All American Aluminum Pressure Cooker, 21.5-Quart

Pressure cookers have come a long way in recent years. Although pressure cooking is certainly nothing new, traditional cookware could be dangerous. Today’s pressure cookers use a sealing system that keeps contents safely inside, then release steam gradually. They’re so easy to operate, even a novice can handle them safely.

There are two major types of pressure cookers, though. The electric pressure cookers designed for making meals have become the most popular type. These units operate as slow cookers, pressure cookers and rice cookers in one handy device. You can even make yogurt and cheesecake in this type of cooker.

Another type of pressure cooking is geared specifically toward canning. Although you can cook meals in these units, they aren’t quite as user-friendly as all-in-one units. They also tend to have a much higher capacity, as they’re designed to hold multiple jars of foods.

If you participate in canning, a pressure cooker is the best way to go. The USDA says pressure canning is the only safe method for canning meat, fish, poultry and all vegetables. Traditional water bath canners can only reach temperatures of 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which isn’t hot enough to kill off bacteria that grows in foods with low acid levels. Pressure canning takes care of that, keeping you and your loved ones safe.

When your goal is cooking meals, though, you have a different set of considerations. Capacity is an important factor, but most popular pressure cookers can make meals for up to six people. Smaller households may still need that kind of capacity, though, since large items like whole chickens demand plenty of space. You may also like the fact that you can cook for groups on the rare occasions you have visitors to feed. If you plan to make items like cheesecakes in your pressure cooker, you’ll also need a special type of pan, so purchase that along with your pressure cooker.

• Your first decision when shopping for a pressure cooker is whether you’ll be using it for canning or meal cooking. If it’s canning, look for a model that will squeeze in the most mason jars, such as one with the ability to hold 24 half-pints, 20 pints or 7 quarts. Some offer the ability to can 19 standard regular mouth pint jars or 7 standard regular mouth quart jars.
• Consider a pressure cooker that goes beyond canning to let you also use it as a meal cooker when you want. For example, there are models that come with a recipe booklet with more than 50 recipes to help you find the perfect meals to make.
• For cooking meals for your family, the Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker is 6 quarts. Depending on what you’re making, this size can serve up to six people. If you plan to cook large meats like whole chickens or ribs, even a smaller household will find this size comes in handy.
• There’s a learning curve with any pressure cooker, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s easy. Some models have a simple on-off cover, thanks to a set of clamping wingnuts that hold the lid in place without making it too tough to remove. If you’re left-handed, you’ll love that the Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker comes with lid holders for both right- and left-handed chefs. The Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker also comes with intuitive push-button controls and an easy-to-read digital display.
• The Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker has a 24-hour delay option on the timer and automatic keep-warm feature.