Pressure cookers have been integral to the Indian kitchen for generations; no house would ever be complete without one. The variety of dishes that can be prepared, from rice and dal to intricate curries and steamed, delicate dishes, makes a pressure cooker a must-go for a day-to-day cooking routine. 

Why Are Pressure Cookers Essential?

Pressure cookers are known for their efficiency in saving time and locking the nutrients and flavors in during cooking, which is a must for a health-conscious family. Besides convenience, they also save energy. Pressure cookers, therefore, form the core of Indian cuisine, whether it is a simple meal or a grand feast.

In this blog, we have discussed the factors to consider while purchasing the right pressure cooker.

Let’s find out!

Factors to Consider When Buying a Pressure Cooker

Choosing the right pressure cooker depends on several factors, including size, material, lid type, and ease of use. Below are the key aspects to consider before making your purchase.

Choosing the Right Capacity

Now that we've gone through the various types of pressure cookers, let us take a moment to brief you on the capacities. At Judge by Prestige, the range of pressure cooker capacity goes from 2 liters to 7.5 liters. The capacity of your pressure cooker depends upon how many people you would feed and the kind of dishes you are going to prepare.

2L Pressure Cooker is suitable for small families or couples; and is perfect for preparing a considerable quantity of rice, dal, veggies, etc.

3l pressure cooker is great for small families with toddlers or couples who typically cook a bit more food once, now and then.

5L Pressure Cooker are good for a family of 3-5 people. They work perfectly if larger meals like curries, rice, or any steaming dishes are prepared.

This is the best option for large families or large quantity cooking. It is also apt for large cuts of meat, stews, and party meals.

Pressure cookers mainly come in three types of materials- stainless steel, aluminium, and hard anodized. 

This pressure cooker is known for its durability and corrosion resistance. Besides, stainless steel pressure cookers are known for heat retention. Comparatively expensive, stainless steel pressure cookers usually can be used for a longer period.

These are an upgraded version of aluminium cookers where food remains separate from direct contact with the aluminium body. These offer better conductivity. This makes them non-reactive as well. This means no metallic flavors will contaminate food, especially on acidic products like tomatoes or lemons.

Light in weight and economical, aluminium cookers have excellent heat conduction properties.

A pressure cooker is classified into an inner lid or outer lid type pressure cooker. These two have their respective designs and advantages.

This type of pressure cooker has a pressure locking mechanism in the inner lid as it seals inside the rim of the pressure cooker. 

The lid in this model fits outside the rim of the cooker. These usually come in larger capacities and are ideal for families or bigger meals. Besides cooking rice, soup, or vegetables, these cookers offer better versatility. The open-lid design allows easy stirring, making food preparation convenient and hassle-free.

While choosing a pressure cooker, assess your cooking habits and requirements. Consider whether you are going to cook only for yourself or a small family, or do you hold dinner parties frequently? Do you cook soups, curries, rice, or experiment with slow-cooked food? 

This will help determine the best type of pressure cooker for your kitchen.

An easy-to-clean and use pressure cooker can easily reduce kitchen hassle. You can look for those models with controls that make them simple to operate, and inside, especially, a non-stick cooker makes food release or cleaning up easier. However, many stainless steel cookers without a non-stick coating, are generally more maintainable over time due to their durability.

Pressure cookers vary in price based on their brand, material, size, and features. Although you need to stick to your budget, an investment at the initial stages might help you save money in the long run in terms of durability, functionality, and safety. Aluminum is less expensive compared to other materials such as stainless steel and hard anodized models. Although the latter two may be comparatively more expensive, they perform better and are more durable. You, however, have to judge whether all the extra features and high-quality material of the cooker are worth the extra money, especially when you cook a lot.

Before investing in a pressure cooker, you need to know the brand reputation. Established brands usually have good customer service, warranty, and safety mechanisms. In this regard, online customer reviews can give you insights into the real performance of a cooker. Judge by Prestige is one of the reputed brand names known to deliver trustworthy products over the years. 

Last but not least, consider what kind of support the manufacturer is offering and the warranty it provides. A good warranty lets you rest assured and protects your investment. Some brands offer extended warranties based on repeated usage of the appliance that you intend to use.

Carefully considering these features will get you a pressure cooker that suits your needs and gives you dependable service for years. Safety, durability, and ease of use are the key factors, to begin with, but don't forget to check for customer reviews in making your final decision.

A pressure cooker can speed up your time behind the stove!

If you are on the hunt for the best pressure cooker at affordable prices, explore our eye-catching selection at Judge by Prestige. Filter your search based on your preferences and shop for the perfect pressure cooker for your home today!