Buying The Best Pressure Cooker

Buying the best pressure cooker, does not always mean buying the brand that is considered to be top of the line. Some top of the line cookers don't cook as efficiently as those that cost less.

The efficiency of a pressure cooker is determined by how much constant pressure is being exerted within the pot while cooking a meal. This pressure is known as operating pressure and should remain constant though out the cooking cycle. In 1917, the USDA(United States Department of Agriculture} set a standard of 15 psi(pounds per square inch) for pressure cookers manufactured in the US to target and destroy microorganism such as botulism and salmonella that are found on all foods and are associated with food being mishandled. Yet all cookers do not adhere to this standard and take longer to cook than those that do. Most recipes that are created for pressure cooking are written to cook by the USDA standard. Knowing what to look for, before buying, can be an essential step in purchasing a cooker that provides the maximum savings in energy and the time it takes to cook a meal. Pressure cookers today, are a lot safer than the one that grandmother used and are equipped with more safety features to prevent explosions, that haunted their use in the past.

Here are some questions that you may want to have answered before buying what you consider to be the best pressure cooker for you.

1. How do you plan to use your cooker? Cooking, canning or both? The pressure cooker, You choose, should not be used to can foods. It does not meet the USDA standards for a canner If you plan on using it for both cooking and canning, buy a pressure canner. It is better suited for both cooking a meal and canning.

2. What size pot is adequate to feed your family. The size of the pot can be a significant factor in how much you pay for the convenience of cooking food under pressure. A six quart pot is the most common size.

3. What is the maximum pressure your cooker will achieve? Many cookers today come with more than 1 setting of pressure for cooking various types of food. They provide versatility in the cooking of foods that would fall apart at a pressure of 15 psi. Buying a pot that adheres to the USDA standard will provide you with the maximum in savings on energy and time used in preparing a meal.

4. What type of warranty does the manufacturer offer? Warranties should long enough to allow you to obtain the maximum return on your investment. A short warranty period puts you at the mercy of the manufacturer and you can find yourself in the position of replacing your cooker sooner than you expect.

5. Are replacement parts readily available for your cooker and for how long? Some brands have parts that are extremely difficult to find - the manufacturer may no longer in business or no longer makes the parts for your brand of cooker. Encountering either one of these situations, can make the pot you are thinking of buying, useless in a relatively short period of time.

These are some of the more important questions to consider before making your decision to buy, but there are other facts you may want to consider before making a choice as to which is the best pressure cooker for you.

Find out what you need to know to make an informed decision as to which pressure cooker is the best one to buy and provide you with the maximum savings in energy and time in cooking your meals.

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