Do you really use your pressure cooker?

[laurabfig]

I'm debating getting one- for quickness of meal prep with fresh ingredients. I'm wondering if it would just be a "phase" though, and then just be one more un-used appliance clogging up our cabinet space.
How frequently do you use yours? What do you like best about it? And what brand is the one you love?

[californiajenn]

I have a pressure canner/cooker and use it all the time. I just used it today to quickly cook lamb stew meat in 20 minutes that otherwise would need to braise for 2-3 hours. I mostly use mine for canning tuna, salmon, and chicken stock.

[Arduinna]

I've had mine for almost 20 years and I still use it for primary purpose I bought it for, to cook dried beans.

[allnaturalmom]

It is a lifesaver when I'm short on time! I like that in the summer I can do a chicken breast w/o heating up the whole oven and it comes out very moist and tender. I also like the 'one pot cooking' as there is less to clean up. Make sure you get one that is stainless steel. Mine is a six quart made by Fagor. http://www.fagoramerica.com/ I don't think they sell the exact model anymore, but I've seen similar ones on amazon. Mine has the curvey sides and both a high and low setting. I think the high and low options give you more control.

gl
hth

[KatWrangler]

I use mine several times a week. I make:

Dried Beans
Steel Cut Oats
Brown Rice

Meats and other dishes.

I love it.

[Plaid Leopard]

I use mine several times a week for dried beans, soups, potatoes, rice, steaming veggies...

[Angitay]

I use mine for making beef stew (the meat comes out super tender). We probably make beef stew in the pressure cooker once every few weeks, especially in the winter. I have never tried dried beans though. I will have to try that next!

[Owen'nZoe]

I use mine all the time! I bought it primarily for dried beans and brown rice, and that is what I use it for most frequently. I do also make the occassional beef stew for the family, and have an egg custard recipe that is just perfect for sick tummies and gets made when needed.

Most of the foods I use the pressure cooker for I made in the crock pot before I had the pressure cooker. The taste is better IMO, and it is almost as quick/convenient. I think if I had planned to completely change our diet when I got the pressure cooker, rather than just make it easier to make dishes that we already ate and liked, it would have been more likely to be a 'fad' for us.

I have a Fagor set that came with 2 pots and one pressure cooking lid. I use the larger of the 2 pots most often, but am happy to have both.

[texmati]

several times a week, but I am in the market for a larger one. My mom uses hers every day. We are south asian, and she cooks rice and dal and sometimes vegetables in there (all at the same time in different containers!)

[raksmama]

I use mine several times a week and love it!

Soaked Pinto or black beans will cook tender in around 12 minutes.
Lentil is even less time.
Cubed lamb stew cooks in around 20 minutes
You can cook a whole chicken in around the same time and use the broth for soup.
I love my pressure cooker but there are a few things that it is not good for. Both Leg of lamb and chicken breasts will be very tough cooked in a pressure cooker.

Also never, never cook beans in the pressure cooker open it up and add other ingredients like tomatoes and vegetables, close the pressure cooker and try to cook it under pressure again! I burned the bottom of mine by doing this.

[Owen'nZoe]

Originally Posted by jalilah

Also never, never cook beans in the pressure cooker open it up and add other ingredients like tomatoes and vegetables, close the pressure cooker and try to cook it under pressure again! I burned the bottom of mine by doing this.

Phew! I'm not the only one who has done this...

[DashsMama]

I have a T-fal. I only use it as a pressure cooker two or three times a month, and usually just to cook dried beans. However, mine came with a regular lid in addition to the pressure lid, so I can use it as a regular pot. I use it all the time this way, and I must say, because it has a diffuser on the bottom that spreads out and holds the heat, it is my go to pot for making easy to burn food, or food that I want to keep warm while I finish making dinner.