Choosing the right electric pressure cooker for your needs

An electric pressure cooker fast-tracks slow cooking methods and enables you to produce delicious, nutritious and diverse meals in half the time. Pressure cooking works by heating up a small amount of liquid inside a closed pressure cooker. As the steam builds up and is unable to escape, the high pressure limits boiling and increases the temperature inside, which allows food to cook faster than in a traditional crock pot. The best pressure cookers at Kitchen Warehouse are multifunctional and combine several kitchen appliances into one, including rice cooker, saute pan, steamer, slow cooker and more. Before you invest in a pressure cooker, you will need to consider these factors:

• Size. Pressure cookers come in different sizes to suit different household needs. A small 3L multi cooker is ideal for 1-2 people, while 8L pressure cookers will serve up meals for a large group of people.

• Type. The two main types of pressure cookers are stovetop and electric pressure cookers. Multi-cookers combine multiple appliances in one so that you can slow cook, make yoghurt, saute, sear, steam and more.

• Features. An electric pressure cooker comes equipped with many modern cooking functions and features that give you more flexibility and control. Be on the lookout for features such as steam release valves, locking mechanisms, LCD and LED displays, pressure indicators and adjustable pressure settings.

• Budget. How much do you want to spend on an electric pressure cooker? A simple rice cooker will be more affordable than a multicooker that combines several appliances.

Compelling reasons to buy a pressure cooker

Electric pressure cookers appeal to beginners, experienced home cooks and professional chefs alike. Check out these major reasons to add one to your cookware collection:

1. Saves time. Cook your favourite meals in less time with a pressure cooker. From fluffy rice to tender veggies, succulent chicken and just-right beans, a pressure cooker will give you perfect results fast.

2. Retains nutrients. With less water and no air exposure, pressure cooking locks in more vitamins and minerals in your food so that your meals are more nutritious.

3. Reduces energy. Pressure cookers are good for the environment and your wallet! As they cook food faster than a cooktop or oven, less energy is used and you’ll save money on your next bill.

4. No-fuss cleanup. A pressure cooker eliminates using many extra pots and pans, while the lid prevents mess and odours from escaping. Your kitchen will also stay cooler without using stovetops and ovens.

5. Creates tastier food. A sealed environment means that maximum flavour and moisture is retained in your food for a tasty meal that’s tender and juicy.

6. Makes cooking safer. Pressure cookers use intense heat that will kill most harmful microorganisms in food, significantly lowering the risk of bacteria and viruses.

Stovetop vs electric pressure cookers

There are two main types of pressure cookers - electric and stove top. While both reduce cooking time using pressure and heat, they have their differences:

• Stovetop. A stovetop pressure cooker offers manual heat regulation for greater control over your cooking and requires a cooktop to bring it to pressure. They deliver a higher pressure than electric units which results in faster food.

• Electric. An electric pressure cooker is ideal if you like to ‘set and forget’. With a built-in heating mechanism and automatic features, you simply select your cooking settings and press a button - the appliance will regulate the steam and heat for you and shut off when done.

Recipes to try on your electric pressure cooker

There are hundreds of popular recipes from cuisines around the world worth trying in an electric pressure cooker. This handy appliance is the ultimate crock pot alternative with the ability to stew, sear, saute, grill and more in a non-stick cooking pot that retains full flavour and nutrients. Here are just some of the tasty meals you can whip up in a flash with a pressure cooker:

• Braised lamb shank casserole with veggies

• Baked potato soup

• Quick and easy tomato marinara sauce

• Pressure cooker cake with buttercream

• Lemon chicken with fluffy rice

• Creamy risotto

• Beef brisket with beans

Extra appliances to buy with a pressure cooker

Pressure cookers combine versatility with the ability to serve up home cooked meals in record time. Fast-track your time in the kitchen even further by considering these other cooking appliances and kitchen gadgets:

• Food processor

• Toaster

• Coffee machine

• Ice cream machine

• Blender

• Waffle maker

• Pizza maker

Electric pressure cookers for every kitchen need and budget

A pressure cooker is a worthwhile investment for your kitchen if you value tasty and nutritious meals but don’t always have the time to cook them. Kitchen Warehouse has electric pressure cookers to cover every type of culinary creation. Shop multicookers by respected brands, such as the Morphy Richards Multi Function Cooking Pot for grilling, braising, frying, steaming and hot pot cooking.

There’s the Sunbeam Rice Cooker + Saute that can cook up to 10 cups of grains as well as steam and saute food. Feed a large family with the Instant Pot Duo 7 8L that combines 7 appliances into one for making yoghourt, slow cooking, steaming, warming food and more.

The MasterPro Ultimate All-in-One Multi Cooker and Ninja Foodi Max 9 includes an air fryer basket while the Philips All-In-One Cooker includes 20 preset cooking menus for creating your favourite global cuisines. Love slow cooking? The Fast Slow Pro Multicooker by Breville lets you easily transition between slow cooker mode and fast cooker mode for searing and reducing. Short on time? Make a fast meal even faster with the Tefal Cook4Me Multicooker - just select a recipe or ingredient from the list and let it work is magic! All of our electric pressure cookers come with a warranty for complete peace of mind.

Maintenance, cleaning and care

An electric pressure cooker is super easy to clean and maintain:

Step 1: The bottom of your pressure cooker can be placed in the dishwasher unless the manufacturer says not to. For best results, wash the bottom unit by hand with a sponge or a scrubber soaked in mild dishwashing soap.

Step 2: Remove hard food spots with a slightly abrasive cleaning pad or scrubber brush. Avoid using heavy-duty abrasive scourers or cleansers that can scratch your pressure cooker.

Step 3: Wash the gasket, pressure weight, and other removable lid parts separately in hot water. Use a sponge or a non-abrasive scrubber with a mild dishwashing soap. A new toothbrush can be used to clean the inside of the weight.

Brands we know and trust

Discover all of your favourite brands from Australia and overseas at the best prices below RRP, including Cuisinart, Tefal, Healthy Choice, Philips, Sunbeam and MasterPro.

Buying online with Kitchen Warehouse

It’s easy to buy your new pressure cooker online at Kitchen Warehouse! Simply browse our collection and add your favourite to the cart for a fast and convenient checkout. We offer free shipping when you spend over $100 to any postcode in Australia.

FAQs:

Is an electric pressure cooker worth it? An electric pressure cooker is a valuable investment if you love tasty home cooked meals but don’t have time to let them cook for long periods of time. Pressure cookers cut down on cooking time and give you plenty of options to set your cooking preferences and walk away until it’s done. Check out our innovative pressure cookers by Breville, Tefal and more.

What is the difference between an electric pressure cooker and pressure cooker? The major difference is the power source. Electric pressure cookers plug into a power socket while stovetop pressure cookers are powered by electric elements or gas burners. Electric pressure cookers can have more settings, functions and preset options that will cook food and regulate heat and steam for you. A stovetop pressure cooker requires more attention but gives you full control over your chosen cooking method.