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Best pressure cookers of 2018

When you’re so busy that you barely have time to text your friends back, living a healthy lifestyle can be a struggle. One of the biggest barriers to eating well is lack of time so when it comes to cooking, speed is the key. Pressure cookers are a good choice for the time-stretched as they can be used to make meals around 30 per cent quicker than other appliances.

They are sealed with a lid to create hot stream and pressure that cooks food fast and thoroughly, so you can make a hearty soup in minutes instead of hours, and aren’t to be confused with slow cookers – which use low heat and cook over longer periods of time. The pans only need a small amount of water to cook, helping retain the original vitamins and minerals of your food. They’re also highly energy efficient (thus money-saving).

Dating back as far as the 1600s, pressure cookers became popular in British households during the Second World War and have come a long way since they were first introduced. These days, there are more varieties and they have lots of built-in safety features to prevent them from producing too much steam. Some of the newer models can also be used as a slow cooker and for cooking meat. Here are five of the best to buy now.

Prestige Smart+ Hard Anodised Pressure Cooker

For large families, go for this super-durable cooker from long-standing kitchenware brand Prestige. Built to last, it’s created from hard anodized aluminium – which is twice as hard as stainless steel – and has a large 6L capacity that allows you to make more in one go. The two pressure settings (8lb and 12lb) mean you can cook a range of foods from lentils to meat, while a pressure indicator ensures the steam is released away from you. We like how the simple design makes it easy to move around when you’re in a hurry. With a lifetime guarantee, you really can’t go wrong with this one.

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£71.99 | John Lewis| Buy it now

Pressure King Pro Digital Pressure Cooker

Take the hassle out of those last-minute dinners with the digital Pressure King Pro, which is the most versatile cooker on our list. From slow cooking to sautéing, it has a whole lot of functions to play around with and help you bring a show off-worthy dish to the table – so you won’t need other gadgets. As well as a 24-hour delay timer that can be set in the morning to start cooking in the evening, the dishwasher-safe pot is also built with a keep-warm function to ensure your food stays warm until you’re ready to serve. A recipe book packed with more than 50 recipes means you won’t be stumped for meal ideas, either. The (only) downside for us was its hefty size, which makes it tricky to store in smaller kitchens.

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£59.99 | Currys | Buy it now

Russell Hobbs RH003

Featuring a ‘quick click’ locking system and a generous 7L capacity, this Russell Hobbs offering provides plenty of bangs for your buck and is a steal at £30. The cooker comes complete with a steamer basket, which is useful for keeping certain foods separate from the liquid needed to produce steam – including poultry and steamed vegetables, and is crafted from aluminium for high durability as well as a hassle-free clean. It’s also designed with a clear pressure indicator that makes it easy to know when your meal is done and phenolic handles that remain cool up to 350 degrees.

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£38.98 | Amazon | Buy it now

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A good all-rounder, the VonShef Pressure Cooker has various safety features that make it a perfect option for when you’re rushed off your feet – such as a one-button pressure release and a spring valve to adjust the pressure level. It’s made from warp and scratch-resistant stainless steel – which resists oxidation, so you can count on it to be a helper in your kitchen for years to come, and its 6L size is just right for making family meals. Unlike some pressure cookers, this one works with every cooking surface including electric and gas.

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£32.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

Lakeland 3L Pressure Cooker

If you’re new to pressure cooking, then this Lakeland option is a good place to start. Offering two pressure settings for cooking a variety of foods and an easy-to-use lid locking system, its small size (3L) makes it ideal for kitchens with limited space and can cook for 2-3 people. Our favourite part is the bonus glass lid, which means it can be used as a large stockpot in the oven or a regular pan on the hob for browning. Thanks to a helpful indicator, it’s easy to see when the cooker has reached full pressure. It’s suitable for all hob types and both the pan and lid are oven-safe up to 180 degrees.

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£79.99 | Lakeland | Buy it now

Tefal Clipso Minut' Easy Pressure Cooker

This stainless steel option from Tefal allows you to cook delicious meals quickly and easily. The multi-tasking machine raises the temperatures to steam, brown, bake, boil and sauté without the fuss. The 6L cookers puts safety at the forefront with five security systems and a one-handed opening system. It also has a 10 year guarantee.

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£140 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Tower Pro 4 Litre One Touch Pressure Cooker

Set to transform your cooking, this stainless-steel option provides food for the whole family with the four litre capacity. Using 90% less fuel as well as being easy to clean, this product will simply the cooking process.

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£49 | Argos | Buy it now

Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker

The Crock-Pot express promises to make delicious and healthy meals 70% faster than traditional cooking methods. With four options; pressure cook, slow cook, steam and brown, the easy-to-use device will revolutionise your Sunday lunch – cooking a whole chicken in 30 minutes.

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£89.99 | Amazon | Buy it now

Pressure King Pro Digital Pressure Cooker

In a bold red hue, this pressure cooker will allow you to cook meals 90% faster than an oven, while also having the option to slow cook your meal so that dinner is ready when you get home. The device lock in more nutrients and flavours to your cooking, while being easy to use and clean.

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£69.99 | Currys | Buy it now

Verdict:

The simple design and fast results of the Prestige Smart+ made it our top choice for cooking in a rush. If you can stretch to it, the Pressure King Pro has plenty of functions to help you get the most out of it. Our favourite budget option was the generously sized Russell Hobbs RH003.

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