A stovetop pressure cooker is an excellent addition to any kitchen. With these handy gadgets, you can cook up rice, meat, veggies, and more, without needing to spend hours watching over your meal. Pressure cookers are an excellent way to save time and money while cooking meals that are hearty and nutritious, and they're also wildly versatile to boot. From small capacity to units capable of handling dinner for the whole family, we've got the best of the best for you here!
Extra considerations:
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- Construction: When choosing a pressure cooker, if you want one that will last the test of time try to find a stainless-steel option. They tend to be a bit pricier than aluminum options, but are more durable in the long run.
- Size: It's worth thinking about how many people you will be cooking for with this gadget. For 4 or less people, a 3-6 quart option will work. If you have larger dishes, or are planning on feeding more than 5 people, then consider an 8 quart option.
- Safety features: Ensure any pressure cooker you purchase has cover locking safety system, and a quick release valve. These will help to ensure that neither you, nor anyone else in the kitchen is injured if something goes catastrophically wrong.
Hawkins CB65 pressure cooker
Hard-anodized finish
This cute, curvy pressure cooker has a 6.5-liter (around 6.5-quart) capacity, so is ideal for larger households.
Pros:
- High capacity
- Energy efficient
- Stay-cool handles
Cons:
- Should be hand washed
- Whistles quite loudly while in use
This Hawkins pressure cooker is an attractive option with a hard-anodized Contra black finish. This means it's energy-efficient as it absorbs heat at a faster rate, and it will stay new-looking for years. From a safety point of view, this cooker boasts stay-cool handles, a unique Hawkins pressure-locked safety lid that ensures it can't be opened until the pressure is at a safe level, and an automatic safety valve that deflects steam downward.
Presto 01365 pressure cooker
Classic stainless steel solution
Suitable for use on regular, smooth-top, and induction ranges, this versatile pressure cooker is a great choice.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction
- High capacity unit
- Simple and easy to use
Cons:
- Careful handwashing is required
- Slight learning curve to getting used to how it works
It has a 6-quart or 5.7-liter capacity, which is a good size to make a one-pot meal for up to six people. This cooker features a tri-clad base, with a layer of aluminum sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel for even heating. It has a pressure regulator that automatically maintains the proper cooking pressure and stops it from being opened if the pressure is too high. This model comes with a cooking rack and an instruction and recipe booklet.
T-fal P25107 pressure cooker
User-friendly with different pressure settings
This stainless steel pressure cooker has a 6.3-quart capacity, and thanks to its multi-layer base, is suitable for all heat sources, including induction.
Pros:
- High and low pressure settings
- Easy to use
- Stainless steel construction
Cons:
- Gasket can detach
- Handle is not as sturdy as it could be
Not all food should be cooked the same, and this pressure cooker from T-fal understands that. This pressure cooker has a 10PSI and a 15PSI rating, helping you to ensure that food is well cooked without becoming mushy in the process. This cooker has a secure locking lid with a safe and easy-to-use closure system and a pressure indicator. The base of this cooker is dishwasher safe.
Prestige Alpha Deluxe pressure cooker
Versatile choice suitable for all stovetops
Prestige's pressure cookers boast a triple-layer steel and aluminum Alpha base that covers the entire bottom, making them suitable for induction hobs as well as all others.
Pros:
- Quality construction
- Variety of sizes to choose between
- Double screwed handles for safety
Cons:
- Dishwasher safe (just remove the gasket first)
- Durable even when used daily
- Lid can get stuck and needs muscle to fix
The heavy-duty base makes for even heat distribution. This cooker has a 4-liter capacity, which means you can cook around 2-quarts of dry ingredients. It has a manual pressure indicator that rises as the pressure does, so you can see, at a glance, the status of your cook. The cooker also boasts a controlled gasket-release system with safety measures built-in.
Fissler vitaquick pressure cooker
Luxury choice for serious home cooks
Fissler offers a high-end range of vitaquick stovetop pressure cookers.
Pros:
- Stainless steel construction
- Includes a steamer basket for veggies
- Multiple sizes available
Cons:
- Can warp after extended use
- Handle can break off if not taken care of
We like this 4.8-quart version that is a top-of-the-range choice with some useful functionality, including the ability to remove the handle for easy cleaning and two pressure settings to suit your ingredients. This cooker works on all types of stovetops: electric, gas, ceramic, and induction. The stainless steel base has measurement markings. This cooker's handle has a useful locking indicator that turns green and gives an audible click to let you know the pressure cooker is securely closed and ready to cook. It also comes with a stainless steel inset and metal tripod.
Viking stainless steel pressure cooker
Great for larger households and entertaining
This 8-quart cooker is a serious pressure cooker option perfect for home cooks with larger households.
Pros:
- Multiple pressure settings
- Stainless steel construction
- Easy-lock design
Cons:
- Learning curve to get started
- Should be hand washed
This cooker has a low and high-pressure setting and useful capacity markings in both quarts and liters to help with your prep. This stainless steel cooker has a special easy-lock lid design with a knob that can be turned with one hand and won't open while the pressure is high. This cooker boasts a triple-layer base, stay-cool Bakelite handles, and has a steamer basket and wire trivet included.
Feel the pressure
If you're looking for a pressure cooker, any of our options come recommended. Capacity is a crucial thing to consider. Our overall staff pick, the Hawkins CB65 pressure cooker, offers a 6.5-quart capacity, which makes it ideal for family households.
Anyone with a larger household or who regularly entertains might want to consider the Viking stainless steel pressure cooker. This option offers a generous 8-quart capacity, so is ideal for cooking for a crowd.
If you're a pro-level stovetop pressure cooker user, you may want to look at the T-fal P25107 pressure cooker. This ups your pressure-cooking game with two different pressure level settings, ideal for experienced cooks who pressure cook different types of ingredients often.
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