Everything You Need to Know About Electric Pressure Cookers

Electric pressure cookers are a great way to prepare delicious meals quickly and conveniently. With the rise in popularity of the Instant Pot, Fagor Lux, Power Pressure Cooker XL, and other multicookers, more home cooks than ever are using them.

Maybe you just received one as a gift, or you are shopping for the best multicooker. Are you new to electric pressure cooking and don’t know where to start? Perhaps you love using your Instant Pot but want to know what the best electric pressure cookers are. The information here will help you answer all of those questions, and many more!

Electric Pressure Cookers 101

There are currently several brands of electric pressure cookers available, with the most popular including: Instant Pot, Fagor, Cuisinart, and Power Pressure Cooker XL. Each of those manufacturers offers several different models and sizes of multicookers to choose from. Deciding which electric pressure cooker is best for you can depend on a few key factors:

1. Frequency of use – How often you plan to use it to prepare meals? If you want to use it to make every meal that your family will eat in a day, you may want to consider purchasing more than one inner cooking pot to avoid having to wash dishes after every use.
2. How many people you need to feed? If you will typically cook meals for 4 people or less, a 3 or 6 quart size electric pressure cooker should be perfect. If you have a larger family or you like to prepare large roasts or batch cook, you should consider purchasing an 8 quart size.
3. Desired features – If you you want to make yogurt in your pressure cooker, make sure the pressure cooker has a yogurt button.
4. Budget – Electric pressure cookers vary in cost, but on average, you can expect to pay $60 for a budget pressure cooker, up to $300 for a top of the line pressure cooker.

Models and Reviews of Electric Pressure Cookers

While I haven’t tried every make and model of electric pressure cooker available, I am familiar with a few of the most popular.

See my video demonstration of the Instant Pot Duo here.

You can watch me using the Cuisinart electric pressure cooker here.

In my video about the Fagor Lux multicooker, I walk you through many of the features available, including how to make homemade yogurt!

I also have a video review of the Fusion Life Brands Power Pressure Cooker XL outlining the features available.

If you want one of the top of the line electric pressure cookers, one with all of the “bells and whistles”, consider buying a Breville Fast Slow Pro electric pressure cooker. This pressure cooker comes with a hefty price tag, but it boasts features that you won’t find on less expensive pressure cookers, including the ability to release pressure automatically.

How Do I Use My Electric Pressure Cooker

Once you’ve purchased your pressure cooker, read my post on getting started with your new electric pressure cooker. If you decide to purchase an Instant Pot brand multicooker, be sure you also read through my post on which Instant Pot buttons to use to help you understand how your pressure cooker works. My How to Use the Power Pressure Cooker XL post has some great information that is applicable to many brands of pressure cookers.

The holidays are a great time to purchase a multi cooker, because many online retailers have sales on them. Check for great prices on Amazon, Sur La Table, Williams-Sonoma, Walmart, Target, and Costco.

Features of Electric Pressure Cookers

When it comes to features of electric pressure cookers, one of the most commonly asked questions is on the difference between natural release versus quick pressure release. My informative, in depth post explains everything you need to know, assuring that your meals come out tender and cooked to perfection.

Almost all brands of multicookers on the market have functions for electric pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sauteing, and making rice. The higher end models include additional settings, such as browning, making yogurt, and cooking brown rice.

Recipes for Electric Pressure Cookers

This website is full of quick, easy, and delicious multicooker recipes for all makes and models of multicookers or electric pressure cookers, including the Instant Pot. In my Easy Recipes for the Electric Pressure Cooker Post highlight a few of my favorite easy recipes for the electric pressure cooker that are super easy and super delicious.

One of my personal favorite recipes for electric pressure cookers is cheesecake. It may sound strange to think of baking desserts in a pressure cooker, but I assure you that the creamiest cheesecakes are made in pressure cookers! In fact, my pressure cooker cheesecake recipes are so popular, I have a section of this website devoted to the subject! Learning how to make perfect pressure cooker cheesecake isn’t difficult at all. The key is having the right tools and equipment for the job, and I explain what those are, too.

I also have a great post about how to convert a recipe into a pressure cooker recipe. 

Pressure Cooker Accessories

Now that you have the pressure cooker, you’ll also want to know what pressure cooker accessories you should buy to help you get the most use out of your new Instant Pot or electric pressure cooker.

You’ll find lots of great ideas on my Best Pressure Cooker Accessories post and in my Pressure Cooking Gift Giving Guide.

Knowing how to get a pan out of the pressure cooker is equally as important. In that post, I share tips for safe removal of pans, as well as a tutorial on making a sling, so check it out before you do any baking in your electric pressure cooker.

Now you have everything you need to know about electric pressure cookers and pressure cooking at your fingertips!

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