Kitchen

[traveler]

I am a fan of the slow cooker. Today I am setting up chicken tortilla soup. BUT I have been looking at the 4 qt. pressure cooker. Do you use one? What do you like about it? Don't want another gadget.

[suzyQ3]

We have two Kuhn-Rikon stovetop PCs and use them often, especially during the cooler months. One is an 8-quart dutch oven, and the other is a 5-quart "braiser" pictured here that is excellent for dishes that require browning and then braising and that don't require a large amount of liquid.

We have tried time and again over the years to like slow cookers, but we just don't like the end result. The difference in taste and quality with PCs is clear, in our opinion.

I would caution you, though, to keep in mind that you can fill a PC no more than 2/3 full ( I believe that's the correct measurement.) So be sure that you would be able to utilize a 4-qt PC.

[traveler]

3 adults here and DH hates leftovers. Should I be looking at 6 quart?

[suzyQ3]

On 10/3/2014 traveler said:

3 adults here and DH hates leftovers. Should I be looking at 6 quart?

What do you guys do if you cook a pot roast or stew or soup? Usually that serves more than three people. You don't save it or freeze it or anything?

You should convince you husband that some dishes taste much better left over.

Knowing that you can't fill the vessel up more than two-thirds, I would go bigger rather than smaller. Six quarts is a nice size and would give you more options.

[traveler]

currently I use the slow cooker for all of those. Yes, soup has leftovers for lunches a day or two. Pot roast is recycled in enchiladas for something.

[Poodlepet2]

Traveler, I use both slow cooker, and PC... when I plan, it's the slow cooker.....but when I don't, it's the PC. I would compromise and go with a 4 at stove top: if you have gas, you might need a diffuser. I have many PC books, and just about everybody recommends 6 at, but if you don't want leftovers, the 4 at is probably best.... that being said, pot roast and soups freeze very well and I find them to be even better a month or two after they have spent time in the freezer. Poodlepet

[Poodlepet2]

Traveler, I use both slow cooker, and PC... when I plan, it's the slow cooker.....but when I don't, it's the PC. I would compromise and go with a 4 at stove top: if you have gas, you might need a diffuser. I have many PC books, and just about everybody recommends 6 at, but if you don't want leftovers, the 4 at is probably best.... that being said, pot roast and soups freeze very well and I find them to be even better a month or two after they have spent time in the freezer. Poodlepet

[suzyQ3]

On 10/3/2014 traveler said:

currently I use the slow cooker for all of those. Yes, soup has leftovers for lunches a day or two. Pot roast is recycled in enchiladas for something.

Oh, okay, well, then, you do eat left-overs, just in a new form.

Yes, and I understand that you use and like your slow cooker. But you did ask for opinions. I think the PC does a better job in keeping flavors bright and distinct. I think the food is more flavorful and that it retains more nutrients.

In addition to the obvious foods that you can cook in a PC, you can also make a wonderful risotto without having to stand there and stir it. Pressure-cooked fresh artichokes are amazing and, of course, take much less time than conventional cooking. Just two examples.

If you decide to try a PC, do invest in one or two good PC cookbooks.

[traveler]

Thank you for the replies. Plenty to think about. Years ago I bought a pc cookbook by Bob Warden. Read it but obviously never cooked from it. Now Bob is selling the Ninja tsv. Times sure do change.

[mima]

I love my 4 qt. pressure cooker. I use it several times a week. I have a 6 qt. one also, but don't use that as often. There are only 2 of us, so a big one isn't needed most of the time.

I also love my slow cooker. There are needs for both units.