Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Customer Review: What the USDA doesn't say
Summary: 5 Stars
Some of the comments in this string include the news that small pressure cookers may not be safe for canning. This web site has a summary on the USDA uncertainty: [...]
Note the use of verbs "may" and "can." "Later research published in journals has not resulted in an absolute recommendation either. Therefore, in the late 1980s the USDA published its recommendation to not use pressure saucepans (small cookers) for home canning."
Bottom line: A bigger canner, the kind studied in the 1940s, holds heat longer and that *may* result in significantly different required processing times. Then again, subjecting jars to an hour of the temperature generated at 15 psi near sea level just might kill every living thing in even the smallest pressure cooker. In any case, if you were a pressure cooker manufacturer's lawyer, what would you recommend they say?
Golly it would be swell if the USDA could arrive at definitive and useful canning advice, like it did back in the 1940s.
Customer Review: Great Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker!
Summary: 4 Stars
I've been using pressure cookers since I was married 35 years ago . . . and I do a LOT of cooking and baking. I think "steamed" vegetables come out MUCH much better in a pressure cooker, and use mine all the time, mostly for that. I had a Mirro aluminum cooker for 30 years, but when the gasket finally wore out decided it was time to upgrade to a stainless steel unit.
We bought a less expensive unit a few years ago, and it never worked quite right. The unit never sealed and we would have to keep reopening it and moving the gasket around until it did. The food was generally overcooked and I hated it.
We bought this Presto unit a few months ago, and so far I LOVE it! It seals the first time, the food comes out great, and it's easy to clean. The only thing is it can be difficult to shut when you put the cover on, but that actually helps it seal better, so I don't mind. I'm very happy with the purchase, and hopefully will be using it for the next 30 years like my Mirro.
Customer Review: How can I justify two of them?
Summary: 5 Stars
Just completed teaching a class on how to use a pressure cooker, and I used this model to demonstrate. We steamed cauliflower, made a batch of black beans, perfect risotto, delicious chicken cacciatore, and topped off the meal with a batch of apple crisp. The recipes, more or less, came from the instruction manual (I always add more garlic where I can). The class was a big hit, and the pressure cooker was the star of the show.
First of all it is a lovely item. It's just beautiful to look at. It is sturdy, and has two handles which makes handling much easier. It nicely accommodates the 2 quart souffle dish I use to make desserts like the apple crisp. The capacity is perfect for making stews, you really need the 8 quart size to make a batch of stew or cacciatore or the like. The instructions are easy to understand and use, it's easy to clean (get some Bon Ami if you don't already have it. This baby sparkles after cleaning.), and it hasn't left my stovetop since I bought it.
Customer Review: I LOVE it!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been pressure cooking like crazy since I got this. It works like a dream and I have absolutely no complaints. It has the locking lid, a metal pin-type thing that pops-up to seal when the pressure is up and it also has a rubber plug that would pop out if you let the pressure get too high, so it feels really safe. I can't imagine using it for canning, I didn't get it for that purpose. I love that it's easier to store because of the shorter handles, although mine hasn't been in the cupboard for long. This one has replaced my old Presto "jiggle-top" which I loved too, it was just time to update. I can't see spending hundreds of dollars on the Kuhn Rikon or the Fagor models when this one is MUCH cheaper and does the same work. I don't think anyone would be disappointed with this purchase if you are wanting to make wonderful, fast meals. Presto 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure CookerCustomer Review: At altitutudes about 3,000 feet
Summary: 2 Stars
Just got the pressure cooker, and it looks like a great, heavy duty pot. Very nice. Because of the other reviews, my main purpose in purchasing this was for canning.
However, after reading the manual, I learned that this CAN NOT be used for canning at altitudes above 3,000 feet -- which leaves out a lot of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah......
Otherwise, I'm sure it's great.
Update: A lot of comments to this post -- I need to clarify. You can use it to COOK (adjust cooking times for altitude), but not to CAN. Two different functions. Talk to your science teacher -- the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature the water reaches its boiling point, and therefore, the less pressure. To get to the appropriate temperature to kill bacteria for safe canning, you need higher PRESSURE at altitude. This does not reach high enough pounds of pressure at altitude.
Cooking food at altitude -- good. Canning food at altitude -- poison.