Pressure cookers are one of the most common cookware that is found in an Indian kitchen. Along with numerous other benefits, the most common cause of using pressure cookers is their usability and ease of cooking.
The pressure cookers not only cook faster than other cookware but also provide great fuel efficiency. So, if you were looking forward to buying an easy to use, multipurpose cookware for yourself, the pressure cookers would be a great choice.
The major reason for the enormous popularity of pressure cookers is usability. The pressure cookers can be used in multiple ways according to need and they are comparatively faster and provide better cooking. That’s the reason why you can easily find a pressure cooker in every Indian home kitchen.
In this article, we are going to talk about the various things that you should know before purchasing a new pressure cooker for your kitchen. Apart from the FAQs, and buyer’s guide, we are also going to talk about the ten best pressure cookers that you can buy in the year 2023.
So, whether you are planning to buy a new pressure cooker and are willing to get scome useful tips, or are looking for a few recommendations, this article is going to help you a lot. Stay with us until the end, and clear all your doubts regarding the pressure cookers and buying a perfect one for your home kitchen.
Best Buy Pressure Cooker Online In India
Before digging deeper into buying pressure cookers, let’s first have a look at the top ten pressure cookers that you can buy this year. The list has been prepared by keeping factors like performance, value for money and brand value. So, you can completely rely on the list if you are looking for quality and efficiency. So, let’s get started with the list.
1. Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Hawkins has been one of the first choices of Indian while purchasing a pressure cooker. Whether it is about the build quality, reliability, or spares availability, you can completely rely on the brand. With its Contura range of Hard Anodised pressure cookers, the company has kept its promises made with the customers to provide the best value for money.
This pressure cooker from Hawkins has a 1.5-liter capacity and is an ideal product for the bachelors. The brilliant dual color tone makes it a great pressure cooker to look at, and is equally easy to use.
If you were looking forward to buying an easy to use and efficient pressure cooker for a single person, this would be the best pressure cooker you can opt for in this price range.
Some of the best features/points about the Hawkins Contura 1.5 Liter pressure cooker are listed as follows. Go through them, and then decide whether you should buy it you’re your kitchen, or not.
- Heat up faster
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Reliable and faster cooking
- Great value for money
IN all, if you were looking for a safer, easier to maintain pressure cooker, this will be the best choice to go with. Try your hands on it, and you are not going to be disappointed.
2. Pigeon Induction Base Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Pigeon has been a great brand for kitchen appliances. The brand is known to produce high-quality products that are affordable and offer brilliant value for money. This pressure cooker from Pigeon is a perfect choice for the buyers who are looking for an ideal outer-lid pressure cooker that not only cooks food faster but it also is much easier to clean and maintain.
Along with a highly durable body and great design, one more plus point about the pressure cooker that makes it a great buy is the induction friendly base. The cooker can easily be used in the gas stove and in the induction cooktop as per the needs.
So, if you were looking for a cooker that can be used in different ways and is easier to maintain, this pressure cooker from Pigeon would be an ideal choice for you. Some of the best features of the pressure cooker are listed as follows go through them and then make your call.
- Lightweight and easy to maintain
- Outer lid design makes it easier to stir and cook food
- Works perfectly on gas stove and induction
So, if these were the features you were looking for, and are not too keen to spend a lot of money in the pressure cooker, then this cooker from pigeon would be the best product for you to go with. 3-liter capacity makes it an ideal pressure cooker for a nuclear family of 3-4 persons.
3. Prestige Popular Aluminium Pressure Cooker
For the buyers who are looking for a pressure cooker with a simple, easy to use and reliable design, the Prestige Popular Aluminum pressure cooker would be a perfect buy. With the outer lid and durable handle, this is one of the most reliable pressure cookers for a single person or two at this price point. Also, the pressure cooker comes with a 5-year warranty that makes it an ideal choice for those buyers who are looking forward to buying a durable product that will last for years without any maintenance issues.
With the outer lid and heavy bottom, his pressure cooker is an ideal product for those who are willing to make delicious recipes in the pressure cooker. Some of the best features of this pressure cooker from Prestige are listed as follows. Go through them and choose whether you should buy this for your home, or not.
- 5-year warranty
- Highly durable build quality
- Great brand value
- Efficient design. Easy to use and clean
- Uniquely designed metallic safety valve for a better and safer operation.
So, if you were looking for a durable pressure cooker that not only easy to maintain but also is a reliable choice for the buyers who are looking for perfect brand value, this pressure cooker from Prestige would be a perfect product to go with.
4. Hawkins Miss Mary Pressure cooker
Hawkins Miss Mary is a pressure cooker that doesn’t need any introduction. The product has been in the market for many years and you won’t find any major issue with it. This is probably the most popular model from the company and is been amongst the first choices of the buyers who are looking for a perfect and reliable pressure cooker for their kitchen.
Talking about the warrant, this cooker comes with a 5-year warranty and you can use this for many years without even changing the safety valve. The pressure cooker is an ideal buy for those who are after safety and build quality.
However, there are many other things to talk about the pressure cooker if you are interested to buy one for your kitchen. Some of such points are listed as follows. Go through these points and then decide whether you should invest your money in this model or look for a more promising model with better features and build quality.
- Simple design
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Lightweight yet efficient cooker
- Durable handles
- Easy availability of spares and service.
In all, if you were looking for better build quality and brand value, the Hawkins Miss Mary will be the best product at the price point. Along with a simple design that cooks food quickly and efficiently, this is a lightweight yet highly efficient pressure cooker and comes with a great set of safety features and a reliable brand name.
This is undoubtedly one of the best pressure cookers that you can buy at this price.
5. Prestige Deluxe Alpha Outer Lid Stainless steel Pressure cooker
If you were looking for an affordable steel pressure cooker that easy to maintain and provides great health benefits, the Prestige Deluxe Ultra range would be a great buy for you. Along with a heavy steel build, the outer lid design of the pressure cooker makes it an ideal choice for Indian kitchens.
With numerous things to talk about, this is one of the most reliable products that you can buy in comparison with the other Aluminum pressure cookers that may look cheaper and better affordable options to the buyers.
The stainless steel pressure cookers are more durable than the aluminum cookers, and this can be experienced by using this brilliantly designed cooker from Prestige.
The company has been providing top-notch kitchen products for the past many years and if you were looking for a great brand with great build quality, efficient design and reliable user reviews, the pressure cooker from Prestige will be a perfect choice for you.
Some of the best features of the Prestige Deluxe Alpha are listed below. Go through them and then make your call whether you should buy it for your kitchen, or not.
- Great design
- Thick and heavy bottom for better cooking
- Comes with a 5-year warranty
So, if these were the features that you are looking for, go with this pressure cooker from Prestige without a second thought in mind. Believe us, you aren’t going to regret your decision of investing money in this pressure cooker.
6. Bajaj Majesty Pressure cooker with Inner Lid
For the buyers who are looking for a perfect pressure cooker for a family of 4-5, this 5-liter pressure cooker from Bajaj will be an ideal choice. With a brilliantly designed body and highly durable material, this is a great choice for buyers who are after efficiency and durability.
The easy to use handles are perfect for handling such a large cooker without any issue. The supportive handle on the other side of the handle makes it easier to carry and assures safety while cooking. The product comes with a highly efficient safety value and is a great choice for buyers who are looking for safe and easy to use pressure cooker for their kitchen.
Along with the design and efficiency, there are several more things that you should know before buying the pressure cooker for your kitchen. Some of them are listed below
- Great for the larger family
- Easy to use and handle
- Made up of highly durable aluminum
So, if you were looking for a reliable, easy to use and greatly designed pressure cooker for your family, this would be an ideal choice for you. You can easily rely on its quality and performance regardless of the recipes you are going to use it for.
So, try your hands on it once, and get the best performance and handling on a 5-liter pressure cooker of this price range.
7. Pigeon Belita Hard Anodized Super Cooker Set
For the buyers who are looking for something different than the traditional looking pressure cookers, the Belita cooker set from Pigeon will be an ideal choice to go with. The Handi shaped cooker is an ideal choice for the buyers who are looking to buy a cookware cum serveware for their home.
The set comes with a serving lid, strainer lid, and normal pressure cooker lid. You can easily use the lids accordingly and this makes it an ideal choice for Indian buyers who are looking to buy multi-purpose cookware for their homes. Also, the unique design of the cookware makes it an ideal choice for preparing Indian delicacies.
Some of the best features of the Belita set from Pigeon are listed below. Go through them and then decide whether this product will be an ideal choice for your home or not.
- Hard-Anodized Aluminum for better heat conduction and efficient cooking
- Cool to touch handles make handling easier and safer
- Perfect for nuclear families
So, if you were willing to try something new and efficient, try your hands on the Belita cooking set from Pigeon. Believe us, you are not going to be disappointed.
8. Prestige Nakshatra Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker
For the buyers who are looking for a perfect combination of a Handi and a pressure cooker, the Prestige Nakshatra Plus would be a perfect choice. Along with using it as a perfect pressure cooker, the product can also be used efficiently as a handi and you can easily prepare the curry in it that takes time to cook.
Apart from design and efficiency, there are numerous other things that make it a perfect addition to your kitchen.
- Some of the best features to talk about the Nakshatra Plus are as follows
- Great for Indian delicacies
- Works perfectly with induction and gas stoves
- Easy to carry and handle
In all, the Nakshatra Plus would be an ideal choice for your home if you were looking for a perfect combination of a pressure cooker and handi and looking for more durable and healthier cookware than the normal aluminum pressure cooker.
So, if these were the features that you were looking, and are willing to buy a product for a renowned brand, try Prestige Nakshatra Plus and prepare the desired recipes quickly and more efficiently.
9. Butterfly Blue Line Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
The first thing that you are going to notice about the Butterfly Blue lIne pressure cooker is a different design than the traditional pressure cookers from other brands. The unique design of the pressure cooker makes it a compact, easy to use and clean cooker that provides great performance regardless of the way you are using it.
The faster cooking and induction cooktop compatibility makes it a perfect choice for modern home kitchens. The highly durable stainless steel body makes it a perfect choice for health enthusiasts and if you were looking forward to buying a great pressure cooker that not only looks great but also performs really well for the Indian cuisines, the Butterfly Blue Line pressure cooker will be an ideal choice.
Some of the best features of the cooker are:
- 5-year warranty
- Durable handles
- Stainless steel body with an induction base
Along with these, there are several more benefits of using it in your kitchen. So go for it if you are looking to try something new and more exciting than the traditional pressure cookers available in the market.
10. Hawkins Contura Pressure Cooker, 2 liters
IF you are a fan of Contura’s unique curved design but aren’t too keen to buy an expensive pressure cooker, this pressure cooker from Hawkins would be an ideal choice for you. Unlike the Hard Anodized material of traditional Contura, this one comes with normal aluminum material and is much affordable than the anodized one.
Apart from the material, this pressure cooker performs extremely well in all conditions and is a perfect choice for Indian kitchens and buyers who aren’t interested in buying expensive cookers for their home.
The unique design of the cooker makes it the best choice for the Indian kitchens where a pressure cooker is used in many ways in addition to making the rice. You can easily stir the ingredients in the cooker and prepare lots of recipes with ease.
Some of the best features of this pressure cooker from Hawkins are listed below. Go through them, and decide whether you should buy it for your home or not.
- Easy to use
- Extremely easy to clean and maintain
- Flat base for better efficiency
So, if these were the features you are looking for, try the Contura from Hawkins and get the best pressure cooker for your home kitchen.
These were the ten best pressure cookers that you can buy today. All of them are thoroughly tested and you can blindly choose any one of them for your home according to your needs and family size. Choose accordingly and buy the most suitable pressure cooker for yourself.
Types of Pressure Cooker You Should Know
The next important thing that you should consider while purchasing a new pressure cooker is to know about the right type of cooker for your home. Along with the size, it is extremely important that you choose the right type of pressure cooker that will help you make things easier for you in the kitchen.
So, here are the major types of pressure cookers available in the market that you can purchase from the market and from the online stores. Go through them, and then choose the most suitable one according to your needs and preferences.
The pressure cookers are classified by the generation and the way the lid covers the pressure cookers. So, here is a brief description of different types of cookers that will help you buy the right and the most suitable cooker for your home.
Classification according to the generation:
Generation 1
The first generation of the oldest type of pressure cookers has a weight-bearing valve over them which are used to regulate the pressure of the container. These cookers were bulkier than the second and modern generation pressure cookers and were a lot noisy too.
Generation 2
Second generation pressure cookers are more reliable, easier to handle and efficient than the first generation. Moreover, they use the spring-loaded valves used in this generation were safer and much more reliable than the weight-bearing valves of first-generation pressure cookers.
Classification according to the lid:
Outer Lid
Pressure cookers with outer lid are a brilliant choice for those users who are willing to buy a pressure cooker to make curries and other soupy items that are needed to be stirred occasionally. However, they are not considered as safe as the pressure cookers with Inner lids.
Inner Lid
Pressure cookers with inner lids are considered as a safer choice for homes and if you were looking for a pressure cooker with limited functionality but has proper safety features, these pressure cookers will be a great choice for you.
Classification according to the material:
Hard-Anodized Pressure Cooker
Hard-Anodized pressure cookers are great to look at. Apart from the looks, they are more durable, efficient and great conductors of heat. Moreover, the material is healthier than Aluminum pressure cookers.
Although they are relatively more expensive than the other types of pressure cookers, they offer great value for your money. So, if you were looking for the best pressure quality, then you should invest in a Hard Anodized pressure cooker.
Stainless steel pressure cooker
If you were after great value for a money pressure cooker that is not only faster but also is a lot healthier than the Aluminum pressure cookers, the Stainless steel pressure cooker would be the best choice for you.
Aluminum pressure cooker
These are the most common and affordable types of pressure cookers available in the market. If you are looking forward to buying a reliable, and efficient pressure cookers that are affordable than other types of pressure cookers available in the market, the Aluminum pressure cooker will be the best choice for you.
So, this was a brief description of the types of pressure cookers. Now once you are aware of the different types of cookers, you will be able to decide easily and more wisely that which type of cooker would be a better choice to go with.
How To Choose A Right Pressure Cooker For Your Kitchen
The next and the most important thing while purchasing a new pressure cooker is to choose the right and the most perfect one for yourself. If you are buying the pressure cooker for the first time and have no experience of buying cookware then there are big chances that you fall for the cheap and inferior quality pressure cooker for your homes. However, if you keep the following buyer’s guide in mind, then you can be assured to buy the best and the most reliable pressure cooker for your home.
Choose the right size
The first and the most important that to be considered while purchasing a pressure cooker is the size of the cooker. To find the suitable size of the cooker, we would advise you to consider your family size and cooking needs. Buying too small or too large pressure cookers will not only consume more energy but is also is hard to maintain.
The material can be a crucial thing to look for
Aluminum pressure cookers are considered as the most widely used pressure cookers in the market. However, they are not good for human health. It is essential that you keep these small things in mind and then choose a perfect pressure cooker with good quality material. Maybe they are expensive than the normal aluminum pressure cookers, they are perfect for home cooking.
So, choose the material carefully as you are going to make a long-term investment by purchasing a pressure cooker.
Brand value plays an important role
Another important thing that must be considered while purchasing a new pressure cooker is the brand. Make sure to choose a renowned brand to get a better warranty, spares, and better build quality. Choosing a new or cheaper brand may not be a good choice as you can’t rely on them for safety and performance.
How to Use a Pressure Cooker for the First Time
Buying a brand new pressure cooker and putting it into use has few of the most important steps which need to be followed. Let us look at them, as we learn about How to Use a Pressure Cooker for the First Time:
Instructions
Before you start using the pressure cooker, make sure you are thorough with the instructions. Read the instruction manual completely and understand the operation of the pressure cooker. The instructions to use the pressure cooker must be understood very crisply, before using it.
Know your pressure cooker
Understanding each and every part of the pressure cooker is important. Take a look at the body of the pressure cooker, the lid as well as the whistle. Look for any portions of the pressure cooker that is not well made
Water test
The pressure cooker’s main functionality is to maintain and build the pressure within. In order to test for pressure, a water test should be conducted. It helps in testing the efficiency of the pressure cooker, whether it is able to withstand the pressure and release properly or not. In order to do the water test, do the following:
- Fill up the pot of the pressure cooker with one liter of water.
- Set your pressure cooker to the maximum limit. Don’t set it to a minimum or middle limit, as you are testing the maximum withstanding capacity of the cooker.
- Then, follow it up by putting it over the flame at the highest heat possible. Testing the water will also allow the pressure cooker to kill all the germs which are present within the pressure cooker at the beginning.
- Keep checking the pressure indicator. Once the pressure indicator comes up, you will understand that the pressure cooker is under pressure.
- Under such a circumstance, lower the heat of the flame to medium-low so that the water keeps boiling within the pressure cooker. Keep the pressure cooker on for about 5 to 10 minutes.
- After this, you are suggested to remove the pressure cooker from the top of the stove and keep the pressure cooker away from the heat from about ten to fifteen minutes. Allow the pressure inside the cooker to be reduced and the water to have calmed down, if also any left.
- There must a steam release function which is available in your pressure cooker. Use the steam release function of the cooker to release the steam from the pressure cooker or you can release the steam from the pressure cooker in a natural way.
- This was the last step of the water test and it makes your pressure cooker ready for further use. The water test is an important test that is used to check the pressure withstanding capacity of the pressure cooker.
- Some precautions like tight-fitting of the pressure cooker, the inner seal of the cooker are correctly placed and the pressure release valve set properly in the right direction, must be taken into account before using the pressure cooker.
Learn how to clean properly the pressure cooker in our guide here.
You can also watch this instructional video:
Pressure Cooker Safety Tips
Below are some of the safety tips that you need to follow while using a pressure cooker.
- Before you start cooking with the pressure cooker, always check the gasket that lines the lid of the cooker. It shouldn’t be broken or dried out due to overuse. It is recommended that you replace the gasket annually to avoid the problem of not working properly. There shouldn’t be any dried food on the rim of the pot.
- For your cooker to reach proper pressure, you always need to ensure to fill it with at least a minimum range of water as without water there wouldn’t be any steam forming and it damages your cooker. If steam doesn’t build up, just add some more water for it to reach the pressure.
- The pressure cooker shouldn’t be filled with more than two-thirds, as it blocks the vents with food.
- Once the food is cooked, you need to release pressure. It can be done in three ways:
- Let the cooker sit away from heat until all the pressure goes down.
- Run cold water on the lid
- Use a steam release valve to let quickly escape the pressure. Make sure you stay away from the steam vent while doing this.
- Do not use more than the recommended oil in the pressure pan for frying.
- The washing of the pressure cooker should be done precisely. The gasket, lid, and pot need to be washed separately. If needed, clean the valve with a thin instrument like a wooden toothpick so that it moves freely without being stuck. After washing, keep the lid upside down on the pot and let air move freely.
- Be extra careful while you are cooking frothy recipes. These tend to rise and block the pressure which is a rick to the cooker. Always fill the cooker below the maximum allowed point.
Pressure Cooker Frequently Asked Questions
For the buyers who are buying the pressure cooker for the first time, there are numerous questions regarding purchasing the pressure cookers. Some of such FAQs are discussed below, and if you also have some doubts about the pressure cookers, then these points can help you a lot.
1. Are Pressure Cookers Safe To Use?
Yes, they are perfectly safe to use. Regardless of the reason for buying the pressure cooker, you can find a suitable and safe pressure cooker for you. Just be extra cautious while dealing with the steam, and they are perfect for everyday cooking.
2. Is cooking in a pressure cooker healthy?
Yes, pressure cooking is one of the fastest and healthiest ways of cooking. The pressure cooking not only cooks the food completely but also takes lesser time to cook it perfectly. So, if you were looking for an easy and healthy way to cook food, the pressure cooker would be a perfect choice for you.
3. Which pressure cooker is the best steel or Aluminum?
Healthwise, pressure cookers made with stainless steel are comparatively better than the aluminum pressure cookers. Cooking food in Aluminum vessels is not considered as safe as they release toxic chemicals that can be harmful to humans in long terms. On the other hand, steel doesn’t produce toxic elements at higher temperature thus is safe for cooking. The steel pressure cookers may be a bit heavier and expensive than the aluminum ones, but they are worth buying for homes.
4. What size of pressure cooker do I need?
The ideal size of a pressure cooker typically depends on your cooking needs and your family size. IF you have 3-4 members in your family then buying a 3-liter pressure cooker would be a great choice for you and if you are cooking for a single person then it is advised that you choose a smaller 1.5 or 2-liter pressure cooker for yourself.
5. Can I use a pressure cooker on an induction cooktop?
Yes. But only if you buy such pressure cookers. Make sure that the pressure cooker you are buying is intended for the induction cooktops. Not all the models are induction compatible and you should check it before making the purchase.
Conclusion
In all, if you are looking forward to buying multipurpose cookware that performs flawlessly and saves fuel and time for you, you should look to buy a new pressure cooker for your kitchen. You can either choose any of the above-listed pressure cookers or follow the buyers’ guide to find the most suitable and reliable pressure cooker for your kitchen.
Regardless of the way you choose, purchasing a new pressure cooker is surely going to enhance your cooking skills and you can try your hands on newer recipes that not only taste delicious but also cook faster. If you are planning to buy an electric rice cooker you can also check the review for this on our site.
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