Seems I am now shopping for

[Coyote_Bandit]

a small pressure cooker.

Advice welcome.

Thanks.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

1. Try this one...

I have an older version but just love it. It's only my wife and I so we just needed a small one.
It electric, has timers plus a keep warm setting. I have included the link to it at QVC, but there may be other places to purchase. My SIL bought ours for an anniversary present so I have no idea where she got it from. Probably QVC, she was hooked on that place.

http://www.qvc.com/CooksEssentials-6-qt.-Round-Digital-Nonstick-Pressure-Cooker.product.K40165.html?sc=K40165-Targeted&cm_sp=VIEWPOSITION-_-1-_-K40165&catentryImage=http://images.qvc.com/is/image/k/65/k40165.001?$uslarge$

[Warpy]

2. You don't want it too small

I started with a 4 quart Presto and it was almost too small. It was too small for things like split peas that foam and can clog the vents. I could cook a whole broiler chicken in it but not a capon, that would have taken a 6 quart.

The hidden flaw is the rubber gasket that gets gummy and sticks after a year or two. You need to get replacement gaskets to keep on hand when it starts to happen. It doesn't affect the cooking, it just makes the pot hard to open.

I wouldn't go any smaller than a four quart. The Presto cooker has the distinct advantage of being stainless steel, meaning you're not going to get either plastic from Teflon nor a weird metallic taste from aluminum.

This is the one I recommend for one or two people. Just get those gaskets. They're on the page.

http://www.amazon.com/Presto-4-Quart-Stainless-Pressure-Cooker/dp/B00002N602/ref=pd_sxp_grid_pt_0_2/188-3989868-1984849

[The empressof all]

3. It depends what you want to do with it

For every day use and to cut down on appliances I am a huge fan of the instapot. It has a stainless steel cooking pot and functions as a rice cooker, slow cooker and pressure cooker. It also has a brown/sautee setting so you don't dirty a pan browning meat before putting it in the cooker. It is both easy with the pre set buttons or you can adjust things to your liking. I really love the fact that it is not non stick. Every non stick pressure cooker I have had chipped within a year.
There are several different models on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-DUO60-Programmable-Generation/dp/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415492898&sr=8-1&keywords=instant+pot

They are pricey but worth every penny.

If you want a stovetop go with a Presto as Warpy suggested. I like the electric because you can set and forget and keep meals warm. We call it our magic pot because no matter what you make in it ...it comes out delicious. I'm doing two of those little costco pork roasts tomorrow in a cup of picante sauce. The very lean pork comes out moist and succulent and is just great for Cubano sandwiches or enchiladas.

[MrMickeysMom]

6. I ought to pay more attention to your pressure cooker posts...

I have an old tried and true, sturdy stainless steel pressure cooker with the one grate at the bottom and 2 psi pop off on top that is rarely used. This is only because I limited it to things like root vegetables in it.

What a simple concept with the port roast and picante sauce!

[Nac Mac Feegle]

4. Just one thing to watch out for:

What type of cook top do you have? I had to buy another pressure cooker after replacing the stove, because the new cook top was one of the glass ;smooth top' types. The one we had inherited from my mother-in-law, and the one we'd had for years both had slightly concave bottoms. They wouldn't contact the heating surface. This wouldn't be an issue for gas or conventional electric heating elements.

After that was taken care of, the fun resumed.

[The empressof all]

7. LOL!

If you want to try something amazing but full of cheesy goodness, try boneless chicken with a cup of Picante sauce in pressure cooker or crock pot. When it's done and right before you are ready to serve, stir in a bag of shredded Cheese. You could go Italian or Mexican depending on the blend. I have served this over elbows for quick mac and cheese or over rice.

I can't make it too often because it's not that healthy for me...but for those who can do a higher fat low carb dinner it's quick and easy....Of course if you count carbs leave out the starch and serve over cauliflower.


BTW: I cut the raw chicken into slices before I cook it but you can chunk it or leave it whole as you prefer.

[Coyote_Bandit]

5. Thank you all

I have ordered the Presto cooker suggested by Warpy for my own use. Have a larger one but need something smaller.

And have decided to do a little more research and purchase one of the electric multi function cookers as a Christmas gift for a busy mom on my shopping list.