Electric pressure cookers ar great for soups, stews, ribs, etc,but you have to have some water to create steam pressure. I bought one and have used it a few times and the meat dishes were good but don't try mac and cheese, no matter what the book says! I actually find more use for my crock pot than the pressure pot. It is quick which is it's greatest advantage. The instructions that came with mine were useless. You can get free cookbooks for them from Amazon if you have a Kindle, or order from the regular bookstore. They have lots of cook books.