Learn more about the art of pressure cooking and find mealtime inspiration by browsing BBC Good Food's pressure cooker recipes . Most are made from stainless steel or aluminium, and can double up as a sturdy saucepan. They don’t have multiple functions for different foods like electric models do, but some come with accessories such as steaming baskets. A two-valve mechanism gives you more choice for releasing pressure, either naturally by leaving it to cool, or speeding things up by sitting the pan in cold water or running some over the top.

Leaky lid' protection - Found on the Instant Pot Duo 60, if the cooker doesn't reach the correct temperature or pressure in the expected time, it will automatically switch to a low temperature setting to avoid burning your food.Electric pressure cookers, especially multicookers, generally have smaller capacities than stove-top pressure cookers. The smallest models have about a three-litre capacity, but most are around four to six litres, which should be plenty to make a meal for a family of four. Bear in mind that the claimed capacity, isn't always the usable cooking capacity. Generally we've found that six-litre pressure cookers will have around four litres of cooking space. The Instant Pot comes in a larger eight-litre option, too. If you’ve decided that an electric pressure cooker is right for you, here are some things to think about when choosing between models: Size Introducing the Prestige Smart Plus Induction Pressure Cooker - Available in 4 or 6 Litre as featured in GOOD HOUSEKEEPING'S TOP... If you want maximum flexibility, look for a pressure cooker that is also a multicooker, such as the Instant Pot. These appliances can double up as steamers, slow cookers, rice cookers, or even have dedicated settings for porridge and yoghurt. Some, like the Ninja, can even grill, roast or bake. Multiple pressure settings Some electric pressure cookers only have one pressure setting, whereas others have two (for high and low pressure) or even more (the Sage Fast Slow Pro has eight). The low-pressure option makes cooking more energy-efficient, as the cooker can switch to this setting once the food has cooked. It’s also useful for cooking more delicate foods such as leafy vegetables, pasta, eggs and fish. Automatic pressure release

Here are the main things to think about when choosing a stove-top pressure cooker: Size and materials Pressure cooking is really good at retaining nutrients, making it a great choice for those who want to eat healthily. As it uses less liquid than other methods (such as boiling), fewer nutrients are drawn out of the food and discarded with the water. The shorter cooking times also help to preserve nutrients in your meals.

Slow cooker - if you’re interested in the hands-off approach to cooking, but would prefer to not have to release pressure, a slow cooker will turn out tasty stews and curries for those prepared to wait. Their main benefit is that they pretty much automate the cooking process. You simply select the pressure level or cooking function you want, and the appliance does all the work, with an integrated timer letting you know when to release the pressure and when your meal is ready. 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. Some hob pressure cookers have handles on either side, making them easier to carry, as they can be heavy when filled with food. Others have folding or removable handles, making storage easier. CHOICE OF SIZE - Available in 4 litre capacity, great for couples or individual servings, or the larger 6 litre capacity, which is the perfect size for families, providing up to 8-10 servings.

LET US TAKE THE PRESSURE OUT OF COOKING - The best pressure cooker should be built to last - which is why we offer a lifetime guarantee. ACCESSORIES - The 4L pressure cooker does not contain any accessories. The 6L pressure cooker comes with a practical steamer, divider, and trivet. 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. Pressure cookers not only save an incredible amount of time, but produce healthy and delicious food. Vitamins are sealed in, instead of boiled away as they can be with conventional cooking. Vegetables keep their bright colours. Meats are tender and succulent. And flavours are so intense that less seasoning is needed. Everything - from tasty soups to hearty main dishes to heavenly desserts - cooks to perfection in a Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker.If you're short on space, you could also consider a microwave pressure cooker. These are usually made of silicone, so are easy to clean after cooking, whether you pop it in your dishwasher or wash it by hand.

Automatic pressure release - Electric pressure cookers, like the Tefal CY851840, with this feature release the steam at the end of cooking for you, meaning you don't have to put your hands anywhere near the hot steam.Make delicious meals with the help of this Pressure Cooker from Prestige. It is designed with durable handles and a metallic safety plug to make your tryst with this household appliance more reliable and safe. Much like a slow cooker, a pressure cooker can save you money by taking cheap ingredients and transforming them into tasty meals. Unlike a slow cooker, though, you won’t have to cook for hours to inject flavour and tenderness into tougher cuts of meat and dried beans and pulses, so you can save on your grocery bills without having to wait ages for your food to be ready. INDUCTION SUITABLE - Unlike the aluminium versions, our stainless steel pressure cooker is suitable for ALL hob types, including induction. A sauté function will let you brown meat inside the pressure cooker with the lid off, saving you the time of transferring food between pan and pressure cooker, and the hassle of extra washing-up, but maximising taste and flavour. Delayed-start / keep-warm setting FASTER COOKING & SAVES ON ENERGY BILLS -Did you know this handy piece of kit can save on your household bills by cooking, delicious, tasty food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods?