First invented in 1679, pressure cookers cook food faster by increasing internal pressure and boiling water past 110°C.
And while the devices fell out of fashion for quite a few years, a whole new generation of models are currently revolutionising the classic appliance. The key function largely remains the same, yet modern pressure cookers have come such a long way from the pans of yesteryear that were shrieking on the verge of explosion.
Generally speaking, they’re much safer and are available with numerous stove-top and electric options, reinstating their position as a kitchen essential for both home cooks and pro chefs.
Why buy a pressure cooker?
Today’s pressure cookers are typically far more complex than previous models, but the biggest draw remains their ability to cook speedily with minimal prep.
Thanks to the tight-fitting lids that allow steam to build up under pressure, heat is ultimately forced into the food being cooked. Using a pressure cooker will not only speed up the process, but also requires less water than conventional cooking methods, which in turn retains vitamins and minerals that may otherwise be lost. Many chefs also swear that this also contributes to richer sauces and more densely-flavoured dishes.
Given the quick cooking time, pressure cookers are also perfect for preparing less expensive ingredients such as tougher cuts of meat or legumes, helping you save money on both ingredients and mounting energy bills.
What’s more, pressure cookers are also extremely versatile, suited for a range of dishes, from casseroles, stews and curries, to soups, risottos and even entire chickens. Many contemporary electric pressure cookers also have pre-set cooking options for specific dishes, plus features for making yoghurt, congee and broths.
Although electric pressure cookers dominate the market, classic stove-top versions are still available. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but updated designs of each tend to have useful accessories, greater versatility and smart safety features. So no more explosions or burns from manually releasing steam at the wrong moment.
Which features should I look for when buying a pressure cooker?
The type of pressure cooker you get should depend entirely on your needs. The main difficulty will likely be choosing between an electric or stove-top model. Electric pressure cookers tend to make life easier, but it’s also worth noting that they’re often bulkier than stove-top options and will end up taking up more counter space.
Electric cookers are also generally slightly more expensive, but some decent budget options are available. The more expensive stove-top pressure cookers are crafted from high-quality materials like stainless steel with a much thicker base. If you’re after a stove-top, it’s worth investing in something made to last.
When shopping for a pressure cooker, it’s also worth looking into the additional features and accessories. Many recipes will call for accessories such as racks or trivets, which aren’t always included. Trivets are widely available, but finding suitably sized racks can be harder to source. Most electric pressure cookers also have searing, slow-cooking or even air-frying functions, which will also help to declutter your kitchen – using just one machine rather than a collection of appliances.
Regardless of which style you opt for, pay attention to capacity and cleaning instructions. Cleaning a pressure cooker without the aid of a dishwasher can be a nightmare, especially if you’re dealing with various removable parts.
Which size pressure cooker should you buy?
As for size, smaller three-litre pressure cookers are ideal for one or two people, while those with a capacity for six litres and more are ideal for families, entertaining and even batch cooking.
How we tested the best pressure cookers
All of the featured pressure cookers were tested in a home kitchen, with various criteria kept in mind. The key focuses were quality of the food produced, ease of use and cleaning, size and storage, functionality, instructions, safety and value for money.
Shop the best below
Instant Pot Pro Crisp Multi Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer
Over the past 12 years, Instant Pot has garnered a cult following, becoming one of the biggest names in the constantly expanding multicooker market – and for good reason.
Launched in the UK during the summer of 2021, the Instant Pot Pro Crisp multi pressure cooker and air fryer is essentially an upgrade of the brand’s duo crisp and air fryer. With a sleek new design and some new functions, it’s available in two sizes: 5.7 or 7.6 litres. While the Instant Pot Pro Crisp is at the more expensive end of the scale, it’s an absolute game-changer and will replace a number of (most likely inferior) kitchen gadgets.
On account of its seemingly endless uses, the larger version is fairly bulky and particularly heavy, but especially ideal for cooking for groups, or for batch cooking. The pressure cooker element of the multi-cooker also has a particularly progressive steam venting method, with just the flick of a switch needed to activate, complete with a diffusing cover over the steam release to minimise splashes and prevent burns.
Moreover, the stainless steel pot can also be used on a hob and has silicone handles, which make it easy to pick up without risk of burning. It’s the small things that really do make a huge difference.
Buy now £249.99, Amazon
Ninja Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker with Smart Cook System 7.5L OL750UK
Best for: never using any of your other kitchen appliances again
Cooking functions: 15; Pressure-cook, Steam Meals, Steam Air Fry, Steam Roast, Steam Bake, Steam Bread, Air Fry, Grill, Bake, Dehydrate, Prove, Sear/Saute, Slow Cook, Yogurt/ Keep Warm.
Weight: 11.7kg
Dimensions: 36 x 35 x 36cm
Welcome to the Starship Enterprise. Well, not quite, but in kitchen gadet terms - almost. This beast of a machine will leave your other kitchen appliances weeping in the dust because it does everything. From a range of steam cooking methods (including steam roast!) to specialist baking settings and even making yogurt, the Foodi MAX makes masterchefs out of the most rudimentary home cook.
The 7.5L pot, coated with nano ceramic for easier cleaning, is big enough to hold a 3kg chicken, which means you can keep your oven free for the trimmings. Activate steam roast, and the bird will be ready in around half an hour. Compare that to standard cooking times, and you’ll soon see how investing in this multicooker can save you a wedge of cash in the long run.
It can grill burgers and whip up the bread buns to encase them in too. Fancy coming home to a ready cooked dinner? Turn on the slow cook mode before you leave the house or get hearty meals on the table quicker by getting familiar with the pressure cooking feature.
Granted, this machine looks a little daunting on your countertops, but once you learn how to use it, you’ll never want to be without it. Just make sure you’ve plenty of space for it and its accessories before purchasing.
Buy now £320.00, Argos
Sage The Fast Slow Pro 6L Slow Cooker & Pressure Cooker
Another hit from Sage Appliances, the handsome Fast Slow Pro is a multi-cooker combining both a slow-cooker and pressure cooker. With six pre-installed settings, the Fast Slow Pro automatically adjusts time, temperature and pressure, with dual sensors at the top and bottom constantly monitoring the ingredients during cooking.
A hands-free steam release function allows steam to be released safely and automatically, with options to release it quickly, slowly or in pulses. A manual setting is also available, giving you greater control, as well as a searing and reducing function: ideal for quickly thickening sauces after cooking.
Cleaning is also hassle-free, with the ceramic coating requiring just a quick wash, while the pot and lid are dishwasher safe.
A steamer basket and rack are also thrown in, plus a booklet containing recipes from chef Heston Blumenthal.
Buy now £169.95, Amazon
ProCook Professional Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker 22cm / 6L
Today, most of the market’s best pressure cookers are packaged into electric, counter-top multi-cookers. Granted, these won’t be for everybody.
If you’re after something a little more traditional, but by no means dated, the ProCook Professional Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker may be for you. Suitable for use on gas, electric, ceramic and induction hobs, the 22cm pressure cooker holds six litres and is designed for ease of use, with a single-handed locking mechanism that’s simple and secure, featuring two pressure settings.
Unlike many of the new-gen pressure cookers, the ProCook pressure cooker also comes with a steamer basket, a trivet, and a glass lid for everyday cooking. While the pressure cooker does seem pretty durable, ProCook also offers a 25 year guarantee, as standard.
Buy now £119.00, ProCook
John Lewis & Partners JLPC166 Stainless Steel Electric Pressure Cooker, 4L
From John Lewis & Partners’ own brand of kitchen appliances, the stainless steel electric pressure cooker has 15 pre-programmed settings, so it’s ideal for cooking meat, stews, soups, pasta, fish and rice (at which it excels).
The device also boasts a 24-hour delay timer, fast re-heat and keep warm options - making it suitable for preparing dishes in advance. A sauté option also adds more profound depth of flavour to dishes before pressure cooking.
The unit isn’t only easy to use, it’s also fairly compact, making it more ideal for those with less counter space, with a maximum fill load of around four litres – generally enough to feed a family of four. The accompanying instruction manual could do with a little more information for each of the specific settings, and an included steamer basket wouldn’t go amiss, but otherwise the it’s a solid, relatively cost effective electric pressure cooker.
Buy now £45.00, John Lewis
Tower One-Touch Ultima 6 Litre Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Tower’s One-Touch Ultima pressure cooker looks like a fairly basic stove-top pressure cooker, but it’s the small details that make it standout. With 6 litre capacity, the pressure cooker is ideal for cooking for family and friends or even batch cooking, with the bonded stainless steel base making it suitable for use on all hobs.
The included steamer basket helps to ventilate heat during high pressure cooking, while the lid mechanism is designed for safe one-handed operation, with a steam release valve to depressurise once the cooking cycle has finished.
Meanwhile, the phenolic stay-cool side handles are a nice touch, as is the detachable 60 minute timer affixed to the lid, for scheduling and monitoring the cooking period.
It’s also worth noting that the Tower One-Touch Ultima pressure cooker is suitable for hand washing only, with only the body considered dishwasher safe.
Buy now £70.00, Argos
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Classic Neo Pressure Cooker with Side Grips
When it comes to classic pressure cookers, Swiss brand Kuhn Rikon are generally considered to be at the forefront, as is reflected in the prices. Joining the brand’s DUROMATIC range of pressure cookers, Neo is the latest addition, available with side handles or a long handle.
Compatible with all hob types, the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Classic Neo pressure cooker with side grips is made from high-quality 18/10 stainless steel, with a superthermic base for even cooking.
In addition to a sieve insert to easily separate food from water, the pressure cooker also comes with cooking times for various ingredients, featured on the lid’s protection cap, in the instructions manual, and on the Kuhn Rikon app alongside a selection of pressure cooker recipes.
Although it’s at the pricier end of the scale, costing more than most electric pressure cookers featured, it’s a solid choice for a high-quality stove-top pressure cooker.
Buy now £149.56, Kuhn Rikon
Tefal Clipso Minut' Perfect Stovetop Pressure Cooker, 6L
A brilliant stovetop wonder which is far lighter than a conventional pressure cooker, you’ll be able to make so much more than just stews and soups inside this six-litre pot.
Crafted from stainless steel with stylish red details, the innovative device begins a countdown as soon as pressure has built inside the pot. The timer will then indicate when it’s time to lower the heat once the cooking is finished, so you can release the pressure slowly, safely and securely. It also comes with a steaming basket for vegetables, meats and fish.
Buy now £210.00, Amazon
Verdict
While many exceptional stove-top pressure cookers exist, the electric versions are certainly the wave of the future, ultimately making life much easier – the reason for the pressure cooker’s invention in the first place. The Instant Pot Pro Crisp Multi Pressure Cooker leads the charge, narrowly clinching our best buy recommendation based on its versatility and all-round high quality. The brand has a cult following for a reason.
