Tower T920004S7L Express Pressure Cooker, Bakelite Handle with Secure Locking Lid System, Visual Pressure Indicator, 7L, Stainless Steel

Product Information

Simple to use, it offers six cooking functions and you can either choose from a range of presets for dishes including stew, risotto and rice, or manually adjust the time and temperature to ensure the meal is cooked to perfection. On top of that, look out for Instant Pots and multi-cookers that have inner pots that can be used on the stove, when browning meat before slow cooking and are dishwasher safe to make sure you have as few utensils to wash up as possible. Frequently asked questions about Instant Pots Is an Instant Pot really worth it? Regular Mumsnet visitors will know that one of the most recommended products on our forums is the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker (and has been for years). On test, we found the Breville the Fast Slow Pro cooked meat so it was tender and succulent, while vegetables and rice were cooked through but not soggy or mushy. However, you’ll need a screwdriver to remove the hinged lid if you want to clean it, and it has a minimum 1-litre capacity, meaning we struggled to cook smaller quantities. Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which pressure cookers discerning Mumsnet users had bought for themselves.

With such a wide array of models available when it comes to Instant Pots and multi-cookers, choosing the right one for you can be confusing. We also liked the fact that it’s available in multiple sizes, so different sized households can make the most out of this model’s combination of price and performance. However, we do find it a bit light on presets compared to a lot of Instant Pots, though at least they’re easily customizable. Also, be aware that there’s no air fryer functionality on here. So, if you want a multi-cooker to replace all your other kitchen appliances, this might not be the one. Like the Sage Fast Slow Pro, it’s a brilliantly versatile gadget and can be used for pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, baking, roasting and grilling. Buy what really makes this gadget stand out from the rest is its ability to air fry. In fact, you may never need to use your oven again! Pressure cookers have had negative press in the past, with stories of them exploding and throwing their contents across the kitchen. However, today’s models have built-in safety features to give you peace of mind while you’re cooking.

4. Best electric pressure cooker: Crock-Pot 12-in-1 Express Pressure Cooker

Electric pressure cookers Standalone appliances, similar to multicookers or slow cookers. They pretty much automate the cooking process. You simply select the pressure level or cooking function you want and press go, and an integrated timer will let you know when to release the pressure. This makes them a good option for people who are new to pressure cooking, or those who don’t want to watch over their appliance. They take longer to cook than stove-top pressure cookers, though. A 7L capacity provides the perfect amount of portions for a large family, making meal times that much easier Start by considering the different cooking methods offered by the best Instant Pots and multi-cookers, and the dishes you prepare most. While some offer a handful of cooking modes including pressure cooking and slow cooking, others including the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus have as many as 48 different ways of cooking and can do everything including proving bread and making yogurt.

In our review, we found in some cases this meant an extra 20 minutes of waiting until the pressure valve popped down. But as this is a safety mechanism, we’re not exactly prepared to penalise Instant Pot for it. Next look at the capacity the Instant Pot can hold and whether it's sufficient for the number of people you have to cook for. Multi-cookers with a 6 quart / 5.7-liter capacity and above are ideal for those with a large family to feed, or those that want to batch-cook, while a smaller Instant Pot can hold around 3.2 quarts / 3 liters should suffice for an individual or couple.

Best pressure cooker at a glance

While we haven't tested this exact 14-in-1 model, we have given the Ninja Foodi Max 15-in-1 the full TechRadar review treatment. That model is available in other markets (and for the most part they are exactly the same), and we were pretty impressed by the multi cooker's ability to perfectly cook a variety of dishes, from beef chilli to fries. The large capacity is ideal for those that have several mouths to feed, although the extra size does mean this multi cooker is quite bulky and takes up a lot of space on a countertop.

However, if you’re looking to save space in your kitchen by replacing several gadgets with just one, or you are looking to broaden the repertoire of dishes you cook, without having to research and learn new cooking skills, an Instant Pot will more than prove useful. What's the best size instant pot? While you can dive even deeper into how to clean an Instant Pot, you should also take a look at all the different things you can cook in them. There are all sorts of signature dishes as well as the ability to simplify easy recipes even more. Don’t believe us? Take a look at our guide on how to cook hard-boiled eggs in an Instant Pot. It’s easy, fast, and a great example of how an Instant Pot can make something that’s relatively simple even easier and hassle-free.With nine different cooking methods and 13 programs offering pre-defined cooking times, it’s very similar to the Instant Pot Duo (above). However the pot and lid are dishwasher safe, and it even comes with an additional sealing ring too. The advantages of having a pair of pressure cookers is clear, giving you flexibility to cook varying quantities of food, or even to use both at the same time when preparing food on a larger scale. Plus these particular models are known to be quieter and less hissy than some thanks to their revolutionary patented spring-loaded valve. We’ve compared these brands in detail, to find out which came out on top, read our Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot feature. The latest updates to this multi cooker guide Cooking hearty and healthy dinners requires little time or energy with the Tower Express 7L pressure cooker. Using the pressure cooker, your food retains more of its nutrients, vitamins and minerals when compared to standard cooking methods, producing significantly healthier meals for the family to enjoy. It uses a bonded steel base to provide rapid results while ensuring heat is distributed evenly to cook vegetables full of flavour and meat which maintains its tender, succulent texture. The energy-efficient appliance cooks food up to 70% faster than conventional cooking techniques to save time and reduce running costs.