Customer Reviews

Mirro 8qt. Pressure Cooker, Aluminum

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I asked for this for Christmas because of the large width of the pan. One of my favorite things to pressure cook is lasagne and this holds a 9 inch dish. A standard cooker only holds a 7 inch dish. My husband and son make short work of a 7 inch lasagne.

I wouldn't recommend this for someone who's never used a pressure cooker before. The instructions are very poorly written and it's impossible to reach customer service with a question. As of Christmas their website had no information on it other than a phone number which went to an over-filled voicemail box.

This is one of three pressure cookers I own, so I eventually figured out how the pressure setting works, sort of.

Overall I'd say the product is adequate but not great. It does what it's supposed to -- pressure cook. If I had to buy another PC, I'd look for a different brand with the same capacity and skip Mirro.

I received this cooker for Christmas 2008 ( a Wal Mart purchase).

It was my first pressure cooker, and it cooked wonderfully (though it was a bit tight for two chickens); until it failed.

After about 6 uses, it would no longer establish pressure. The red pop up on the handle (indication that pressure was up and handle locked) started popping up to about twice the height it normally emerged from the handle (when the cooker worked) and steam vented from all around the handle junction with the lid.

I tried everything the book said to do. The handle was tight. I inspected, streched and oiled the gasket. No luck. I called Mirro (Wearever) and they told me to boil the gasket for 15 min. and then oil it. I did all these things, to no avail.

So I returned it. Now I'm going to try Presto.

I have been cooking with pressure cookers for 30+ years now. I had an old Mirro cooker (8qt) that I used for over 20 years. I had to buy a few gaskets over the years but it kept on working. The only reason that I had to purchase a new one is that I had cooked a chicken in it late in the evening and put the cooker out in the garage (it was winter) overnight. Believe it or not, a mouse got into the garage and chewed out the pressure check valve. I could not get a replacement because the cooker was so old!!! I bought the new one and I read the directions. Imagine my disappointment when I read that the cooker would not get hot enough on a ceramic top stove. I have had a ceramic top stove ever since they were invented and have used other pressure cookers on them with no problems whatsoever. Guess what? There was no problem with this one getting hot enough on the ceramic top either! It gets hot, gets to pressure and works just fine! Not sure yet if it will last 20+ years like the old one did, but I hope so!

Mirro's are great. I've owned them for over twenty years. The newer one's are very quite, takes getting used to it from the old ones that made really made noise when releasing pressure, so you could here it in another room. Bought another brand a few years ago and it would not hold a pressure. Probable needed a new gasket, but for a little extra, I'd rather have the Mirro.

Mirro has always been a favorite. This is my second 8qt. Mirro pressure cooker. I wanted to up-grade to the more "modern" model.
I ordered it from AMAZON directly. It came securely double-boxed and IN PERFECT SHAPE. I do a lot of ordering directly from AMAZON and have NEVER been let down. Everything is always well packaged, on time, and, in prefect shape.
The cooker;
The "rattler" is limited to 10psi. which is MORE then sufficient for any application. An added metal screen, to cover the underside of the pressure release tube, is a very good added safty idea.
The new "over pressure valve" is a far cry from the old rubber plug that would have to, occasionally, be replaced for assured safe and proper operation. This new valve is an actual, permanent, metal, "valve" that lifts and opens in case of over presure. If the cooker is used "PROPERLY" it will never be needed but it is a great peace-of-mind feature. After all; accident DO happen.
The cover-lock works MUCH better then the old system. It's all self contaned and doesn't require any manual assistance to function. I believe that a build up of water would keep the old lock from dropping into place...NOT with this new model.
The lid also has a new safty feature; A section of the locking lugs is designed to let the basket blow-out to release pressure.
The new gasket seems to be made of a silicone that is MUCH more resilient then the old black, rubber, gasket.
The one difference that I don't really care for is that the "pan" is narrower then the old style. Also, a new bottom rack IS NOT PROVIDED with this new cooker.
But these differences are, basically, inconsequential compaired to the added safty and ease of operation.
I use my MIRRO 8qt. PRESSUER COOKER almost every week. It's easier, faster, and, more flavorful then a long, drying-out in the oven.
If used properly it's very easy to clean...You'll NEVER have to scrape burned food from the pan.
You can safely set aside any reservations, about using a pressure cooker, you may have had. Follow the directions and you can use it with confidence.

a good quality pressure cooker at a good price. great for people who don't have all day to cook! it speeds up the cooking by 10 times. I have used it at least 20 times and so far had no problem.

Thing that surprises me is how expensive these can run. A sound pressure cooker is a sound pressure cooker -- not much too it. Never thought I'd own one (grew up with one -- home cooking), so thought I'd try it myself.
So you know, bought one at Walmart (has the Wearever brand)-- $40.00, and it comes with a real return policy vs. Amazon's 30 day return policy (make sure you read that before buying anything here...surprising how inflexible they are if you miss it by only a few days, even for long standing customers who have never asked for any special preferences.)