Presto 4-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker

Didn’t know what size to get but careful reading of instructions and what I make I determined this was the best size for me. Couldn’t decide between a 4qt and a 6 qt. I wanted a 6 qt but Amazon forced you to buy Amazon Prime if you wanted the 6 qt and I didn’t want that FORCED on me as I don’t want Prime Membership right now and didn’t want the hassle to quit later.

But as it turned out the 4 qt is more than enough for one or two people or even if you have a small child. It’s well and simply made and very cheap compared to others out there. Was not sure about the crude rocking cap but it works, is reliable and simple to see if the pressure is correct by it’s gentle rocking.

One decision to buy this was the gasket and other rubber seals are cheap to replace. The other one I looked at and really liked, the gasket and rubber replacements would cost me nearly $18 dollars a year to upkeep paying for another of their Pressure Cookers in only 3 YEARS!!

The aluminum used is soft and scratches and stains easily and is not hardened i.e anodized. I wish it was but the cost would go higher too. But the manual gives a way to remove stains. Have not tried it as the light stains don’t bother me. I also did NOT detect any aluminum taste with dishes that contain acidic ingredients. A well-known site tested for aluminum and said it leeches .0025 of aluminum, but said when you take an antacid, one tablet contains 250 mg of aluminum! Drinking from soda cans can give you 1 or 2 mg of it.

If that still bothers you go get a stainless-steel one. But the shape changes compared to the aluminum one even though they have the same capacity. I think the SS model is flatter and not as tall.

I bought it mostly to cook beans in it and it excels at that. I tried their bean recipe and it’s good as any. Completely satisfied. I also use it to cook soups, stews and am still experimenting. I don’t know which is better at the moment for doing the latter as I only had this for a few months. Whether traditional cooking, i.e. Crockpot (failed at beans unless you buy it canned) or traditional stove, coil or gas.

I can’t seem to get the full flavor nuances on the latter when using the Pressure Cooker, however, strangely, we did gobble up everything made by it. Cabbage in soup gets overcooked, though, as this is powerful and and has only one setting at 15 lbs. Perhaps delicate herbs and flavoring get smothered by the extreme pressure? Maybe not either, as I’m still experimenting in amounts and may take me a year or more to determine the truth, as I don’t use fresh herbs and tend to customize my recipes on the fly.

I might add, also, it has a strangely very comfortable handle.

See you in one year. 😉

Excelente su tamaño rápida y ligera

I finally decided to part with my previous Presto pressure cooker that has taken a beating over the years. Very nice look and capacity. Works like a charm and is great for cutting down the cook time on tough or normally slow-cook meats. Not surprised at the quality because Presto is my go-to brand for pressure cookers.

It is very good quality and I liked it. I cooked red beans in it and the result was perfect and quick.

If you don’t have a pressure cooker and have been considering it, you really can’t go wrong with this one. I own Presto brand aluminum pressure cookers in three different sizes, this 4 quart being my most recent purchase. The 4 qt. does not have the additional “lip” on the opposite side that the 6 qt does (which in my opinion makes it easier to handle) however it is a bit smaller so it’s not that bad. Just be careful when lifting it into the sink to apply cold water before letting it cool down to open.

This 4 qt size is perfect for a single person, or making small meals. I used it the day it arrived to cook chicken in. The chicken was cooked to perfection, and falling off the bone in just 25 minutes!

If you haven’t used a pressure cooker before, and this will be your first time, I offer the following tips: Get your food in, seal it up, and set it on the burner you want to use. Turn the burner up to high. It can take up to 15 minutes for the knob on top to start rocking. Once it does, turn down the heat about halfway. It may be a little noisy to some if you are standing right next to it, but it is nothing to be alarmed about. It’s normal. Don’t turn the heat down until after the knob starts rocking or you will either delay your cooking time or end up with less than tender meat. I didn’t know this the first time I used one of these, and of course I was cooking a very thick roast. Still even with the “refire” a roast that would have taken several hours in the oven only took about 75 minutes to be perfectly done.

My first purchase was of a 23 quart for canning/jarring. Second was of a 6 quart a year after which since I purchased I have used every single day. And most recently this 4 quart which I used the day it arrived, and will use several times a week undoubtedly.

If you have a busy lifestyle like me you really cant live without these. They greatly reduce your cooking time while still producing a fabulous meal. I’ve always loved to cook, and really cant fathom why I didn’t incorporate these into my life years ago. I’ve gotten rid of several of the pots I had prior to purchasing these because they double as pots too. I could truly get by with these, and just one square griddle. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy more, and will likely replace the ones I have with the stainless steel versions at some point. I will say that the aluminum versions do tend to rub black all over you for several cleanings. Also they tend to stain a lot easier. While the stainless steel are double the price if you can afford it they are worth it. If you cant at least get the aluminum for the convenience, and just upgrade to the stainless steel when you are able to.

In closing I recommend you stop thinking about it, and just get one. They aren’t that expensive, and they pay for themselves quickly. Because of course time is money.