Choosing a pressure cooker can be a challenging task, largely because there are just so many different options. That’s especially true if you are planning to get an electric pressure cooker, because there is a lot of variation in the different features that they offer. At this point, it’s even starting to seem like the manufacturers are just adding in extra functions for the sake of it. But, functions aside, one important thing that people often end up considering is the size of the pressure cooker.
Now, if you want a wider variation in size, you really need to go to a large stovetop pressure cooker. You typically find fewer sizes with an electric pressure cooker and many of the largest sizes are only available in a stovetop version. Likewise, electric pressure cookers tend to be too small for canning and probably shouldn’t be used for that approach anyway
We tend to recommend the 6-quart size for single people or couples, and an 8 quart for small families. The 6 quart may be too large for one person, but is good for meal prepping and the occasional event of cooking for another person. 8 quart will be enough for a meal for a small family, but if you have 3+ kids you might want to look for 10 quart or larger.
Update: Some people have requested a more concise list of my favorite pressure cookers in this category of large electric models. Here they are
- Instant Pot
- Fagor
- GoWise USA
- DUO80 7-in-1
- Brand: Instant Pot
Max Capacity: 8 Quart
Color: Silver/Black
Inner Pot: Stainless Steel
Number of Functions: 13
Price:
My Rating: - Tested
Reviewed
Recommended - Rank: #1
- 670041960 LUX
- Brand: Fagor
Max Capacity: 8 Quart
Color: Silver/Black
Inner Pot: Non-Stick Ceramic
Number of Functions: 12
Price:
My Rating: - Tested
Reviewed
Recommended - Rank: #2
- GW22623 4th-Generation
- Brand: Instant Pot
Max Capacity: 8 Quart
Color: Silver/Black
Inner Pot: 304 Stainless Steel
Number of Functions: 14
Price:
My Rating: - Tested
Reviewed
Recommended - Rank: #3
Instant Pot is by far the most popular, most reviewed, and has the most support. In fact, people are even producing Instant Pot Cookbooks. However, Fagor is a very trusted brand of stovetop pressure cookers, and that's the brand that I own (stovetop version). It should definitely be considered if you're looking for something other than Instant Pot.
MaxiMatic Elite Platinum Pressure Cooker
- Model Number: EPC-808BL
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 8-quart
This pressure cooker is the cheapest option for a large pressure cooker, which is one appealing factor. Surprisingly, the price varies quite significantly depending on what color you get, even though there seem to be no differences between the versions aside from the color.
In terms of features, the pressure cooker claims to have 14 different functions (versus the 6 or 7 most pressure cookers have). However, the company lists things like desserts and ribs as functions, when in reality they would be better considered as smart programs. Despite this, the product has similar features to most other pressure cookers on this list and at less than a hundred dollars for an 8-quart, the price is pretty good. Of course, you’ll only get that price if you want blue or red.
Instant Pot 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Model Number: IP-DUO80
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 8-quart
This pressure cooker has been mentioned in previous lists, partly because it comes in three different sizes (5-quart, 6-quart and 8-quart). However, the main reason that I focus on this particular pressure cooker is simply that it is so popular. In fact, this pressure cooker has more than 8,000 reviews on Amazon and around 84% of those are 5-star reviews.
The pressure cooker is a good choice for many people because of the wide range of different functions that it offers, along with 14 built-in programs that are designed to make pressure cooking easy. It also has a high- and a low-pressure setting, with the high pressure reaching up 11.6 psi, which is about standard for an electric pressure cooker (if you want 15 psi, you really need a stovetop pressure cooker).
At the same time, this product has a number of safety features and the high large number of positive reviews suggest that it works very well for most people. However, the catch is that this one is also more expensive than some of the other options on this list and that is something that you might have to bear in mind.
GoWISE 4th Generation Programmable Pressure Cooker
- Model Number: GW22623
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 8-quart
Once again, this pressure cooker is one that comes in multiple sizes (6-quart and 8-quart), so it’s probably been mentioned in another list. With this pressure cooker, there are 16 different smart programs designed to make cooking easier. The pressure cooker also appears to have a few more unusual functions, including special settings for beans and chili, as well as for eggs and poultry. Those settings will probably be most relevant for people who are fairly new to a pressure cooker, as other users may simply choose to input the time manually.
This model isn’t nearly as popular as the Instant Pot option and averages a slightly lower star rating of 4.2 on Amazon as well. However, the lower price and wide range of functions does still make this pressure cooker an appealing choice.
Fagor LUX Multi Cooker
- Model Number: 670041960
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 8-quart
Fagor is a fairly well-known brand for electric and stovetop pressure cookers. This pressure cooker is the company’s LUX model, which comes in 4-quart, 6-quart and 8-quart options. The pressure cooker has the standard functions that you find in this type of product and also features the ability to make both regular yogurt and Greek yogurt.
Like all electric pressure cookers, this model features a removable cooking pot, which is what you actually prepare your meals in. In this case, the cooking pot is ceramic, although there are also replacement pots from Fagor if you prefer having a stainless steel cooking pot.
Now, this pressure cooker has the disadvantage of being fairly high in price, coming in at the same price as the Instant Pot pressure cooker. Still, this may be an alternative that appeals to some people, especially if they are already fans of Fagor as a brand.
Tristar Power Cooker
- Model Number: PPC790
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Size: 10-quart
At the start of this list I mentioned that there isn’t a lot of variation in the sizes of electric pressure cookers. With that in mind, this choice stands out because it is the only one on the list that goes up to 10 quarts in size. Like the other pressure cookers, this one has a range of functions, including being able to act as a slow cooker, rice cooker, a steamer and a soup maker. The company does also state that the pressure cooker is ideal for canning but there remains considerable debate about whether or not this is a good idea.
Regardless of your choice when it comes to canning, the size of this pressure makes it the best choice for sheer versatility. There are many situations where you might want or need a pressure cooker this big, especially if you have a large family or if you have people around for the holidays. Plus, you can still cook smaller meals in the pressure cooker.
The only real catch is that the larger size means that this one will take up more bench and cupboard space than other electric pressure cookers.
Top Pick
Our top pick from this list would be the Instant Pot 7-in-1 Programmable Pressure Cooker. While this is the most expensive electric pressure cooker that we’ve featured, the pressure cooker would be worth the extra cost just from the reliability perspective alone. After all, there are a lot of people out there that absolutely love this particular pressure cooker and even the brand itself tends to be very popular.
If you are on a budget but still want a large pressure cooker, then we would recommend the MaxiMatic Elite Platinum Pressure Cooker. This pressure cooker is the cheapest option on the list but it still has most of the functions that you find in the more expensive models (with the exception of the ability to make yogurt). At the same time, the pressure cooker still receives pretty good reviews, so it’s a great choice if you want a fairly inexpensive large electric pressure cooker.
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