Best Pressure Cooker For Beans You Want To Have In Your Kitchen

Do you want to know the best products for cooking bean dishes? Please have a look at this review I made.

1. Gourmia GPC965 Digital Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker - Automatic Pressure Release - 13 Cook Modes - 6 Qt

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Pros:

• Precise thermostat
• Anti-splashing design
• Multiple safety functions
• Automatic pressure release
• Good construction that lasts a long time

Cons:

• The dial mechanism is not very precise

2. ZAVOR LUX LCD 8 Quart Programmable Electric Multi-Cooker: Pressure Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Steamer - Stainless Steel (ZSELL03)

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Pros:

• Panel lock function
• Over 33 programmable settings
• The stainless steel inner pot is dishwasher-friendly
• The mute feature disables all unit sounds for quiet operation

Cons:

• The silicone gasket absorbs and holds cooking odors

3. Hamilton Beach 34500 6 Qt Pressure Cooker with Unique Steam Release Button, Slow Cook Technology, 10 Preset Programs, Silver

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Pros:

• Has a lift-out roasting rack
• Perfect for slow-cooking dishes
• Safe steam release with one button
• Can bring out the best flavor in any ingredient

Cons:

• The lid is not completely air-tight

4. GoWISE USA GW22700 12-in-1 Multifunctional Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless-Steel Steam Rack and Basket, 6-QT

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Pros:

• Detachable power cord
• Manual and auto timer mode
• Comes with multiple accessories
• PTFE and PFOA-free non-stick ceramic coated pot
• The inner pot has  aluminum alloy and ceramic coating

Cons:

• It starts to show signs of leaking after one year of usage

5. Cuckoo CMC-ZSN601F 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, 20 Menu Options, Stainless Steel Inner Pot, 6 QT, Black

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Pros:

• Reasonable price
• Twenty menu options
• Versatile cooking presets
• Very durable and secure knob
• Comes from a trusted Korean brand

Cons:

• The brim can trap dirt and dust particles

6. Presto 02141 6-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker, Black, Silver

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Pros:

• High-speed cooking
• Clear cover lock indicator
• The package includes an instruction booklet
• Quick pressure release valve and cover lock

Cons:

• The exterior is vulnerable to external impact

7. Mueller 6 Quart Pressure Cooker 10 in 1, Cook 2 Dishes at Once, Tempered Glass Lid incl, Saute, Slow Cooker, Yogurt Maker

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Pros:

• Build to last
• Removeable lid seal
• Food-grade 304 stainless steel
• Preserve nutrients and improve food’s flavor
• Capable of cooking two dishes at the same time

Cons:

• Replacements for components are not widely available on the market

8. Instant Pot Smart Wifi 6 Quart Multi-use Electric Pressure, Slow, Rice Cooker, Yogurt, Cake Maker, Sauté, Steamer and Warmer, Silver

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Pros:

• Reliable performance
• Clear LED digital display
• Compatible with Alexa and wifi
• Multiple built-in safety features
• Perfect size for most households

Cons:

• The insert doesn’t have measurement marks

Below are some pieces of information worthy of attention that you might want to know before choosing the pressure cooker you want:

Container’s Volume

Pressure cookers come in varying shapes and sizes, from small-sized models that can only hold under 5 liters, to big-sized variants capable of storing over 10 liters of content. 

According to customers’ feedback, mid-sized pressure cookers are the most popular size among households. These models can hold five to seven liters of food and liquid.

Please take note that their actual capacity is lesser than the numbers I mentioned above. Before closing the lid to start cooking, you should make sure that the content inside only fills up about fifty percent or seventy-five percent full to prevent spillovers.

Lid’s material

No matter which size you are looking for, a decent-quality lid is the must-have feature of a good pressure cooker. 

A well-made lid must be durable, ergonomic (which means it should feel right when you hold it in your hand), and fit nicely with the rim.

You can choose from two types of material for the lid: stainless steel or hardened glass. 

Stainless steel lid is a classical and familiar option to many people. A steel lid performs its duty well enough: hold in heat, retain moisture and build up pressure inside the cooking chamber.

In my opinion, hardened glass lids are the better option because their naturally see-through surface allows you to check on the cooking progress without having to remove the cover.

Heat and steam will escape outside if you have a loose lid, wasting precious heat and energy. Poorly-made lids will lengthen the cooking process and allow food to splash onto your floor or countertop.

Wattage

Generally, the wattage range of pressure cookers is 1000W to 1500W. They consume approximately 0.8 KW to 1 KW of electricity per hour.

While higher power consumption means more electricity is required, it also means faster cooking and less time waiting. If you don’t mind the electric bill, opt for products with higher wattage.

Lid lock

The seemingly simple lock is perhaps the most crucial item on a pressure cooker. The pressure lock secures the lid to the rim of the cooker’s body. This lock is the line that separates a low-quality product from a decent one.

No matter how beautiful and expensive a pressure cooker is, without the locking mechanism on the lid, that product is worthless. If the lock is defective, you will end up with an oversized pot because, at that point, the pressure cooker isn’t useable anymore.

With that said, no matter how small your budget is, you must not skimp money on a defective product with a poor lid lock.

Container’s material

The container is where you put your ingredients and spices for pressure cooking. There are two types of pressure cooker inserts for you to choose from:

Stainless steel: Due to the nature of the material, these inserts are perfect for heat retention. Stainless steel is very sturdy, long-lasting, and easy to clean. High-quality products can even have corrosion-resistant properties.

Aluminum: They are much lighter than their steel counterparts. This material is also an excellent heat transfer medium. Some variants of aluminum containers have different layers of metal as their coating.

Both materials have pros and cons, but from personal experience, I recommend choosing a stainless steel container. Due to their lower price, you can consider them the best option for cost-effectiveness.

Power Output

Generally, the wattage range of pressure cookers is 1000W to 1500W. They consume approximately 0.8 KW to 1 KW of electricity per hour.

While higher power consumption means more electricity is required, it also means faster cooking and less time waiting. If you don’t mind the electric bill, opt for products with higher wattage.

Do I have to soak the beans before cooking?

You can cook your beans with a pressure cooker whether you soaked them or not. Both methods will give similar results since you are cooking with a pressure cooker.

If you want to soak them, do so with clean water. Put your beans into a large bowl, then pour water enough to be 5 centimeters above the top layer of beans.

You can find further details about bean cooking in a cookbook or online recipes about bean dishes. Feel free to look them up.

What is their average lifespan?

Normally, a pressure cooker can last ten years with regular usage.

Under proper care and maintenance, this product can last up to fifteen years.

How much do they cost?

They can cost anywhere from $120 to over $1300, depending on the brand, quality, and size of the product you want.

You don’t need premium-quality items to have a memorable cooking experience. The standard-quality, reliable, and widely available products only cost around $180.

Are they easy to clean?

You can effortlessly clean the container and the exterior of a pressure cooker.

The tricky part is the nooks and crannies of the cooker, places like the rubber feet, the space between the handle and the rim, the bottom of the lid, etc. These places are where dirt, stains, and residues will accumulate.

To clean them, prepare a thin, soft rag and soapy water. These simple tools can help you properly clean a pressure cooker.

What accessories should I pair with it?

Although you don’t need anything extra, having some accessories are always lovely as they make your cooking experience much more enjoyable.

I recommend that you buy the following things:

• A recipe book.
• A water strainer for your beans
• A pair of mittens
• A pressure cooker liner
• One big-sized wooden spoon.