Electric Pressure Cooker and other CookPots in UK
In 2016, my wife and I decided to buy some new pots. Being the kind of person that I am (online shopper), I decided to look online. That’s when I first discovered the instant pot – an electric pressure cooker.
I was amazed that there was something called an electric pressure cooker and the Instant pot was the front-runner at that time. I quickly persuaded my wife that we should purchase one.
However, before purchasing the Instant Pot, I began an exhaustive research on all the brands of electric pressure cookers on the market. I learnt a lot and I continue to learn. Here is my article about the best electric pressure cookers in the UK.
Best Electric Pressure Cookers in UK
Click on the button to discover the best prices on Amazon.
What is an Electric Pressure Cooker?
An electric pressure cooker is a pressure cooker that is powered by electricity! It is a sealed (airtight) pot to which heat is applied via an electrical heating system. Food in the electric pressure cooker is cooked very quickly because of the steam pressure in the pot.
This website is not just about electric pressure cookers, it is all about electrical cookware. I am an electrical and electronic engineer by training as such I have fallen in love with the idea of making the pot electrical and cutting down on the use of the electric stove.
On this site, I present all that I am learning about electrical cookware.
What is a cookpot?
The name cookpot is a merger between a cooker and a pot. The electric pressure cooker is a cooker and it is also a pot. If you say you want to buy and electric cooker, most people will present you with an electric stove. So I came up with the name “cookpot”. A cookpot is a kitchen appliance that can be used to cook like a pot without it being placed on a stove.
Enjoy the different articles and reports on this site, leave your comments, share your ideas and together let’s make this site the best resource center for all cookware that is powered by electricity in the U.K
Why UK?
I have decided to focus on the U.K because there are many resources and websites that cater to the North American users but there are relatively fewer resources for the U.K users. The reason for this may be because the biggest cookware manufacturers are in the USA and Canada. For example, the Instant Pot was designed by a Canadian Company.
Nonetheless, these electrical Pressure cookers and other electrical cookwares or “cookpots” are being used in the U.K and we need to have material the address their use here. These cookpots are virtually the same in both countries, however, the unit of measurements is different, the voltage and power ratings are bit different and the models available are different.
Types of Electric Cookers – Electrical Cookpots
I think the most popular cookpots are the slow cookers made popular by crockpot and the rice cookers. There are a few other cookpots in the market today. Most of them simply improve on the properties of the slow cookers and rice cookers and add the electric pressure cooker function. Here is a list of the top cookpots in the UK. I also wrote about the best electric pressure cooker in the UK.
- Electric Pressure cooker – an electricity-powered airtight pot that cooks food quickly with steam pressure
- Slow Cookers – a large electric pot used for cooking food, especially stews, very slowly
- Rice Cookers – As the name implies, it is an electric appliance designed to cook rice.
- Electric Multi-Cooker – an electric appliance the performs a combination of the above functions and more.
Top Electric Pressure cooker Manufactures or Brands
Almost every cookware manufacturer has its own brand of the Electric Pressure Cooker and other cookpots. In addition, there are many other “chinese” brands. There are also some manufacturers who make just electric pressure cookers or just cookpots.
- Tefal
- Sage
- Instant Pot
- Cuisinart
- Bella
- Tower
About The Electric Pressure Cooker
Admit it. You’re quite attached to your pressure cooker. It’s always there when you need it, very fast, and it produces tasty meals. Unless of course, you don’t have one already; this reality is true for most pressure pot owners and users.
Pressure cookers used to always come in a more conventional form. They were (and still are) used as regular cookers and used on a stove top. A steam regulator, safety valve and pressure-activated interlock mechanism provides protection against overheating and the danger of explosion. In conventional pressure cookers, the steam regulator allows built up pressure garnered by the steam to escape. This causes the stove top pressure cookers to generate their signature loud and hissing noise when the pressure is on.
Electric Pressure Cookers are a more recent invention, made popular over the last decade. They consist of a pressure cooking container, the electric heating element, and the temperature/pressure sensors. These features, along with the experience of pressure cookers users that resulted in the creation of various cooking profiles; including rice cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sauté etc combine to form the new generation electric pressure cookers.
While Electric Pressure Cookers are not necessarily intuitive kitchen gadgets, there are a few things to learn about them.
What Makes Electric Pressure Cookers Special?
When considering what really makes electric pressure cookers stand out – it is important to weigh their perks against their closest alternative; stove top pressure cookers. Pressure cooking is great, but cooking with a stove top pressure cooker often means that the user needs to adjust the cooker while it is reaching pressure. Adjustments may happen a few times and take a few tries before you can discover the exact heat setting to keep the pressure ideal. They only require the users attention in order to select the desired pressure or program and begin the cooking process. No other monitoring is necessary.
Electric Pressure Cookers are especially great for being an ideal pick for people who cannot spare the time to monitor their cooking. They are a great replacement for a handful of appliances and for people who could really use the extra space.
Bottom line, it makes sense to give anything up in exchange for the convenience of an Electric Pressure Cooker. Even if it’s a chance at having the (often) more durable stove top pressure cooker.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Using Pressure Cookers
Ultimately, using electric pressure cookers and/or stove top pressure cookers will save time, energy, vitamins and time.
Pressure cooking generally reduces cooking time to up to 90% less than average. They guarantee 90% nutrition of foods cooked with them; improving digestibility and reducing harmful cooking byproducts to a minimum.
A few scientific publications provide supporting evidence to the claim of the health benefits of pressure cookers;
Findings recorded by the Journal Of Food Science suggest that pressure cooked broccoli retained 90% of its vitamin C content. This is an improvement over the 66% retention recorded when the broccoli was boiled and the 78% recorded when it was steamed.
In a related study published by the Journal of Food Science and Technology, it was found out that pressure cooking increased the amount of beneficial phenolics in bananas. And in the Plant Foods for Human nutrition, research suggests that pressure cooking is both the best method for retaining Vitamin C and beta-carotene in spinach and amaranth.
Summarily, using pressure cookers do not only boost the levels of nutrients acquired from food; it equally helps to reduces health harming compounds as well.
How Do Electric Pressure Cookers Help To Save Energy?
Simple; if an electric pressure cooker saves 90% of your cooking time, it automatically means that you will use over two-thirds less energy. Energy savings themselves translate into dollar savings. And with so little energy needed, the cost implication of owning an electric pressure cooker may be as little as one penny.
Unless you are using a solar cooker – with no obligations as utility bills and related expenses; it is nearly impossible to use less energy while cooking; 90% is as low as you can possibly go unless you begin taking drastic steps to becoming extremely frugal about the process.
What Are The Things You Need To Know Before Buying An Electric Pressure Cooker?
An electric Pressure cooker is different from the stove tope pressure cooker. It is also different from the regular pots. You will need to update all your recipes to cook them in an electric pressure cooker.
In my opinion, the changes are not to difficult to learn and there are many recipes online. Many new recipes are being added online daily.
What to look for in electric pressure cookers!
There are a few things that will guide you as you choose an electric pressure cooker for your home. Knowing these will make your search a little easier.
What size of electric pressure cooker do you need?
There are a variety of options available to you when it comes to pressure cooker sizes. If your electric pressure cooker is too small, it can become frustrating. So think about the size you need for your self or your household.
Please take note that when considering the size of your pressure cooker, you will need to leave some room in the pot for the food to expand and for the steam. Most electric pressure cookers come in sizes between 3 and 8 litres.
3 Litre cooker is ideal for a single person or just a small meal.
A 5 -6 litre cooker can cook for the average family. If you have more than 2 adults in your home then you may need to think of the 7 or 8 litre electric pressure cooker.
How complicated are the controls of the Electric Pressure Cooker?
If you are not so comfortable with reading complicated user manuals, then it will be a good idea to look out for pressure cookers with large and simplified controls. More and more of the newly designed cookers are having easier to read controls. Nevertheless, I still encourage you to confirm that the controls are easy to follow before shelling out your money!
Is the electric Pressure cooker also a Multi-cooker?
Most electric pressure cookers are also multi cookers. They can also be used as slow cookers, deep fryer, steamers and so on. If the have more functions they are usually more complicated and sometimes more expensive.
It is rare to find an electric pressure cooker that only does that, because it will be a waste of resources. Once all the electrical system is in place for an electric pressure cooker, it can also do a few other basic cooking functions.
Try to Stay Away From Silicone Based Non-stick Coatings
Silicone and pressure cooking do not mix very well. Not all non-stick cookers are made from silicone, but a few of them are. These silicone based non-stick accessories may make for easy cleaning and replacement, but the cooker itself may not survive much of anything. The cookers are easily scratched and damaged. The damaged surfaces often expose the aluminum underneath to direct contact with the food – this itself can pose severe health risks to users. Consider choosing non-stick fluoropolymer or sol-gel ceramic coatings instead.
Established Manufacturers Often Come With Great Warranty Arrangements
While you may like to hope for the absolute best, most pressure cookers will have some parts that may eventually experience wear and tear. Purchasing the cooker from a well-recognized manufacturer with a great reputation will make the process a lot less hassle than it might prove to be in the long run. Not to mention, considering their experience in the field – they are more likely to have products that are accompanied by mouth-watering warranty arrangements that will assure that you and your electric pressure cooker(s) are well taken care of regardless of mishaps and uncontrollable circumstance.
Bestsellers – Electric Pressure Cooker UK
Here are the top ten bestsellers in the Electric Pressure Cooker category on Amazon United Kingdom (UK) today. This list is updated regularly so you can always know which electric pressure cooker users like you are buying.
- HEALTHY COOKING WITH CONSISTENT RESULTS: The classic Instant Pot Duo adjusts pressure, temperature, time, and heat to cook food up to 70% faster than other methods and deliver consistent, delicious results every time
- CONVENIENT AND CUSTOMISABLE: The Instant Pot Duo can remember the way you like to cook, and which smart programs you use most often. ‘Set it and forget it’ freeing you to do other things while your dinner cooks safely and quickly
- 13 ONE-TOUCH SMART PROGRAMS: Revolutionize the way you cook with one touch programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Slow Cook, Sauté, Rice, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Multigrain and Poultry. Keep Warm, and Pressure Cook
- SPACIOUS 5.7L CAPACITY: Perfect for cooking up to 5 dishes, replacing multiple kitchen appliances
- EVEN EASIER TO USE: Release steam with a simple, safe push of the quick release button, with minimal mess and easy clean up
- PLENTY OF ELECTRIC PRESSURE COOKER RECIPES: Join thousands of Instant Pot users who share tips, support, recipes and the joy of cooking in the Instant Pot UK Facebook community
- Save time: All-in-One whips up pressure-cooked dishes faster than conventional methods, while locking in all the nutrients and natural flavours, for healthy and delicious meals in minutes.
- Simplify meals: With 25 one-touch programs (more than any other pressure cooker) All-in-One slow cooks, steams, browns and more, allowing you to prepare a range of dishes with minimal effort.
- Set and forget: A 24-hour delay timer means you can choose when cooking starts. Add your ingredients, set the timer, and All-in-One will do the rest. It even keeps food warm once cooked.
- Create your own: DIY Chef mode lets you set the cooking time and temperature to make your own recipe. Need inspiration? You’ll find 30 recipes in the booklet included – from chilli to chocolate cake.
- Stay safe: One-button steam release lets the pressure out safely, keeping your hands out of harm’s way, while the lid locks during cooking. It’s also hinged to avoid wet rings on your worktop.
- Cook more, clean less: This compact Tefal pressure cooker has an XL 6L capacity – enough to feed six people or for batch cooking. Plus, the accessories go in the dishwasher, so no washing-up!
- Trust Tefal: All-in-One is made by Tefal, the innovative kitchen appliance leader, so you can be confident of its quality and ease of use. Plus, it’s repairable for 10 years – even outside warranty.
- 14 Functions in 1: Slow cooker, rice cooker, sous vide, cake, yogurt, steamer, and more; Master the art of cooking and instantly become a master of all kinds of culinary creations
- Easy to Use: With 14 customizable smart programs, cooking becomes a breeze; The LED display keeps you informed about the cooking progress, and we've upgraded the footpad design for convenient power cord storage
- 70% faster: Pressure cook meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods or use as a slow cooker for stews and soups
- Easy to Clean: The stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant housing, 12.5mm widened pot gap, and dishwasher-safe lid, make cleaning a breeze
- Great Food Result: At high temperature and pressure, the pressure cooker quickly locks in the nutrients and flavor of the ingredients and cooks, making it easy to enjoy the soft texture and rich aroma
- High-Quality Materials: The aluminum cooking pot features a ceramic, hard, nonstick coating, which is BPA-Free for food contact materials, and made without PTFE and PFOA
- Safety Features: The Seal/Vent button is situated away from the steam release valve, while the 30° backward-angled steam release design ensures safe and easy venting; The cooker features a double-layer anti-scalding lid and overheat protection for added safety
- Cookbook & Online Recipes: Enjoy an included recipe cookbook and more in-app recipes on the free VeSync app to never run out of delicious ideas
- Various Cooking Accessories: Including Rice paddle, measuring cup, stainless steel steam rack, and soup ladle detachable cord, which improve your cooking efficiency and save money
- 2-year Warranty and Lifelong Support: COSORI provides you with lifelong support, please feel free to contact COSORI
- SPACE SAVING INSTANT POT AND AIR FRYER ALL UNDER ONE LID – Simply remove the pressure cooking cover to reveal the air frying element for ultimate one pot convenience
- USE ONE FUNCTION AFTER ANOTHER, ALL IN THE SAME POT – Air Fry chicken for the perfect crispy skin after pressure cooking, melt the top of pasta dishes for a cheesy finish or grill your cottage pies with ease
- WITH 6 AIR FRYER FUNCTIONS - Air Fry, Grill, Bake or Roast your way to speedy weekday meals - Preheating in minutes, cook up to 50% faster than a traditional oven and save up to 80% on energy bills*
- RETHINK COOKING METHODS with pressure cooking, slow cooking steaming, sous vide and sauté functions too – pressure cooked meals ready 70% faster than traditional methods, or cook low and slow for tender warming dishes
- WHISPER-QUIET: Advanced steam release technology is super quiet. Releasing steam is effortless – a simple touch of the one-touch button on the control panel does the job
- COMES WITH COOKING ACCESSORIES: you can make full use of your new appliance with the handy tongs and heat mat. Cook and crisp your favourite meals all in one pot with one space saving lid.
- Cook better: Tefal Turbo Cuisine combines high-speed pressure cooking for 3 times faster cooking with a spherical cooking bowl for 360° heat circulation for juicier and more tender results, every time. Up to 3 times faster compared to traditional cookware using gas or electric stove
- Do more: With 10 programs, this one-pot wonder can replace up to seven appliances. Stew, brown, steam, bake, or slow cook. Make soup, porridge, yoghurt, or rice. Or experiment with manual mode. Pressure cooker, Dutch oven, slow cooker, rice cooker, yoghurt maker, steamer, and egg cooker
- Take it easy: With just one simple dial, Turbo Cuisine is incredibly easy to use. Turn to pick a program, adjust the time or temperature, or set a delayed start so your food is ready when you are
- Be inspired: You’ll never be short of dinner ideas again with the free Tefal app. Download it toaccess 150+ recipes, as well as handy features like ‘In my fridge’ and ‘My shopping list’
- Free extras: 2 silcone mitts included in the box to easily grip your cooking bowl
- HEALTHY EATING: Tower pressure cookers lock in up to 90% more vitamins and nutrients than other cooking methods while retaining rich flavours and succulent textures. Perfectly cook a wide variety of foods including joints, stews, soups, vegetables, beans, curry and so much more!
- FAST COOKING & ENERGY-EFFICIENT: Because steam is infused into the food using pressure, cooking times are up to 70% quicker than other cooking methods. With reduced cooking time comes reduced energy consumption and Tower pressure cookers cost just 18p per hour to run, when used with a 1.75kw gas hob
- ULTIMATE PRODUCT SAFETY: Water or liquid is essential when using a pressure cooker. A simple pressure indicator valve lets you know when optimum cooking pressure has been reached, whilst the easy to use pressure release setting allows the pressure to be adjusted to suit what food is being cooked. Tower pressure cookers come complete with an ultra-tough Bakelite handle with lock system to ensure complete control during cooking. The lock system also prevents the lid from being opened when the contents are under pressure. The side handles stay cool, allowing for comfortable handling.
- SUITABLE FOR ALL HOB TYPES: The pressure cooker is fitted with a durable steel base, which ensures heat is evenly distributed across the food when cooking. It also means the pressure cooker is suitable for all hob types, including induction hobs
- PERFECT STEAMING ACCESSORIES: Included with the Tower pressure cooker is a steam basket and supporting stand. Simply place food into the basket positioning the basket onto the support stand and the pressure cooker can be used as a food steamer. Perfect for cooking veggies and straining broths and stocks
- 60 MINUTE TIMER: Included with the pressure cooker is a removable 60 minute timer, so you never run over the allocated cooking timings for perfect results every time
- 10 YEAR GUARANTEE: Trusted Tower quality with a standard 1 year manufacturer’s guarantee and a 9 year extension, subject to product registration online
- THE SIMPLEST YET MOST CUSTOMISABLE OF INSTANT POTS. Even more enhancements for optimum pressure cooking experience with new cooking progress indicator, self sealing lid, easy grip nonslip handles, hob friendly inner pot and improved steam diffuser for easy pressure release
- COOKS EVEN FASTER THAN EVER, ALLOWING YOU TIME FOR OTHER THINGS! Create tasty, healthy meals up to 70% faster than traditional oven or hob recipes - from Sautéing vegetables in five minutes to cooking a whole chicken in 20. New quick cool technology for faster pressure release
- FULLY CUSTOMISABLE TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY OF YOUR FAVOURITE DISHES. 48 customisable preset options for soups, beans, rice, ribs and more taking the guesswork out of cooking to ensure optimum results everytime
- BRINGING "OUT OF HOME" DINING, BACK INTO YOUR OWN KITCHEN - Settings as sous vide and bake, make preparing chef-quality entrees and desserts easy, and the generous 5.7L capacity means you can cook up to 6 portions at one time for dinner party success
- 1000S OF RECIPES! The free Instant Brands Connect App is loaded with hundreds of recipes for any cuisine to get you started on your Instant Pot Adventure. And over 23000 home cooks and foodies in our dedicated Instant Pot UK Facebook Community who actively share questions, answers and dish inspiration too
- WHATS IN THE BOX: steam rack, spare sealing ring
- 9 IN 1 MULTI PRESSURE COOKER: Work as pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, slow cooker, Sauté, Sous Vide, food warmer and cake maker.
- 13 PRESETS SATISFY ALL YOUR COOKING NEED: This versatile pressure cooker has 16 programmable preset functions, allows you to cook various gourmet dishes like meat, broth, bean, oatmeal, etc. with just a few steps.
- PROFESSIONAL SAFETY FEATURES: Equipped with 10 safety features to guarantee easier and securer cooking, including overheat protection, auto pressure release and lid-safety lock system, etc.
- INTELLIGENT DELAY TIMER: 24h delay timer function enables you to set your desired recipes in advance and enjoy gourmet dishes whenever you want.
- ABUNDANT ACCESSORIES: Midea Pressure cooker comes with 6 helpful components: Spoon*1, Ladel*1, Condensation Cup*1, Measuring Cup*1, Steam Rack*1, Power cord*1.
- TWO YEAR WARRANTY: We offer 24-hour customer service and 2-year warranty, please feel free to contact us with any questions.
- 9 appliances in 1. Our smart pot is a pressure cooker, sauté pot, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sous vide pot, soup maker, yogurt maker, and food warmer all-in-one
- Nutrition in no time. did you know most food in the smart pot can be made 70percent faster than making it in the usual way? now you can fit healthful nutrition in your busy day
- Smart lid. our smart lid seals automatically and releases pressure with a touch of a button
- Cook-at-a-touch. with one-touch presets for your favourite food, there’s no pressure to figure out timings or temperatures
- A clear advantage. our inner cooking pot is made of superior quality 304 (18/8) stainless steel. It has no chemical coatings and it’s dishwasher-safe, too
- HEALTHY EATING: Tower pressure cookers locks in up to 90% more vitamins and nutrients than other cooking methods while retaining rich flavours and succulent textures. Perfectly cook a wide variety of foods including joints, stews, soups, vegetables, beans and so much more.
- FAST COOKING AND ENERGY-EFFICIENT: Because steam is infused into the food using pressure, cooking times are up to 70% quicker than other cooking methods. With reduced cooking time comes reduced energy consumption with Tower pressure cookers costing just 18p to run per hour.
- ULTIMATE PRODUCT SAFETY: A simple pressure indicator valve alerts you when it reaches optimum cooking pressure & easy to use 2 pressure release settings allows the pressure to be adjusted for different foods. Tower pressure cookers come with an ultra-tough Bakelite handle with lock system for complete control when cooking.
- LARGE CAPACITY & BONDED STEEL BASE: The large 6L pan capacity is perfect for cooking 4-6 portions of food for all the family and can easily accommodate perfect cooking of any large meat joint, whilst the bonded steel base ensures even heat distribution for perfect cooking. Suitable for all hob types, even induction.
- PERFECT STEAMING ACCESSORIES: Included with the Tower pressure cooker is a steam basket and supporting stand. Simply place food into the basket positioning the basket onto the support stand and the pressure cooker can be used as a food steamer. Perfect for cooking veggies and straining broths and stocks.
- 10 YEAR GUARANTEE: Trusted Tower quality with a standard 1 year manufacturer’s guarantee and a 9 year extension, subject to product registration online.
- A BRAND YOU CAN TRUST: Tower is an iconic British brand boasting over 100 years of quality in manufacturing and design excellence. Tower is the UK’s fastest growing SDA & Housewares brand loved by millions of households.
- Not suitable for dishwasher / Hand wash recommended.
Electric Pressure cooker recipes
There are a couple of websites where you can find some electric pressure cooker recipes. Usually, you can start by visiting the manufacturer website of your chosen electric pressure cooker.
Here are some books that some of our readers have found useful. You may find them useful too.
| Photo | Title | Buy |
|---|---|---|
|
The Complete Instant Pot Cookbook 1000 Recipes: For Your Pressure Cooker With Effortless And Easy Beginners Meals | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Instant Pot Bible: The only book you need for every model of instant pot – with more than 350 recipes | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: 100 Simple Recipes for Spectacular Results--with Photographs of Every Step (Step-By-Step Instant Pot Cookbooks) | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Ultimate Instant Pot cookbook: Foolproof, Quick & Easy 800 Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users: 1 (Pressure Cooker Recipes) | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Instant Pot Miracle Cookbook: Over 150 step-by-step foolproof recipes for your electric pressure cooker, slow cooker or Instant Pot®. Fully authorised. | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
Instant Pot Cookbook For Beginners: 600 Quick And Easy Recipes To Master Cooking Effortless Meals With Your Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot Recipe Book) | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Modern Multi-cooker Cookbook: 101 Recipes for your Instant Pot® | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook: Easy Recipes for Fast & Healthy Meals | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
Instant Pot Cookbook 500: Healthy, Easy and Quick-to-Make Recipes for the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker | Check Best Price on Amazon |
|
The Ultimate Instant Pot(r) Cookbook for Two: Perfectly Portioned Recipes for 3-Quart and 6-Quart Models | Check Best Price on Amazon |
You can see a list of cookbooks filled with Electric pressure cooker recipes here
Stay Tuned
These are my findings so far! I hope to do in-depth reviews of these pressure cookers as I am able to get to them. Expect a new review every month for the next 4 – 6 months. If I had the time, there are enough electric pressure cookers and multi cookers in the market to occupy me for a couple of years. I am enjoying the process so far. I hope I don’t get over this electric pressure cooker bug too soon to fulfill my promise. Stay tuned.
