My mother used to use one...to cook food quickly.

I think they were replaced by the microwave oven in most kitchens.

I grew up with 2 pressure cookers and I think the first time *I* used one, I was about 10 or 11 years old. I remember peeling potatoes and putting just 1 cup of water in the pot. Then the plate and putting in the potatoes. When the steam started making the little metal doomahickie rock and make all that noise, I turned down the heat a lot and set the timer for 10 minutes. Then I took the pot off the heat and cooled the side of the pot under cold running water. When the pressure stopped making the doomahickie from rocking, you could remove it and then open the pot. As long as you follow the instructions, they can't blow up. When I washed the lid, I always blew out the spout to make sure nothing was in it. don't know if you had to, or if my mom said to do it just in case. LOL She had a small one for potatoes or veggies. A big one cooked pot roasts in no time and they were so tender.

I use mine a couple of times a month. I love it, so quick and easy! It is my favorite way to cook pork chops! I never use a recipe. I am a dumper. :)

I have "always" had a pressure cooker, and for me it has special uses. We love artichokes...10 to 12 min under pressure, and 10 min off the heat for a show cool-down= perfectly done artichokes. I have done beans when I have not soaked them; but you really have to be careful; with the beans in a bowl/pot within the cooker. Since I don't eat meat anymore, its' other uses have mostly disappeared.
Nanny

I really like the cooked flavor from the pressure cooker a WHOLE lot better than microwave. In fact, I don't cook in the MV. I just reheat stuff in there.

Moni

I have 4 of them if you count my pressure canner. I used one last night to cook carne guisada ...I used steak but I wanted it to be melt in your mouth tender. They are wonderful to use. Cooks Country ran one of their tests and actually tried to make one explode and couldn't do it. Just follow the directions and they are easy to use and you will be so happy with the results whether it is a big roast of veggies...Stew and that sort of things I just love....I use my slow cooker a lot now that I am home all the time and get about the same results but when I am in a hurry and want a nice tender product...the pressure cooker works.

I put my 2 pressure cookers in the yard sale last year. Cooking just for myself, I had pretty much stopped using them.

You can't really compare food cooked in a pressure cooker to food cooked in a microwave. I would never try to cook something like a roast in the MW, but in the PC, it is perfect.

Just like anything else, read the instructions and follow them.

Sue

My mom did: she'd throw a chicken in it with some catsup and it was delicious. I never did. My high school Home Ec teacher had one blow up in her face and that was enough for me.

Hmmmm, I've really got to get mine out. I have some carne asada I'd like to make- I think that's the ticket! I've never used it, but my gramma gave it to me about 9 years ago! ::Runs to the kitchen::

Blessings!
Haley

Love my pressure cooker. Best things to make in it are:
Beef stew - 20 minutes
Roast beef - 40 minutes
Chicken stew with dumplings - about 30 minutes
German potato salad - I think it's about 12 minutes
Just read the directions and really good food really quick!
Kathy G in MI

I use mine all the time..I got an electric up to date one...very safe. I have the old kind with the rocker on it and am terrified of it. I keep it because it was my mom's. I cook everything in it. Veggies, ribs, roast, pork chops...especially nice for the days I forgot to leave something out to defrost. I just put it in frozen...I love it!

Wow!
I'm so glad I asked! This is the best group forum ever!! heehee
I didn't know I could put something frozen it....very cool.

But I'll definitely try some recipe soon. This is a new one, not the old style where you run cold water on it. It's also a Lagostino, in case someone has one, and they can give me suggestions on what to make in it.

I love mine-it's the geatest for making mashed potatoes! I didn't grow up using one, my Mom was afraid of pressure cooking. It's totally safe. Just make sure you put the lid on right, use the valve and cool it down properly. I heard stories of them exploding, that has never happened with mine. So how did I staret using pressure cookers? My husband taught me. Again, it makes the greatest mashed potatoes!

I could not survive without my pressure cookers. I have three and bought them from QVC and they are Cooks Essential which does not have the wobbly think on top and I have never been afraid of mine. The best thing I have ever used and I do remember the old ones and they scared me to death, these are wonderful.

If you read the book that comes with them and always replace parts when needed, they are safe. I have had one for over 30 years, that I got as a wedding gift. I use it for smaller meals for just my husband and myself. I use my extra large one for canning. My large pressure cooker for cooking for guest or family gatherings. I also have another one that is a tweener. I guess it would be a medium. These are all older ones but are in good condition and I still can get parts for them at my hardware store. I guess I feel like if it ain't broke don't fix it. Or, you can't teach an ol' dog new tricks. LOL That is why I never have bought a newer version of the pressure cooker. Mine still do the jiggle thing. LOL

I like mine, use it for a lot of meats, etc. BUT, I cooked cabbage in it for too long, turned to MUSH!!

I use my mostly for cooking artichokes. I love my pressure cooker. Just be careful and make sure the steam is out before opening it.
When I cooked meat I like it for that too.

Lindasc I got mine from QVC too...cook's essentials also! I love it. You actually cannot remove the lid until it lets you. A great safety feature of the new ones.

I bought one from JC Penny's an 8qt. Cooks from the Home Collection a few months ago. I've never used one before and been wanting to try cooking meals this way. I followed instructions for a small roast, the rocker rocked, steam hissed and came out, etc. 30 minutes later, (as instructed by the recipe) the roast was only 1/2 way cooked and I finished it by putting the roast in the oven. What did I do wrong? I'm actually very scared of it now, but I really want to learn how to use one.

I bought mine from QVC it's the electric one. Love it! It makes the best beef stew.
Peg

Back in the old days when I had 3 children at home I used one a lot. I never had any trouble. I always made sure the spout was clear and blown out. I think that's what get some folks in trouble w/ them. It was fast and made meat tender. When we moved I lost the little thing that sits and rocks, and I had quit cooking by then anyway.

I have my mom's two Flex-Seals (original pressure cookers with the weights to regulate the steam; came out around WWII). I have 'decorated' a ceiling with one while making beef stew. I filled the cooker too full and didn't watch the heat closely enough. Now that is one awful, tomato-y mess to clean up!

I'd be interested in knowing which of the new ones are considered best. (Brands) And which size for just two. (I usually get two dinners out of one beef stew.)