Great investment, wonderful time-saver July 25, 2002
Rabecca K. Larson (Bellevue, WA)
42 out of 43 found this review helpful
I received a 5-liter Duromatic pressure cooker as a gift 7 years ago, and wondered, "What on earth will I do with it?" Now I use it almost every time I cook. It is well-constructed and lives up to every promise they advertise: fast, healthful cooking has never been easier. If you love beans, there's no better way to cook them--dinner's ready in half an hour or less. Steam vegetables in 1 minute, cook a whole chicken in 19 minutes,or make perfect risotto with NO stirring in under 10 minutes from start to finish! You can make wonderful puddings and cheesecakes, too, with a little practice.
I ordered the "Duo" set to get the glass lid and the smaller cooker. Though I didn't need another 5L, it is quite handy to have two (I use it without pressure for cooking pasta or some soups.) The smaller (2L)size is wonderful for quickly cooking cereals, small quantities for babies or kids, or side dishes.
The recipe book provided with this set is extremely helpful and detailed, so don't be put off by having to learn the cooking techniques (Note to Kuhn-Rikon: a video or CD-ROM would be wonderful! I received a marketing CD-ROM a few years ago but IMO it should be in the box.) It can be tricky to convert recipes, the book contains thorough charts with cooking times for most foods, and once you get the basics down you'll be ready to start experimenting with your favorites. If you would like to cook with more whole grains and beans, this is a must-have. If you want that slow-cooked tenderness, but not the boring taste of Crock Pot cooking, pressure cooking is for you. Unlike the Crock Pot, the PC allows you to start with a saute', use the pressure to speed up your cooking time, and then add more delicate ingredients at the end so they stay crisp and colorful. Also, on a hot day like today, I appreciate that the shorter cooking time uses less energy and doesn't heat up the kitchen!
At first I had a hard time finding good PC recipes, but lately there seem to be more cookbooks coming out as the PC seems to be enjoying a bit of a revival. I just ordered Rick Rodgers' "Pressure Cooking for Everyone" and am happy to see more recipes for "gourmet" foods as well as everyday meals.
My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that I wish they sold custom cooking inserts for puddings and cheesecakes. The standard method is to cover your springform pan with foil and make a "harness" from foil to lift your pan in and out. You end up wasting a lot of foil, and it is easy to accidentally dump your dish on the way out. It would be great if they made an insert with a lid and handles to make this easier.
It would be hard to find a more versatile cooking tool, and I'm newly in love with my Duromatic(s) again after receiving my new set. BTW, the 7-year-old set is still perfect, not even the gasket has worn out, although it looks a bit shabby compared to the new styling and shiny finish of the new set. I can't say enough good things about Kuhn-Rikon or Duromatic. Give it a try! Here's to healthier, faster cooking in your home!
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