Amazon Basics Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, 4 litres, Silver

I have just used this item for the first time. The cooker comes with a good instruction booklet on how to use and maintain the cooker. My cooker is induction, and it worked fine. I like the simplicity of the design, reminding me of the first one I had (second hand) many years ago. The simplicity of design makes it easy to clean and look after. The cooker has two pressure settings and comes with a spare gasket. This is a nice item, and it seems well made. I recommend it without hesitation.

Replacing my old one that seal had worn out. Good price and works well.

In light of the mixed reviews, I was apprehensive about purchasing this product. Thankfully, the pressure cooker works rather well (so far). Hence, I wrote this review to assist other potential buyers who may also share my reservations. Points to note, in no particular order, include: (1) STAINLESS STEEL BODY: Good quality, heavy stainless steel. It has a thick base to prevent burning. This is NOT flimsy rubbish, it is a quality item. The listing states the 4L weighs 2.61kg. (2) INDUCTION COMPATIBLE: Works on my induction without any problems. (3) EASY OPERATION: Operating the pressure cooker is pretty straight forward and if you follow the instructions CAREFULLY you should be fine. To help those who have not used a stove top pressure cooker before the steps are as follows: * Check all vents are clean and clear. * Place the gasket in the lid. * Place the requisite amount of food and liquid/water in the pan. IMPORTANT: when pressure cooking food items it is important to remember that: (a) a specific minimum amount of water is required for pressure cooking (manual states 330mL) as pressure cooking is based on the steam generated from the water (basically, low water = low steam = low pressure = not cooking at pressure) and (b) set ratios of water are required for certain food items e.g. as a very rough guide, 1 cup of beans requires 3 cups of water when pressure cooking, obviously the exact ratio varies with specific beans and you will need to look this information up on the internet. * Place the lid on the pan and make sure you ALIGN the arrows on the pan handle with the arrows on the lid correctly. Then slide them over each other to close. * Push the red locking button situated on the handle downwards. I once, accidentally forgot and was quickly reminded when water promptly commenced leaking from the handle (!). * Select the desired cooking level 1 (low) or 2 (high) on the pressure regulator valve. * Place pressure cooker on the heat source and set the heat on high-medium. (Side note: the first time I used the pressure cooker I used 1600W on my induction but when it reached pressure, steam blasted out like an explosion, thereafter, I decreased it to 1200W, this takes longer to reach pressure but is less explosive when it does). * When working pressure is reached, the regulator valve (steam valve) will release steam continuously, now turn the heat DOWN. I use a medium–low heat setting, this equates to 600W on my induction (this is a lower heat setting than I use with my Hawkins, thus I was sceptical at first, however, the food still cooks at similar times). Visually you should see a small controlled, steady continuous stream of steam coming out of the valve (not a big blast!). NOTE 1: If steam is blasting out, you have set the heat too high, IMMEDIATELY decrease the heat. Leaving the heat too high will make the liquid/water evaporate quickly; this will cause food to burn. Worse still, potentially, the internal pressure can built up to unsafe levels (and in the worst case scenario, should all the safety mechanisms be overridden, causing it to burst open). If you wish to use a stove top pressure cooker, make sure you use it safely and properly. NOTE 2: When pressure has been reached a small red button will pop up (called the ‘safety valve/pressure indicator’ in the manual) and it situated on the top part of the handle near the red locking button. This button (‘safety valve/pressure indicator’) will pop back down when the pressure cooker depressurises after it has been taken off the heat source. * Cook the food for the requisite amount of time – this may involve some trial and error. The Amazon manual does NOT give cooking times (!). Fortunately, the manual with my old Hawkins was great; it provides cooking times for different beans, so I am able to use that as a rough estimate. NOTE 1: The cooking time starts when steam is released from the pressure valve (i.e. the pressure cooker reaches functioning pressure and food is now being cooked under pressure) and NOT from the time when you switch the heat source on (as food is not cooking under pressure at the start because the pressure cooker has not reached functioning pressure). I hope this makes sense. NOTE 2: When cooking legumes/beans the cooking times can vary significantly depending upon: (a) the type of bean being cooked and (b) whether the legumes/beans have been pre-soaked or not. You will need to look up the cooking times on the internet. * When the cooking time is complete, turn the heat source off and remove pressure cooker from heat source to allow the pressure to come down. The safety valve (red button that popped up on the handle when cooking pressure had been reached) will go down to indicate it is now safe to open the pressure cooker. Decreasing the pressure takes around 10 mins (never actually timed), and will depend on numerous factors like quantity food, size of pressure cooker, temperature used during pressure cooking etc. This natural cool down method is advised in the manual for foods that foam. NOTE: this model does NOT support the quick steam release method of placing it under a running tap. (4) TWO COOKING PRESSURES: (a) Gentle cooking = 50 kpa = 111.35 oC (setting 1). Steaming and stewing delicate foods e.g. veg, fish, fruit. (b) Fast cooking = 90 kpa = 118.6 oC (setting 2). Cooking and braising e.g. meat, soup, stews etc. (5) QUIET OPERATION (for a pressure cooker): This is a relatively quiet pressure cooker. This is in comparison with my Hawkins pressure cooker that gives off intermittent blasts of steam and sounds like a steam engine (!). (6) SPARE GASKET PROVIDED: The silicone gasket provided is good quality. The pressure cooker also comes with an extra spare gasket – a useful addition. (7) BAKELITE HANDLES: I was worried the plastic looking handle would be flimsy but it seems secure; however, only time will reveal the robustness. (8) PRESSURE REGULATOR VALVE: On the negative side, the steam valve seems quite flimsy; I use it with extra care. (It is not as robust as the steam valves on my Hawkins pressure cooker, but then again, my Hawkins was more expensive). (9) INTERNAL CAPACITY LEVEL INDICATORS: Internally the pan has markers indicating the total volume capacity for 2/3 full, ½ full and 1/3 full. (10) TOTAL COOKING VOLUME: I purchased the 4L pan to cook small quantities. I already own an 8L Hawkins pressure cooker for larger/batch cooking. It is very IMPORTANT for a novice to understand that with respect to a stove top pressure cooker, you should NEVER fill a pressure cooker: (a) No more than 2/3 full EVER and this includes the requisite liquid/water required for cooking. (b) No more than ½ full (including water) for foods that expands e.g. rice, dried food etc. My Hawkins manual also advises: (c) No more than 1/3 full (including water) for foods that froth during cooking e.g. moong lentils. In the case of frothing foods, if frothing still occurs, you may need to reduce the quantity further. In light of this guidance, it should be apparent now why there are internal markers inside the pan indicating the total volume, namely, 1/3, ½ and 2/3. * Overfilling can result in a big mess and water/food particles spraying all over the place via the steam vent etc. * The Amazon manual advises that food that can excessively foam + froth and thus clog the pressure release device (steam vent) should NOT be cooked in a pressure cooker. EG: applesauce, cranberries, pearly barley, oatmeal or other cereals, split peas, noodles, macaroni, rhubarb or spaghetti. The point here is that a pressure cooker has its limitations. ***IMPORTANT*** * When deciding whether to purchase the 4L or 6L model, the total allowable/safe cooking capacity is a very important consideration * In real terms this means that for a 4L pressure cooker, the approximate volume capacity (including liquid/water) is: (i) at 2/3 capacity is 2.7L (maximum capacity); (ii) at ½ capacity is 2L (e.g. dried foods); (iii) at 1/3 capacity is 1.3L (e.g. moong lentils). If these volumes are too small then you may wish to consider buying the larger 6L model. * I hope a novice can now understand how the maximum allowable cooking capacity can reduce considerably, depending on the food being cooked and your personal usage requirements. (11) PRICE: At under £35 (at the time of purchase), in my opinion, this pressure cooker represents value for money. (12) USER MANUAL: The manual is good at providing information regarding how to use the pressure cooker. However, it falls short by not providing information on cooking times (!). This is a significant omission, especially for a novice who will have no idea how long to cook the food (and will have to search the internet). CONCLUSION: This pressure cooker is made from good quality stainless steel; with good functionality and is easy to operate; induction compatible; comes with an extra gasket and represents value for money. I am delighted with my purchase, and based on my experience thus far, I would not hesitate to recommend this product to others.

Easy to use, made of stainless, so should last for years. Spare silicone seal, a bonus. I always use stainless steel or cast iron to prevent aluminium particles leeching into the brain. Kenney

Good quality and price

Used this pressure cooker for about 18 months, then it stopped holding proper pressure. Not due to wear on the sealing ring - it came with two, each of which should last more than a year, and I always kept the ring lubricated with vegetable oil to minimise wear. Due to the spring on the pressure regulator losing its strength. Guess what? No spare parts available. My other pressure cooker, a 25 year old Prestige Smart Plus, uses a weight for pressure regulation. Ultimate reliability. So, I'm afraid, the Amazon Basics is in the dump, and I bought another Prestige. Best thing all round. Don't waste your money. If you intend to use a pressure cooker regularly (I use mine at least 3 times a week) then spend a little bit extra and get a decent one. This was a waste of money.

I don’t usually write reviews, but I think this product deserves one. I recently purchased a pressure cooker, and it has completely transformed the way I cook. Here are some standout features and my experience: Pros: 1. Time-Saving: The biggest benefit is the time it saves. Meat that usually takes an hour to cook is done in under 20 minutes. 2. Energy Efficient: Since it cooks so fast, it uses significantly less energy, reducing both time and electricity costs. 3. Clear Water Level Mark: One practical feature is the clear marking inside the cooker that shows the maximum and minimum water levels. This takes the guesswork out of the process, ensuring you never overfill or underfill it. Although it’s mentioned in the manual, it took me some trial and error at first to figure out the right amount of water and cooking time. I saw some reviews mentioning leaks or water spilling, and I experienced the same. However, after learning the right amount of water to use for different meats and vegetables, it works perfectly. *TIP - Before releasing the pressure, make sure to turn off the gas stove or fire first. Wait about 5 minutes, then release the pressure, ensuring the exhaust fan is on. I’ve learned that releasing the pressure immediately after turning off the stove can cause liquid to spill and make it feel like it's about to explode. But with practice, I found that waiting a few minutes before releasing the pressure works much better." 4. Safety Features: It took me a while to buy a pressure cooker because of my family’s experience with older models—like boiling water exploding. But modern pressure cookers come with built-in safety mechanisms. Just follow the instructions in the manual, and now I’m confident using it. I’ve gotten used to it. Cons: 1. Learning Curve: If you’ve never used a pressure cooker before, there’s a bit of a learning curve. Getting the timing right for different types of food takes practice. For example, when I first used it, I let the meat pressurize for 25 minutes, which was way too long—the meat turned out overly soft! I'm still learning the correct timing. 2. Noise: While not overly loud, the hissing sound during pressure release might be annoying to some, but it’s brief. 3.Bulky: Since we have a small kitchen, storing it is a bit of a hassle as it takes up a lot of space. 4. Weight: It’s kind of heavy, which can be inconvenient when moving it around. Overall, the pressure cooker is a fantastic addition to any kitchen. With a little practice, it becomes an essential tool for everyday cooking. I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to simplify their cooking routine, save time, and reduce electricity costs.

Commande respectée

Fungerar som den ska. Bra tryckkokare. Köpte egentligen en större än vad vi behövde men är nöjd med den

Excellent

Dieser Schnellkochtopf ist gut und preiswert, leicht zu bedienen und eine zweite Gummidichtung ist auch dabei.

Superbe. L'autocuiseur est bien conçu, bien épais, la cuisson des viandes est top ! Il faut bien respecter le niveau limite pour éviter les projections lorsqu'on fait redescendre la pression, et il faut la faire redescendre par crans, pas la relâcher directement en mettant sur la position max. En respectant ces étapes je n'ai pas eu les projections que certains décrivent 🤷 Je n'ai jamais eu de cuissons de viande aussi réussies pour les plats en sauce et même pour les viandes simplement sans sauces. Le résultat, une viande filandreuse, tendre, quasiment le même résultat que des viandes confites, incroyable. Sans cette gamelle, pour arriver au même résultat il faudrait des heures et des heures de cuissons. Bonjour les factures 😭 Je n'ai pas utilisé le panier vapeur, ce n'était pas l'élément qui m'intéressait dans cet achat donc je n'ai pas d'avis là-dessus. Je ne regrette absolument pas cet achat, on se régale !