I have a 6-litre Kuhn Rikon duromatic stovetop pressure cooker - not the cheapest, but it’s excellent. Very energy efficient and durable, and the perfect size for a family meal with plenty leftover." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user burblish) We pore over the instructions of each pressure cooker and assess their clarity, usefulness, plus how much guidance you get on cooking times and recipes. We also take note of how speedily each cooks beef stew, although we haven't spotted much difference among pressure cookers of the same type. Electric pressure cookers take around 35 minutes to cook our stew, whereas stove-top pressure cookers take 15 minutes on an induction hob.

That said, the results of what the Instant Pot Duo Plus can do, whether it’s rice, Thai curry, or chili, are as good as its price tag is low. Functions Stew, steam, stir fry, bake, soup, sous-vide, rice, yoghurt, oatmeal, adjustable chef mode (plus air fry, roast, grill, bake, manual mode with extra crisp lid) We assess how easily each pressure cooker can be set up and used to cook, taking into account functions such as switches, buttons and digital displays, and how easily lids and cooking pots can be removed. Instant Pots and other multi-cookers come in an array of different capacities ranging from 3 quart / 3 liters right up to 8 quart / 7.5 liters, so knowing which size Instant Pot is best for you can be confusing.Stovetop pressure cooker pots made of aluminum should be washed by hand with non-abrasive cleaners, while those made of stainless steel are dishwasher-safe (as well as stain- and corrosion-resistant). Regardless of material, do not submerge stovetop cooker lids in water.

Ensure that the liquid in the pressure cooker meets the minimum required amount before cooking. This is usually stipulated in the instructions or marked by a minimum fill line in the cooking pot. Make sure not to overfill the cooker, either – there will be a maximum fill line, so ensure that the food sits comfortably below it. As you might expect, the larger and more feature-heavy appliances from Instant Pot and Ninja Foodi are more expensive, but generally speaking, Ninja models are normally more expensive. Take The Chore Out Of Cooking – your favourite dishes made simply by pressing a button: Features 15 smart programmes – Pressure Cooker, Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Sauté Pan, Sous Vide, Soup/Broth, Bean/Grain, Meat/Stew, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, Sterilizer, Yoghurt Maker, Porridge and Food Warmer. LARGE CAPACITY & BONDED STEEL BASE: The large 6L pan capacity is perfect for cooking 4-6 portions of food for all the family and can easily accommodate perfect cooking of any large meat joint, whilst the bonded steel base ensures even heat distribution for perfect cooking. Suitable for all hob types, even induction. We’ve compared these brands in detail, to find out which came out on top, read our Ninja Foodi vs Instant Pot feature. How we tested these Instant PotsWe 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. Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Sauté, Rice, Porridge/Oatmeal, Steam, Slow Cook, Yoghurt, Keep Warm, Steriliser, Egg, Pressure Cook, Sous Vide, Cake and Bean/Grain We’ve seen consistent, excellent results from cooking with Pressure Cookers, and we know that you will too. If you're feeling inspired to try a new method or two, why not browse our comprehensive range below? On test, as well as excelling at steak, we were also impressed by the Ninja Foodi Max's ability to perfectly cook a variety of dishes, from beef chili to fries. The large capacity is ideal for those that have several mouths to feed, although the multi-cooker is bulky and takes up a lot of space on a countertop.