[Update 2015-02-08]: While I still like the Cuisinart, I have a new favorite pressure cooker. See my post: What Pressure Cooker Should I Buy?
I found out that Marcus, my guy at the local Apple store, follows this blog. A few months ago I stopped in to pick up an iPod touch for my oldest son. Marcus made my day by pulling me aside and thanking me for my osso bucco recipe. He told me how much he loved his new electric pressure cooker, and I confessed that I didn't have an electric PC yet.
"What? You have to get one. I already want another one." He turned to Diane: "Will you go get him an electric pressure cooker? Right now. He needs it."
Buy a new cooking gadget? Why yes, I can do that.
I did some research; the Cuisinart 6 quart Electric Pressure Cooker was the best reviewed electric PC on Amazon. I bought it, and now I know why Marcus is such a fan.
Why get an electric pressure cooker?
The Cuisinart electric pressure cooker is great for weeknight, set it and forget it cooking. I put it on the counter behind my cutting board and start feeding in ingredients - brown the meat, saute the vegetables, add some stock, lock the lid, and set the timer. At that point, I can walk away and help the kids with homework. The PC comes up to high pressure, levels off the heat, and starts the countdown timer. When the cooking time is done, the cooker beeps, cuts the heat, and enters a warming mode to start the the natural pressure release. I don't have to mess with watching the pressure valve, adjusting burners, or watching timers. Once the lid is locked, I'm done. I can sit on the couch, ignore the kids fighting over who's turn it is to put silverware on the table, and relax until it is time to serve. I love cooking with self-aware equipment.
Yes, I know, self aware machines are the first step in Skynet's plan for world domination. It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever...until dinner is ready.
The electric PC is perfect for my favorite multitasking trick, making a batch of stock while I clean the kitchen. Before starting the dishes, I put a leftover roast chicken carcass in the pot with a halved onion and a bay leaf. I fill it with water, set the timer, then start filling the dishwasher. An hour later, the dishes are done, I've relaxed with a beverage, and my stock is ready to strain. Easy peasy.
The other great thing is how quiet it is. There is about thirty seconds of escaping steam between boiling and the pressure seal popping up; other than that, it is silent. After years of using pressure cookers that were only under pressure when they were venting steam, I love the peace and quiet.
Also, you get the benefits of no flavors escaping the cooker - read my post on Heston Blumenthal and sealed pressure cookers.
There are some downsides:
My biggest complaint about the cooker is the size. Most electric pressure cookers top out at six quarts. For most recipes, that's not a big deal, but feeding a family of five I always bump up against the max fill line. (Which is conveniently printed on the pot, another nice feature.)
There is one 8 ½ quart electric pressure cooker, but the reviews on Amazon are not encouraging.
I've had a couple of times where I want to make stock, and the carcass wouldn't fit in the cooker. One was a frozen duck carcass, another was the bone from a leg of lamb. Both of these stocks wound up in my larger Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker, which swallowed them without any problems.
And turkey stock? I'm not even going to try. I don't think I could break a turkey carcass down into small enough pieces without a hacksaw.
Another problem is heating time. The electric PC is slower to heat up and cool down than my stovetop PC by about 50%. I did a head to head test between my stovetop and Electric PCs to compare the differences. Two quarts of cold water from my tap took 8 minutes to come to high pressure in the stovetop PC, but 12 minutes in the electric. And, when I turned them off and let the pressure release naturally, the stovetop PC was depressurized after 13 minutes, while the electric took 20 minutes.
Surprisingly, quick release of pressure was equal, even when I cheated and put the stovetop in the sink to use a cold water release. Both depressurized in two minutes.
This matches my cooking experience; with the electric PC I keep saying "The pressure's not released yet?" while flipping the valve to quick release the remaining pressure so I can get dinner on the table.
My other big concern was the lower "high pressure" in the electric PC. Stovetop PCs usually have a high pressure setting of 15 PSI; electric PCs, including my Cuisinart, consider 10 PSI to be high pressure. Now, the manual for the Cuisinart has cooking times that are about 20% slower, on average, than my usual stovetop timings. Unfortunately, I keep forgetting to add that 20 percent. What can I say, I'm used to my normal timings. I haven't noticed any difference in my results. I think the longer heat up and natural pressure release add some extra cooking time under pressure, and the results even out.
See my pressure cooker corned beef recipe, coming Thursday, for a notable exception. It evens out for shorter cooking times and a natural pressure release, say a half an hour or less. If the cooking time is longer than that, don't forget to add that 20% to the cooking time.
Summary:
I crave soups and stews in the winter. With my stovetop PC, I made one stew a week. I cook two or three soups a week with the electric PC. I know they are quicker with the stovetop PC, but the electric PC is so convenient… They just seem easier to turn out on a busy weeknight.
Highly recommended. (Of course, I also recommend a large stovetop pressure cooker, for bigger meals.)
What do you think? Questions? Other ideas? Experiences with another electric pressure cooker? Leave them in the comments section below.
FTC disclosure: All my "Things I Love" posts are about products I use and purchased myself. I did not receive any form of compensation to write this. If you buy something through one of my Amazon links, I do get a small commission. So, put that coffee down. Coffee's for closers only.
Related Posts:
Pressure Cooker Osso Bucco
Pressure Cooker Chicken Stock
Things I Love: Pressure Cookers
My other Pressure Cooker Recipes
Inspired by:
Cuisinart 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
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Anita says
My husband uses the slow cooker all the time. I thought he would enjoy a pressure cooker Cuisinart cpc600 but if he can't use it as a slow cooker he might be unhappy. Can he?
Mike V says
The Cuisinart does not have a slow cooker function. Get him an Instant Pot instead:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/what-pressure-cooker-should-i-buy/
Karen says
I'm so confused! I've never used any kind of pressure cooker but I recently moved to a high altitude (7000 feet) location and want to purchase an easy to use electric one. I've read that it would be best to have a pressure cooker that reaches as high a PSI as possible but I think that a PSI of 15 in an electric PC is just not going to happen so I will need to extend the cooking time. I've looked at all the reviews and I don't mind paying a little bit more for a better product. So...I'm considering the Breville Fast Slow cooker, The Breville Fast Slow cooker Pro, the Cuisinart, and the Instant Pot. But, as we have a big family, I'm concerned that the 6 quart won't be big enough. So I have also looked at the Fagor Lux 8 quart. I also want one that automatically releases pressure so I don't have to babysit it. My question is this...Is there one machine that is really better than all of the others or are they all pretty much the same and just go with the bigger one? Thanks so much for your help!
Mike V says
My thoughts are here:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/what-pressure-cooker-should-i-buy/
I'm a fan of the Instant pot, as you'll see in that post. No one pressure cooker meets everything you're asking for:
* the Breville Pro is the only one with "automatic pressure release" (which I think is overrated - electric pressure cookers are pretty much set it and forget it; pushing the "off" button and flipping the pressure valve isn't much work.)
* The Fagor is the only one that's larger than 6 quarts - their older electric didn't have good reviews, so I'm a little wary, but the reviews for this model look OK so far. I don't like the nonstick insert, but it is good they sell a stainless insert as an add-in.
* No electric PC reaches 15 psi - but it's not that big of a deal.
Now, I love my Instant Pots, so that's the one I'd recommend. They've been solid as a rock for me. The 8 quart Fagor looks OK... I'd like to see some longer-term reviews after the reliability problems with their old model, but if what you're really after is the largest PC possible, go with the 8 quart Fagor.
Karen says
Thanks so much! I really appreciate your taking the time to answer me. Your information helps a lot. I think I will go with the larger Fagor Lux 8 quart (keep my receipt and packaging) and buy the extra stainless bowl. Hopefully, it works well and I don't blow up my house!
Mike V says
Let me know how the Fagor goes. I would like a larger pressure cooker as a backup, so I'm definitely interested in the Fagor.
Karen says
Will do. Give me a few months to really figure out what I'm doing and I'll let you know how it goes.
Karen says
Well, I've used it a couple of times and its been easy and foolproof. It was really easy to operate and clean. I used the stainless steel bowl that I ordered separately and it was great. In full disclosure, when I made my beef stew, I browned the meat and onions in my large All Clad saute pan instead of the Fagor, then I added them to the pressure cooker. I'm sure the pressure cooker would have been fine for browning but I prefer the large surface area of my All Clad. I think I still have to play with the timing and adding more time for the higher altitude, but as product, the Fagor Lux 8 quart is fantastic and I'm glad I selected it.
Mike V says
Thanks for following up. I bought one, And am still forming my opinions on it.
Linda Ferguson says
Using my 6qt Electric Cuisinart PC to cook dried beans for first time. The Cuisinart cookbook says not to fill more than 1/3 full but the recipe calls for 1 lb. dried beans plus 8 cups water. That's more than 1/3 full. I removed some of the water and beans, hoping it will be ok. Any advice?
Mike V says
I ignore the "no more than 1/3 full" rule. Cuisinart is worried about a bean skin clogging the release valve, but with their safety steps the odds of that happening are vanishingly small.
anthonyk says
This is really very helpful post to me I will say, you can read more here http://usemyreviews.com/gowise-usa-6-in-1-electric-stainless-steel-pressure-cookerslow-cooker-4-quart-gw22602/
Chazzum says
I purchased the Secu $30 stainless steel pot on Amazon and it fits the Cuisinart cpc-600 perfectly! Great find.
katline hunt says
Has anyone tried - Zon Deals Galore (just google it) There is a little gold box on the site that gives discount promo codes for any product on Amazon. Got my pressure cooker for cheaper than the listed rates. Don't know how I found Azon Deal Shopper, was just googling.
Whitney Whitmoore says
Bill, I have used the pressure cooker so far to cook a roast, steam veggies, cook white rice, BBQ pulled pork, and slow cooked navy beans. I am SOLD. This amazing appliance has taken away my trepidation of pressure cooking and the versatility of use is my favorite selling point. So far I can't recommend
this enough.
Bill Noble says
Whitney let me know how the 8 quart works for you I had the Cuisinart 6 quart and i used it at least 5 times a month. i fell in love with it. But it just died after having it for 2 years. my next purchase will be an 8 quart but the reviews are not that good.
Mike V @ DadCooksDinner says
Good luck! I just got one as well. It's too soon for me to have an opinion on it, but I like it so far.
Whitney Whitmoore says
I have a large family and
I just bought an 8qt GoWise PC off of Amazon..... Hoping it turns out to be a good purchase !
Mike V @ DadCooksDinner says
Great! Check out what I've got to share.
Becka Cason says
Hey Mike! I just found your site while looking for tips and tricks on EPC. I personally have a Nesco 6 qt, and it generally takes between 6-8 mins to get up to pressure and roughly 1 min or less to release under quick release. I haven't done the natural method (I'm bad, I know.) I love it though, but I'm still learning the times, so the cooking can be wonky. I look forward to cruising your site and seeing what I delve up!
Tin City says
I just got my presto pressure cooker from Amazon and it is really good. I'm so excited that I want to share the same 35% discount that I received with anyone who is in the market for a pressure cooker: www .amzn.to/16K0KOI - you will not be disappointed.