Funny, the debate used to be 4 qt vs 6 qt. I have a 6 qt at home and a 6 qt in our RV.

That young child will grow fast. Most recipes call for the 6 qt cooker. Personally, I found it perfect for our family. Now that we're down to 2 (sometimes 3) people, it's still perfect!

I would have to examine how often I would need the extra volume, before I'd go for a larger one. Also, look to see how much extra space you'd need for storing it!

DonnaR/CA

Fenworth, I agonized over this as well till I just thought about it and considered the things I would be cooking.
If I was cooking anything that needed a bigger pot size than a 6qt, I'll just use a Dutch oven and cook it slower, I really like Dutch Ovens by the way! Also how often are you going to need a 8 qt over a 6qt, not often with just the 3 of you.

Also when you come right down to it "6qts is a big pot" anyway, 8qts is enormous!!

What ever you decide, I ordered mine from Amazon.com along with book by Lorna Sass (Pressure Perfect" for $86.42.
I got free shipping on both because of the deal about free shipping on order over $25.00.

Good luck I hope the information helps you,

PS. I got the 6qt Splendid model by Fagor with the above book.
Changeling

I have an 8 qt WMF and I love it. I read in one of the pressure cooker books - don't remember which - that if you have the room to store it, get the biggest you can afford.

I cook for 6 (LOL) and this size has so far worked well for us. I bought mine on Amazon as well.

I have a 6 qt Kuhn Rikon that I use frequently. I generally cook for only two. But I just recently got a Fagor set that has a 8 qt stockpot and at 4 qt frypan and I really like it as well.

If I was only to buy one, I'd go with an 8 qt if you have the room to store it. You can cook smaller quantities if you need to, but a lot of time you'll be cooking a big batch of something that you'll want to freeze future servings of--chili, chicken stock, whatever--and an 8 qt allows you the flexibility to cook larger batches.

If you have the storage space for two items, you might consider the multi set I got: an 8 qt, a 4 qt, and a pressure lid and a glass lid that will fit both. I'm surprised at how much I use the smaller saute-pan shaped item. It's great for browning a couple of cheap cuts of beef, adding a little stock and then cooking at pressure for a little while until tender. I highly recommend this set, and it's not too pricey for the flexibility: I paid around $100 for it at the local Dillard's.

Here is a link that might be useful: fagor multi set

Fenworth, are all those interested. "Bed Bath and Beyond" is carrying Fagor pressure cookers. With the 20% off coupon that practically everyone has you absolutely can't beat the prices by a long shot anywhere on line!! Now I find out!!
Check it out if you need/want one and have this store in your area.

Changeling

Thanks for the responses! In reading all of them and then anticipating my use, I'm thinking that I'd do well to go with the multi-set that Arledy recommended. The 4-quart will probably get the most use for my small family, and the 8-quart will be good for stocks and should do fine when a recipe calls for a 6-quart.

Changeling - I actually started off at BB&B where they displayed the Fagor Splendid but sold Fagor Rapida. Hmmm. (And one stupid part of me wants the Duo because of the two pressure settings, even though no one seems to use it.)

Loves2Cook - Thanks for clarifying how many you cook for! ;) I'm a fan of WMF, but not the price tag on their PC. As a matter of interest, does yours hum annoyingly under pressure? That, and price, were Cook's Illustrated's reasons for not giving it their highest mark. Other than that they found it to be perfect.

I started with the Fagor duo set (from Macy's on sale), it went back after one attempt at Rissoto, the 4qt is really too small when you consider that it can only be filled 3/4 full. Also, I don't remember what it was exactly but I didn't like the pressure gauge or how it regulated. Like I said I can't remember but I have had a pressure cooker for 20 years that still works fine with the old jiggle valve. It just won't work on the induction hob hence the need for a new induction capable one.

Then I tried a Khun Rikon one and was not thrilled with that one at all. It made a HORRIBLE whistling noise and you have to be careful how you run water over the lid for a rapid cool, something I just don't trust the other cooks in the family to do correctly LOL

Finally I decided to splurge and get the WFM. It was on sale on amazon plus I purchased the glass lid as well so it can be used as a regular pot too. So far all I have noticed when cooking is a bit of spitting out one of the vents while it comes up to pressure. There is absolutely no humming noise that I can hear while cooking. It has the double ring pressure gauge so it can be used at both low and high pressure, a quick release valve (which I haven't used yet so can't comment) and you can run water right over the entire pot for a rapid cool. It's super easy to clean too. The handle snaps off and gets rinsed clean, the ring gasket is hand washed and air dried and the rest goes straight in the DW.

While I do consult CI (and have a website membership) I find their ratings to be significantly skewed by price. Believe me I did not want to spend an arm and a leg on a pressure cooker but considering the old one lasted 20 years (and probably still has a ton of life left in it) and I'm hoping to get at least that out of this one, I think it is money well spent. I cook at least once a week with it so it's not going to languish in the pot draw sight unseen.

If you do go with the duo set, I know you will be happy with the bigger pot and will probably use it more often. You can cook 3 qts in an 8 qt cooker but you can't cook 7 qts in a small pot so if you decide to only get one, get the biggest one you have space for.

Fenworth, you can get 6 qts into an 8 qt. pot but you can't get 8 qts. into a 6 qt. cooker.

Peppi

Fenworth, good luck, I was just trying to help. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you get. Take care and please let me know how it go's with the pressure cooker. I haven't received mine yet, but the book did arrive. I've been reading it as time permits, and am definitely thankful to the gurus on this web site for recommending it!
This Lady, Lorna Sass has her s#%t together, you do need the book!

Changeling

PS. That book that everyone recommends is worth it! Lorna Sass Pressure Perfect.