There are
3 main things to consider when choosing the best pressure cooker for
your
family's cooking needs - size, price and functionality. Read
on for practical tips on choosing the best pressure cooker, one
that's just the right size for your family. We will
talk
about how to pick the best size cooker for your needs, the
different functions of the cooker
that is needed for some recipes, and of course, the price variations of
different brands and types of pressure cookers.
PRESSURE COOKER SIZES
First off, let's talk about size. Because there are different sizes of
pressure cookers, you need to know which one will best fit your needs.
When preparing a meal or dish in a pressure cooker, you need to keep in
mind that you can only fill it 2/3 full to allow room for any foam or
debris that may build up during cooking. This also prevents the vent
from getting clogged.
You can cook small amounts of food in a larger pressure cooker but you
can't cook large amounts of food in a smaller pressure cooker. The 6
quart pressure cooker size is good for just about any recipe that
serves 4 to 6 people. However, if you want to cook a whole chicken or a
large roast, a 9.5 quart size serves this purpose best.
Pressure cooker sizes range from 4 quart all the way up to 12 quart, so
if you have a really large family or entertain guests often, one of the
larger sizes will work best for you. Larger pressure cookers can also
be used for canning.
PRESSURE COOKER FUNCTIONALITY
Another thing to consider is functionality. Many recipes call for using
a trivet and basket, so you will want to be sure your pressure cooker
comes with those, or is available for purchase separately or at a later
date.
If you have an older pressure cooker, you should consider replacing it
with a newer, more efficient model. Pressure cookers today aren't the
same ones your mom used 30 years ago. Today, pressure cookers are safer
and come in a variety of pressures.
Speaking of pressure, that's another thing to consider when choosing a
pressure cooker - what's the greatest amount of pressure you
should choose? Most recipes call for 15psi. So for ease of meal
preparation you should choose one at that pressure. If you decide to go
with less pressure, you will have to increase the cooking time
depending on the amount of pressure your cooker supplies. This could be
anywhere from 12% to 20%, so you'll need to keep that in mind when
using a recipe.
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
Prices for pressure cookers vary greatly depending on brand, size and
type. There are duo pressure cookers that cost just over $100, and
there are single 4 quart pressure cookers that are under $25. Mirro
makes a
22 quart pressure cooker for
around $90 on Amazon. I believe
you get what you pay for, so therefore I usually choose something
mid-range.
You can find a wide variety of pressure cookers either online or at
your favorite department store. If you're unsure, I would suggest
sticking with a brand you already know and trust. We personally find
the best pressure cooker that suits our family's needs to be the
WMF 6 quart pressure cooker.
So, there you have it. Hot tips for choosing the
best pressure cooker for your
family.
Don't forget to get our delicious
pressure
cooker recipes to get started!
