Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker Set

by Fagor

Product Features

• The Fagor Splendid 5-piece pressure cooker includes 8qt and 4 qt Elite pressure cooker pots, Elite pressure cooker lid and tempered glass lids that are interchangeable, steamer basket with support trivet, user's manual and recipe book.
• 4qt and 8qt pots can be used as pressure cookers with Fagor Elite Pressure Cooker lid or as regular stockpots by using the glass lid
• 18/10 Stainless Steel
• Spring type mechanism with one pressure setting: High (15psi)
• Fagor Elite Pressure Cooker has ten-year limited warranty

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 16.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0006LDISY
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #93,527 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)

Product Description

TRIPLE SAFETY MECHANISM Triple safety features dual pressure control valve plus two independent over pressure release valves: safety locking handle prevents accidental opening under pressure. UL approved. QUALITY CONSTRUCTION 18/10 quality stainless steel construction with impact bonded diffuser base for even heat distribution and fuel efficiency-easy to clean, body is dishwasher safe. Use on all heat sources. Designed in Spain. EASY OPERATION One pressure setting in a spring-valve mechanism operated by a dial format: High (15psi). One valve allows choosing between pressure setting and automatic pressure release position. Visual indicator lets user know when pressure has been released. ATTRACTIVE PRESENTATION Comes with user's manual & recipe book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Speed, meet Versatility, December 12, 2007

By 

Joseph Ekaitis "author of Collinsfort Village" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker Set

Buy a pressure cooker if you think you'll use it at least once a week.

Buy this Fagor Elite pressure cooker set and you'll use it a lot more often. At home on ANY kind of range (smooth-top or coil electric, gas, induction), the two pots and their interchangeable lids add versatility to speed, and that equals more bang for your cookware buck (pardon the bad pun). The glass lid turns the 8-quart pot into a handy stockpot or pasta boiler. Put the lid on the 4-quart pan and, voila, it becomes that extra saucepan you never seem to have when you really, really need one. When dinner's ready but you're not (pressure cookers are rocket-fast, you know), replace the pressure lid with the glass lid to keep it warm without overcooking or drying out.

The stainless steel basket isn't big enough to hold a pound of long dry pasta, despite the photo, but it's the vessel of choice for shorter cuts like penne and rotelle, and for blanching filled pastas like ravioli and pirogies. Set it atop the trivet and it becomes the perfect steamer, whether you use the glass or pressure lid. And if it happens to fit a pot you already own, consider it a bonus.

Fagor pressure cookers are among the easiest to use and care for. Instead of a wobbling weight or a ringed post pressure indicator, Fagor uses a spring-loaded pressure regulator. Heat the cooker on high heat until steam begins to flow from the regulator, start your timer and then back off the heat to maintain a steady gentle hiss. Once you've found your stove's sweet spot, you're not chained to the cooktop. As long as you can see steam or hear the hiss, you can go about your other cooking tasks. Wobbling weight regulators can be thrown off if the pot is jostled, and sealed-system pressure cookers require a constant eye on the number of visible rings. The regulator is also the pressure release valve, engineered so that the steam dissipates and cools quickly. At six inches from the vent, the steam is warm but not hot enough to burn your skin. Remember, this is steam that's 250 degrees Fahrenheit when it's under pressure!

To keep the cook safe, Fagor pressure cookers have three locking mechanisms. The manual latch engages a pressure-activated locking pin that rises as pressure builds, keeping the cooker locked as long as pressure is present. The pressure itself pushes the flanges on the lid and pot together, creating a natural locking action. You'd have to be built like Mister Universe to force open a pressurized cooker. A small cutout in the lid exposes a portion of the gasket. If the pressure has no other way out, the gasket will stretch or snap, but will stay in place while the pressure escapes through the rim of the lid, not into the cook's face.

Odds are, whatever you pressure cook in one pot will be served with something you can prepare in the other as well. We use the 4-quart pot to pressure cook spaghetti sauce with quarter-pound meatballs in just 10 minutes under pressure, while the 8-quart pot and glass lid take care of the spaghetti. Every piece in the set, except the pressure lid and gasket, can go in the dishwasher. Your humble author uses Bar Keeper's Friend to take care of any really tough discoloration. Keeping the gasket clean is easy because it's so easy to remove and replace. With weekly use and proper care, a gasket lasts about 12 to 18 months. The money you save on energy will more than pay for a new gasket.

If you've never heard of Fagor or you're wondering if it's a brand a pro would use, Lola Bistro owner and head chef Michael Symon used a Fagor pressure cooker while competing to become Food Network's newest Iron Chef. He then went on to win his first Iron Chef America challenge, preparing one of his winning dishes in his Fagor. Although he's not officially connected to Fagor in any way, I can't think of a better endorsement.

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great set, and a good value, November 27, 2005

By 

Sharon Richardson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker Set

I own this set, and have used it a lot. I like the flexibility of having a large and small pressure cooker, so I can cook big amounts, such as soups or stews, or small amounts, such as risotto, just using the appropriate size base. It works well, heats up quickly, and releases steam quickly. Only complaint is that I would like to have some sort of raised basket and flat trivet rather than the pasta insert and wire trivet.

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amy K., February 20, 2006

By 

Amy Korobow "luv2cook" (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker Set

I bought this one as a gift for someone, I'm not sure whether or not they've used it yet, but I have 2 of these (different sizes) and I think they're great. They're easy to use although I'm sure that all pressure cookers are a little bit scary at first. I get great results every time I cook with them, and they're easy to clean.

Overall, I'd say that this item is great for people who are adventurous cooks who don't always have lots of time.