Presto Pressure Cookers

[courton]

Hi, has anyone used Presto pressure cookers?  It is an American brand and my cousin from the USA raves about it and says it is a good brand for the price. At the moment, I can access it only on ebay.. still trying to find stockist but wanted the forum's opinion about it.

[cookie1]

Sorry can't help. I'm a big chicken when it comes to pressure cookers. At least it's one thing I won't want in the kitchen.

[andiesenji]

I've owned several Presto pressure cookers.  They are a good, inexpensive work horse pressure cookers.  They are available in both cast aluminum and stainless steel.  The latter are more expensive.

Presto's site has good advice.   

That being said, there are some new technologies in pressure cooking.  I have two Fagor Pressure cookers  a 6 quart and a 10 quart that for me are easier to use than the Presto.

I've also got a Cuisinart electric pressure cooker which I rate as "okay" but not superior to the stove top models.  (It was a gift!).

[courton]

Thank you for your advice. I am buying it for my mum  who is 82. Which, in you opinion, is easier to use? She is technophobe... it has to be really simple, easy to use and preferably not too heavy.

[obbie]

I have seen Presto in BIG W i think.

Robyn

[auds]

I have the fagor and just love it

[courton]

Thank you ...will go and do a touch and feel at big W

[Bonsai]

The hip pressure cooking blog is an excellent site for reviews of pressure cookers, advice about equipment to use in them and lots of yummy recipes - worth a look.

I've used them for years and never had problems - the new ones won't fizz and gush steam the way the old ones did  and are a really quick way to cook tougher cuts of meat to melting yumminess and cook beans fast (among other things). Great for big lots of stock too, or turning mysterious bits of freezer burned meat into pet food.

[fundj&e]

Sorry can't help. I'm a big chicken when it comes to pressure cookers. At least it's one thing I won't want in the kitchen.

Same here cookie 

[chdv]

Bonsai, thanks for posting the hip pressure cooking link. I recently bought a Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker and it's still in it's box unopened and in the cellar. The Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker got a good review, when I get back from vacation I'm going to start using it! It was one of those buys that was not totally planned, I had just been reading Hester Blumenthal's book (he is a big fan of pressure cookers for sauces), and Migros's were offering 50% off KR pressure cookers. I couldn't resist the bargain.

[andiesenji]

Thank you for your advice. I am buying it for my mum  who is 82. Which, in you opinion, is easier to use? She is technophobe... it has to be really simple, easy to use and preferably not too heavy.

The Fagor and the Kuhn Rikon duromatic are much less  tricky to use than the Presto.   It is important to read and follow the directions exactly -  especially important is lowering the temp  and keeping it low after it has reached the venting stage.
If someone is forgetful, do not use a pressure cooker - if not tended correctly they can explode!

I rely on loud and long-ring timers or wear  one that hangs around my neck on a cord in case I get distracted by another task.

[courton]

Great advice Andiesenji and Bonsai. 

[JulieO]

Bonsai, thanks for posting the hip pressure cooking link. I recently bought a Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker and it's still in it's box unopened and in the cellar. The Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker got a good review, when I get back from vacation I'm going to start using it! It was one of those buys that was not totally planned, I had just been reading Hester Blumenthal's book (he is a big fan of pressure cookers for sauces), and Migros's were offering 50% off KR pressure cookers. I couldn't resist the bargain.

Can I ask you which book has the sauces made in the pressure cooker (Hester B) please as I love using mine. (Fagor)  ) 

[EmeraldSue]

I'm considering buying a new pressure cooker. I have been using my mother's 1970"s vintage french pressure cooker, but the handle on the top has broken and it is getting increasingly harder to remove the lid once the food is cooked. I made a beef curry last night - I made the curry paste in the Thermo Chef and then cooked the curry in the pressure cooker. It was really tender, but it took me about 5 min of wiggling the lid before i could persuade it to open. It could be as simple as a new seal and handle, but I don't know if it's worth the hassle.
I have a voucher for the General Trader which I could use to buy the New Wave 5 in one multicooker, which has a pressure cooker as one of it's features. Has anyone tried this appliance?

[fundj&e]

there is a thread on it 
http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=8657.0;topicseen