If you are wondering how to select and buy the best pressure cooker, then you are at the right place. Not to mention, this buying guide will help you choose the best pressure cooker within your budget. Let’s scratch some exciting information before we get started with the details. Here they are.
Modern pressure cookers were introduced in the Indian markets in the year 1959. The concept of cooking food using steam in a closed container revolutionized Indian kitchens within a few decades. Pressure cookers are modern-day marvels making one’s life easy.
Not only this, but it saves a lot of time and energy. The math is pretty simple. Cooking lentils in a deep vessel could take up to 1-hour provided you have soaked them overnight. On the contrary, the pressure cooker takes around 20-25 minutes with three whistles.
Cooking mutton or chicken in a deep vessel is an absolute nightmare. It can take up to a couple of hours in a kadhai. On the other hand, a pressure cooker will quickly bring this down to 45-minutes. In short, a quality pressure cooker will save time and make the entire cooking process easy.
The bottom line is no matter where you live and what cooking style you choose, a pressure cooker is an excellent choice for cooking healthy meals and much more. With this in mind, let’s look at the best pressure cooker buying guide snapshot.
Buying Guide in a Snapshot
| Brand | Type | Size | Warranty | Induction Compatible | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pigeon By Stovekraft | Aluminium | 3L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Prestige Popular | Aluminium | 2L | 5 Years | No | |
|
Hawkins Contura | Hard-Anodized | 1.5L | 5 Years | No | |
|
Hawkins Miss Mary | Aluminium | 3L | 5 Years | No | Amazon Price ₹1123 Save: ₹127.00 (10%) |
|
Prestige Clip-On | Stainless Steel | 5L | 5 Years | Yes | Amazon Price ₹5650 Save: ₹200.00 (3%) |
|
Hawkins | Stainless Steel | 3L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Prestige Nakshatra Plus | Hard-Anodized | 3L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Prestige Apple Plus | Aluminium | 5L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Prestige Deluxe Alpha | Stainless Steel | 2L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Prestige Deluxe Plus | Hard-Anodized | 5L | 5 Years | Yes | Amazon Price ₹3100 Save: ₹350.00 (10%) |
|
Wonderchef Power | Aluminium | 5L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Lifelong | Stainless Steel | 3L | 5 Years | Yes | |
|
Butterfly Curve | Stainless Steel | 3L | 5 Years | Yes |
Prestige Clip-On
- Highly durable stainless steel body
- Features a unique ladle holder for your convenience
- Well-insulated handle with a double screw for easy operation
- Compatible with gas and induction cooktops
Prestige Nakshatra Plus
- Traditional design for a modern kitchen.
- Dishwasher safe
- It has a pressure regulator for safety purposes
- The hard-anodized aluminium body ensures durability.
- Well-insulated handle with a double screw for easy operation
- Compatible with gas and induction cooktops
How to Select & Buy the Best Pressure Cooker?
Selecting and buying a pressure cooker that suits your requirements and budget is daunting. It is because many variants are available in the Indian markets. Additionally, each has a distinct set of features adhering to an individual’s needs. Therefore, some critical factors will help you select and buy the best pressure cooker.
#1 Size of the Pressure Cooker
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to buying a pressure cooker. It is because there are various sizes available depending on the family size. First thing first, cooker sizes are measured in litres. The most frequent sizes in the Indian pressure cooker range start from 1.5 litres to 5 litres.
A few respected brands in the Indian appliance market do manufacture pressure cookers with a 5+ litre capacity. In short, size is a deciding factor when buying the best pressure cooker. Below is a list of cooker sizes concerning the members of a family.
- 1.5 to 2 litres – 1-2 members
- 3 to 4 litres – 3-5 members
- 5+ litres – 6 or more members
#2 Type of Material Used
After sizing, the material out of which cookers are made is equally important. After all, it is the food we will cook, which is why it is crucial to look into the material type. Hence, we have three major material types out of which pressure cookers are made.
1. Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker
The word meaning of hard-anodized pressure cooker is a hard-anodized aluminium pot. Further, anodised means aluminium coating with a layer of oxide. This particular process is called anodizing. The anodizing process makes the cooker tough so that it can be used frequently and easily.
Advantages of using hard-anodized pressure cookers are:
- Highly durable, scratch-resistant, and non-stick
- Non-toxic coating and lightweight
- High-performance
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Stain-free and corrosion-resistant
- Multi-purpose usage
2. Stainless steel pressure cooker
The modern kitchen has replaced other metallic materials with steel, and the pressure cooker is no exemption. Stainless steel cookers give an excellent cooking experience with safety. There are a lot of benefits to cooking in steel pressure cookers compared to other materials. Here are a few of them.
- Higher efficiency over conventional cook pots
- Stainless steel material doesn’t absorb dirt
- Rust-proof and doesn’t rust easily
- Longer life span compared to other metals
- Non-reactant to food during cooking
- Uniform heat distribution
3. Aluminum pressure cooker
Aluminium pressure cookers are good, in fact, great conductors of heat. They not only heat up quickly but also cook your food rapidly. It means less fuel consumed compared to hard-anodised material. However, aluminium pressure cookers are out of fashion. In other words, they have been replaced with stainless steel or non-stick materials. Still, Indian homemakers are using aluminium pressure cookers for the following reasons.
- They are cheaper than their counterparts.
- LigLightweightasy to use and clean
- Excellent heat distribution
- It cooks faster and consumes less fuel
So, these were the three metals primarily used in pressure cookers. The bottom line is hard anodized, and stainless steel pressure cookers are best from a safety and health point of view. It is because they have higher durability compared to aluminium material.
#3 Compatibility
When purchasing the best pressure cooker, it is necessary to introspect how we will use it. For example, are we going to cook on a gas stove or electric cooktops? This self-analysis is essential also because a selected range of cookers has this feature. It might happen that your pressure cooker may or may not be compatible with gas stoves or induction cooktops simultaneously.
Hence, induction base cookers are best for you if you use electric cooktops. On top of it, induction pressure cookers work pretty well on gas stoves and electric cooktops. However, it is otherwise with regular cookers. To help you understand, an induction cooker has a magnetic coating/layer at the bottom. This magnetic layer transfers heat to the cooker generated by the induction coil.
If you are cooking on gas stoves, then a regular pressure cooker is good.
# 4 Warranty
Along with the warranty, the manufacturer must set up a local service centre. This way, it will be easy for the buyer to get the repairs done in a short time. If you look closely, warranties play a minimal role. However, it is sort of mandatory nowadays. The fact is that almost every branded and non-branded kitchen appliances come with a warranty. Therefore, you can be assured that your purchased item is secured.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I cook in a pressure cooker?
You can cook beans, soups, stews, whole chicken, mutton, potatoes, rice, dal, and lentils.
What are the benefits of cooking in a pressure cooker?
The cooking process is faster compared to open vessels like kadhai. Moreover, it consumes less fuel too. In other words, a pressure cooker is energy-efficient.
Which is the best pressure cooker brand in India?
Prestige, Hawkin, and Pegion are the best pressure cooker brand in India. So if one has to select, then undoubtedly, it has to be Prestige.
Which aluminium pressure cooker is better than steel?
Stainless steel cookers are better than aluminium ones. The stainless steel pressure cooker is made using sturdy material and can hold high temperatures. As a result, it does not react to acidic foods, whereas aluminium is reactive to acid in the food at higher temperatures.
How long does it take to boil potatoes in a pressure cooker?
It takes approx 10 minutes to boil potatoes in a pressure cooker.
Does food cooked in a pressure cooker taste different?
Yes, the food cooked in a pressure cooker varies slightly. Pressure cooking maintains flavours and cooks faster, but it also means the moisture in the process of cooking is absorbed by the food giving it a slight variation in taste.
Best Pressure Cooker In India
We have listed the best pressure cookers along with their Pros and Cons.
Pigeon By Stovekraft Favourite Induction Base Aluminium Pressure Cooker with Outer Lid
Product Highlight:
- Made from high-quality aluminium.
- Fit for both induction and gas cooking.
- Warranty information: 5 years on product.
- Colour: Silver; Material: Aluminium.
- Package Contents: 1-Piece Induction Base Pressure Cooker with Outer Lid (3 Litres).
Best customer experience
Maintenance is very easy as it is compact.
Worst customer experience
The handle nut bolts are not tight they get loose after every use.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Easy to clean and maintain.
- Perfect capacity for everyone to use.
- Light pressure cooker.
- A rubber gasket enhances the safety feature.
- Versatile cooking.
- Highly durable construction for daily use.
- Affordable Price.
Cons:
- Stains and rust in the long run.
- Sometimes alters the taste of the food.
Prestige Popular Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Made from high-quality virgin aluminium.
- Comfortable handles for easy grip.
- Compatible with gas stove.
- Five years warranty.
- Dimension: Length(13.4)*Width(8.1)*Height(4.8)
- Amount of Rice cooked : 200 grams.
- Metallic safety plug and gasket release system for peace of mind.
- Colour: Silver, Material: Aluminium.
- Content: Prestige Popular Pressure Cooker 2 L.
Best customer experience
Heavy utensil, builds pressure well and cooks smoothly.
Worst customer experience
After cooking there are stains in the metal as if some chemical was poured on it.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fast Cooking.
- Easy to use and clean
- The aluminium body makes it light in weight.
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Appearance becomes dirty in the long run
- Durability is not so good.
- Not corrosion-resistant and reactive to acidic ingredients.
- It reacts with food and is harmful to health.
Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Hard anodized body with stainless steel lid.
- Black body heats faster.
- Pressure-locked safety lid.
- Five years warranty.
- Non-toxic, non-staining.
- Operates at 1 kg/cm2 (Fifteen pounds/ square inch).
- It does not rust or reacts with food.
- It stays looking new for years.
- Curved body for easy stirring.
- Better visibility of food.
Best customer experience
Very easy to use. Due to wide base, its stability of the gas stove is great.
Worst customer experience
Size is too small, smaller than the usual 3 litres cooker.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Attractive looks.
- Cooks faster.
- Healthy Cookware.
- A flat base helps make it stable on the gas stove.
Cons:
- Expensive than aluminium.
- Sometimes food can gets sticky inside it.
Hawkins Miss Mary Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Made from premium grade aluminium.
- Leak-proof design for peace of mind.
- Fixed unbreakable metal handle bracket.
- Superior pressure regulation.
- Stay-cool handles.
- Colour: Silver, Material: Aluminium.
- Gas stove compatible. Ideal for cooking for 2-4 Persons.
- Ideal for small to medium households.
- Package Contents: 1-Piece Pressure Cooker (3 Litres).
- Five years warranty.
Best customer experience
Small light and sturdy cooker.
Worst customer experience
For Small family only.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Ergonomically composed handle.
- The flat base helps heat distribution quickly and evenly.
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Inside coating is scrubbed after some time.
- Less Durable.
- Food Sticks.
- Blemish after a year of usage.
Prestige Clip On Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Glass Lid
Product Highlight:
- Highly durable stainless steel body.
- Clip-on pressure cooker.
- Universal Lid- can fit on any clip-on pressure cookers.
- Features a unique ladle holder for your convenience.
- Well-insulated handle with a double screw for easy operation.
- Compatible with gas and induction cooktops.
- Enjoy the convenience of cooking and serving in the same utensil.
- Five years warranty.
- Colour: Metallic Steel, Material: Stainless Steel.
- Content: Prestige Clip-On Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker 5L with Glass Lid Accessory.
Best customer experience
The clip-on the cooker is very durable and easy to use but the upper lid is very heavy.
Worst customer experience
Steam leaks from the lid.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Versatile pressure cooker. (Used for sauteing, steaming, frying, boiling, deep frying and pressure cooking).
- Tough handle design.
- Safe and Durable.
Cons:
- Heavy.
- It takes more time to cook than aluminium.
- Expensive range.
- No good looks.
Hawkins Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Induction compatible and works on gas.
- The base stays flat and does not bugle or separate.
- Cooks tasty food can also be used for frying.
- Colour: Silver, Material: Stainless Steel.
- Five years warranty.
- Package Contents: 1-Piece Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker (3 Litres).
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Internal lid-locking system.
- Flat base.
- Long-life rubber gasket.
Cons:
- A stainless steel base consumes more fuel than a copper or aluminium base.
- Expensive.
- More time for cooking.
- Food often sticks to the bottom.
Prestige Nakshatra Plus Hard Anodised Inner Lid Aluminium Pressure Handi
Product Highlight:
- Traditionally designed to complement a modern kitchen.
- Best suited for Indian delicacies.
- The hard-anodized aluminium body ensures durability.
- Ensure a firm grip with Ebonite handles.
- The anti-bulge base is compliant with induction and gas tops.
- Excellent safety features such as pressure regulator, safety plug and inner Lid.
- Five years warranty.
- Colour: Black, Material: Aluminium.
- Content: Nakshatra Plus – Induction Based Pressure Handi (Hard Anodised).
Best customer experience
The best part is its coating and its induction based as well.
Worst customer experience
The gasket is too small for the lid and keeps slipping off.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Anti-bulge base.
- Pressure regulator quality is good.
- Light in weight.
- Attractive looks.
Cons:
- The coating may peel off.
- The handle is loose.
- Difficult to stir as it is small.
Prestige Apple Plus Inner Lid Aluminium Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Stylishly designed pressure cooker for a modern kitchen.
- The hard aluminium body ensures durability.
- Ensure sturdiness and a firm grip due to the double screw handles.
- Features an anti-bulge induction base.
- Includes a self-locating pivot, which adds to the convenience.
- Colour: Red, Material: Aluminium.
- Five years warranty.
- Package Contents: 1-Piece Inner Lid Aluminium Pressure Cooker.
Best customer experience
Good pressure cooker. Nice color and very easy to use.
Worst customer experience
It’s a fine cooker but it takes more time to cook in this one than in the good old aluminum cooker.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Attractive design.
- Customer service is good.
- Anti-bulge induction base.
- Durable handles.
- Sturdy material.
Cons:
- Scratches may occur after a more extended period of usage.
- Bit Expensive.
- Corrosion in the long run.
Prestige Deluxe Alpha Stainless Steel Baby Handi
Product Highlight:
- Loaded with features, this handi is designed for a modern kitchen.
- The super sturdy stainless steel body ensures durability and long life.
- Ensure a firm grip with double screw handles.
- Features an Alpha base induction bottom for versatile use.
- The heavy body ensures efficient heat conductivity.
- It came with a pressure indicator and controlled GRS for your safety.
- Five years warranty.
- Colour: Silver, Material: Stainless Steel.
- Content: Prestige Deluxe Alpha Stainless Steel Baby Handi.
Best customer experience
Perfect for a small family. Works like a handi before pressure cooking.
Worst customer experience
The lid did not close properly and the cooker is too light weight.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Heavier body.
- Best quality steel.
- Finishing is good.
Cons:
- It takes longer to cook.
- It consumes more fuel.
- Blemish in more extended use.
- Heavy.
Prestige Deluxe Plus Hard Anodized Outer Lid Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Sturdy aluminium body for durability.
- Ensure a firm grip with comfortable handles and avoid burns.
- Compatible with induction cooktops and gas stoves.
- Pressure indicator for your safety.
- The heavier body ensures uniform heating.
- The precision weight valve and controlled GRS ensure safety while cooking.
- Colour: Black, Material: Hard-Anodised Aluminium, Amount of Rice cooked: 500 grams.
- Five years warranty.
- Content: Deluxe Plus Induction Base Pressure Cooker 5L (Aluminium Hard Anodised).
Best customer experience
Its perfect for biryani making.
Worst customer experience
Food sticks at the bottom during cooking.
Pros and cons:
Pros:
- Quality product.
- Versatile cooking experience.
- Double screw durable handles.
- Easy to use.
Cons:
- Heavy-weight.
- The coating is not of good quality.
- Not Durable.
- Expensive.
Wonderchef Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Cook all kinds of dishes- rice, dal, sabzi, stews, idli, pulao and more with Wonderchef Power
- Pressure Cooker range
- Made from Pure Grade Virgin Aluminium; With Induction Bottom
- Single Safety Valve and gasket release system for easy pressure release
- Heat-resistant Bakelite handle designed for a comfortable grip
- Mirror finish body for a beautiful look
- Colour: Silver, Material: Aluminium
- Package Contents: 1 Lid, 1 Whistle, 1 Gasket
- Warranty: 5 Years of manufacturer warranty
Best customer experience
Lighter in weight.
Worst customer experience
The size is small.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- The handle grip is good.
- It has an induction base as well.
- Resistance to any stain.
- Light in weight.
Cons
- It may not be preferable for big size family.
- Reacts to acidic ingredients.
Lifelong Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Ergonomically designed, made through food-grade virgin aluminium.
- Strong, sturdy and durable body.
- Sturdy handles provide extra grip and comfort.
- Five years warranty on the product.
- Precisely designed weight set to regulate cooking steam pressure.
- Suitable for induction stove and LPG stove.
- Colour: Silver, Material: Aluminium.
- Package Contents: Product, Usage Manual, and Warranty Card.
Best customer experience
Very Good product perfect for a small family of 3.
Worst customer experience
Whistle doesn’t blow easily needs external push sometimes.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Works on the Induction base.
- Light-weight.
- Sturdy design.
Cons
- Reacts to acidic ingredients.
- The coating may get off.
Butterfly Curve Pressure Cooker
Product Highlight:
- Ergonomically and Aesthetically designed, easy-grip, stay-cool handle.
- Handle with a special lock arrangement for uni-directional rotation.
- Grade rubber gasket for longer life and Gasket release system for safety.
- Fast and energy-efficient cooking, Ideal for 3-4 members.
- Precisely designed weight set for fast cooking.
- The thicker base for rapid cooking and even pressure.
- Peel-proof, induction-compatible base.
- 5-year warranty on the product.
- The storage capacity of the cooker is 2.4 L, and the volume with the Lid is 3 L.
Best customer experience
It is solid and can cook well in retained heat.
Worst customer experience
Too small look as the size 3 litre the metal is thick and heavy.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Good in conducting heat.
- Healthy and safe to use.
- It has an induction base.
- The base is thick.
Cons
- It cannot clean with hard scrub.
- May occur issues with customer service.
