid content such as curry2go for my next base sauce, have you (anyone) used the pressure cooker for this and does it release a lot of water from the onions/veg? :-\

wayne
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 01:21 PM
Need a little advice the Prestige Aluminium Pressure Cooker says in the booklet that it cooks at 7lb per square inch is this any good, does that mean the cooker cooks at 7 psi, i ask because the "norm" is 15 psi.
Please help.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on January 06, 2012, 01:36 PM
Need a little advice the Prestige Aluminium Pressure Cooker says in the booklet that it cooks at 7lb per square inch is this any good, does that mean the cooker cooks at 7 psi, i ask because the "norm" is 15 psi.
Please help.
Hi UF
15psi is better but it just means cooking at 7psi will take a little longer.

Good tech advice here -
At normal atmospheric pressure, water boils at 100 degrees C (212 degrees F). If your pressure cooker raises the pressure by 7 PSI (pounds per square inch), the temperature goes up to 112 degrees C.  An increase of 15 PSI gives you 120 degrees, and a 37 PSI increase in pressure gives you 140 degrees C.  The higher the pressure, the faster your food will cook. There's no practical way to measure the pressure in your cooker, so, be warned: the timing in pressure cooker recipes may need to be modified based on the characteristics of your cooker. After a few tries, you should be able to get a feel for whether your cooker is faster or slower than typical.

cheers Chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 01:44 PM
So would you advise me to take it back and get one that cooks at 15 psi,what psi is yours chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on January 06, 2012, 02:15 PM
So would you advise me to take it back and get one that cooks at 15 psi,what psi is yours chewy
Hi UF
My cheap Russel Hobbs 4ltr cooks at 12.8psi, they all must vary somewhat.

But the higher the pressure the faster they cook, so It's your choice.

But if your not happy from the start, it will probably niggle you over time, so I would just change it.

cheers Chewy
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 02:39 PM
I will take it back and get a higher psi, thanks chewy.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: martinvic on January 06, 2012, 02:41 PM
What about this one?

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8605782/Trail/searchtext%3EPRESSURE+COOKER.htm (http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8605782/Trail/searchtext%3EPRESSURE+COOKER.htm)

Large 7 litre, 15 psi (according to the Q&A).
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 03:10 PM
Hi martinvic that is the one i am going to get  ;)
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 03:32 PM
Now i have been told that using tomato based stuff will wear the pan out if its aluminium.
Like i said before at the start of this thread i have never cooked and have no experience with a pressure cooker.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: PaulP on January 06, 2012, 03:40 PM
I wouldn't worry about using bare aluminium for pots and pans. The current advice says don't store acidic food in bare aluminium but for cooking with it there is no problem.

Paul
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 06, 2012, 03:54 PM
Cheers PaulP.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Petrolhead360 on January 16, 2013, 05:24 AM
Hi unclefrank,
What was the outcome to your pressure cooker purchase?

Just feel the need to get one myself and am currently looking at the Prestige 7L model
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: RubyDoo on January 16, 2013, 07:39 AM
The Tower 11253 7 l is a popular model. You can get it online for around
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Salvador Dhali on January 16, 2013, 09:24 AM
While obviously a business pushing the products it sells, I found that this site has some useful general info re the importance of high vs low pressure, aluminium vs stainless, etc: http://fastcooking.ca/pressure_cookers/stainless_steel_pressure_cookers.php (http://fastcooking.ca/pressure_cookers/stainless_steel_pressure_cookers.php)

Yes, they would say that as those are the models they specialise in, but from my general (non commercial) internet based research, the consensus does seem to be that stainless is preferred to aluminium, and for the best performance you should look for a model that operates at 15psi.

Pressure Inside
The Pressure Cooker   Cooking Temperature
0 pounds (psi)           100
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: RubyDoo on January 16, 2013, 10:12 AM
While obviously a business pushing the products it sells, I found that this site has some useful general info re the importance of high vs low pressure, aluminium vs stainless, etc: http://fastcooking.ca/pressure_cookers/stainless_steel_pressure_cookers.php (http://fastcooking.ca/pressure_cookers/stainless_steel_pressure_cookers.php)

Yes, they would say that as those are the models they specialise in, but from my general (non commercial) internet based research, the consensus does seem to be that stainless is preferred to aluminium, and for the best performance you should look for a model that operates at 15psi.

Pressure Inside
The Pressure Cooker   Cooking Temperature
0 pounds (psi)           100
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Unclefrank on January 16, 2013, 12:48 PM
Hi unclefrank,
What was the outcome to your pressure cooker purchase?

Just feel the need to get one myself and am currently looking at the Prestige 7L model
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Petrolhead360 on January 16, 2013, 02:58 PM
Thanks to all for the replies/info.

I just shot down to Aldi. They have a stack of the Stainless steel 5L Pressure Cooker
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: RubyDoo on January 16, 2013, 03:18 PM
Thanks to all for the replies/info.

I just shot down to Aldi. They have a stack of the Stainless steel 5L Pressure Cooker
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Petrolhead360 on January 16, 2013, 05:48 PM

Cannot for the life of me see a 7l one at Tesco though.  Biggest is 6l and not at
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: RubyDoo on January 16, 2013, 07:47 PM

Cannot for the life of me see a 7l one at Tesco though.  Biggest is 6l and not at
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Petrolhead360 on January 16, 2013, 09:02 PM
All sorted.
I picked up the Tower 7L psi 11.5.
Let's see how I get on with it.

Thanks again for the info
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: RubyDoo on January 16, 2013, 09:05 PM
All sorted.
I picked up the Tower 7L psi 11.5.
Let's see how I get on with it.

Thanks again for the info

Np. You will be ok with that I think,esp for rice and base.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Petrolhead360 on January 21, 2013, 09:26 PM
In case anyone is interested the 7 Ltr Tower Pressure cooker is
only
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: goncalo on March 26, 2013, 11:49 PM
I was wondering if anyone tried a hawkins pressure cooker or at least any feedback? I remember chewytikka making a comment on one once, but I don't remember whether he owned one.

I found this 12Litre PC in my green grocers for 40euro, which seems like a bargain to me. The only reason why I didn't buy it was because I wanted to read up on it first, but I can't really find many info on them (other than the official site)

http://www.hawkinscookers.com/1.1.1.hawkinsclassic.asp (http://www.hawkinscookers.com/1.1.1.hawkinsclassic.asp)
(http://www.hawkinscookers.com/pc_pix/D20.jpg)

Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Gav Iscon on March 27, 2013, 08:55 AM
Although they don't do the 12 litre, they seem to get good reviews on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Hawkins-Classic-Aluminum-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B000E7BX96)

Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: goncalo on March 27, 2013, 10:39 AM
Although they don't do the 12 litre, they seem to get good reviews on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Hawkins-Classic-Aluminum-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B000E7BX96)

Thanks, some of the reviews on amazon are the usual b/s "giving it 3 stars because the delivery was quite fast", but at least I'm a bit more confident now. Thanks Gav

Do you own one? I was wondering how many litres do you think they'd do?
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: chewytikka on March 27, 2013, 01:48 PM
I don't own a Hawkins, but for 35 quid I would push by you and buy this bargain.

Full 15 psi (110kpa) operating pressure, cooking temperature of 121oC

No brainer really, buy it.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: Gav Iscon on March 27, 2013, 01:57 PM

Do you own one? I was wondering how many litres do you think they'd do?

I don't own one but as Chewy says, at that price for that size, its definitely a no brainer.
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: goncalo on March 27, 2013, 02:12 PM
Fair enough. I'm getting it, just need to butter up the missus before I turn up home with yet another pot.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Pressure cookers
Post by: George on December 04, 2014, 01:02 PM
Full 15 psi (110kpa) operating pressure, cooking temperature of 121oC

After some recent bad experiences from manufacturers who exaggerate massively the specifications of certain products, I'm not sure I'd trust a figure like that.

Today, I added a pressure gauge to my very basic Tower 4L pressure cooker, bought from Argos when it was about