Size Matters

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Remember you can cook small amounts in a large pressure cooker, but you can't cook large amounts in a small pressure cooker. Even if you are only planning to cook foe one or two, remember that you can only fill a pressure cooker 2/3 full for most foods, and only 1/2 full for dried beans and  other foods that foam froth or expand.

What Size Do I Need?

Pressure cookers and canners come in all sizes from small 2 quarts to large 10 and 12 quart models, and every size in between. The size you choose may depend on the serving portions, your available cooking space and the kind of recipes you like to cook, as well as your budget. To get the maximum use out of a pressure cooker, I recommend buying the largest size you can afford.

To get the maximum use out of a pressure cooker, avoid buring anything smaller than a 5 quart for your primary use pressure cooker. The smaller 2 to 4 quart size models are great for a secondary pot to cook side dishes and small portions of some foods, but they are not suitable for foods that foam, froth or axpand. See the Capacity Chart to see the maximum fill levels for all sizes of pressure cookers.

Here are some things to consider:

  •   Listen to your Mama, bigger is better when it comes to pressure cookers. The 6 quart size is a good size for most recipes that will serve up to five people.
     
  • Large families will appreciate the capacity of a 7 or 8 quart size, and it will allow you more versatility to use my PIP cooking technique or the other cooking methods used in today's modern pressure cooker.
     
  • The larger sizes permit cooks to use more accessories inside the pressure cooker,and cook larger, bulkier foods like whole chickens, rib roasts, large meat roasts, racks ribs and whole ears of corn.
     
  • If you like to cook ahead, or plan to use bulk or Once A Month Cooking (OAMC}, then the larger pressure cookers will let you cook in quantity and freeze the extra portions.
     
  • Let me mention the importance of diameter. As a rule the diameter of the pot increase with the size. The larger diameter pressure cookers will accommodate a wider variety of accessory inserts and bulkier foods. At a minimum, look for at least a 7 inch diameter.
     
  • One thing to consider when deciding to purchase any large size pot is the filled weight. If you are a small person, or you have a few years on your frame (like me) and the disabilities to match, then a heavy pot can be a chore to move. Certainly stainless steel is heavier than aluminum, and if you have accessories in the pot as well as food, that adds to the weight. 

Related Articles

10 Rules of Pressure Cooking

5 Formulas For Foods That Foam, Froth Or Expand

 
 

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