We are all too familiar with the long days spent outside and then coming home to the dread of having to cook. On days like this, we can take advantage of a pressure cooker to quickly prepare a nutritious and tasty one-pot meal.
A pressure cooker can finish cooking all the ingredients you put in the pot by the time you finish tidying up and setting up the table. Also, when you’re done you will only have one pot to clean instead of a whole mess made on a stovetop. For the people that are ready to cut out some of the annoying kitchen work, we have put together a list of the best electric pressure cookers to buy right now.
Best Electric Pressure Cookers 2020
| Image | Product Name | Weight | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker | 11.8 pounds | 6 Quarts | Check Price |
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Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker | 26 pounds | 8-Quarts | Check Price |
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Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus | 18.26 pounds | 6 Quarts | Check Price |
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Instant Pot Smart WiFi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker | 12.2 pounds | 6 Quarts | Check Price |
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Power PPC773 Pressure Cooker XL | 8.7 pounds | 10 Quarts | Check Price |
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Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker | 11.53 pounds | 6 Quarts | Check Price |
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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker | 10.14 pounds | 8 Quarts | Check Price |
1.Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This 7-in-1 instant pot duo nova is the perfect match for a beginner trying out to see the benefits of a pressure cooker. It offers additional features for you to also use a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, and yogurt maker. The user-friendly layout makes it extremely easy to work through the features. The safety-focused design makes sure you place the parts correctly before starting to cook. Otherwise, it doesn’t even turn on.
The 6 Qt model makes it the ideal size for preparing meals for 6 people. The cooking process of this multi-cooker is shown in an LCD display for you to keep track of. The programs are also customizable for it to remember how you like to cook.
2. Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker
This Ninja Foodi is built to last with a tough and heavy body that is designed for durability. The sturdy body is made of premium materials with a stainless steel finish. Its enhanced user interface is perfect for more experienced users to experiment with all the functions.
Even though it is made for more experienced users, it comes with instructions that explain all the features very simply. It comes with The Deluxe Reversible Rack that lets you steam and broil, as well as Tender Crisp up to 8 chicken breasts at once. This pressure cooker is big enough to cook meals for up to 8 people making it easy to cater to the whole family and guests.
This pressure cooker is the evolved model with 9 programs and features that make it a favorite for all previous pot owners. The sophisticated design includes a lid that automatically seals in its place. It has taken out the piercing sound that is made from releasing pressure to a minimum. It is now able to conduct heat more evenly all the way through thanks to its new design.
The new handles on it make it easier to hold it steady in place. Its updated LCD display is very aesthetic and can show you exactly where you are in the cooking process along with the option to set the exact temperature you want.
4. Instant Pot Smart WiFi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This instant pot is an upgrade to the last models with added Wifi and an app for wireless connection. It has all the popular functions from the previous models. The new app includes features such as the “Instant Start” button to select the program of choice, manually customize and adjust the settings for pressure levels, time, and start cooking with a tap.
With the app, you can cook remotely as it has the features to show the progress of your food and send notifications when the food is ready. It can also be turned off through the app as well. Other app features include a recipe section with hundreds of ideas and inspirations for dishes.
5. Power PPC773 Pressure Cooker XL
This is the biggest pressure cooker which makes it perfect for a large family. The 10 Qt has the capacity to cook a bigger amount while still locking the flavors in with its tight seal. The flavors are able to reach deep into the food because of the locked-in steam to give your whole meal the best taste possible. It is extremely easy to use with simple one-touch buttons to get started. The exterior is made of stainless steel and the inner pot is non-stick and dishwasher safe.
6. Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This older pressure cooker is still able to offer all the best features of the Instant Pot line at a cheaper price. The classic model runs on the most updated software, so it still performs just as well as its competitors in the price range. Along with the wide variety of recipes it can cook, it is also easy to use and is built with the same design as all the other Instant Pot pressure cookers. Its 6 Qt capacity can cook for 6 people making it the most popular size for families.
7. Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
This is a slight upgrade from the previous pressure cooker as it is built with more features that offer options and safety. The design is also more fun and aesthetic with different color choices to add a pop to your kitchen. It still comes in the same reasonable size to cover your family meals but 10 seals on the device give you peace of mind. It comes with a detailed manual along with video tutorials to learn how this instant pot works very quickly.
Buyer’s Guide
Now that we have discussed our top picks for pressure cookers, it’s time to get a better understanding of the product itself, regardless of which brand you go with. This buying guide will help you get familiar with the features so you can pick the best pressure cooker for you.
Primarily, pressure cookers work by applying simple laws of physics. The high temperature from boiling water inside a sealed container causes the food to cook quickly. This method has been used for a long time. In fact, pressure cookers have been through many upgrades to this date.
The first-generation pressure cooker
As the name suggests, this is the oldest design that used a weighted bearing valve to adjust the pressure inside. They offered only one pressure mode and would make a loud hissing sound when it was time to release the pressure. These models were extremely risky as they had no safety features and had the chance of blowing up if the pressure was too high.
The second-generation pressure cooker
The newer models with slight adjustments replaced the previous models with their spring valves. This meant you could adjust the levels of pressure with the spring valve. They use indicators to tell the pressure inside the container and do not release any steam. It holds all the steam in until the lid is opened or if it is left on the stove for too long.
The electric pressure cooker
These are the latest and best pressure cookers available right now. They use electricity to run and comes with a wide range of useful functions and safety features making them the best out of the three. These offer different options to cook according to your choice and gives you a stress-free experience, thanks to the safety features.
Right pressure cooker size
When it comes to selecting the right pressure cooker it is crucial to pick the correct size. By having a good understanding of which size is suitable for you it will be easier to navigate through the wide variety of sizes that are available. For small meals for 1 or preparing baby food, the best size is 1 or 1.5 liter. If you’re preparing for a small group or family, the 3 liter is good enough but for big families anything from 5 to 8 liter is perfect. The 6-liter pressure cooker is the most popular size.
Other factors to consider
Pressure cookers come in two different types of lids. The inner lid and outer lid. The Inner Lid Pressure Cookers have their lids sealing on the opening of the pressure cooker and with their uniquely shaped opening, the lid slides in and fits perfectly in place. In contrast, the outer lid pressure cooker has the lid sealed on the outside of the body.
If you are going to be using a dishwasher to clean up it is important to check if the utensils are dishwasher friendly. Typically, stainless steel or aluminum can be put in the dishwasher but not the hard-anodized pressure cookers.
Another thing to check for is if it’s an induction stove-friendly pressure cooker. If you are using an induction stove, you should check the packaging for the manufacturer’s approval of this.
FAQ
Are pressure cookers safe to use?
Electric pressure cookers are very safe to use as it built with safety in mind. They come with certain features and functions that insures you don’t have to worry about them.
How does a pressure cooker reduce cooking time?
Because under pressure, the heat builds faster and maintains temperature better, so cooking time is reduced.
What are the best materials for a pressure cooker?
The inside of a pressure cooker can be made of 2 materials. Stainless steel or non-stick. While the non-sticks are easier to clean up, it is like to start deteriorating whereas the stainless steel can last a long time.
For the exterior, it can be found in stainless steel or aluminum. Stainless steel has a shinier finish and is more durable while aluminum may not be as durable it is a better heat conductor and weighs significantly less.
What can I cook in a pressure cooker?
Most food can be cooked in a pressure cooker to brown, boil, steam, poach, steam roast, braise, stew, or roast. It is considered a healthy alternative to cook in steam and pressure.
Conclusion
We have listed the best electric pressure cookers, along with all the specifications you would need to pick the right pressure cooker for yourself. We are confident that one of these pressure cookers will be sure to meet your needs. Before buying make sure to check the model, features, material, and manufacturer to get the best electric pressure cooker for you.