Pressure Cooker - How Big? / Small?

[David_Old_Jersey]

Not sure if this merits a new thread, but I am starting at a "low base"  when it comes to cooking, let alone Pressure cookers....but I have decided I need one.

On the boat will be cooking for 1 maybe 2 peeps so I was thinking I do not want a Pressure Cooker that can cope with a party of 10 - and then have the problem of storing it as well as simply heating it up!

Saw a small Pressure Cooker in a local cookery store recently and I thought to myself "that looks about the right size for the boat" - but then it occurred to me that their may be very good reasons why small is not in fact better........and I saw a thread here where someone was buying their 5th!!.......

I am guessing yer can use them on Electric (home) as well as on Flame (boat).....

Today I managed Pancakes 

[AdriftAtSea]

One advantage of larger pressure cookers is that they're a bit more versatile.  You can often bake in them, which is a bit tough to do in the smaller ones.

[CapnK]

David -

Mine is a 4.2 quart KitchenPro Mirro WearEver brand (things must change *fast* in the pressure cooker business!!!), and it seems about the right size for 1-2 folks.

[Delezynski]

David,

Not trying to add to your qundry, but size is not the only question.

As AdraftAtSea said you may want to bake bread or cakes in it? That may be decided by what it's made out of, Stainless Steel, Al, or The shape of it also can play a role if you decide you might want to try canning meat or for longer voyages.

Jill and I just finished a pressure cooker project you might be interested in. You can see it on our WEB site.

Greg

[David_Old_Jersey]

What do I want to do with it?

MMMmmmm.......probably want to at least try Bread and Cakes - whether I would carry on is another thing!

Canning? Well, I did kinda mention this before  - I guess would be good to keep me options open.......but if I end up with a large one to do this - does it affect me only cooking small portions for 1 person?


Been looking at this link:-

http://www.homeandbeyond.com/pressure-cookers---canners.html

I like the one in the top right corner - mainly cos no sticky out handle. and the colour 

Albeit will buy locally, so choice may differ / be more restricted.

Am I going to end up with 2 of them - a small every day one and one for special projects?..........and am I after Alu or Stainless?


BTW just looked at the website:-

http://delezynski.tripod.com/Guenevere/id6.html am probably being a bit thick! -can't seem to find a Pressure Cooker project  ......will try again tommorow - now 1 am here........am off for my Beauty Sleep - I need it!

[CharlieJ]

A really good case can be made for two of them. A smaller 4 quart model for just cooking things, and a larger one (6 qt? 8 qt?) for use as an oven to bake in. Plus that bigger one is just a bigger pot.

Remember- you don't HAVE to use them as pressure cookers- you can leave the weight off and then they are pretty much regular pots with a lock on lid. Means if you are cooking underway - or at anchor when that jackass throws his huge wake at you- should it get tossed off the stove, the lid has a shot a staying on. You haven't lived until a pot comes off the stove and spews all over the cabin- when you are cooking spaghetti sauce. And you don't have to be at sea for that to happen.

You can also bake cakes in them, as Laura shows in this picture

[AdriftAtSea]

This is the set I'd recommend.

LINK

[Delezynski]

David,

For our web site link about Pressure cooking, try:
http://www.svguenevere.com/dvd/ggpc/

Greg

[sharkbait]

I've been looking at PC's also and found some small ones on amazon 2.5 - 3.5qt.
 I'm only going to use it for rice and beans.

[Delezynski]

Sharkbait,

Grab a book or read the directions before you purchase it. When you make beans in one you need to make sure it is not filled more than 1/2 full! Beans can foam when cooking and clog the relief valve. There are ways around that, but it's a learning process.

Greg

[Manannan]

I've been looking at PC's also and found some small ones on amazon 2.5 - 3.5qt.
 I'm only going to use it for rice and beans.

Too bad to limit yourself, pressure cookers offer more than cooking rice and beans. 4 qt is a minimum, after that all depend of  the space available to store it. And also It is always nice to have a decent size pot to cook crabs or the lobsters you gonna catch or trade    

[Delezynski]

David_Old_Jersey and sharkbait,

Jill and I were just talking and she suggested,
"Get the biggest Pressure Cooker you can carry",
(on your 30 ft or under boat). You will find a LOT of uses for it. We like ours as it does not have a long handle that sticks out.

Also, we found that REI sells a nesting set of Stainless Steel pots that nest INSIDE our pressure cooker! Space saving!

Greg

[David_Old_Jersey]

After my Beauty Sleep I have developed a cunning plan......will buy the small one I saw.....and use it at home to learn on........and then afterwards buy a big one (I'm not on me Dollar a Day budget this year  ).......I figure onboard most of the use will not be canning or baking. I do have a fair bit of room onboard at 30 foot and I am sure I can find room for 2 Pressure Cookers - especially if I also use the big one for storage.

Recently bought a Small Frying Pan and a Saucepan with folding handles (Tefal).......am not much of a cook but like using decent gear, even if not top notch.......the boat stuff is useable, but not great.




Frying pan makes a great omellete 

I am a bit of a sucker for things that look useful.......

[Delezynski]

WOW!!!

I LIKE those frying pans!  ' I have not seen them before. I will keep an eye out for a set for us.

THANKS!!

Greg

[David_Old_Jersey]

They have a bit of weight in them - and feel good, but not what I would call top notch (like I really know what I am talking about!! )......but they are real day to day use stuff and 100% NOT camping pans or anything close, which I really do not like (even if they do stack neatly).

Oh yeah, the big sell was the folding and NOT detachable handles.......to ensure I do not lose them 

[Delezynski]

David,

Where are you? Where did you pick up the pans? I seem to only see them (on line) in the UK. I may have to order a set.

Greg

[CapnK]

Those do look cool.

[wild one]

This is just my opinion about pressure cookers/canners. Two of them is the way to go. One small 4qt size for one night meals and a large one for canning or large meals/items. Some are made for cooking and are limited as canners but you can can just about anything for latter use, even complete meals. I own one of the small cookers with a rubber seal for its size but I have several CANNERS that range from 6qt. to 30qt. All the CANNERS have machined surfaces on the lid and pot so I never have to worry about replacing the seal and they all have a weight that lets you change the pressure to 5-10-15lbs so theres no gouge to go bad over time as well. These have 4 to 8 wing type nuts that close them tightly for pressure or lose as a lid only if you want. I have got all of these canners from yard sales and one was made in the 30s' with the machined seal and adjustable weight that still work just like new. For a durable canner you just cant beat the machined seal and weight type models. Look at some books about cooking with canners and you will see the range of of ways you can cook and preserve food with them and you may agree a large and small one is the way to go

[David_Old_Jersey]

David,

Where are you? Where did you pick up the pans? I seem to only see them (on line) in the UK. I may have to order a set.

Greg

I'm in the UK.

Just done some Googles, seems that TEFAL is known as T-FAL in the US http://www.t-falusa.com/tefal/products/category/index_100.asp?category%5Fid=100&mscssid=0G5LCT9PKCA78MTUKSF9JUJ3PEHK0X04 - but this site does not have them!

Could be a Biz opportunity for someone.........

[CapnK]

David -

Could be a biz opportunity, *for YOU*...

I looked online and could only see the T-fal Compact line available in the UK as well. Maybe folks could get you to send them across the pond?