10 Best Pressure Cookers in India (2024) for Healthy Cooking

By Consumer Advise Team
Edited On

Cooking is essential for everyone as we do need to eat and one of the most used kitchen appliances in India is the pressure cooker. It is a blessing for Indian cooking because it lets us cook faster especially when there is no time.

Hawkins Pressure Cooker is the best pressure cooker in India for its highly durable corrosion-free stainless steel material. It seals the nutrients of the food without losing flavors, vitamins, or nutrition. Alongside gas stoves, this pressure cooker is also compatible with induction cooktops which makes it multifunctional.

As people have different choices, we have also included other top-quality pressure cookers from brands like Prestige, Butterfly, Pigeon, and Amazonbasics in 2024. All of these stainless steel and aluminium pressure cookers are ideal for Indian cooking. To know the crucial decision-making factors for a pressure cooker, go through the buying guide and FAQ in this article.

India's best pressure cooker

Top 10 Best Pressure cooker in India (2024)

PRODUCTCAPACITYMATERIAL
Hawkins Induction Compatible Pressure Cooker1.5 L to 10 LStainless SteelBuy Now
Prestige Popular Pressure Cooker2L to 20 LAluminiumBuy Now
Hawkins Contura Pressure Cooker5 LHard AnodizedBuy Now
Prestige Svachh Deluxe Alpha1.5 L to 10 LStainless SteelBuy Now
AmazonBasics Outer Lid Pressure Cooker4 LStainless Steel Buy Now
Prestige Svachh Nakshatra Plus2, 3, 5 LHard AnodizedBuy Now
Butterfly Cordial Pressure Cooker3, 5 LAluminium Buy Now
Prestige Deluxe Pressure Cooker3 L and 5.5 LStainless SteelBuy Now
Prestige Deluxe Plus Pressure Cooker3 LHard AnodizedBuy Now
Pigeon Pressure Cooker3 LAluminiumBuy Now

Review of the Best Pressure Cookers in India

Here we will learn about the most amazing pressure cookers in India that you can definitely buy for your family. We have kept the reviews short and crisp by focusing on highlighting factors that help you know more about them.

1. Hawkins Stainless Steel induction compatible Pressure Cooker

Hawkins Stainless Steel Tall Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Made of surgical grade stainless steel
  • Compatible with gas, induction stoves
  • The extra-thick base of 5.8 mm
  • Pressure-Locked Safety Lid
  • Size: 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10 L
  • Shapes: Regular, Tall, and Wide
  • Corrosion-resistant
  • 5-years warranty

Built with Food Grade Stainless Steel

It has been proven that cooking in stainless steel is better compared to other materials. The company has utilized food grade and surgical grade stainless steel in this model to make it healthier for the people. If you are looking for a recommendation of the best pressure cooker for Indian cooking, it can be an ideal choice.

Other than that the stainless steel also has strength to it which makes this product durable. If you wonder which pressure cookers are the best for health, then this model can be regarded as one.

Extra thick sandwich bottom

The bottom of this model has been made thicker than usual and this helps in the diffusion of heat which cooks food evenly and also faster. This will also prevent the burning and sticking of food. The thickness also prevents it from bulging due to pressure.

Durable and Versatile

It is quite versatile as it can be used on different cooking surfaces. The company has made it in a way that it can handle heavy-duty tasks which also makes the model durable. The design is also curved for easy cooking and cleaning.

Safety Measures

Hawkins as a company has been always known for its safety measures. This model also has its pressure-locked safety lid which allows a person to only open the lid once the pressure is under safety level. The model also has an automatic safety valve to even out the pressure and there is also superior pressure regulation.

Merits

  • Hard anodized body.
  • Pressure-locked safety lid.
  • Long-lasting gasket.
  • It is UL certified.
  • Faster Cooking.
  • Works with both induction and gas stoves.
  • The cooker is sold with 5 years of warranty.

Demerits

  • Price is slightly in a higher range but no major problem related to the manufacturing quality and performance found so far.

WHY DO WE RECOMMEND THIS PRESSURE COOKER?

Hawkins Stainless Steel Tall Pressure Cooker can be a good choice if you want a balance between Price and Quality. This 3L pressure cooker is the best for a family of three to four members.


Also Read: Best Kadai for Indian Cooking


2. Prestige Popular Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Prestige Popular Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Made of high-quality virgin aluminium
  • Suitable for gas stoves
  • Easy to hold handles
  • Metallic safety plug and gasket release system
  • Capacity options from 2L to 20L
  • 5-years warranty

Good Body and Base Design

The product has been constructed out of high-quality virgin aluminium which is lightweight yet durable. This aids in proper cooking and the base has a slight concave shape to retain the heat. The outer lid design makes it compatible with cooking using separators to make things faster.

The handles of the pressure cookers are quite important and this model has ergonomically designed handles that are easy to hold and it is perfect for regular use.

Safety measures

To make cooking safe Prestige has added safety measures such as the precision weight valve which releases the excess steam after a while and the gasket release system also adds a layer of protection.

The metallic plug of this outer-lid pressure cooker is the third layer of safety which releases steam when it goes above the safety levels to prevent the cooker from bursting. All of the features are very useful and this is why we highly recommend it as the 2nd best pressure cooker in India.

Pros

  • The pressure cooker is built with useful safety measures.
  • This cooker has durable handles.
  • High-quality virgin aluminium body.
  • It is available with 5 years of warranty.
  • The cooker is available with several capacity options.

Cons

  • The handle can get hot for a longer cooking time.

WHY IS THIS PRESSURE COOKER WORTHY?

If you are a constraint on the budget, this product might do you a favor as it is one of the cheapest pressure cookers in the market. But that does not make the quality cheap. Though it has some certain limitations, it is worth the money spent.


3. Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Hawkins Contura Hard Anodised Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Stainless Steel Lid
  • Knob Lock System
  • Curved Hard-anodized Body
  • Corrosion Resistant
  • Automatic Safety Valve
  • Compatible with gas stoves
  • UL certified
  • Extra Thick Base
  • Available in sizes from 3L to 5L

Hard Anodised Body

A hard-anodized body is known to be the mark of durability in a pressure cooker. On top of that, the food doesn’t react with the material of the product. So the cooker is absolutely safe. The black color of the body also helps in taking in the heat easily to cook the food faster and evenly. This product will also last for a long time.

This model also has a curved body that helps the users to stir the food easily and it also helps in cleaning the cookware. Another specialty of this design is that the food doesn’t stick easily on curved surfaces.

Thus, if you are looking for the best quality pressure cooker for your home, it can be a great choice.

Safety Measures

The Pressure-Locked Safety Lid is unique to Hawkins pressure cookers and it doesn’t allow a person to open the lid when the pressure inside is above safety level. The lid handlebar is also attached to the lid which seals it to the body of the cooker.

Other safety measures included in this model are the superior pressure regulation for easier and faster cooking along with the automatic safety valve which releases the steam whenever needed.

The inner-lid pressure cooker also comes with stay-cool handles which makes it easier to hold even when it has been on gas for a longer span of time.

Merits

  • Hard anodized body.
  • The cooker has a curved body.
  • Pressure-locked safety lid.
  • This cooker has stay-cool handles.
  • Longer-lasting gasket.
  • The cooker can cook faster.
  • The pressure cooker is UL Certified.
  • Extra thick base for more heating efficiency.
  • High durability.

Demerits

  • Expensive than the other products we have listed above.

WHY DO WE RECOMMEND THIS PRESSURE COOKER?

Being built with hard anodized material, it is very durable and food-safe. Hawkins has taken good care while designing and manufacturing this product. Apart from that, it looks stunning and you might love using it.


4. Prestige Svachh Deluxe Alpha Pressure Cooker

Prestige Svachh Deluxe Alpha Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Capacity: 1.5, 2, 3, 3.5, 4, 5, 5.5, 6.5, 8, 10 L
  • Available with a unique deep lid
  • The exclusive alpha base for better use
  • Available with stainless steel body 
  • It comes with a controlled gasket-release system
  • Unique pressure indicator

Easy to use pressure cooker

Many of you prefer to avoid cooking in a pressure cooker as it makes your kitchen messy. It spills a lot, and froth comes out, which is very difficult to clean. No more such nuances if you choose this pressure cooker for regular use.

It comes with a uniquely designed deep lid that fixes well with the mouth of the pressure cooker. It makes sure no water or froth comes out. As it prevents any spillage, this is the best pressure cooker to buy in India with an outer lid design.

Also, when there is no spillage, cleaning and maintaining the appliance is simple. You can use regular dishwashing detergent and scrub to clean it. Always keep the inside dry to ensure longevity.

A Safe Appliance for Everyone

Additional steam build-up inside the pressure cooker can cause accidents. With this product, you can be 100% sure about your safety. It comes with a controlled gasket-release system.

It helps to release the additional steam that builds up inside while cooking. Thus, cooking becomes a safe and enjoyable experience for the ones who are beginners.

Also, the handles provide extra safety to the users. Those are strong, durable, and easy to hold. As those are added to the body with two screws, you get more strength while holding it.

advantages

  • The pressure cooker is sturdy enough to last longer.
  • It comes with a thick base for faster cooking.
  • The product offers a 10-year warranty.
  • A cost-effective product for everyday use.
  • Maintaining and cleaning the product is super easy.

disadvantages

  • The overall quality could be better.

Why is this pressure cooker worthy?

A pressure cooker compatible with a gas stove and induction and takes less time and energy to cook food will be a great choice to buy. This pressure cooker fits in all these categories and can serve you for years and years. So, choosing it will be a great option.


5. AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Material: stainless steel
  • Capacity: 4 L
  • Cooking pressure levels: 50 kPa and 90 kPa
  • Available with water level indicator
  • It is only 22 cm in diameter
  • It weighs around 2.61 Kg

Supports Cooking in Lesser Time

It is one of the significant benefits of using this product. In general, cooking non-veg foods takes much time as you have to cook them well from the inside. This pressure cooker takes 10% time to cook such foods.

It happens because the pressure cooker comes with two pressure levels. The 50 kPa pressure level is for general cooking, while the 90 kPa is for faster cooking. Choose the setting of your pressure cooker and enjoy cooking.

An Energy-efficient Pressure Cooker

Cooking in this pressure cooker is an excellent choice as it saves a lot of energy. As you need to provide high heat to this pressure cooker, it can cook faster. Thus, it saves energy.

Compared to cooking in other appliances, it uses only 1/3rd of the heating energy of your requirements for regular cooking. Buying such a product is, therefore, an intelligent choice.

Available with Catchy Features

Cooking delicious and nutritious meals is simple now with this pressure cooker! It comes with a water-level indicator that shows you the right amount of water you need to put in your pressure cooker—no more getting mushy potatoes or half-boiled mutton anymore!

There are also the Bakelite handles that help you to carry the pressure cooker easily. Those make sure you connect the lid safely while cooking. Handling the pressure cooker is easy as the handles never get hot.

Advantages

  • Comes with a 1-year warranty.
  • The appliance is straightforward to clean and maintain.
  • It is an affordable product for all kinds of users.
  • Easy to operate.
  • It is suitable for all heat sources.

disadvantages

  • The overall performance requires more improvisation.

Why is this pressure cooker worthy?

If you are looking for a user-friendly and budget-friendly pressure cooker for everyday use, this is the best pressure cooker to match your needs. All of the features of this appliance are updated, and cooking will be enjoyable in it too.


6. Prestige Svachh Nakshatra Plus Hard Anodised Pressure Handi

Prestige Svachh Nakshatra Plus Hard Anodised Pressure Handi

Key features

  • Capacity: 2, 3, 5 L
  • Made of hard-anodized material 
  • It comes with an inner lid facility
  • It weighs only 1.2 kg
  • The base thickness is 3 mm
  • It is India’s first no-mess pressure cooker

A Handi-type Pressure Cooker for Easy Cooking

First of all, it is the look of the product that will woo you at once. The handi-type style is perfect for Indian cooking. The deep base is ideal for cook the meal properly from inside and outside.

The base is flat and 3mm thick. That’s why it is compatible with placing on the gas stove and induction cooktop. As it is a no-mess pressure cooker, cleaning and maintaining it is simple.

Superb Design and Offers Enough Longevity

Investing in an appliance that will run longer is always a wise choice. It is a hard-anodized pressure cooker that comes with enough longevity and serves you for years. You don’t need to make repeated investments when you have this pressure cooker home.

This pressure cooker is designed ergonomically. So, storing and maintaining it is easy. Keep it inside the cupboard or kitchen top, and it will fit perfectly. 

Fantastic Pressure Cooker with Wonderful Features

Each of the features of this pressure cooker is super beneficial for the users. It comes with a unique deep lid that controls any spillage. Besides, the exclusive design of the lid stops any froth from coming out.

The cool touch technology keeps the handle of the cooker less affected by heat. You can touch it when the cooker is hot without worrying. The weight of the pressure cooker never gets heated.

Cooking in this cooker is also time-saving. It is because of the optimized broad base. It is flat enough so that the heat is distributed well. It takes 15% less time in cooking than other pressure cookers.

advantages

  • Strong handles help in handling efficiently.
  • The anti-bulge base lasts longer for better use.
  • Compatible for cooking on gas and induction stove.
  • It comes with several safety features for added advantages.
  • It is available with a 5-year warranty.

disadvantages

  • The coating of the product could be better.

Why do we recommend this pressure cooker?

This pressure cooker comes from the house of Prestige. So, you can trust it entirely as they are serving the customers for several decades. This product is a hard-anodized product that helps you longer, and the unique features make cooking more effortless than ever.


7. Butterfly Cordial Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Butterfly Cordial Aluminium Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Warranty: 2 years
  • Manufactured with food-grade virgin aluminum
  • Capacity: 3 and 5 liters
  • Exclusive lock arrangement, stay-cool handle

Durable Construction Assures Regular Use

A pressure cooker is one of such appliances that is used almost every day in your kitchen. So, it would help if you are very careful while investing in a product. It is one of the best pressure cookers in India you can check out.

This product is made of top-quality virgin aluminum. Therefore, it offers enough sturdiness and durability. You can use it for long hours without any disturbances.

Besides durability, this material also gets evenly heated. This feature is required for faster and even cooking meals. Whether you cook vegetables or meat, you don’t need to be worried about half-cooked items.

Safety Valve Assures Better Safety

Cooking in a pressure cooker for beginners can be troublesome. But, if you buy this product, you can be assured about your safety. It comes with a top-quality safety valve to make cooking easy.

The safety valve is efficient in releasing the excess steam when the vent pipe gets blocked. There is also a tiny hole on the lid that vents out the additional steam when the pressure goes above the safe level. Thus, the pressure cooker is so simple to use.

advantages

  • Cleaning is easy with a mild dishwashing detergent.
  • The gasket is made of the best quality rubber.
  • Aesthetically designed handles offer a fantastic and easy grip.
  • It is available with a 2-year warranty.
  • The color, texture, and taste of the food are maintained in the cooker.

disadvantages

  • Incompatible with an induction cooktop.

why do we recommend this pressure cooker?

Butterfly is a renowned brand in the world of pressure cookers and kitchen appliances. So, if you are buying a pressure cooker for the first time and want a cost-effective, easy-to-use appliance for your kitchen, this product will serve you the best.


8. Prestige Deluxe Alpha Pressure Cooker

Prestige Deluxe Alpha Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Made of durable stainless steel
  • Double screw handle to ensure durability
  • Compliant on both induction ovens and gas ovens
  • There is an alpha base for even heat distribution
  • Available in 3L and 5.5L capacity
  • Convenient pressure regulator
  • 5-years Manufacturer Warranty

Best Pressure Cooker with Durable Body

Rather than utilizing aluminium, the company has utilized high-quality stainless steel in making the pressure cooker. The heavyweight of the body helps in faster cooking which is also good for health.

Safety Measures

A pressure cooker needs to be safe and so, Prestige has provided a wholesome safety system in this model. The precision weight valve helps in releasing the excess steam whenever it rises above 1 kg/cm2. Apart from that, this outer lid pressure cooker is also built with a controlled gasket release system which releases the pressure in case of vent blockages.

There is also the Metallic Safety Plug to keep things checked along with the Pressure Indicator which tells about the correct time to open the product.

Multipurpose Use

Rather than having to buy different cookware, one can get this model if they cook on the stovetop as well as on an induction cooktop. The Alpha base bottom of this model helps in evenly distributing the heat to make cooking fast. It is apt for Indian dishes where it can help you to cook everything from dal to delicious mutton dishes.

Advantages

  • Stainless Steel Body.
  • Multipurpose use.
  • Induction and Gas stove compatible.
  • Alpha Base to distribute heat uniformly.
  • The cooker has good Safety Measures.
  • The pressure cooker is highly durable.
  • It is available with 10 years of warranty.

Disadvantages

  • A little heavy with the weight of 2.09 Kg.

WHY is THIS PRESSURE COOKER worthy?

This product from Prestige is built with high-quality stainless steel that is quite durable. Because of the multipurpose features with adequate safety, this model is the most amazing pressure cooker in the Indian market.


9. Prestige Deluxe Plus Hard Anodized Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Prestige Deluxe Plus Hard Anodized Outer Lid Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Aluminium hard anodized sturdy body
  • Comfortable and firm handles
  • Compatible with induction and gas stoves
  • Heavier body for uniform heating
  • Precision weight valve
  • Controlled Gasket Release System
  • 3 L capacity
  • Scratch, stick, and stain resistant
  • 5-years warranty

Hard Anodised Body

The hard-anodized cookware always makes sure that the cooking utensil remains in good shape for a long time. It also makes the body scratch and stain-resistant and also foods do not stick on the surface. The black color of the body also makes the product appear aesthetically pleasing.

Safety Measures

The Company has also included safety measures such as the precision weight valve, the Controlled Gasket Release System, and the pressure indicator to make the cooker safe for people. They might like this product without needing to think about it bursting.

Versatile design

This outer lid pressure cooker is a special type of cookware for both induction and gas stoves. On top of that, it can also be used to cook different foods, be it vegetables or meat. One can cook with this product for long durations of time without having any problem.

Merits

  • Hard anodized aluminium body.
  • Safety measures.
  • Compatible with gas and induction.
  • Looks attractive with a premium finish.
  • Scratch, stick, and stain-resistant.
  • Firm and easy-to-use Handles.
  • The cooker has a 5-years warranty.

Demerits

  • Rice may stick to the bottom unless the water content is sufficient.

WHY IS THIS PRESSURE COOKER WORTHY?

Being made of hard anodized materials, this pressure cooker is best known for its durability and sturdiness. This high-quality product from Prestige is also good-looking and popular among users.


10. Pigeon By Stovekraft Pressure Cooker

Pigeon By Stovekraft Pressure Cooker

Key features

  • Made of high-quality virgin aluminium
  • Usage on gas stoves
  • Easy to hold handles
  • Metallic safety plug and gasket release system
  • Capacity is 3L
  • 5-years warranty

User-Friendly cooking

As a pressure cooker can generate great pressure, the company has added features such as the metal safety valve, gasket release system as well as precision weigh valve to release the extra steam from time to time. Pressure Locking of the cooker has never been so easy. It can easily be locked without much effort.

Compatibility of the cooker

This stainless steel pressure cooker from Pigeon is quite versatile and it lets you cook different types of food in it. The capacity of 3L is perfect for a small family. It is one of the cheapest utensils to have for cooking dishes. But this product is incompatible with induction cooktops.

Good Design and Durability

The design of the product was checked if it can cook food faster and in a safe way. On top of that, the handle is ergonomic to provide users with a better grip. The handle is so convenient that you can use it comfortably.

The aluminium body also makes sure that the inner-lid pressure cooker retains its shape and remains in the kitchen for a long time. The material also enables one to cook the food evenly and in a short span of time.

Pros

  • Virgin Aluminium body.
  • Good for safe operation.
  • Ergonomic handles.
  • Compatibility with induction and gas stoves.
  • 5-years warranty.
  • The cooker is ISI certified.
  • This pressure cooker is available at a cheap price.

Cons

  • Incompatible with an Induction cooktop.
  • The cooker lacks some premium features.

Why Do we recommend this Pressure cooker?

The product can be a good choice if your budget is limited and the family size is small. With all the basic features, it is popular among people for regular use. As you are looking for the best pressure cooker in India for 2024, this product can be a suitable choice.

Read: Prestige Vs. Hawkins Vs. Pigeon Pressure Cooker
pressure cooker

How to choose the best Pressure Cooker?

Pressure cookers are one of the essential cookware that everyone should have at their home. It is not always possible to know everything about the good pressure cookers that one can get, but we can try to come up with some of the most suitable products according to our needs.

Also, when choosing a pressure cooker, we must select a BIS-certified brand that follows the Indian standard guidelines. It is vital to ensure the quality of the pressure cooker.

Here we will provide a short and crisp buying guide that will help people in purchasing the right product when they are looking for one. Here are some things that one should think about to get the best pressure cooker in India.

Size of Pressure Cookers

One of the most important points about a pressure cooker is its size. Generally, the size starts from 1.5L. For an Indian family, the pressure cookers are available with a capacity of 4L-5L. They work great for being used easily to make usual dishes such as dal or even mutton curry for 3-4 people.

pressure cooker capacity selection

Type and Durability

It can be commonly seen that companies market their pressure cookers in different ways. There are mainly three broad categories of cookers based on the materials- aluminium, stainless steel, and hard anodized. The type may also differ according to the design of the lid or body.

Often aluminium-made models are the cost-effective ones whereas the anodized models are the most expensive variants. Also, while choosing a pressure cooker in India find out its compliance with different types of stoves. Anodised pressure cookers are the most durable and they are even scratch and corrosion-resistant.

Apart from the type of material, pressure cookers can be classified into two different types.

  1. Traditional pressure cookers can be used on an induction cooktop or gas stove with autoignition.
  2. Electric pressure cookers that directly use electricity for cooking with customized settings.

The latter is a modern kitchen appliance that empowers the user with more freedom for cooking with better safety and a variety of choices. Apart from that, Indian pressure cookers can be classified into two categories-

  • Inner Lid pressure cooker
  • Outer Lid pressure cooker

The inner lid pressure cookers are safer as they hold the steam pressure. (Also Read: Inner Lid vs Outer Lid Pressure Cooker)

Materials of Pressure Cooker

You may have got confused when you went to buy a pressure cooker. The shopkeeper must have shown you so many varieties and types that you were just baffled. For your benefit, we are presenting the most common types of pressure cookers with their features so that you can make an easy purchase, online or offline.

Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

These are the most common types of pressure cookers that you can buy now. For healthy cooking, buying a stainless steel pressure cooker is a good option. Once you know the features making the decision will be easy. 

Pros
  • It is a time and energy-saving appliance.
  • Maintaining and cleaning the cooker is easy.
  • Comes with enough longevity and durability.
  • The scratch-resistant body maintains the look.
Cons
  • It can be a bit pricy.
  • This appliance is a bit heavy.
  • It is not a good heat conductor.

Hard-Anodized Pressure Cooker

Based on the latest technological advancement, hard-anodized cookers are pretty ahead of their contemporaries. It can bear high heat, be thermal-efficient, non-toxic, and non-reactive to foods. If you want a product to use for years, this is the pressure cooker you can buy.

Pros
  • Maintains the new look for years after years.
  • Never reacts to acidic ingredients of food and non-reactive to food.
  • It is stain-free and corrosion-resistant.
  • Lightweight pressure cooker for easy use.
Cons
  • It is an expensive product.
  • It can’t be cleaned with metal scrubs.

Aluminum Pressure Cooker

For healthy cooking, an aluminum cooker is the best choice to buy. While cooking in it, the aluminum is absorbed in your food in a light amount. It is suitable for your health. 

Pros
  • It conducts heat excellently.
  • The appliance is relatively lightweight and easy to use.
  • It is not too much expensive.
  • Cleaning and maintaining the pressure cooker is easy.
Cons
  • An aluminum pressure cooker is not durable enough.
  • Using it is unhealthy; specifically, it reacts to the acidic content of the food.
Compare: Stainless Steel vs Aluminum Pressure Cooker

Compatibility to Induction Cooktop

While buying a pressure cooker, check out if the appliance is compatible with the induction stove. You will find the induction cooktop compatibility on the product description page. To be specific, the hard-anodized cookers are not induction compatible.

Heat-resistant handles

The handles of the pressure cooker should always be made of heat-resistant material. Plastic is not a good heat conductor, so you can easily carry it. Never buy a pressure cooker with a metal handle as it will get hot while cooking and is impossible to move.

Health and Hygiene

If you are someone who would like to know about which pressure cookers are good for health, then we would like to say that stainless steel and anodized pressure cookers are the most suitable models for such requirements. The reason behind this is that the materials do not react with the food which may otherwise cause variations. The use of aluminium in cooking utensils has been criticized a lot but they are the most cost-effective models.

Warranty

Pressure cookers always pose a threat to become defunct like any other product. So, it is important to know about the warranty of the product before you buy it. Always go for products that have extended periods of warranty that last for 5 to 10 years.

Dishwasher Compliant

Do you use a dishwasher at your home?

If yes, then you may need a model that can go into dishwashers. Definitely make sure of it before buying or else it may ruin your appliance. The product description will often list ‘dishwasher safe’ to denote this.

Safety Measures

One of the most important points to think about is the safety measures that are present in the pressure cookers. Is there a safety valve? Does it have an ISI certification? Does it have a mechanism to release the excess steam without causing any trouble? Research about the factors before purchasing a model.

Budget for Best Pressure Cooker

Another important thing is the price that you want to pay for the worthy pressure cooker.

Would you like to buy a premium model that looks good or will you be happy with a normal pressure cooker that works well and comes on a budget?

Think about the budget and never spend too much without comparing items. Rather than doubting and worrying, think about your requirements from the cooker.


pressure cooker on stove

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pressure Cookers

Let us have a look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of a pressure cooker which will help us to know if it is really important for us to get one or not.

The Benefits

  • Fast Cooking: This is the foremost requirement for which people generally want to get a pressure cooker. They find it quite useful when they have to cook something like mutton which usually takes a long time when cooked just in a normal skillet. Also, the food comes out quite juicy.
  • Retains Nutrition and Flavour: If you are someone who generally fries or boils your food, then a pressure cooker can help to retain the nutrition present in the ingredients. As the lid of the cookers remains closed, the vitamins and minerals of the food remain intact.
    If you are eager to know which product is recommended for good health, then we will suggest stainless steel or anodized models as these pressure cookers do not react with the food. Another point is that pressure cooking also helps in retaining the intricate flavors of the ingredients which are often lost during boiling or frying the ingredients.
  • Saves Energy: As we said already, pressure cooking helps in cutting down on the cooking time. So, invariably it also cuts down on the energy that is needed for cooking. For example, more gas or units of energy will be utilized to cook mutton in an ordinary pot compared to the amount needed to prepare the same dish in a pressure cooker.

The Limitations

  • No Monitoring or adjustment of seasoning in-between: If you want the food to cook on time, then you will need to decide on the duration and wait till that time and even beyond it to check the item. The reason behind this is that the pressure that is produced in the cooker is trapped inside it to help in cooking. So, monitoring in the middle of it will increase the cooking time. You will also need to wait if you want to alter the seasoning of the dish.
  • Difficult to use in high-altitudes: As the atmospheric pressure situations are different in places of high-altitude, the cooking time will be increased. You will notice it if you try to use a pressure cooker at a place with an altitude of above 2500 ft.

pressure cooker open

Frequently Asked Questions about Pressure Cookers

Which brand of the pressure cooker is the best?

Hawkins is one of the most reputed brands for pressure cookers. It manufactures products for all price ranges. Sustained quality and durability are the keys to the reputation of the brand. Apart from Hawkins, Prestige and Pigeon By Stovekraft have also some great products with high performance and durability. After thorough research we have selected these top 3 brands for pressure cookers:
1. Prestige
2. Hawkins
3. Pigeon by Stovekraft

Which is better stainless steel or aluminum pressure cooker?

The heating efficiency of Aluminium is more than Stainless Steel. While cooking, the aluminium pressure cooker uses much less energy to transfer more heat inside the cooking chamber. As a result, a lower amount of fuel or electricity is used. However, with more heat, the strength of aluminium weakens. It may result to burst if overheated for a prolonged time.
On the other hand, Stainless Steel products need more energy or fuel as the heat transferring capacity is lower than the aluminium-made products. But, it has more strength and does not weaken easily when exposed to overheat. The Stainless Steel made models also look attractive and shiny. These pressure cookers are more durable and scratch-resistant.
Therefore, we may conclude that stainless steel models are better than aluminium.

Do Pressure cookers destroy nutrients?

All types of cookers destroy or damage the nutrient content in the food to some extent. But pressures cookers preserve the nutrients up to 95% that no other type of cookers can. Compared to steaming, frying, roasting, or general boiling, cooking is better in terms of nutrient retention, digestion. With a pressure cooker, the anti-oxidant activity is increased destroying the antinutrients.
So, a pressure cooker does not destroy the nutrients. Instead, it retains and makes the food healthier for consumption.

Why do pressure cookers cook food fast?

When cooking in a pressure cooker, we add the raw food (dry rice, dal, vegetable, or meat) and water. Then we seal the cooker container with the lid and heat it on the stove. Slowly the temperature of the water increases. As the container is closed along with the steam stop valve, the inner volume cannot expand. For this reason, the pressure inside the cooker grows, increasing the boiling point of water. Thus, water does not convert into steam fast, but the temperature continuously increases, making the cooking faster. This is why a pressure cooker reduces cooking time

Can a pressure cooker be used on an induction stove?

On an induction stove, you can only use pressure cookers that are made of ferromagnetic materials. For this reason, Aluminium pressure cookers cannot be used on induction cooktops. However, most of the recent pressure cooker models we have recommended can be used on induction cooktops. When choosing a pressure cooker, make sure that it is compatible with induction cooking.

How many pressure cooker whistles do you need for cooking rice?

The number of pressure cooker whistles depends on the quantity and type of rice. Usually, for daily cooking, you need 3-4 whistles to prepare rice. When you start cooking, use a medium flame before the 1st whistle occurs. Lower the flame afterward and allow the pressure cooker to whistle 2-3 times more.

Can a pressure cooker be washed in the dishwasher?

You can wash the pressure cooker containers, seals easily in a dishwasher. But you should never attempt to wash the lid and steam valve inside a dishwasher. The reason behind it is that the valve and its port can be clogged with unwanted food particles resulting in blockage to the steam path.

How much water does a pressure cooker need?

For cooking any food in a pressure cooker, you need at least 1.5 times more water by volume than the food item. Usually, we need 1-2 cups of water for cooking in a pressure cooker. Do not put less amount of water as the food may get burnt. Adding excess water results in a loss in the flavor and texture of the cooked food.


best pressure cookers in India

India’s Best Pressure Cooker: Conclusion

In all, it can be said that pressure cookers work as a friend to us and most of us will definitely get one or more for our kitchen. We do hope that the points that we have mentioned will help you in your journey of purchasing a good pressure cooker in 2024.

Also, check out the products that we have mentioned as they are some of the best pressure cookers in India right now. Do your research and we are sure that your product will last in your kitchen for a long time.


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