Several companies have come out with electric pressure cookers lately (sampling linked below) and I have reviewed many of them from Cuisinart, Nesco, Deni, Fagor, and Wolfgang Puck. But none of them except Fagor advertise themselves, at least in public, as canners and we know the problems with Fagor. None of them are big enough for canning as 8 qt. is the largest size and most claim only 3 pre-set pressure settings of 2.5, 5.7, and 15 lbs. pressure. Fagor mistakenly calls 15 PSI "the most popular setting" - maybe for cooking for some in the mountains of Spain where it is made, but not for canning unless you live at high altitude. I'd need a 10 PSI setting for canning and I need to be able to vent the canner and know when the pressure returns to zero in order to pressure can safely. You can't do either with these. There are limited reviews available online from Cooks Illustrated magazine, Consumer Reports (if you are a member), amazon.com, etc. and the reviews are mixed with several comments about poor lid fitting, difficulty fitting lids, wiring problems. repairs, etc. Personally I can't see an advantage to them even as a pressure cooker except perhaps for the built in timer. But as a canner, even if they qualified, I do see some serious drawbacks in the current designs. Now if someone would develop a 16-23 qt. size with proper canning settings I'd be more interested. Until then I'll stick with the tried and true and approved Big 3 (or 2 if all they say about Mirro is true) brands. ;) JMO Dave Here is a link that might be useful: Some electric pressure cookers

Somene just gave me a Bene Casa electric pressure cooker but she's lost the directions. I've looked on line but can't find it anywhere. I know how to use a regular pressure cooker, but I'm wondering if this might be a little different. It has presets such as Meat/Chicken, Soup, Rice, Porridge (?), Beans. She said you press the one you need and wait for a green light then place the ingredients in the cooker. It automatically turns itself off. Anyone have one or have some suggestions?

I am not an expert. I do not have a mulit-cooker. High pressure for cooking is 12 psi. A stove-top one can get to 15 psi. All that means is that an electric device takes longer to cook the food but it's measured in minutes. Not a deal breaker but be aware that using recipes from other sources will mean adding time. I have not come across an electric PC that reaches 15 psi. You need to fill the inner pot at least 1/5 full to use it. It may not be able to PC small amounts. I don't know if the max and min or marked on the pot, though. Stews will need 5-6 cups of liquid to prevent burning. Looks like you you 19 cups of volume available for foods that don't expand while cooking. 14 cups for those that do. From the manual: Be aware that certain foods,such as applesauce,cranberries,pearl barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb, or spaghetti can foam, froth, sputter, and clog the pressure release device (steam vent). These foods should not be cooked in a pressure cooker. It says that you can use this to pressure can. I would not advise this since elevation plays a key role and you don't know how it would affect the amount of pressure you can achieve. I can't imagine that it holds 4 qt jars, which is the starting point for USDA recommendations. I use non-stick for certain things. I follow the guidelines and really don't worry about it. Each person needs to make that decision for themselves. I don't worry about aluminum, either, but then I eat out and use induction so I don't have the option at home.

Ranch girl, that is the one I have and tho I am quite sure Ruthie is right, I would buy it again. I love it! Mine is an older generation than the one he has out now, or at least the one I saw him promoting this past weekend. I love all the settings, I use it to steam nearly as often as I use it as a pressure cooker. I really do love having it to depend on. I thought that I would only use it in the winter but I often use in in summer to avoid heating the house, and I even take it to camp with us!