I have just moved to the mountains above Albuquerque, NM, elevation 7000+ feet. Think I will be needing a pressure cooker for beans, etc. I have never used a pressure cooker. Which brand would you recommend? Thanks for any advice offered.

I love the Presto brand, stainless steel. I have two and use them daily for everthing.Mine are 6 quart size. Parts are easily found and inexpensive. Never had a problem with mine. I like the design of the handle and that it is plain & simple. Hope this helps :D Added** I follow the recommedations in the booklet that comes with it and my food comes out perfect everytime!

Definitely Presto!

I would think you should still soak dry beans before cooking. I have cooked beand in PC, tasted good.

I have had the older ones (thicker metal, don't know what kind of metal...) and the newer thinner metal one. Mine are Mirro's. I like the thicker ones. The first time I cooked beans in the thinner one they burned and I can still see the outline in the bottom. I was using a glass top electric stove and that may be what caused this. Both work just fine as far as the 'pressure' cooking part goes. My thinner one came from Wal-mart.

Good luck on your search.

what ever brand you choose just be SURE you have let off ALL the pressure before you open it! I don't think the newer ones will open too soon but I had an old one that would, I THOUGHT it had bled down enough, when I slid the handle sideways to unlock it, WHAM!!! I had chicken on the ceiling!! Thankfully I could "duck and cover" fast enough not to get burned but wow what a mess. and we had to have sandwiches for supper, the dogs were happy though!

If you go on QVC, they have some excellent ones, and you might get lucky enough to find them on easy pay. Anything cook essentials make is excellent. But if you want one today, this won't work.

I was raised using Mirro brand pressure cookers. I like them because the pressure is pre-set, so you don't have to keep an eye on the pressure gauge. You'll find a 4-1/2 qt to a 6 qt is the best size depending on the size of your family. They also make a tall one used for canning meat & vegetables, although fruits can be canned in it, just don't use the pressure. I LOVE my Mirro pressure cooker! They are so versatile & just downright useful!! Don't be afraid of it, just enjoy it!!!!

Under pressure in El Paso

That depends, are you wanting a pressure cooker for canning or for cooking?

For canning, there is nothing better than an All American.

For cooking, you can't beat Kuhn Rikon. They are FABULOUS!

In regards to the flying chicken...

that happened to me once too. Now I don't feel so bad ;-)

Funny story about pressure cookers. My mom used to can tomatoes every fall. (I was only 5 or 6 at the time.) We were in the living room and heard a huge crash. We ran out the kitchen and found tomatoes all over the walls, the ceiling, the floor. It was everywhere! Apparently, the gasket(?) blew. What a mess!

I have a presto and a mirro, prefer the heavier presto. I use it for a lot of other coking as well. I never cook beans any other way.

As with most things you expect to use for many years, get the very best you can afford of any brand. Then use it till it falls apart, and I'll suspect it will last far longer than you think it will.

Just keep an eye on the heat UNDER it, if you use wood then that will be your main concern. I used to live in Albuquerque (a heck of a long time ago) and spent weekends in Taos, where we used wood for heat and cooking. Without the pressure cooker beans were a no-no, so we took cooked ones with us. Heard horror stories about exploding pressure cookers and am still nervous around them. Tried to cook rice in one some time ago, it gummed up the vent, so I gave it away and now don't have one.

I love my Mirro! It was my mom's!!!! 1954! I still use it and its still perfect. I wonder if you can still find this brand.

After my sister exploded her Gulash all over the kitchen, I decided that pressure cookers are not for me.

I have used various pressure cookers for 40+ years. I have never had an explosion, even when I taught my children to use it. Follow directions, pay attention, no problems. Use enough liquid, don't use it for thick things that might clog ( I have cooked rice successfully, though), watch the temperature, follow directions for releasing pressure. it really isn't rocket science.

My incident happened when I was child. I had no idea what a pressure cooker was. I just wanted to surprise my mom by making dinner. I surprised her alright ;-)

Happened to me too, only it was greenbeans and sausage. What a mess to clean up. :shock:

Have both a Mirror and Presto, like them both for different purposes. I lived on the mesas outside of Abq. and pintos did fine in the heavier weighted one. Like 'em cooked with a little onion and green chile, and some more green chile at the table of course!

I can relate to Taos. My sis lived there (she passed Feb 14 this year just before I moved here) and she always used a pressure cooker for her beans, potatoes, and lots of other things. I looked forward to picking her mind about how to cook at this altitude. Guess that's why I am asking here!
Thanks for your response. Merced is nice!

at this point, just for cooking. Maybe I will have to learn to can with one too. I have always used the water bath canning system. Guess that won't work here! Thanks for your response.

wOW! 50 plus years. Can't beat that! Search is going great thanks to all here on QB!

Will remember the onion and green chile! Thanks!

Sure appreciate the many responses! Think I will be shopping for one very soon. Seems as if it is important to have a heavier steel one for beans. AND follow the directions! Wonder if they have pictures!

The newer style pressure cookers are excellent. I have a FAGOR that I bought at Penny's about 5 years ago. They might sell them at Target. It's so much easier then the ones with the pressure gauge you set on top. I use mine at least three times a week and no problems.

Steel is nice but you'll find that cast aluminum is thicker, heavier, & holds the heat longer & more evenly! My ancient cast aluminum Mirro pressure cooker doubles as a candy cooking pot come Christmas!! For candy you need a really heavy thick pot to prevent scorching or outright burning the candy. Pressure cookers are sooooo versatile!!!

P.S. If you do accidentally burn the beans or something else, scrub the pot out as best you can, then boil the pot with either baking soda/water or dishwasher soap/water for an hour or so till the stains are gone. Keep an eye on the water level, & test the stain with a scrub brush periodically. This really works!!!! That's dishwasher soap, NOT dishwashing liquid! I prefer the baking soda, however!!

QVC carries a great one. I can't remember the brand name now, but they have had it on several times on Sundays in demos.......

The Fagor used to be made in Spain but I noticed it is now China, maybe buy a used one from Craiglist, etc.

I use a Mirro, and it works for me, but honestly I've never tired any other brand, so I wouldn't say there aren't better.

I will say I have never had a pressure cooker explode on me, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. I'm always careful to check the valve before I cook to make sure it is clear of obstructions, and to follow recommendations for how full to fill it and such.

I cook beans in mine all the time, and very rarely do I remember to presoak. THey take longer, and perhaps don't end up as evenly tender, but they're certainly edible if you don't presoak. I never get any complaints. ;)

I love my pressure cooker - Presto is a terrific brand and they have built in safety features.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-68537-1.htm

Are you interested in an electric pressure cooker? If so this link may interest you.

I have a Presto, just read and follow the directions to use it safely.

Like everything, you need to follow directions and use care. Don't be afraid of a pressure pan if you lister to the sound the jiggling gauge makes and adjust the flame till it is gently rocking and not going crazy. When the time called for in your recipe is passed you can lower the pressure more quickly by placins a wet cool cloth on top of the lid and lettind the pressure escape. Don't try to cook very starchy foode as the resultins gluey juice will clog the vent. Use the rack included with the unit when you are cooking meat.
I live above 6000 ft and love the ease of cooking this way.

I have a digital pressure cooker from QVC and love it! It is so versatile. I make soups in a jiffy, meatloaf..all kinds of things. You can even bake a cake in it. Check out the reviews for them on QVC.com.
Peace and Blessings,

I live in Albuquerque! I cook beans in my pressure cooker all the time. Works great. I still do soak them first, though.

I grew up with those older style pressure cookers and I would never go near one of those! I bought mine off of QVC, haven't had any problems with it. It has a post that can't move until all the steam is out of it, so no accidents! My only regret that it is not larger! I use it as a steamer, also. So quick and the food retains the beautiful color!

The Best is Presto Stainless steel Be sure and Read Book that Comes With it.

I have a Presto, I love it!

I to have more presto's than mirro's but like the goldenoldies I have in my prestos.Have two four quarts that have the wooden handles an wouldn't change for new ones if I had to.I've been using them every since i started cooking as a kid at home.over thirty some yrs.

I have Cooks Essentials pressure cooker from QVC. Actually, it is a set of three pots, 3 L. to 6 L., that can all use the same pressure cooker lid. I really love this set because it is made of heavy steel -- a little slow to heat through, but stays hot forever! As pressure cookers they are very safe and easy to use.

I'm sorry, but I am afraid of them. MY dad opened one too soon, and we washed beef stew off of things for days! I'm sure someone here is braver than I am.