Despite cooking for decades, I admit that until I did the research for this post I didn’t quite know what a pressure cooker was. Don’t feel bad if you don’t either 🙂 In the past pressure cookers have gotten a bad rap; somewhere in the recesses of your mind you probably heard horrific stories of lids flying off and cookers exploding.
I think that’s what kept our entire generation away from these things. Over the years, technology has improved, to the point where in the mid-2010’s pressure cookers made a comeback with the release of the Instant Pot. Instant Pot designed their product in Canada, but of course decided to mass produce it in China.
Not at all surprisingly, in the last 10 years, Instant Pot has been the subject of multiple lawsuits alleging poor design of the pot. But is the problem really the design, or was it the makers of the Instant Pot making a calculation that it was financially less palatable for them to make the product in the United States or Canada (where quality would be far superior) than to make the product in China, paying less money for labor, and using the profits to cover the inevitable lawsuits from people having their bodies scalded and hurt by exploding machines?
We may never know the answer, but if there’s even a little truth in that, it’s ironic that in an era where they can design a pressure cooker that’s completely safe, Instant Brands would once again sully their name by mass producing in China.
What the heck is a pressure cooker?
Put simply, a pressure cooker is a sealed pot that builds up steam inside. The high pressure and high temperature inside the pot help food cook faster and lock in much of the nutrients and flavors that would otherwise be lost through traditional steaming or slow cooking.
Modern pressure cookers have safety mechanisms that older pressure cookers didn’t have (or do well) such as secure locking mechanisms, safe pressure release valves, and automatic pressure regulators. Assuming they’re made well, they’re safe.
Is this the same as a slow cookier?
No, a slow cooker uses low, steady heat over several hours to cook food gently, while a pressure cooker cooks food quickly using high steam pressure and high temperatures. Slow cookers are ideal for braising, stews and soups, while pressure cookers are best for fast cooking and tenderizing tough ingredients.
Are there pressure cookers not made in China?
If you look at any new or (newly revived) technology in the 2010s, you’ll see most of them made exclusively in China. The pattern is always the same: an American, European, or Japanese company innovates and comes up with the design. Then they go to China, where they have to establish a “joint venture” with a China company in order to do business there. They hand over all of their intellectual property to get cheap labor, and enjoy profits hand-over-fist—until China manufacturers start magically making their own.
We’ve seen this pattern with air fryers and high-end waffle makers, coffee makers, toasters. There isn’t a single technology that a China manufacturer hasn’t copied. And in the case of things like toasters, they’ve all but squeezed the hand that fed them out of the market that they now dominate.
The same has happened with pressure cookers. But there are still options for both traditional pressure cookers and electric ones.
The Best Pressure Cookers Not Made in China
1. Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Pressure Cooker
This is one of the best traditional pressure cookers you can buy. It’s made in Switzerland by Kuhn Rikon, which was founded in 1926 and is best known for this line of pressure cookers called Duromatic, which started in 1949 and has continued to this day, recognized as one of the top pressure cookers you can buy.
Duromatic pressure cookers have a number of safety features and are precisely engineered in Switzerland. They feature an automated lid locking system, a safety release back-up system, and a spring-loaded pressure release valve that lets you see at a glance what the pressure is, so you can know exactly when to start and stop cooking and won’t have to deal with overcooking or noisy steam releases.
You can buy various sizes of stockpots and sauce pans.
2. Cuckoo Electric Pressure Cooker
Leave it to CUCKOO, a brand that’s huge in South Korea and just starting to build brand recognition in the US (I mention them in my article on best rice cookers), to introduce an electric pressure cooker that’s not just made in South Korea, it’s priced competitively with China-made Instant Pots and arguably has superior safety features, is easier to clean, and is made of better materials. And of course, you can be assured of superior workmanship.
3. Fissler Vitaquick Premium Pressure Cooker
Here’s another traditional pressure cooker that’s made in Germany. Fissler is a renowned German cookware brand known for its high-quality, precision-engineered pots, pans, and pressure cookers that combine durability with innovative design.
This a a German-engienered pressure cooker with a sleek stainless-steel design, ergonomic handles, and a unique positioning aid that helps secure the lid correctly. It features a steam release function for precise pressure control and a safety lock indicator to show when the lid is securely closed and under pressure. It works with all stovetops, including induction.
4. Langonista Mia Pressure Cooker
The Langonista Mia Pressure Cooker is made in Italy.
Its stainless-steel construction ensures even heat distribution, making it suitable for a variety of dishes.
It also boasts a number of safety systems and a vertical steam release valve. It has apatented opening system which allows you to open it with one hand. It’s made in Italy.
5. Universal Pressure Cooker
If you need something a little more affordable to dip your toes into the world of pressure cookers, this aluminum pressure cooker goes for under $50 and is a product of Colombia.
6. Magefesa Super Fast Pressure Cookers
Magefesa is a Spanish brand known for high-quality cookware. They’ve been around since 1948 and are especially known for their pressure cookers.
This is made in Spain of 18/10 stainless steel with layers made of stainless steel, silver, and aluminum. It comes with multiple safety mechanisms.
7. Hawkins Aluminum Pressure Cooker
This one nearly escaped my attention until I saw that it had a whopping 34,000+ number of reviews, most which were positive. It’s made in India.
It’s made with durable, hard-anodized aluminum. Its curved body design helps distribute heat evenly and allows for easy stirring, making it ideal for small to medium-sized meals.
8. Seb Clipso+ Precision Pressure Cooker
The Seb Clipso+ Precision Pressure Cooker is designed with an easy-to-use locking mechanism and precision control for consistent cooking results. It features multiple cooking programs and a digital timer, allowing for precise monitoring of cooking times and pressure levels. It’s made in France.
You’ll see similar models from T-Fal which are also made in France. Seb and T-Fal are both part of the same company (Groupe SEB), a French multinational. Seb is definitely the better known of the two when it comes to pressure cookers.
9. All American 1930 Pressure Cooker / Canner
No, this isn’t a gadget for mad scientists. It’s a combination pressure cooker and canner. If you’ll be cooking and canning things like tomatoes, green beans, carrots, corn, soups, stews, beans, and meats you’ll want to use this to fill up your jars. It’s been made in the USA since 1930. It’s not for everyone, but if you know what it is, it’s for you.
Do you know of any other pressure cookers, electronic or traditional, worthy of mention here? Let us know in the comments.
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