I have an old high-dome Prestige pressure cooker my mum gave me in the late Seventies which only gave up the ghost last year. I scrapped the lid but continued to use the pot for making soup, etc. Never mind that it emitted uncontrollable jets of steam (loudly), weighed a ton and frightened the cat – it was quick, energy-saving and I was used to it.
Pressure cookers work by building up steam inside an airtight pan, creating a pressure that cooks food in one third of the cooking time. They are very easy to use. My old Prestige model came with a weight on top that popped a safety valve when the pressure got to the right setting. It did produce a heck of a lot steam and could be quite frightening if the valve on top got knocked off centre! But it was quick and efficient and you could cook potatoes and veg all in one go, which was such a novelty. I used mine a lot as a student; it was supplied with a trivet and three separator baskets so I could virtually cook a whole meal in one. It weighed a ton and was (and in fact did!) built to last.
Fast forward to 2020 and I tested the Lakeland 5.5L modern version with its sleek, shiny casing made from stainless steel. This version also comes with a glass lid so once food is cooked, you can pop the lid on to keep the heat on, use it as a stock pot, or just for everyday cooking.
I love the lighter weight and the fact it has two (heat resistant) handles – so much more stable than the old model which had one large handle and, when full, I had to use two hands to carry it. It's also more modern looking and aesthetically pleasing.
There's a safety window that wasn't on my old version and this is really handy - if there's excess pressure inside the cooking pot, the sealing ring presses outwards through the window and the steam can escape.
The Lakeland model has a 'thermal sandwich bottom' comprising an aluminium layer between two layers of stainless steel. which means it can be used on all types of hob and helps guarantee optimal heating while saving energy. The supplied (removable) trivet allows you to raise foods off the base of the pot (such as joints of meat) or to keep heatproof dishes off the bottom.
I was really impressed with the simple click-and-lock lid. On my old model, I had to match up the handle with the base exactly right before it locked into position but this one is a doddle to operate – and the loud click when it goes into place is very satisfying!
There's a handy filling quantity scale on the inside to ensure you don't overfill the cooker – which can be dangerous – and there are two pressure settings: Position 1 for gradual cooking of foods such as fish and veg and Position 2 for quick cooking and braising, eg: soups and stews.
My only complaint is that although it comes supplied with a trivet, there aren't any separator baskets and it appears Lakeland don't sell them anymore! I did track some down on eBay so I may invest in them as they do make the cooker so much more versatile.
Pressure Cookers seem to have gone out of fashion now, but they are a great way to speed up the cooking process, ensure vital nutrients are not lost from food and save energy and money so they should be right back up there in today's environmentally-conscious kitchens.
The Lakeland 5.5L model is not cheap at £99.99 but it's worth it for the energy-saving, the speed of cooking and, of course, the longevity. If it lasts as long as my old Prestige model, I'll be cooking on gas until I'm in my 90s!
Useful information
• Suitable for gas, electric, solid plate, ceramic, and induction hobs.
• Hand wash only
• 5.5L capacity
• RRP £99.99 (a 3L one is available for £79.99
• Made from stainless steel
• Easy one-button locking system
• Open and close lid with one hand
• Red pressure indicator rises up when cooker is at optimum pressure
• Clear pressure dial
• Glass lid
• Trivet for raising joints of meat off base of pan
• Metal-utensil friendly
• Full instruction manual and selection of recipes included
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To buy a Lakeland pressure cooker visit www.lakeland.co.uk