A kitchen living pressure cooker is a convenient and quick way to prepare one-pot meals like soups and stews. At the Food and Meal, we’ve tested over 35 pressure cookers, evaluating their performance in 3cooking beef stew, making rice, and ease of use. It’s a time-saving tool for busy cooks, providing full meals in under an hour with minimal prep work. Below is 7 best kitchen living pressure cooker 2023.
What to look for when buying a kitchen living pressure cooker
- Size: The majority of pressure cookers come with a 6-quart capacity, making them ideal for most families. However, larger models with 12-quart capacities are also available for those with more substantial cooking needs. Conversely, if you’re cooking for an individual or a couple, smaller pressure cookers can be found to suit your requirements. It’s essential to keep in mind that pressure cookers should not be filled to their maximum capacity. The general rule is to only fill the pot up to two-thirds of its full capacity. As a result, a 6-quart model won’t actually yield 6 quarts of food, but it remains a suitable size for regular family use.
- Electric vs. stovetop: There are two main types of pressure cookers: electric and stovetop. Stovetop models are traditional but require more manual attention. Electric pressure cookers are more user-friendly, resembling slow cookers with intuitive controls and pre-sets, and some even function as multi-cookers with air frying capabilities.
- Additional features: Pressure cookers with high and low settings can complete tasks without pre-sets. Newbies may prefer models with pre-programmed settings for ease, while advanced ones offer additional functions like multi-cooking, air frying, and smart control via WiFi or Bluetooth.
- Pressure levels: Pressure cookers measure pressure in psi (pounds per square inch). Electric models usually offer both low (around 5-7 psi) and high settings (approximately 10-12 psi), with some high-end models reaching up to 15 psi. Low is suitable for rice and starchy items, while high provides quick results and tenderizes tough meats. PSI levels above 15 are best for canning and creating concentrated flavors like bone broth.
These pots have a special design that is easy to use, suitable for everyone from children to the elderly. Besides, electric cooker is also very suitable for the elderly. See here to know more: Best Electric Cooker for Elderly people.
Best kitchen living pressure cooker
Ninja Foodi OL701
Capacity: 8 quarts
Weight: 25 pounds
Cooking Presets: 14
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Lots of features
Built-in thermometer
Easy to clean
Presenting the newest iteration of the Foodi, a kitchen marvel that takes all the fantastic features of its predecessors and elevates them under one convenient lid. This latest model is a culinary powerhouse, boasting a staggering 14 different cooking functions that cater to a wide range of culinary needs, from everyday pressure cooking and air frying to more advanced techniques like bread proofing and sous vide.
Among its impressive array of capabilities, the Foodi’s Steam & Crisp function stands out, allowing users to whip up complete meals simultaneously. The results are nothing short of exceptional – tender, succulent meats and perfectly crisped vegetables every time.
One of the highlights of this model is the inclusion of a Smart Thermometer, designed to take the guesswork out of cooking protein. By simply inserting the probe and selecting the desired level of doneness, the Foodi takes charge and ensures flawless cooking results, tailored to individual preferences.
Despite its stellar performance, the provided booklet falls short in offering comprehensive instructions, leading to initial confusion during setup. Some of the provided recipes were also underwhelming, with overcooked risotto lacking flavor and underbaked crusty bread. However, with a bit of trial and error, mastering the Ninja Foodi proves to be a rewarding experience.
Though it may come with a slightly higher price tag compared to other models, the Foodi justifies its cost with unparalleled performance. Navigating its features is a breeze, cleaning up is a cinch, and it consistently delivers mouthwatering, well-cooked meals. For those willing to invest in culinary excellence, the Ninja Foodi is a worthy companion in the kitchen, promising delightful culinary adventures with every use.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid
Capacity: 6.5 quarts
Weight: 27.8 pounds
Cooking Presets: 13
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Dishwasher safe accessories
Faulty yogurt function
Manual is lacking
Introducing the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid – a revolutionary kitchen accessory offering an impressive 13 cooking functions, all accessible under a singular lid. From bread proofing and sous vide to pressure cooking and slow cooking, this versatile tool aims to enhance culinary convenience.
While the functionality has improved compared to the previous model, we did encounter some issues during testing. The Yogurt function proved ineffective, yielding warm, clumpy milk instead of yogurt, even when following recipes from the Instant app.
The air fryer function also fell short of expectations. Testing revealed uneven browning of fried chicken thighs, with tops crispy but bottoms remaining slightly mushy. Additionally, the lack of an air fryer basket made crisping large batches of food a challenging task.
Furthermore, the machine comes with only one recipe (banana bread), and users must search for additional recipes through the Instant app and website. The lack of model-specific recipes may lead to confusion during preparation.
In conclusion, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Ultimate Lid offers an impressive array of cooking functions, but it comes with some notable drawbacks. While it may improve meal preparation in various aspects, users should be aware of the shortcomings and potential challenges when utilizing certain features.
Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (6 Quart) OL701
Capacity: 6 quarts
Weight: 11.8 pounds
Cooking Presets: 10
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Intuitive to use
Easy to clean
Meet the Instant Pot that goes above and beyond – excelling in rice cooking, slow cooking, yogurt-making, and much more, catering to all your culinary needs and beyond.
Not only does it deliver on performance, but it also impresses with aesthetic and exterior updates. The addition of a display graph provides real-time status updates, showing precisely where it is in the pre-heating, cooking, or keep-warm cycle.
The design enhancements are evident with sleeker knob and “+/-” keys, adding a touch of sophistication. Plus, the release valve no longer requires a hazardous manual push from afar; a convenient switch now takes care of it, putting safety at the forefront.
In terms of functionality, the Ultra model offers some enticing extras: Sterilize, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, and Ultra settings. While some of these can be replicated with the Duo or Smart Wi-Fi, the Ultra provides a more precise set of criteria for these functions.
The standout feature is the “Ultra” setting, which grants maximum customizability, enabling precise temperature control for sous vide cooking – perfect for the culinary enthusiast seeking culinary perfection.
Although this Instant Pot version doesn’t connect to an app, fret not – the manual Delay Start function allows you to pre-plan your cooking needs, and the Instant Pot app serves as a valuable resource for recipes and tips.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer (6 Qt)
Capacity: 8 quarts
Weight: 22.2 pounds
Cooking Presets: 11
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Consistent, reliable results
Also offers air fry function
Large
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp emerges as a formidable contender, seemingly designed to rival the dual-lid Ninja Foodi with its unique Air Fry function, facilitated by separate lids. An advantage it holds over the Ninja is the ability to remove and store the lids when not in use, streamlining your kitchen space.
Although it excels as a pressure cooker, the Duo Crisp also dabbles in air frying. However, if air frying is your primary focus, exploring the best standalone air fryers might be more fitting.
In standard functions, the Duo Crisp performs on par with other Instant Pot models. It may lack the Yogurt function, but compensates with a Sous Vide function, making it a desirable addition to your culinary arsenal, depending on your kitchen needs.
Breville the Fast Slow Pro BPR700
Capacity: 6 quarts
Weight: 14 pounds
Cooking Presets: 12
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Intuitive interface
Lacks many features
Difficult to use
Our initial excitement for the Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker was overshadowed by disappointment in the long run. While the sleek interface, user-friendly controls, and smart program options were promising, it failed to live up to our expectations.
During the soup-making process, we encountered difficulties, resulting in tougher vegetables than the recipe indicated, forcing us to refer to the manual for assistance. Additionally, despite boasting a wide range of cooking options, the absence of a yogurt function was a notable drawback.
In contrast to the Ninja multicooker, we struggled to produce yogurt even with the available functions. The attached lid concept seemed convenient in theory, but in practice, it proved frustrating. Closing the lid required precise twisting, a feat we often struggled to achieve, even after multiple attempts.
On the positive side, the interface and recipe options were commendable, resembling the Instant Pot Ultra with its scroll-through ease and extensive cooking choices. The auto-release steam valve was a nice touch, allowing for effortless steam release when using the smart programs. However, considering the higher price point, we expected a more impressive overall performance.
Chef IQ Smart Cooker
Capacity: 6 quarts
Weight: 10.4 pounds
Cooking Presets: 10
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Customizable settings
Built-in weighing functionality
Hands-free pressure release
The Chef iQ smart cooker has won our hearts with its stunning design and highly customizable cook functions. Offering unparalleled control, you can tailor almost every aspect of each setting to your preferences. Take the Ferment function, for instance, where you can adjust the fermentation temperature, surpassing the limitations of the Instant Pot’s Yogurt function.
A product designed by chefs, for chefs, this pressure cooker pays attention to the smallest yet impactful details. With a built-in tare function, you can directly weigh ingredients into the pot, minimizing the pile of dishes in the sink. Moreover, it displays the precise pressure buildup within the cooker, allowing anxious cooks to better estimate the cooking time until dinner is ready.
The flexibility doesn’t end there, as you can choose when and how pressure is released after cooking. Opt for immediate quick release, and the cooker will automatically beep, signaling its intention to release pressure on its own.
Enhancing the cooking experience further, the Chef iQ smart cooker easily connects to the accompanying app. This beautifully designed app is a treasure trove of recipes and culinary tips. The best part is that syncing with the app isn’t mandatory before use, so you can seamlessly add it at any point for additional culinary inspiration.
Instant Pot Duo 60 7-in-1 (6 Quart)
Capacity: 6 quarts
Weight: 11.8 pounds
Cooking Presets: 7
Dishwasher safe: Yes
Affordable Cooks fine
Cooks chili and yogurt poorly
Lacks features in other models
Despite being one of Instant Pot’s top-selling models, the Duo didn’t quite live up to our expectations during testing and lands squarely in the middle of the pack.
While it performed well with soup and risotto, it fell short with slow cooker chili. After 12 hours of slow cooking, the onions remained uncooked, and the chili turned out more like a soup than a thick stew.
The Duo’s yogurt-making capability also posed challenges, struggling to reach the proper temperature without switching to the sauté function. Additionally, it proved to be the slowest to come up to pressure during cooking, leaving us uncertain if it was functioning correctly.
With an abundance of other options available, including newer Instant Pot models, we would personally opt for a slightly more robust pressure cooker and skip the Instant Pot Duo.
What is the difference between a pressure cooker, a slow cooker and a multicooker?
Unveil distinctions among pressure cookers, slow cookers, and multicookers to enhance your culinary expertise and cooking convenience.
| Slow cooker | Gently cooks or simmers food at low temperatures over an extended period. It’s perfect for preparing stews, briskets, or dishes that you can set up in the morning and enjoy after a long day. |
| Pressure cooker | Accelerates the cooking process by trapping food and liquid in a pot, using steam to rapidly raise both temperature and pressure. This results in faster meal preparation, cutting down cooking times from hours to mere minutes. |
| Multicooker | An electric cooking device that amalgamates various functions, such as slow cooking, pressure cooking, and yogurt making, within a single appliance. |
1 August ·
Pressure Cooker Prodigies: Unveiling the Ultimate Kitchen Living Lineup
By Food And Meal
Welcome to "Pressure Cooker Prodigies," the podcast that's set to revolutionize your culinary journey with a focus on the finest kitchen living pressure cookers. I'm your host Food And Meal, and in today's episode, we're about to embark on a flavorful exploration into the world of these remarkable appliances. From quick weeknight dinners to gourmet delights, these kitchen living pressure cookers are poised to transform the way you approach cooking. Stay tuned as we dive deep into the features, benefits, and unique offerings of the top contenders in the market. Let's uncover the magic that these pressure cooker prodigies bring to your kitchen table.
