Pressure Cooker Shopping Guide – Must-Have Features

Pressure cookers can not only help you save time, but also retain the nutrients in the food which will improve your health over a longer period of time. Moreover, they consume least amount of resources which ensures that you are able to reduce your utility bills. Owing to all of these advantages, pressure cookers have become a must-have gadget in our kitchens these days.

The problem starts when you try to choose a pressure cooker which is suitable for your kitchen. There are literally hundreds of different options to choose from. When you compare the pressure cooker options, the main question which arises is which pressure cooker suite you best?

We will today help you in answering this question. We will share below some of the factors which you should definitely consider when it comes to choosing the pressure cooker.

Pressure cookers essentially come in 2 different types. You can choose the stove top pressure cooker or the electric pressure cooker. You have to look at the pros and cons of both and thereafter you have to take a call.

The main features of the stove top pressure cooker are:

• They have a faster cooking speed.

• They are more durable.

• You use advanced pressure cooking techniques.

• You can easily supervise the recipe and the ingredients in between.

The main features of the electric pressure cooker include:

• You do not have to tinker with the heat settings again and again.

• They can work as a slow cooker, rice cooker as well as for the various other recipes through pre-programmed modes.

• They are perfect for people who are very busy.

• They are highly versatile.

• There are remote control electric cooker models which are available these days. These can be controlled through your smartphone.

Thus, when you compare the stove top pressure cookers along with the electric cookers, it is important to examine your way of cooking and your usage before taking a call.

You have to look at the capacity of the pressure cooker while buying it. Ideally, you should buy a pressure cooker which can cook for your entire family plus for one guest in a single go. This will ensure that even if you have guests around, it will be very easy for you to cook in a single attempt. This will save you a lot of time.

The capacity of the pressure cooker is measured in liters. Ideally, you should choose the pressure cooker after taking into account 1 liter capacity per person. Thus, if you have 5 people in your family, you should choose a pressure cooker with 6 liters of capacity.

You can opt for the aluminum pressure cooker or you can opt for the stainless steel one. The stainless steel one is highly durable. That is why, if your budget permits, it is always a better idea to go for the stainless steel pressure cookers.

Even when you buy the stove top pressure cookers, you have to opt for the one which has at least 2 different pressure settings. This will ensure that you are able to cook the different ingredients quite easily.

When you look at the new electric pressure cookers, they have more than 10 different pressure settings. However, in reality, you will seldom need that more pressure settings. That is why; it is always a good idea to opt for the ones which have at least a couple of pressure settings. You should not opt for the one which has maximum pressure settings unless and until the other requirements are met.

Over the years, pressure cookers might require some maintenance. This is specifically true for the silicone lid ring. That is why; you have to only buy the pressure cookers of the established brands. This will ensure that you will be able to replace the silicone lid ring of the same brand quite easily. This is the reason why you should only go with the established brands. A pressure cooker can last for up to 7 to 8 years quite easily. In between, there might be a need for some maintenance.

When you opt for an established brand, you will be able to get the spare parts and the accessories of the pressure cooker as and when required. If you opt for a pressure cooker for a lesser-known brand, you might have to buy accessories and spares of other brands rather than the genuine ones. This will decrease the life of the pressure cooker. That is why; opting for a pressure cooker of a well-known brand is a must.

So, the next time around when you’re looking to buy a pressure cooker, it is important for you to consider these few factors in mind. When you compare the different pressure cookers based on these factors, it will be very easy for you to pick the one which is not only as per your requirement but which is highly durable as well.