Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
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List Price: Our Price: $61.07 You Save: $57.93 (49%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Buy Used: from $53.13 (click here) Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Customer Review: Absolutely great pressure cooker!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this pressure cooker since February 2009 and I love it! I especially bought it to prepare fresh bean dishes, not the canned stuff, which is full of chemicals and I have to say, I finally can prepare beans the same day I crave them. The quick soak method (brings beans to boil, shut heat of, let them sit for 1 hour) and then another maybe 1/2 hour cooking time from bringing it to a boil to serving time shortens the process significantly as everybody, who cooks, knows.
I already had to order 1 replacement part (the steam vent, because I misplaced it, it was not because something was wrong with the cooker) and it was absolutely NO PROBLEM ordering them from presto's web page. It was a snap.
I put everything into the dishwasher, except for the rubber ring, and it comes out clean every time.
Very good purchase, worth the money (even though it is now $84.99 + $13.25 shipping and I paid $79.98 including shipping & handling (it was offered by amazon back then).
I made delicious risotto, potatoes, lentils etc. already.
Buy it, you won't regret it.
Customer Review: Best Pressure Cooker, hands down
Summary: 5 Stars
We have had this pressure cooker since the birth of our seven year old. We first used it for making babyfood, and freezing it in ice cube trays. Now it is THE workhorse for fast, delicious, nutritious meals - anything from beef stroganoff to more elegant bouillabaisse. Really, even with some adjustments for time, it is easy to put the pot back on stove for added minutes if needed. The two sides makes it easy to pick up, and the handles do stay cool. The pressure valve is easy to watch. I feel that the sturdiness will take this to 20 years for us. I am an ardent pressure cooker chef, as I love the quick outcome. We are a two earner family, so fast is necessary, and this does it all.
Meats come out fork tender, like they have been in the slow cooker for 10 hours. I can't say enough. Try it, and get fancy - there are lovely desserts you can do in it, too. Flan, cake, compotes. Yummy. The kids seem to like anything I make in the pressure cooker better than in any other cooking style. Go figure.
I am considering a second one for other dishes to cook at the same time. Is that decadent?
Customer Review: Terrific!
Summary: 5 Stars
Presto's 8 qt stainless pressure cooker is awesome; it's quiet, effective, and easy to clean. Its safety features do not interfere with regular use in any way. The short handles/grips are better than the short-grip + long-handle combination used on some models. This Presto just makes sense. It is my third one and is the best by far.
Though I only have experience with Presto, I cannot imagine another cooker being worth either the savings or the extra expense.
If you only want to own one pressure cooker, don't get the smaller sizes. When you want to do a big stew, chicken or roast you won't have room. A small secondary pressure cooker for extra vegetables etc. might be useful, but not as your primary cooker.
Hey Presto, A double-decker basket would be nice for separating certain foods. How about it?
*Never* buy the aluminum pressure cookers, they save you money but are forever spreading aluminum about when you clean them. Stainless steel rocks(heh heh).
As always, never risk letting a cooker run dry while cooking under pressure.
Customer Review: Very difficult to operate if you're older, have less dexterity or arthritis.
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased this for quick meal preparation and its inherent quality of maintaining nutritional value during the cooking process. I selected the stainless steel 8 quart model, having once owned a smaller aluminum unit.
This product is almost commercial grade heavy gauge stainless. That being said, besides its weight, it is extremely difficult to open and close if you have little hand strength, dexterity or arthritis. I'm just old with a little arthritis, and this lid is almost impossible to operate. I now wish I had purchased the smaller unit with the longer handles to provide more leverage for twisting off the top. Someone may want to consider this if purchasing for yourself or others. Nothing like wrestling with a two gallon steaming bulk of a pot!
I live alone and wanted this to prepare meals quickly for myself (with a few leftovers), so I guess the only good thing is now I have to depend on a dinner guest who can close it and open it for me. Sad that it has such a short handle and my opposable thumbs aren't what they use to be. Too much of a challenge.
Customer Review: Really Impressed.
Summary: 5 Stars
My motivation to buy a pressure cooker was to save myself time and money. I started to use my crock pot religiously to cook beans. It worked well but the ten hours of using my crock pot nearly tripled my electric bill! So I wanted a way to cook foods that allowed for less time. I bought this model and it arrived quickly. I was intimidated a bit at first with the valves. I was not sure if I had set everything correctly. I read the entire manual from cover to cover to make sure I would not wind up with any problems. After following instructions and soaking the beans the night before I had amazing cooked beans in FOUR minutes! Unbelievable. Four minutes versus ten hours of slow cooking.
I never owned a pressure cooker before. This model came with some recipes that sound quite good. I look forward to using them. The pamphlet warns that the pressure ring, or valves may need replacing due to wear and tear. I may order those soon to have them on hand just to be prepared. I think it is a good idea to be prepared just in case. If you follow directions I think you will not have problems.