Like many of my generation, the pressure cooker was commonplace in the kitchen of our youth. It was often a large, rattly monster of a machine that stood atop the gas stove, spitting, screaming and shouting at you, worrying you with the constant fear that it would explode at any moment. I was petrified of it. My mother, however, was not. She would happily cook whilst this beast frightened my sister and I out of the kitchen. Perhaps that is why she used it so often – to keep us from being under her feet!
Fortunately, pressure cookers of modern times are much better. They are quieter and safer, and can save you a lot of time and money. Joints are cooked to moist perfection in a much shorter time than using conventional cooking processes, and vegetables cooked in the steam of the pressure cooker maintain their healthy nutrients compared to boiling in water on the stove.
With induction hobs becoming the norm, many people are upgrading their pressure cookers to newer models that are useable on induction surfaces. Manufacturers have redesigned their pressure cookers to be safer, more stylish and easier to use. You still need to read the instructions and be aware of the dangers of pressure cookers, but using a pressure cooker is no longer the fearful experience it once was.
On this page I have taken a quick look at some of the most popular pressure cookers available in the UK. You will note that all of the products here have one long handle and one stubby handle opposite. Two handled pressure cookers are also commonly available and I will look at them in a future write up.
We try to update this page as often as we can with some of the highest rated pressure cookers available to purchase in the UK but you can also click here to find a list of the very best selling pressure cookers available on Amazon UK.
*Please note: Any prices shown are subject to change at any time.
The UK’s Best Selling Pressure Cookers in Detail
Tower Pressure Cooker with Steamer Basket, 3 Litre
This 3 Litre Tower Pressure Cooker has two pressure settings in a stylish and compact unit that is perfect for 3 to 4 people. It includes a steamer basket for vegetables, dumplings, etc. with a trivet to place the basket on. This pressure cooker has a high grade mirror finish stainless steel body with aluminium core and is suitable for all hob types. Tower claim that this pressure cooker is up to 70% faster than conventional cooking, and can use up to 90% less fuel. This Tower Pressure Cooker is available 4 sizes with the 3 litre version shown here costing around £34.
Prestige Hi Dome Pressure Cooker 6L
With a traditional design, the Prestige Hi Dome Pressure Cooker has a large 6 Litre capacity meaning that you can cook 8-10 healthy meal servings in one go. It has a multi-functional safety handle that locks and all the handles are heat resistant to keep you safe. This Prestige Pressure Cooker also benefits from having a visual pressure indicator. With three pressure settings of 5lb, 10lb and 15lb this highly rated pressure cooker allows for speedy and versatile cooking. Included is a separator, divider and wire trivet. Please note that this pressure cooker is not suitable for induction hobs, but it does come with a 10 year guarantee. It has an RRP of £54.99.
Prestige Quick and Easy 6L Pressure Cooker
With a more modern design than the other Prestige unit above, the Prestige Quick and Easy 6L Pressure Cooker features a 10lb pressure setting and accessories set including separator, divider and wire trivet. It is light in weight, which is great in many aspects but some purchasers feel that this has impaired the performance and quality of this pressure cooker. It is not induction hob safe but includes a ten year guarantee. You can cook meals in this pressure cooker up to 70% quicker than usual cooking times, thus saving you money, which is always nice!
This Prestige Pressure Cooker has an RRP of £44.99 but as I write this there is currently 11% off – now just £39.99.
Tower Pressure Cooker with Steamer Basket, 6 Litre
The 6 Litre Tower Pressure Cooker with Steamer Basket has all the qualities of the 3 Litre version shown above. It can be safely used on an induction hob and includes all the usual accessories of steamer basket and trivet. The steamer basket is great for vegetables, but also quite excellent for cooking fish. It has two pressure settings (10.1 and 14.5 psi) for speedy and controlled cooking. Despite having double the capacity of the 3 litre version, this 6 litre pressure cooker has an RRP of £38, just £4 more than the 3 litre version.
At the time of writing you can currently save 11% off the price of this 6 litre Tower pressure cooker as it is now only £33.74!
Monix 7 Litre Quick Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
The Monix 7 Litre Quick Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is made by Braisogona and is perfect for larger families. It is simple and safe to use. It can be used on induction hobs, and has the benefit of being dishwasher safe, something that other pressure cookers can’t claim to be. This pressure cooker is constructed of 5.3 mm thick 18/10 stainless steel with a forged triple diffuser base that makes for ultra efficient cooking performance. Most purchasers really like this pressure cooker, but it is often noted that it can take quite a while for the pressure to be released after cooking so bear that in mind. This highly rated 7 litre pressure cooker has an RRP of just £39.99.
Tefal Secure 5 Neo Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, 6 L
The 6 Litre Tefal Secure 5 Neo Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is one of the best selling pressure cookers on Amazon UK. Because this pressure cooker has 5 safety features that make it less of a worry to use, I think it appeals to many buyers. It is also okay for use on induction hobs which is a huge bonus nowadays. The 6 litre capacity is great for feeding 6 people, and the included steamer basket is great for vegetables and fish. It has two pressure modes and a fully stainless steel construction. The RRP of this pressure cooker is £70 and it comes with a useful 10 year guarantee.
As of December 2020, there is currently over £10 off the RRP of this Tefal Pressure Cooker – now just £59.95.
AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Steamer, 6 Litre
Amazon now have a very wide range of their own products with the AmazonBasics branding, with this 6 litre pressure cooker being one of them. The AmazonBasics Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Steamer is priced at just £50 and is safe for use on all hobs including induction. It is made of stainless steel wrapped around an aluminium core for even heat distribution, and the price includes a steamer basket. It has two pressure cooking levels: 50 kpa (gentle cooking) and 90 kpa (fast cooking). Although many buyers are generally quite happy with their purchase, reports of leaking are not uncommon so bear that in mind.
Fissler vitaquick Pressure Cooker 6L
Costing up to £200, the 6 litre Fissler vitaquick Pressure Cooker is the most expensive item on this page, but you are paying for a quality product from a highly rated manufacturer. Made from the best 18/10 stainless steel, this pressure cooker is safe for use on all hobs including induction. It has two levels of cooking and a new comfort steam-blow off function in the handle for ease of use and safety. The size is perfect for a large family and delicious meals can be cooked in a much quicker time than conventional cooking. Fissler products are made in Germany to exacting standards to ensure your safety and continue the quality of the manufacturing process. You can often find this Fissler pressure cooker on sale for about £150.
