LOL, sorry, I do know where you are coming from with the fear thing, I felt the same before we had ours, I had only ever experienced theold stove top, ticking like a time bomb ones...not to mention all the stories I've heard..(wont go into it, I'm sure you've heard a few too!)

we have a russel hobbs non stick electric pressure cooker.
I love it! so easy and so quick! just like a slow cooker/crock pot but so much faster! DP made the most amazing cauliflower soup in about 10 mins the other night.
I love doing beef stroganoff in it, cheap meat that comes out so tender and moist!
My next thing I want to do is a whole chicken in it.

I think we got ours at the good guys about 2-3 years ago, was under $100 on sale at the time.
I don't know anything about any other brands as I didnt do the research for it, DP is the one who loves his "toys" and does all that LOl.