Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker

by Presto

Product Features

• Cooks three to ten times faster than ordinary cooking methods, saving time, energy, and money.
• Pressure regulator maintains the proper cooking pressure automatically.
• Strong, heavy-gauge aluminum for quick, even heating.
• Includes cooking rack and complete 64-page instruction/recipe book.
• 11-1/3 by 18-1/2 by 8-1/2 inches; 12 year limited warranty.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.1 x 20.8 inches ; 5.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00006ISG4
• Item model number: 307882
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,691 in Kitchen & Dining (See Top 100 in Kitchen & Dining)
  • #7 in Kitchen & Dining > Cookware > Pressure Cookers

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Pressure cookers have experienced renewed popularity over the last several years because cooks have rediscovered what some cooks (particularly grandmas) have known for a long time--they're really fast. And it's easy to cook healthfully with pressure cookers, since the food retains so much more of its nutrients and flavor. Presto's 8-quart pressure cooker is a multi-purpose pot that can stand in as a conventional soup pot as well as perform the kitchen magic that pressure cookers are famous for. Chicken Cacciatore cooks in 8 minutes! And it's big enough for home canning, too. (The USDA recommends pressure canning as the only safe method for low-acid foods such as vegetables, meats, and poultry.) This durable, polished-aluminum pressure cooker is an economical addition to any well-rounded set of kitchen tools.

The heavy-duty lid locks down during cooking; an inner sealing ring keeps the steam in. In addition to a pop-up pressure indicator and a simple steam release mechanism, there is an overpressure plug that will let off steam if it builds up excessively. This pressure cooker is useful for weeknight dinners or for any meal that needs to come together quickly. An accompanying booklet contains more than 65 recipes, ranging from basic soup stocks to stews and pot roast--even desserts like Oatmeal-Apple Crisp! Tenderize lean cuts of beef or pork; or cook chicken, fish, or vegetables faster than you can in a microwave, and without losing moisture.

Nonabrasive cleansers are best for cleaning this polished aluminum pressure cooker, though occasional use of a fine metal polish will help the exterior keep its shine. The Presto 8-quart aluminum pressure cooker is fully immersible; in addition, the sealing ring should be removed after each use to allow cleaning of the inside rim of the lid. The vent pipe is simple to keep clean with a small brush or pipe cleaner, and both the air vent/cover lock and the overpressure plug are removable. The pressure cooker measures 11-1/2 inches in diameter (17 inches including handles) and 9 inches tall (including lid). Presto guarantees this pressure cooker with an extended 12-year warranty. A detailed instruction and recipe booklet is included; special safety issues that pertain to pressure cookers are clearly explained. --Garland Withers

Product Description

The smart choice for healthy, favorful meals, fast and easy. Cooks 3 to 10 times faster than ordinary cooking methods - even faster than a microwave for many foods. Chicken, fish, meat and vegetables cook to perfection fast. Helps tenderize economical cuts of meat. Works on regular and smooth-top ranges. Cover lock indicator shows when there is pressure inside the cooker and prevents the cover from being removed until pressure is safely reduced. Includes a special rack for cooking several foods at once with no intermingling of flavors. Dishwasher safe for easy cleaning. Liquid capacity: 8 quarts (7.6 liters).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 97 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Comfort foods in a short amount of time!, November 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker (Kitchen)

I bought this pressure-cooker three years ago on the recommendation of another person who has used hers for ten years. This pot cooks tomato sauce that tastes as if it were cooked on the stovetop all day, and makes stews in a third of the time. I LOVE this appliance for homey winter comfort foods! It's not scary to use and very easy to clean up. I also recommend buying Lorna Sass's pressure-cooking books for really tasty recipes that are easy to prepare.

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cans Five Pints, September 15, 2007

By 

Randall Black (Irvine, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker (Kitchen)

Does not can quart jars, only pints. This model allowed me to try out canning at a low entry cost. Have successfully canned cabbage and sausage, tomato sauce, tomatoes, garbanzo beans, and apple butter in this interesting device. Also have cooked whole chickens and other foods. Canning meats requires an hour under pressure, and the Presto takes it all in stride. Being a pressure cooker/canning novice, it was a little unnerving getting it hot enough to get that top valve rocking. Apparently idiot proof, the cooker does not blow up, is easy to use and clean. Just turn down the burner to medium once the valve starts rocking. The aluminum does discolor inside during some pressure cooking and canning, although putting a little vinegar in the water keeps this to a minimum. I have found that five pints is perfectly adequate for canning projects so far. For example, six pounds of homegrown apples turned into 5.5 pints of apple butter. And it's not like you can't load it up again. At first I didn't tighten lids enough -- the canning jars boiled over a little. Finger tight means just that and the glass can handle it. You can can with an eight quart Presto!

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great pressure cooker, great price, April 21, 2005

By 

William G. Miller (Cranberry, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Presto 8-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker (Kitchen)

I purchased a bunch of canning gear and as a result was entitled to an additional promotional claim, so I threw this pressure cooker in with it. What a great deal. I was impressed with the solid construction of this cooker, easy to use, nice features. Presto makes a newer one without the handle, but personally I think the handle is far more useful, especially for browning meat prior to pressure cooking, and the new one is priced at twice this one. I just made a batch of rice pudding in this thing, works great. I am looking forward to long years of service with this thing.