Pressure Cookery

Does anyone use a pressure cooker? Can they recommend one? Or are they all 'poxy' thin stainless steel now?

I was looking to buy one of those beaut red enamel casserole pots (yeah, I know, I have been looking for AGES! :redface:), but I have been thinking about getting a pressure cooker instead. (Confess, I have seen a red pressure cooker in the Harris Scarfe catalogue :redface: It would match my red kettle and toaster I got after Christmas. Double :redface:)

My reasoning is that I will use less gas (so will be cheaper for me and be doing my bit for the World), and more importantly the stove will be on for a much shorter amount of time (so less of a danger for children to burn themselves - "hot" time of the stove/oven <which wouldn't be used at all, so that is also better> is dramatically reduced). And the bonus of the shortened cooking time means that if I think of cooking something that should be slow cooked late in the day, I can still cook it, or I won't be tied to the kitchen all day keeping a safety eye on a slow cooking pot. I even worry when I have my electric slow cooker on! Lastly, apparently the food retains more nutrients.

So does anyone have one, and also what do you make in them?

I do have one, but I'll be honest, it is a vintage one that came from my Granny when she passed away.. I love it because it is circa 1930's and so solid and of course it reminds me of all the food she used to cook for us.....

I also have her old crock pot, which I use more, to be honest, as for me I find it "safer" for when the kids are around.

BUT I do use the pressure cooker for "old faves" of my Granny:

-Corned beef
-Boiled beef and dumplings
- All stocks
- Soups
- Lamb shanks
- Casseroles

I also use it for marmalade and jam.......

I am honestly not really sure if it is more effective, I just like using it as I adored my Granny and I aspire to be like her and using her pressure cooker makes me feel happy and secure, LOL!

Hmm, thanks Lucy. I'm wondering about the 'safety' of the pressure cooker, but I am of the opinion that it should be 'safe' if it isn't too full and the valve is clean. Would that be correct?

I think my Mum has (or had at least) a pressure cooker, one of those thick aluminium ones, but I'm not sure how often she used it. She's very old school, simple cookery (European), so I guess I should ask her too.

I know what you mean about aspiring to be like your Granny. I'm like that about my Great Aunt. One of those fabulously brilliant, clever and strong women.