A pressure cooker is one of the most practical cooking devices you can have in your kitchen just because they can save you an incredible amount of cooking time.

And yes, the days of the explosion-prone pressure cookers are gone. Now they are safer than ever. With so many brands to choose from, do you know which one will fit your needs?

Consider the factors below when shopping for a pressure cooker.

Stove Top or Electric? : – Although the electric pressure cooker offers ease of use and convenience because of its automated features, a stove top pressure cooker is still the best way to go.The latter provides more cooking accuracy with its manual heat regulation. It comes up to pressure faster. Additionally, stove top pressure cookers generally last longer than their electric counterparts and replacement parts are readily available.

Material :– Try to stay away from pressure cookers with non stick coating because of two reasons: they don’t last as long as stainless steel and the Teflon coating eventually peels off. Stick to high-quality stainless steel but make sure you look for something that says “18/10 Stainless Steel”. This indicates that the cooking device is made of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The composition of these two materials will prevent staining and corrosion. Premium stainless steel pressure cookers are a little on the pricey side. If you’re a little low on budget, you can settle for a mid-range stainless steel pressure cooker.

Safety Features : – Pressure cookers can be dangerous if used incorrectly so it’s extremely important to look for one that comes with safety features. The 2nd generation pressure cookers are a far cry from the ones used by your mom or grandmother. They are definitely safer and virtually goof-proof. Always choose a model that has different safety mechanisms such as locking device, dual pressure valves and the flanges on the interlocking lid.

Quick Release Option : – This feature is crucial if you don’t want to wait for the cooking device to lower the pressure inside the pot gradually. The quick release option will allow you to release the pressure without losing heat. You can immediately add the rest of the ingredients and resume cooking.

Size : – Bigger is not always better. The size of your pressure cooker should depend on the amount of food you prepare on a daily basis. A 2 or 4-quart pressure cooker is good enough for small to medium families. For a large family, 6 quarts is ideal. Keep in mind that the bigger your pressure cooker is, the more time it is going to take to heat up. Another consideration for large pressure cookers is that they are a little tricky to wash and store.