Thoughts on electric pressure cookers??

[Mak]

I am interested in hearing about recommendations/experiences with electric pressure cookers. I have a crappy electric stove that I refuse to buy any more pots/pans for and am keen on a slow cooker except DH is nervous about me leaving it on for long time periods. So anyone use a pressure cooker and specifically electric ones? Any tips? Recommendations? Advice on how I would need to adjust recipes?
Sounds like you should just come and cook for me too, lol!
Thanks!

[Mak]

Anyone???

[Rouge]

I want one! But I don't have the room LOL! I will probably get one anyway, and hide it somewhere I have no idea how to use one though, I know they halve cooking time but I don't know if they need less liquid like a SC or not. So I'll be watching this thread too!

[Raupe]

Just this thread for you.

I have a normal pressure cooker and I LOVE IT!!! So does DP. Ohh, you can make the best curries in them *drool*. He didn't want me to get a slow cooker for the same reason. He is scared something is going to happen while we're out and the sc is on... I'm out all day and only get home late at night, so the sc would ALWAYS be alone at home. So not feasible for someone who lives with a scaredy-cat-DP. Also, why do you want to cook a meal for 8 or more hours, when you can get the same result in 15 minutes? I've seen an electric pressure cooker on tv once (I think it was on Hueys (sp?) Cooking Adventures. He was raving about it, saying that you have a lot more control over the temperature in comparison to a normal pressure cooker.
That's what I heard, anyway. Maybe someone elso knows more?

[Mak]

Yep - same Dh here Raupe! He even checks the fridge is shut before leaving the house, lol. Gotta love him but it also drives me mad! But that is another thread. A friend from work swears by her pressure cooker and she suggested it may help me prepare our meals a bit more easily as I am struggling atm with work, kids etc. She made a great roast chook in about 40 mins and then made soup in the same using the carcass and leftovers. I think I need to pick her brains a bit more.
Rouge - She did mention reduce the liquid. I *think* they are a bit old school??? I have seen a Cuisineart 5L for $140 and another brand I have never heard of for about the same in the sales.....

[Netix]

Just saw this thread...

I have one of the really 'old-school' cast aluminium ones that go on the stove (which I bought from a car boot sale). It has a gauge on the lid and two weights (though I only ever use the one), and is 9litres. I love it much more than my slow cooker (which I really think is defective), because 1) you don't need to cook things for 8 hours as has been said, 2) it doesn't require the fore-thought like a slow cooker, 3) its easy to use. I get home from doing all my running around for our business or being at the workshop, and have dinner (as well as probably eight more servings) cooked before I need to go to daycare to pick up the kids. I always let the pressure release slowly; I just turn the gas off, move the PC to the other back hob, and go to daycare.

They don't need a lot of liquid, though I haven't quite worked out how much (or rather how little), and you are not meant to fill them more than two thirds full. There is a great looking **Australian** PC cookbook at the post office for about $15 which looks quite good value (which I want to buy, as long as the Man doesn't notice.... lol). I will find the title if you just wanted to buy it online or something. The other tip, make sure the seal is kept clean and undamaged.

I use my PC probably twice a week, and cook a big lot of food. The last thing I cooked was curried chicken, with onion, garlic, apple, sultanas, coconut, chicken, and a bit of water. Looked kinda vomit like, but tasted great. If I could only keep a few things from my kitchen, my PC would be one of them.

Netix wuvs her PC....

[Mak]

Ohh Netix - exactly what I need - same kind of running around here and I am keen to make sure we eat a bit better with less hassle! I would love the title if you get a chance and I will stalk our local PO! xx

[Netix]

That's okay Mak. For a start, google miss vickie pressure cooker. She has a pretty good site to start looking at PC ideas in the mean time of getting a book. I just saw there is also a PC for Dummies book available online too, lol.

Grr! Can't find the title of that book! It's spiral bound, with a blue and white check border around the front and back covers, and smaller than A4. It's not by Suzanne Gibbs. All the books I am finding online are hers or Miss Vickie's! I have to go to the post office next week, so will jot it down for you.

[Raupe]

Grr! Can't find the title of that book! It's spiral bound, with a blue and white check border around the front and back covers, and smaller than A4. It's not by Suzanne Gibbs. All the books I am finding online are hers or Miss Vickie's! I have to go to the post office next week, so will jot it down for you.

I know which one you mean! I saw it in Big W today! There is a red and white check one which is for SC, and the blue and white check one is for PC! Sorry, don't know who the author is...

[Raupe]

Just had a good google around and think I found it! Netix, was it "Everyday Pressure Cooker Recipes - Australian Edition"? ISBN:9781741856095 ?

[Netix]

YEP! Raupe, that's the one. Dunno why I couldn't find it!

I looked in my super old AWW book, and it has a heap of stuff on PC, and mentions several times about reducing the amount of liquid. I can type it out if anyone wants it. Or scan it maybe.

[Raupe]

Oh, thanks Netix! I would love a copy! I always have too much liquid in there...

[Netix]

Ok! Will do, when I have a chance! But I will do it.

[Raupe]

Thanks! No rush!

[Netix]

Ok, I have scanned about eight pages from my AWW book, but can't for the life of me post them as pictures that are readable in my gallery. So, if anyone wants me to email them, just pm me your address and I'll send 'em on through!

[Raupe]

Thanks! Will do right now!

[Raupe]

Ok, after I successfully hijacked Mak's thread ...

... has anyone actually used an electric pressure cooker?
Your thoughts? Is it easy to use? Would you recommend buying one?

(Just trying to this thread for Mak!)

[Mak]

Thanks Raupe! After a long 3 days at work I have strengthened my resolve! I have found a Cuisinart 6L for $149 and Minuit for the same $$ but Target has a Bellini one on sale for $85 so now I just have to decide....not sureif they are all equal???? xxx