Cheap Innova Stainless Steel 8-Quart Pressure Cooker with Steamer Insert and Bonus Lid (Kitchen) Price

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Customer Reviews of Innova Stainless Steel 8-Quart Pressure Cooker with Steamer Insert and Bonus Lid

In all Fairness
An earlier review stated that this pan did not recieve any awards and that the American Culinary Institute does not exist. Actually, both statements are false. If you don't believe me, then check the websites for yourself. The American Culinary Institute can be found at http://www.qii.org and for reference on the actual award, might I suggest these websites: http://www.qualitykitchen.com/innovapressurecooker.htm , http://store.yahoo.com/dreamkitchen/in6qtprescoo.html , or one of the other 63 sites that were listed when I typed in a search on Altavista.com

I think it is only fair to get the facts straight about this particular piece of cookware. I've cooked with this pan for over a decade and it has never given me one minute of trouble. I bought one for my mother 6 years ago and will be purchasing another for my sister as a wedding present. It's a strong, durable, easy to operate, and safe pan to use.

There are many improvements from the old fashioned canners and pressure cookers that I grew up with. Veteran chefs will remember when pressure cookers had no safety features like pop-up valves, a blow out seal (if you overheat or improperly seal the pan), and a steam release button - all of which are found in this model. You nearly risked life and limb when you had to manually lift the pressure weight to slowly release steam. Let's also not forget what happened if you weren't paying close attention to the pressure gauge. You learned that your mistake would cost time and money since you had to send your entire lid back to the manufacturer to have a whole new pressure release valve installed.

With this pressure cooker, no one need ever face the trials and tribulations that used to accompany pressure cookers. For the average home user - especially those who have never used a pressure cooker before, this is an incredible bargain that is easy to use, safe, and a long-term performer. It deserves a fair review and the credit it is due.

2+ dishes in the time for one
In short, this is an excellent, practical, mid-level pressure cooker. Because of its fast cooking and ease of multitasking with a pressure cooker, I can comfortably cook 2 to 4 dishes in the time I used to prepare just one dish.

This pressure cooker is a jiggle-top model that makes soft hiss noise while cooking. While there are some minor inconveniences, this cooker is just as good as any other pressure cooker of comparable specs. The pressure goes up to legitimate 15 psi unlike some inferior products going only to 10-13 psi. The pot is made from stainless steel with aluminum bottom clad. This means that the heat is evenly distributed across the bottom, and the cooking can be done at the standard 15 psi. Lower maximum pressure means longer cooking time.

The pressure (5, 10, 15 psi) is adjustable, but this is done by changing the configuration of the jiggling weight. This is of no inconvenience to me because I use it at 15 psi all the time. Some of the expensive models can change the pressure by turning the dial, but I wonder what is the actual utility for that feature.

Like all modern pressure cookers, the lid locks in by bayonet mechanism, not screw mount mechanism. So it's easy to tell when the lid is not locked properly. But I find this bayonet lid is not the easiest I've used. It takes a bit of getting used to. With all the safety features and well designed pressure releasing mechanism, I feel that this pressure cooker is very safe to operate with ordinary precaution.

The pressure indicator pops up when there is pressure in the pot. However, this indicator is pretty much all-or-nothing indicator and the pressure cannot be estimated from the length of the part of the indicator that sticks out. However, you can tell when the pressure reaches the nominal 15 psi because of the hiss noise and rocking weight.

After all, this pressure cooker is a very usable full-spec unit, though it doesn't provide the full convenience features found in models that are 2x more expensive. I think this is a very sensible buy.

I initially thought that this cooker was too big for me. But if I were to buy one now, after using this for a few days, I would go for a bigger one listed at a few more dollars. Why? It's because, with a suitable wire rack, two dishes can be cooked together. For example, a soup can be cooked in the bottom, and rice can be cooked in a Pyrex or earthware bowl supported by a wire rack. Or stew in the bottom, steamed potato on top. As long as the food cooked in the bottom has some water, something else can be steamed in the same pot!