Talk to me about pressure cookers

[Anonymous]

I've heard a lot of buzz lately about pressure cookers. Do I need one? I've never pressure cooked before and don't really find my time in the kitchen a burden, but I really like the idea for making stocks and such.

Any pressure cooking experts here? Are they worth the expense? What else can you do with them? I understand it can be like a slow cooker, but fast...

[Anonymous]

I'm no expert, but have used one a few times.

They're really good for making things that normally require long, slow cooking - beef stew, pot roast, beans, stock. They taste just like you've simmered them all day, but it only takes a fraction of the time.

They're also great for canning, if you do any of that.

Using one does take some getting used to, but it's pretty straightforward once you learn the process. I don't have one now, mainly because I don't really have space for another appliance, but if I get my dream kitchen renovation it'll be on the list .

[Anonymous]

I just got one. It's great to be able to cook dried beans so quickly. Presoaked, they come out tender in 15-20 minutes. You can do a quick presoak in the pressure cooker if you didn't soak them overnight. That's all I've used it for so far because I just got it, but for me it would have been worth it for that alone.

[Anonymous]

I've been using one for 20 years. I have my mom's and then I bought another one at a yard sale for $2. I use them for beans and making bean soup.

Lentils = 20 minutes in pressure cooker
split peas = 20 minutes in pressure cooker
black beans = 40 minutes in pressure cooker

I don't presoak. So instead of cooking black beans for 6 hours, it only takes 40 minutes. There is the possibility that the pressure cooker could explode out the top (or at least the old kind) but it just means extra cleanup. It has happened twice in 20 years. I use it all the time for beans.

My mom used to do pot roast in it and make chicken stew, but I have never tried meat in the pressure cooker.

[Anonymous]

I bought one a month ago so I'm a newbie. I made oxtail stew in about 30 minutes and the meat was like butter. In my Dutch oven, it would have taken 2 hours or more. Posole took 30 minutes (for the pork shoulder) I can make vegetable purees in 5 minutes for the kids too (butternut squash, acorn squash). If you like slow-cooked food, you'll love the pressure cooker because you can cut the time by 60-70 percent (or more).

[Anonymous]

Pressure cooler risotto rocks! I also put my potatoes in there for mashed potatoes and I cook whole artichokes in 10 mins. My mom made great stew and corned beef and cabbage and I will occasionally make that. Last night I screwed up the cooking time on my flageolet beans and saved them by putting them to finish cooking. Personally, I lovey pressure cooker and would give up many other appliances before I'd give it up.

[Anonymous]

OP here - thanks everyone for the input. I think I'm sold- I love beans but hate the PITA of soaking and often resort to the canned ones (yuck).

For anyone that has a newer model, care to recommend it?

[Anonymous]

NP here. I have an 8qt Kuhn Rikon for the stovetop, and an electric Instant Pot that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, saute-er, etc. If it were a bit bigger, I don't think I'd use my stovetop one, though it's great too. I've had the Instant Pot for 3 months and have made stews, chilis, carnitas, and beans several times each week. I absolutely love it! This is the model: http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-DUO60-Programmable-Generation/dp/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1416314298&sr=1-1&keywords=instant+pot+ip-duo60+7-in-1+programmable+pressure+cooker

[Anonymous]

I got a Fissler model as a gift, and have used it a few times. Beans cook very quickly, and it makes a great, tender beef stew in about 30 minutes. I have also made curry, etc.

I recommend this to go with it. http://www.amazon.com/Pressure-Cooker-Perfection-Foolproof-Recipes-ebook/dp/B00BJ6SMW2/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1416346824&sr=1-1&keywords=pressure+cooker+cooks+illustrated

[Anonymous]

I use my Instapot everyday for everything from rice, soup, chili, stews, pasta, dessert, oatmeal. Love it!

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier about cooking beans. I got the Instant Pot and it is surprisingly easy to use. I just cooked brown rice in it, and more beans. Very fast, very easy.

[Anonymous]

For those with Instant Pots--what are your favorite sources for recipes?

[Anonymous]

^^ I will look at the cookbook link posted by 16:40 (missed it before I posted the above), but curious about any others (especially websites!).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For those with Instant Pots--what are your favorite sources for recipes?

I love the Hip Pressure Cooking blog.

[Anonymous]

I now use a Cuisinart electric pressure cooker and love it. Great for stews, pole beans, dried beans canning etc. You can brown the meat in the pot so it is an easy clean up as well.