Best Electric Pressure Cooker 2012 - Top Ten Review

This fancy little machine can produce a wholesome, home cooked meal in just minutes. A whole, four-pound chicken can cook in approximately 25 minutes. Even dried beans, which are normally soaked overnight and require over an hour of cooking can be cooked in as little as 30 minutes without soaking (depending on the bean).

With the touch of a button the Cuisinart CPC-600 can sauté, brown, simmer and keep warm. For pressure-cooking, there is a high and low pressure. To move through the various settings as needed, just press the corresponding button.

The 6-quart capacity is perfect for an average sized family. The brushed metal is beautiful and resistant to fingerprints. Since all the steam is trapped inside, more vitamins are also retained inside.

Many people are afraid of pressure-cooking. With the Cuisinart, pressure won't start building until the lid is completely locked and the lid will stay locked so long as the pressure is built up inside.

The cooking pot and trivet are non-stick, dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

While the included recipe book offers great basic tips, it is lacking a variety of recipes. There are some wonderful options available for those adventurous souls.

There have been some reports of the valve not engaging properly. If it happens to you, you can fix the problem by tapping on the lid to make it engage. Once it does engage, you can leave it and it will finish cooking. But it can be somewhat bothersome to have to check on it and make sure it engages properly.

This pressure cooker can be used as a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, or a slow cooker. Now you can get rid of two superfluous appliances and save some cupboard space.

The Fagor Multi-Cooker comes with high and low pressure-cooking. The safety lid won't release until all the pressure inside has dissipated. At the end of any cooking cycle, the machine will automatically switch to a "keep warm" setting. The automatic shut off in case of overheating will also ease your mind.

Vs. the Cuisinart Model: As it only has a "brown" function, it is missing the "simmer" and "sauté" function that the Cuisinart has.

Great for working moms, the 8-hour delay lets you prepare the food before you leave and come home to a finished meal. The non-stick pot is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.

At an affordable price, this 3 in 1 machine just can't be beat.

For those that want a pressure cooker that can do it all, the Instant Pot is for you. The five settings allow you to pressure cook, slow cook, cook rice, steam, and warm. For ease of use, there are 8 one-touch settings: Soup, Congee, Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili, Rice, Multigrain, Steam, and Slow Cook. You can also manually program the time if need be.

This pressure cooker is lacking a "brown" feature that so many other models have. The recipe book is also somewhat lacking, although there are plenty of pressure cooker cookbooks available to glean some ideas from. There is also only one pressure setting, not two.

Most pressure cookers have a non-stick coating on the pot inside. The Instant Pot is made from stainless steel; a good choice for those concerned about Teflon.

The delay-cooking timer is good for up to 24 hours. This is perfect for those who want a hot, healthy meal waiting for them when they come home from work. Also, since it runs for a shorter length of time than conventional cooking methods, you save quite a bit on energy usage.

For those who need a smaller sized pressure cooker, this Deni 2 quart size makes a great choice. Perfect for college students or those living on their own, this can quickly make a delicious, home cooked meal without making a lot of leftovers or using up unnecessary space. It is also great for cooking side dishes when your regular pressure cooker is already in use.

The five preset settings are used for rice, soup, beef, chicken, and vegetables. You can also manually program your own time, up to 99 minutes. The 9-hour delay lets you prepare everything, leave the house for a few hours, and then come home to dinner waiting for you. After the food has finished cooking, the keep warm function will last 24 hours.

The pot for this pressure cooker is non-stick, making it easy to clean. When using this cooker, make sure that the plug is firmly plugged into the machine, as there are several reports of it disengaging and putting the entire operation on hold.

All in all, this is a wonderful choice for those who need a smaller option.

The Nesco PC6-25P pressure cooker also functions as a slow cooker and steamer. It even includes the "browning" option for those who wish to sear their meat in the pot. There is also high and low pressure for those who like to customize their cooking. The pot that is included is non-stick and very easy to clean. This machine comes with a steaming rack.

The delayed timer enables you to prepare all your food in the pot and it will start itself up to 8 hours later. This is perfect for working parents or those families who live on the go. Since cooking time is decreased by up to 70% compared to conventional methods, this machine is also perfect for busy moms.

There are many people who fear pressure cookers. Most of them remember their grandmothers using them and having to stay out of the kitchen while they were in use. Today's pressure cookers are very safe, very easy to use. With locking lids, you can rest assured that your machine won't build up pressure unless it is completely sealed. It is unable to open until all the pressure has been released. Many people are discovering how wonderful pressure cookers are with today's busy lifestyle.