A pressure cooker is a handy kitchen appliance to reduce cooking time, especially if you are a working mother.
Apart from saving time, pressure cookers have other benefits like –requires less water to cook than other conventional cooking types. So, the food cooking in it will retain more minerals and vitamins. As the food will not be exposed to air while cooking, nutrients will not get oxidized.
Though it is a simple cooking appliance, you have to consider few factors while purchasing a pressure cooker.
Capacity –Most of the pressure cookers in India come in range between 0.5 L to 9 L. 3 Liters capacity is sufficient for a family with 3 to 4 members. 5 Liters capacity is good enough to cook food for 5 to 7 members. So, choose according to your family size.
Material –Stainless steel, aluminum and anodized aluminum are commonly used materials. Stainless steel and Hard anodized and stainless steel are a better choice as they don’t react with any acid released during cooking process.
Outer Lid or Inner Lid –Both these options are good for direct vessel cooking. But if you are using separators or idli stand, then outer lid is the right choice.
If you are using induction cooktop in your house, then check the compatibility of the pressure cooker.Also, go through other factors like warranty, durability, dishwasher compatibility and others. You can read a detail explanation of these factors in our “BUYING GUIDE“.
After a thorough research and reviewing with several users, we have picked out the 8 Best Selling Pressure Cookers in India.
Table of Contents
Best Pressure Cookers in India : 2022 Reviews
| Products | capacity | locking type | Warranty | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawkins Multipurpose Pressure Cooker | 5 litres | inner lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Butterfly Curve Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker | 3 litres | outer lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Amazon Basics Pressure Cooker | 4 litres | outer lid | 1 Year | Check On Amazon |
| Prestige Nakshatra Alpha Pressure Cooker | 3.5 litres | outer lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Butterfly stainless steel Pressure Cooker | 5 litres | outer lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Best Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker | ||||
| Hawkins Contura Pressure Cooker | 3 litres | inner lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Prestige Svachh Nakshatra Pressure Cooker | 3 litres | inner lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Best Aluminium Pressure Cooker | ||||
| Prestige Popular Aluminum Pressure Cooker | 2 litres | Outer Lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Pigeon by Stovekraft Deluxe Aluminum Pressure Cooker | 12 litres | Outer Lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
| Hawkins – J31 Miss Mary Aluminum Pressure Cooker | 3 litres | Inner Lid | 5 years | Check On Amazon |
Top 10 Pressure Cookers in India 2022
Here, we go with the list:
1. Hawkins Multipurpose Pressure Cooker
Hawkins has been serving premium quality cookers to the Indian middle class since 1959. The Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker which comes in (2,3,4,5,6,8 &10) Litres capacity.
This cooker has been tested and certified by the Underwriters Laboratories Inc, the US for its durability and safety. (Certificate No. SA5984).
The Hawkins Pressure-Locked Safety has a unique safety feature to lock in the lid. Unlike normal pressure cookers which burst open when there is too much pressure inside, the Hawkins stays locked. This guarantees greater safety while using it.
This steel pressure cooker not just works on a conventional gas stove, but is designed to work on induction, electric, ceramic and even halogen cooktops. With an extra thick base of 5.8 mm, the cooker is made out of 100% Food-Grade stainless steel.
The base can stay flat, even and not give hot spots in isolated regions like most cookers. Hence you can expect evenly heated and cooked dishes faster than ever. No bulging, No separating. Its curved bottom makes it ideal for not just pressure cooking but also for stirring and frying too.
Typical pressure cookers have a rubber gasket which needs to be replaced every once in a while. The Hawkins comes with a longer lasting gasket which is present inside the cooker. The longevity is due to the fact that it does not frequently get rubbed when opening and closing the cooker. It also has no room to react to any acidic fruits/vegetables cooked in the vessel.
You have an automatic safety valve present in the cooker which deflects the steam gushing out of the cooker downwards. Safe and sound cooking. The handles are ergonomic and are cool even when the cooker is heated in high temperatures.
Apart from the 5-year manufacturer’s warranty, the cooker even comes with a cookbook. A detailed book of instructions to help you get the most out of your pressure cooker. This also includes a bunch of tested recipes for you to experiment with.
Pros:
- Inwards locking feature for better safety
- Long life Rubber Gaskets
- Automatic safety Valves
- Visually Appealing design
- Flat base so no hot spots for uneven cooking
- Free Recipe Book
- 5 Years manufacturer’s warranty.
Cons:
- Made the opening area under the Gasket a little less sharp to prevent accidental cuts.
2. Butterfly Curve Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, 3 Litre
“Butterfly” is the best brand for kitchen and home appliances. Its pressure cookers have occupied a commonplace in many modern kitchens as well.
Butterfly Curve Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, 3 liter looks new with its curved bend and makes it unique in shape from the routine traditional pressure cookers. Its stainless steel material with silver color gives a good appeal as well.
This Butterfly Curve Cooker comes with an attractive and aesthetic design. It has an outer lid with a specialized lock arrangement to maintain uni-directional rotation. The handles are stronger to give a better grip.
It has a weight set to maintain the steam pressure. A food-grade silicone gasket easily fits into the lid. It does not give any color, smell, or taste to the food.
Our curve stainless steel pressure cooker has a gasket releasing system by a safe outlet on the lid to avoid hazards due to pressure. Even if the vent pipe is blocked, the pressure releases through a safety support device present on the cooker’s lid.
Now, coming to the base – the cooker has a strong aluminum peel-proof thermal base designed to suit induction cooking. So, it is good to use on the gas stove and an induction stove. Moreover, it is thick enough to bear high heat – it enables fast cooking. But, the food does not get burned.
With the lid, its capacity is 3 Litres. It is, therefore, a better choice for a family with 3 to 4 members. The cooker has a storage capacity of 2.4 Litres.
Its L*W*H dimensions are 33*20.3*20.3 and hence, occupy a small space in your kitchen shelves. It is heavy with 4.63 pounds (2.1kgs), strong enough, and durable for a longer time.
The product comes with a 5-year warranty to serve you much better.
Pros:
- Ergonomic design
- Safety lock and pressure regulation
- Efficient and fast cooking
- Suitable for a small family
- Induction stove compatibility
- Gasket release system for safety
- More durable
- 5-year warranty period
Cons:
- The whistle sometimes fails to give a buzzing sound.
3. AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Outer Lid Pressure Cooker, 4L
Amazon’s kitchen appliances have become popular now. AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Outer Lid Pressure Cooker, 4L (22cm diameter), is a novel kitchen appliance ready to add cooking elegance. It uses SS304 grade – stainless steel to provide sufficient heat.
It has a new approach of pressure maintenance – it provides two levels of pressure for cooking – 50kpa (KiloPascal) for gentle cooking and 90kpa for fast cooking. With 4 Liter capacity, this stove-top cooker is ideal for many dish varieties like soups, curries, stews, meat dishes, and so on.
It’ features a pressure indicator, a water-level indicator, and bakelite handles. So, it allows hassle-free kitchen work with efficient cooking and easy handling.
This cooker becomes an energy-efficient option with better usage of energy. It uses only one-third of the heating energy generally required for cooking food. With faster cooking, it saves time and energy as well.
AmazonBasics cooker comparatively has a shorter cooking time when compared to other models. Though the cooking time differs for different foods, the time taken to cook the vegetables, meat, and others would be comparably lesser. But, the cooking is perfect by maintaining better nutritional levels.
With its high-level pressure cooking, it passes the heat through the food and makes it tender. It is good-buy for non-vegetarians.
We promise better safety – the cooker is fitted with an automatic safety valve which checks the pressure level. Upon increased pressure, a red cap appears through a hole in the handle. Under lesser pressure, the valve drops and shows a safe level. The pressure indicator of this cooker is, therefore, a good point. Without buzzing sounds, it allows quiet operation.
Its L*W*H dimensions are like 25.2*44*16.5 cm. It is not too big and looks cute on your kitchen surface. Also, it weighs 5.76 pounds (2.6kgs) that is bearable.
It is ideal for cooking on induction and ceramic-top gas stoves also. Washing it is even easy – you can use a dishwasher to clean it without the lid. It has a 1-year warranty period with better customer care assistance.
Pros
- Cooking feasibility at different pressure levels (50kpa and 90kpa)
- Pressure indicator
- Silent operation
- Compatible for gas stove, fire, and induction stove.
- Fast and energy-efficient cooking
- Shorter cooking time
Cons
- Only one year of the warranty period
- Its performance was not that better.
- Lighter leakage through handles if not fit properly
- Damages upon the use of hard scrub for cleaning
- A little bit costly
4. Prestige Nakshatra Alpha Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
TKK prestige is a well known Indian Manufacturer who is specialized in kitchen appliances like pressure cookers, non stick cookware’s etc, under the brand name of prestige.
Prestige Deluxe plus hard Anodized outer lid pressure cooker designed with the flat base, and comes with induction base so it’s easily compatible to use on ovens, Induction cook tops and gas stoves as well.
The strength of anodisation makes it scratch resistant, stain resistant and stick resistant. As the cooker comes with the thick base it helps to cook uniformly and also helps to retain the nutrition value of food items.
Features:
Precision Weight Value:
This is the safety feature which releases the pressure above 1 kg/ cm2, to make time saving and cooking safe for you.
Controlled Gasket Release System:
CGRS will release the steam from the cook top if there is any blockage of the vent tube. This is the 2nd level safety feature provided in prestige pressure cooker.
Double Screw Durable Handles:
The handles are designed such a way that you can use the cooker comfortably. The sturdy flame guard handles provide extra grip and make your usage comfortable and durable.
Pressure Indicator:
To make the cooker convenient for use the visual indication of pressure level helps in indicating the correct time to open the cooker lid.
Warranty:
It has 5 years manufacturer warranty.
Things we liked:
- It has capacity of 3.5 litre which can serve meal up to 3 to 4 persons
- Pressure Indicator which make cooker convenient to use
- This cooker comes with induction base which can work on any heat sources.
Things we didn’t like:
- Rice sometimes stick to the bottom of the aluminium bowl
5. Butterfly stainless steel Pressure Cooker
Similar to Prestige, Butterfly is also an established brand when it comes to home appliances and the Butterfly Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is its flagship product.
Going through many iterations and improvements through time, Butterfly pressure cookers are famous for their elegant design and performance.
With a capacity of 5 liters, you will be able to cook food for about 4-7 people thus making it ideal for large families as well. Butterfly also has a 3 litre variant for the same model of cooker.
Compatible to work both on induction cooktops and regular stoves too, the build of the cooker is unparalleled. The base is like a very thick capsule which helps withstand high heat which avoids burning of food.
This pressure cooker is fast in operation thanks to its very thick and bold base. This base is non stick from the inside and thus does not encourage any burning as such.
It is also equipped with a special uni-lock mechanism. Lock once fear not of the cooker opening by mistake or due to the excessive pressure.
The gasket vent comes with a safety valve for removing excessive pressure if the main pressure valve fails to work at time due to blockage thus assuring you of greater safety.
Easy to clean, the cooker is peel proof and is induction cooktop compatible. You are given a 5 years manufacturer’s warranty for the cooker
Pros:
- Gasket release system which serves as an additional safety feature
- High durability to last longer
- Easy to handle and clean
- Aesthetic Design for good heat conduction
- 5 year warranty period
- ISO certified to assure quality and safety
Cons:
- Sometimes the whistle may fail to give the buzzing sound to indicate the pressure safety level.
Best Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker
6. Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Hawkins is an Indian Company, based in Mumbai and manufactures pressure cooker and cookware. They market their products with the brand names of Hawkins, Futura, Contura, Hevibase , Big Boy and ventura.
If you are looking for a pressure cooker which uses less water to prepare your meal, by preserving the nutritious value of the food then Hawkins contura hard anodised aluminium pressure cooker is the best option.
This cooker is designed with broad opening and designed with curved body which makes stirring easy, it comes with black hard anodised aluminium and featuring with food grade stainless steel
The durable black finish given by 60 microns makes the pressure cooker absorb heat faster by making it more energy efficient.
Warranty: This cooker comes with 5 years warranty
Things we liked:
- It can serve 3 to 4 persons easily as it has 3liters capacity
- It uses less water to prepare meals by preserving nutritious value of food
- Compatible to use on gas stove
Things we didn’t liked:
- It is not compatible for induction cook tops
7. Prestige Svachh Nakshatra Plus Hard Anodised 3 Litre Pressure Handi
Prestige has been synonymous to cookers for Indians since its debut in 1955 and there is no looking back since then. The body of this cooker is made out of premium quality Hard Anodised Aluminium.
The prestige deluxe has a 3 level safety system which consists of a
Weighted Valve:– Which does not go off for minor pressures of the cooker), Controlled Gasket Release:- For slow release so that the cooker does not burst open.
Metallic Safety Plug:- This makes sure that the steam pressure that brews within the cooker stays in the cooker and does not come out of it.
As the alpha base is made from aluminum steel, it increases the conductivity of heat, and is better than pure stainless steel that has a lesser heat conduction property.
Insulated handles on the sides makes it comfortable to hold. It is also provided with the easy locking mechanism to open the lid easily.
As the capacity of this cooker is 3 liters, you can easily cook and serve food for 5-8 people. The lower 3 litre version is ideal for families of about 3-4 size.
Cleaning it is also easy as it is also dishwasher safe and it does not develop any stains. So you don’t need to put in any extra effort for maintaining it.
The astounding part is not just that this cooker has a fantastic performance but it offers you a 5 years manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros:
- High Durability and Toughness
- 3 Level safety system
- Pure stainless steel with aluminium steel base
- Easy Locking Mechanism
- Suitable on both Induction and LPG Gas Stove
- Resistant to corrosion
- ISI mark for quality and safety
- 5 years warranty
Cons:
- Slightly heavy to hold it
Best Aluminum Pressure Cookers:
8. Prestige Popular Aluminum Pressure Cooker
Prestige is a fast growing company in the kitchen appliance industry. Due to its top line features, this Prestige popular pressure cooker is a widely used & favorite cooker in India. It has elegant design and splendid finish. It is made with virgin aluminum with thick base (3 mm) and its slight concave bottom will ensure zero contamination and safe cooking for a longer time.
It is a lightweight pressure cooker (1.29 kg) with an outer lid, which makes it suitable for both direct vessel cooking and separate cooking. It has three level safety system – first is its weight valve is made up of brass with steel coating, that release pressure above 1kg/cm² and thus makes cooking safe and time saving.
Second one is its excellent gasket release system for safety and durability. In case of any blockage of vent tube, the gasket will bulge and steam release through slot. The third one is metallic safety plug, which is fitted to the lid will release the excess pressure, especially when rises beyond a safety level. Thus makes it extremely safe and comfortable to use.
Its sturdy & durable handles with extra grip and comfort and makes it ideal for regular usage. It is compatible with gas stoves. It comes with 5 years’ manufacture warranty and if you have any queries, you can contact their customer support @ 1800-123-334411.
Pros:
- Ergonomic handles for comfortable grip.
- Its 2 litre capacity suits perfect for small families or bachelors.
- Ideal for daily cooking needs.
- Extremely safe, long lasting, and comfortable to use.
- Made with virgin aluminum and has outer lid.
- Comes with 3 level safety system – precision weight valve, gasket release system & metallic safety plug.
- Offers 5 years’ warranty
Cons:
- It is slightly heavy to hold.
- Not compatible on electric or induction cooktops.
9. Pigeon by Stovekraft Deluxe Aluminum Pressure Cooker
This Pigeon deluxe pressure has ISI certification for its safety and durability. It is crafted with best virgin food grade aluminum alloy to retain nutritional value of cooked food. Its strong & robust design will make it as an ideal companion for safe and healthy cooking.
The ergonomic handle of this pressure cooker will ensure a better grip and aids in easy handling from heat while cooking. It comes with standard food grade nitrile gasket and the safety valve in this gasket vent will remove the excess pressure and assures safety. The precision weight valve is another safety feature that is designed specially to release pressure while cooking and also saves you energy and time.
Its metallic safety plug feature will ensure for safe and easy cooking experience. This cooker is specially build with the stain resistant for an easy to clean, and ease usage along with high durability. The anti-deflecting bottom of this cooker will increase thermal efficiency and reduces the fuel consumption.
Although, it has 12 litre capacity with outer lid locking and non-induction base but it weighs a little heavy of 2.82 kg. The pigeon deluxe offers 5 years’ warranty against manufacturing defects.
Pros:
- Made with high grade virgin aluminum for durable body.
- Stain – resistant that makes it easy to clean.
- Offers 5 years manufacturing warranty.
- Anti-deflecting bottom with thick base.
- Value for money
- Ergonomic design for better grip, convenience and comfort.
- Equipped with safety features – precision weight valve, metallic safety plug, & gasket vent release system.
Cons:
- Not compatible with induction cooktops (non-induction base).
- Not sturdy handles.
10. Hawkins – J31 Miss Mary Aluminum Pressure Cooker
Hawkins is one of the best brand in pressure cookers and cookware. This Hawkins Miss Mary pressure cooker comes in 9 various sizes /liters capacity that undergoes various rigorous checks by the manufacturer to provide trouble free service. Also, they are quality certified by BIS (ISI) for safety and durability.
It has unique pressure locked safety lid that ensures that is won’t be opened until the pressure inside the cooker came to safe level. The PLAY in the lid handle bar is designed to seal the lid airtight and thus provides a perfect sealing of lid with rim of cooker.
Its fixed unbreakable metal handle bracket will assist the self-centralizing lid in locking safely and securely in place to ensure steam-tight seal. With its superior pressure regulation, it is easy to insert and remove, cooks food fast and thus saves your fuel. The automatic safety valve position of this cooker is designed to deflect steam and food downwards safely.
The inside fitting safety lid will protect the rubber gasket from juices and acids in the food and also the gasket lasts longer, as it won’t get rubbed or scraped sideways whenever the cooker is opened or closed. It comes with sturdy and stay-cool handles to provide protection from heat and comfortable to hold while cooking.
It is recommended to use only on gas cooktops. Also, it provides a Hawkins cookbook with a variety of tested recipes from Indian and international as well. The instruction manual will provide the practical information on how to use and take care of your cooker. It is lightweight (560 grams) and comes with 5 years warranty on any manufacturing defects.
Pros:
- Inwards locking feature for better safety.
- Made with premium grade aluminum
- Has 3 litre capacity, which is ideal for small – medium family with 3 persons.
- Leak-proof, durable design with stay-cool handles.
- Flat base with 3.25 thickness for even and quick cooking.
- Provides user manual, guarantee card and cookbook along with the product.
- Ideal for daily cooking and consumption.
- Value for money
- Easy to use and easy to maintain.
Cons:
- Only compatible on gas stovetop.
- Not suitable for family with more than 3 members.
How to Choose Pressure Cookers?
Here, we have defined some very important points to be kept in mind while choosing a perfect Pressure cooker.
1. Types of Pressure cookers – What Type you want?
In actual pressure cookers are of two types- the stove-top pressure cookers and the electric pressure cookers. The electric pressure cookers are also known as rice-cookers because they are commonly used for cooking rice. However, In India, the commonly used type of pressure cooker is a stove-top pressure cooker. They are multipurpose and we will also keep our focus on them.
a) Stainless steel- The Strong and Durable Type
Speak of sturdy material and stainless steel is one of them. Hence, you can highly expect strength and durability from it and it is expected to last for years. Stainless steel is capable of holding in high temperatures. You can also cook any types of dishes you want. There are no restrictions on cooking any particular kind of food items. Also, stainless steel doesn’t react to any kind of acids which are used in the process of cooking or which are put into the appliance while cleaning. Cookers made of stainless steel might actually be a bit more expensive, comparing to the other materials, say aluminum.
- Any drawbacks?
On the contrary stainless steel appliances are heavier, so you must check on to the handle to be sure it would be able to hold the weight. Another thing is you may find stains in the metal after prolonged usage because of the use of hard water and hence, it is recommended you clean the appliance well, or with the use of metal scrubs.
As far as the demerit is concerned, the material is not a great conductor of heat and hence, you would find yourself cooking for a bit longer as the steel will take time to cook.
b) Aluminum Pressure Cookers- The Affordable Type
If you already had a sneak peek into the market or have been through a bunch of cookers available for sale already, you will notice that the cookers made of aluminum are of the majority. Indian users are highly obsessed with the aluminum cookers because they are affordable and also because they were the first kind of cookers that were available in the market.
The merits of the metals start with being highly capable of conducting heat, it is extremely lightweight and hence makes cooking a pleasant experience. They are also cheap and the people who have a small budget or plan on using the cooker a few times may choose this option.
- Any Drawbacks?
Now speaking of the demerits, there are many. Cookers that are entirely made of aluminum material are not long-lasting. The metal becomes warped or blemished easily. Also, the appearance of the cookers is greatly exposed to wearing off and hence, durability is not what you should expect from them. Other couples of demerits include not corrosion-resistant and reactive to acidic ingredients. Indian kind of cooking has a lot of acidic ingredients in them and hence the cookers don’t stand correct with the health statement.
It is always recommended to use metal scrubs to clean off the surface of an aluminum cooker if the cooking involves the use of hard water, just to avoid salt sticking off the surface.
c) Hard-Anodized Aluminium Pressure Cookers: Best Quality and Expensive Type
The Hard Anodized Aluminium pressure cookers generally appear to be greyish-black in color. If you want an alternative to the regular aluminum cookers, these are it. They are actually far better than the aluminium and it is because they have an additional layer of aluminum oxide, which is added to the regular layer of aluminium using the process of electrolysis. This layer helps in getting rid of the chemical reactions which are bound to arise as a result of the different kinds of cooking.
The added layer of aluminum oxide makes the surface of the cooker non-toxic, non-staining, non-reactive with foods and thermally efficiency. Aluminum is a great conductor of heat. You can expect the cooking to be fine and even as the cooker would get hot soon enough. The Hard Anodized Aluminum pressure cookers are tough and durable. It will not tarnish or corrode and will continue to look good even after years of use.
- Any drawbacks?
You need to note that metal scrubs are extremely prohibited as the use while washing will end up into the formation of scratches. If you compare them with stainless steel appliances, you may find the Hard Anodized Aluminium one to be the costliest one. This makes them the most expensive metal of all the cookers which are available in the market.
2. Size – How Much You Cook?
This is another important factor to consider as you portions of cooking depend upon the capacity of the cooker. The range of sizes starts from the base of 0.5 litres and go up to where the biggest of the cookers hold up the capacity of 9 litres.
- Any recommendation?
If you are still not sure of the size you must go for, you should probably consider the number of members your family has and if you have frequent visitors or guests. You need to keep hold of the number of portions you cook per day and consider it as a phenomenon of buying a particular size of the pressure cooker.
3. Handles- Hot and Heavy?
A handle is generally neglected while buying a pressure cooker but it is not something to be neglected at all. The metal weight is the first factor you need to consider but the weight of the cooker after food is actually in it is yet another important consideration. A cooker generally becomes quite heavy after the food is cooked and not to forget. Also, it becomes extremely hot which makes it very difficult to catch or hold with bare hands.
- Any Recommendation?
You need to check the handle and ensure its length and sturdiness. This is to be sure that it will be able to hold the cooker after the food is cooked and long enough not to pass the heat in your hands. The best consideration would be to go for a model which has two handles at both the side of the cooker in order to easily hold the cooker and shift places.
4. Inner Lid vs. Outer Lid- Why is the Difference?
Now that we would consider the lid, you need to know that cookers are of two models and the basis of the difference here is in the “lid”. There are the inner-lid models and the outer-lid models which makes another important factor of consideration while buying a pressure cooker.
As far as the mechanism is considered, the inner-lid models have lids that go inside the cooker when it is closed. On the contrary, the outer-lid models have lids that stay out of the cooker premises. The cookers which have greater capacity have lids that hang around at the outer part of the cookers or the outer-lid types, whereas, the models with lesser capacity have the lids embedded inside of them or the inner-lid types.
- Any Recommendation?
Now, if you wish to know which one is a better option, we recommend the inner lids ones. This is because they add on to the extra pressure of the cookers and also safer as they are closed with the lock mechanism of a cooker.
5. Dishwasher Compatible- Will You Use a Dishwasher?
The next factor is for people who use Dishwasher Machines to clean kitchen appliances and utensils of all kinds. All the cooking items cannot be put into a dishwasher machine as some of them strictly forbid it. So is the case for a pressure cooker. Now, how do you know which of the models are dishwasher safe? You need to ask or you need to look for “dishwasher safe” mentioned in the product details before actually placing it in the machine.
- Any Recommendation?
For obvious reasons, we have done the homework for you. The hard anodized pressure cookers are the ones which are not generally dishwasher safe, but the aluminum and the stainless steel ones are dishwasher safe. But, it will be safer if you watch out for words like “dishwasher safe” or “dishwasher compatible” before making the purchase
6. Durability- Have you thought about it?
Pressure cookers are just like major long term investments that you want to use for a while. They are not something you will be buying year after another and hence you need to be sure you get the most out of the investment. Therefore, durability is what you must be looking for in a pressure cooker. Ask questions and do some research on the models and type of pressure cookers you have been considering buying and check the one which has a warranty on it.
- Any Recommendation?
The hard anodized and stainless steel pressure cookers are the ones which are highly durable whereas the aluminum ones are not so durable. The anodized and the stainless steel ones are made up of corrosion-resistant materials and also, they do not tend to lose their shine any sooner
7. Health factor- Are you Aware of it?
Cooking is a lot more connected with the health and you need to make sure you get the most of the nutrients that happen to possess in the ingredients used for cooking. Eating healthy is what everyone prefers right? And what is the use of such a mode of cooking, which hasn’t got the capability of retaining the vital nutrients? Also, the way we Indians cook has an inclusion of a lot of acidic items and so, the cooker needs to be non-reactive.
- Any recommendation?
You must make sure the cooker doesn’t react to the acids present in the cooking ingredients. As mentioned earlier, aluminum cookers are the worst of the materials as they are highly reactive to the acidic items. It is always better to consider the anodized and the stainless steel pressure cookers as they are non-reactive to acids
8. Non-stick coating- Why “No”?
You might consider a non-stick item for everything, but when pressure cookers are in concern, the non-stick coating is a big no. You have to avoid the cookers which have a non-stick coating on them, at any cost.
The materials in themselves are a great way of cooking and if you want to have the cooker for a long time, you need to check if they are free from any kind of non-stick coating. This is because the non-stick coating generally wears off pretty soon and it doesn’t last, which is why the appliance will no longer be productive. Either you will have to invest more in it, or you need to buy a new one.
It is always advisable if you avoid this factor in the first place.
9. Induction stove compatibility- Do You Plan to Use one?
Induction stoves have become a medium of cooking and people have been adopting it in a great proportion. LPG gas stoves are being outsmarted by the induction stoves. But, you cannot use any of the regular or normal utensils to cook in the induction stove. There have to be utensils that are compatible with induction cooking to be able to use them.
- Any Recommendation?
It is necessary you take a check on the cookers which are compatible to cook in induction stove if you happen to use one. Though the standard ones are not compatible, and you need to find the ones which are. The manufacturers, however, make the users aware of it with the help of a symbol that reads with induction bottom and you might want to look for that.
10. Safety- A Priority for Home and Kitchen Appliances.
Safety is a priority for every home and kitchen appliance and so does it come first when cooking is in question. Cooking involves a lot of heat, fire, pressure, etc which might lead to issues if not done carefully. If a cooker is safe, it will prevent you from facing any kind of accidents and miss-happenings. But, how would you know which cooker is safer as compared to the other coolers out there?
- Any Recommendation?
A symbol got your answer and hence you need to look for an ISI mark on your pressure cooker, as it is the assurance which states that the product is safe to consume. ISI is a mark of excellence which is provided after a detailed survey and standards check in order to certify the product.
11. Price- Should worth the Performance.
A common misinterpretation is that costlier the product, the better the services and so is it assumed for a pressure cooker that a costlier cooker would have the maximum convenience. This should be highly avoided as you should not compromise the performance with the price or cost of the product. You can easily find a product priced at the range which would be affordable for you, plus it will have all the features and capability to utilize your cooking experience.
- Any Recommendation?
Cookers of all sizes and ranges are available in the market and it is not a tough job to find the one which would meet your needs, without actually burning a hole in your pocket. This is what you shall be looking for. Make sure you are abiding your budget and buy the product which would have it all. There is absolutely no need to overspend for features that are not useful for you.
12. Manufacture and warranty- For Your Peace of Mind.
A brand which has the quality assurance from a wide range of audience its manufacture will be a guarantee in itself regarding the quality.
You may choose the product from the brand you trust upon. If you do not have such preferences consider performing quick research and draft out a list of the brand and manufacturers than can be relay on.
A brand also provided extended offers such as a warranty, and it is absolutely for the benefit of the user. Consider a warranty too just so your expenses are covered up to a certain period if you ever happen to incur any.
Another necessary factor to consider is the accessories and replacing parts which are not usually covered by the companies in the warranty period. Make sure they do have such accessories in stock if you ever need a replacement.
Why would you want to buy a Pressure Cooker?
You know you can cook food any type of dishes without a pressure cooker so why would you want to buy a pressure cooker?
Well, the pressure cooker first came into the market in the 17th century and since then it stayed in the market without ever losing its popularity. Why so many people are obsessed with a pressure cooker?
Here are some of the benefits-
- It cooks faster
This is the main reason why you would want to invest in a pressure cooker. It is faster than any other cooking method. While it takes 30 to 50 minutes to cook a pot of soaked grains, a pressure cooker does the same job in less than 10 minutes.
- Adds nutritional value
Pressure cooker involves a closed and fast cooking method. The lids remain closed thought the cooking process. Pots and pans which take longer time in cooking evaporate the moistures from the foods and the nutrients lose its value. While a pressure cooker with closed lids traps all the moisture in and also preserves the nutrients and vitamins of the food items.
- No mess
Pressure cookers are generally quite easy to clean up because they cook being closed avoiding all the splatters, spills, and crumbs which a normal pan would leave on the stove’s surface.
- No loss of flavor
The pressure cooker uses the liquids from the pot and it stays in, which doesn’t let any of the items evaporate or take away the flavor in any case. In the face, your food would taste better because the flavors of the food stay, along with the vitamins.
- Safe to use
If you are afraid of pressure cooker busting out of high pressure then rest assured as it has become an old story now. With newer technology and innovations manufacturers are adding more and more safety features to the pressure cookers. These make them completely safe even the safest option to cook your favorite dishes.
Tips for Using a Pressure Cooker Correctly
Looking at a pressure cooker one may feel it is confusing and difficult at the same time but with a few steps, you can learn how to use a pressure cooker. Here are the following steps
- First and foremost read the pressure cooker manual very carefully. Even if you feel like its kid’s job, don’t skip steps.
- Always make sure all things are in place before you put the ingredients in the cooker. Check the lids and make sure they are clean and placed in position. Make sure that the rubber gasket is flexible; if not, replace it ASAP.
- Add your ingredients to the cooker. Do not fill more than two-third. Fill half for food which froth e.g. beans or grains.
- Lock the lid in its place. Put the pressure release valve in a closed position and ensure it twice.
- Put the cooker on high temperature. Once it attains high temperature, lower the heat or else the food might get overcooked.
- Once the cooking is over release the pressure and then open the lid.
- Open the lid in the opposite direction of your face to avoid the steam hitting directly into your face.
Problems with Pressure Cookers
Similar to every other equipment, a pressure cooker also encounter several issues which could have a clear impact on the quality of the cooked food or the time required to cook a particular type of food. You can reach for the instruction manual at such times but for most users, such document is not always available.
So, we have compiled a list of most common pressure cooker issues. Give it a light read, it will prepare you to deal with such issues;
- Steam Leaking and Preventing the Pressure Build-up
The main principle of cooking with a pressure cooker is the build-up steam. That steam helps to cook the food with convenience and with ease. So, the leakage of steam counts as the most common pressure cooker problem. If such leakage has appeared, it will take longer to cook food and even if it reaches your desired temperature, the pressure cooker will not be able to hold that temperature for long.
- Damaged Gasket or Rusty Valve
A damaged Gasket also counts as the most common pressure cooker issue if the appliance is old. Due to prolonged use, the Gasket or Valve loses its efficiency, even the effectiveness. This issue results in fluctuating pressure build-up inside the pressure cooker.
- Cooking takes Longer
Any type of issue or damaged mechanism or even a damaged part could reduce the efficiency of the pressure cooker. It will take significantly longer to build-up the pressure which will result in longer cooking time. Basically, any sort of issue will directly affect the quality of the cooked food and cooking time as well.
- If You See Vapours Along the Rim or Oozing out Water
If you see water oozing out of the rim of the pressure cooker you may think that it is nothing. But it is a very common pressure cooker issue, which could directly affect the quality of the food.
Basically, what happens is that, as soon as the pressure builds up; you will see water dripping out of the pressure cooker. The pressure goes away in the form of water. This issue is mainly visible with the pressures cookers that are equipped with pressure regulating weights.
But if you are using a different model of the pressure cooker but still having the same issue, then you can be sure that food specks have accumulated inside the venting pipe, which is mirroring the said issue. The easiest and only way to avoid such issue by cleaning the valves and the vent pipes on a regular basis.
- Facing Difficulty While Opening the Lid
Even after turning off the heat, if the lid still remains stuck for a significant amount of time, then you have a big issue on your hands. This particular issue is caused by the core pressure of the pressure cooker. Simply, the released pressure was so inadequate that it jams up the lid.
This is a very difficult issue fix but this still falls among the most common problems of using a pressure cooker.
Frequently Asked Questions?
The 4 brands which are the most popular in India are Prestige, Pigeon, Hawkins and Bajaj. All of them have warranty and offer repayments in their service centres. Other than these you can go for Butterflies or iBell.
Yes, there are generally two types of pressure cookers available in the market. The first one is the stovetop pressure cookers which we have been discussing in the blog and the other one is the electric cooker. However, the stovetop pressure cooker is highly preferable as you may cook many kinds of items in it on the contrary to the other cooker i.e. the electric cooker which is used by people only to cook rice. So, both of them serve distinct functions.
The time duration consumed by both the small-sized cookers and the big sized cookers is similar. So, it entirely depends upon your interest. You may wish to buy a bigger cooker and yet cook smaller portions. Though, small ones are convenient to use and so would they cost lesser. Consider the size as per your interest.
Yes, because the mechanism of the cooker is pressure cooking and hence the lid for sure has to be tight in order to avoid the complications of a loose lid. As far as the mechanism is in concern, the inner-lid types of the cookers are highly efficient and we recommend them over the outer-lid types of cookers.
Yes, water, which is used to cook the ingredients inside the cooker, may lead to losing some of the nutrients. The other factor is the reaction with acids, which plays a major role in messing up with the nutrients of the food. Hence, you need to find a material that is not reactive to acids and also the one which is a high conductor of heat to ensure nutrients are retained. In this case, the anodized pressure cooker has all the merits one should be looking for while purchasing the product
Aluminum is not as deadly as lead but it is also not good for you either. Aluminum is reactive with acidic food items such as tomato, lemon, and tamarind which are greatly used in Indian cooking. If you are sure that you won’t be cooking anything sour then a aluminium cooker is for you, if not sure avoid buying it on the first place.
There are many items that are strongly prohibited and you must ask about the same or read in the instruction manual. Another is when you open the lid of the cooker after your cooking is done, open it in the opposite direction of your face. Adhered by all the instructions which are mentioned in the manual and you will find it more than easy to get used to a pressure cooker quick.
These are the three different type of pressure release technique used for cooking different type of foods.
* Natural Release: Recommended for frothy foods, high- liquid foods, big meat pieces and all other foods that can be overcooked without an issue. You leave the cooker and the pressure will come down on its own.
* Quick Release: It is used for food items that have as short cooking time. This include soft vegetables, sea-food, adding vegetables halfway the cooking. You press and pull the steam release valve once the cooking over.
* Cold Water Release: The fastest cooking method for a stovetop pressure cooker. Put the cooker under a tap, run the water over the lid and along both the sides. Never place the valve underwater.
Conclusion:
Wrapping this up, our best pick from the list above is, Prestige Deluxe stainless Steel Pressure Cooker. The long lasting Durability, Brand Assurance, Safety, Good Design, and most importantly the warranty period.
All these features make it the best choice. What is your favorite cooker out of these and why? Let us know in the comments section below.
2 Responses
Can i get inner lid of 12 litter hawkins pressure cocker.
Hi, are you looking for a replacement inner lid for your 12 litres hawkins pressure cooker or are you asking if there is an inner lid hawkins cooker of 12 liters?
If you are looking for a replacement inner lid, then we regret to inform you that you cannot find lid replacements for pressure cookers.
It is better suggested that you buy a new one. The 12 litre model of Hawkins pressure cooker is made out of high quality aluminium. The pressure is narrowed down and is pushed in a downward direction from the whistle lid. It has a cool handle, the gasket is inside thus has minimum outside exposure and overall, lasts longer. The multiple stem vent prevents any over building of pressure.