Showing posts with label canner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label canner. Show all posts

Friday, July 29, 2011

Fagor Duo 10-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner Review



Fagor Duo 10-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner Review


Pressure cookers can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, types, and prices. It can be difficult in trying to choose one. Whether it is well in your budget or not you still have to weigh some things when it comes to comparison shopping for pressure cookers. It's best to see what type will suit your needs and how it can work for you. Lets talk a bit on the Fagor Duo 10-Quart Pressure Cooker/Canner.


Small Pointer to Keep in Mind on Stainless Steel and Aluminum Pressure Cookers

Stainless steel pressure cookers are known to be nonporus, a bit heaver in weight, and the bigger cost when you compare to an aluminum pressure cooker. One of the issues that some people have trouble with is that stainless steel will give you a great finish but has a hard time conducting heat. It needs to be layered with a coating of aluminum to help conduct the heat quicker.This helps provide for more of an equilibrium in cooking instead of having certain portions of the pressure cooker heat up more than others.


Aluminum pressure cookers are lighter in weight, weight less on your wallet, and give an all around heating of the food being prepared. An important factor to take into consideration is that aluminum is a great conductor of heat but can be known as a "cheap metal". It won't last as long as stainless steel but will heat evenly and cost less.


Its something you will have to weigh on your own conscience to see what works best for you and your budget.


Size/Type/Description.'


Here is the online product description of the Fagor Duo.
"Make fresh steamed lobster in 3 minutes, or bean soup in 20 minutes. Risotto? No more standing at the stove stirring for half an hour, you can enjoy moist risotto in 7 minutes! As for ease of operation, here's how it works: load the ingredients, lock the lid in place, select the pressure, and begin cooking. When the food is done simply release the pressure and serve. Your food will be healthier because all the water soluble vitamins and minerals are retained. You'll also enjoy the tender taste of slow cooking and the natural flavors and colors of your food. But best of all? Your cooking time will be reduced by up to 70%!"


Uses of the Fagor Duo


As stated above the primary usage of the Fagor Duo is to pressure cook your food rather than having to manually work over the stove. This provides several benefits with the primary one being that you can keep the nutritional value of the foods in tact while not always having to constantly monitor the process.


Where Do I Find One?
Your local retailer can carry the Fagor Duo on it's shelves. However ususally to get the best deal you can buy online directly from the manufactor or from a representative website listing the product for a discount with great rates on shipping.
Click here to check out the Fagor Duo 


Features of the Fagor Duo Pressure Cooker
According to the online listing you can receive the following with the Fagor Duo Pressure Cooker
  • 10 quart capacity pressure cooker/canner, can hold up to 4 quart jars; includes steamer basket with trivet
  • Made of 18/10 stainless steel; works with all cooking surfaces, including induction
  • Spring type mechanism with two pressure settings -- low (8psi) and high (15psi)
  • Sleek black ergonomically designed handles; automatic pressure release position; visual pressure indicator
  • Hand washing recommended; 10-year warranty

Now most of these options are pretty nice. The one down side is the fact that it has a stainless steel base for cooking. It may give you issues with cooking evenly on the surface area of the food you are preparing compared to the aluminum base. However this should make for easy cleaning and be more scratch resistant.


The fact that it works with induction stoves is a plus as they are becoming more popular on the high end stoves that have come down a bit in price and more people are finding a benefit to cooking faster.


The visual indicator and spring mechanism will make for easy tracking of what you are doing in the process of preparing your meal.


Above all a 10-year warranty is a pretty nice deal. Just make sure you keep the paper work that comes with your product so you can give them the serial/product number if you need repairs or an exchange in the near future.


So How Much Is This Going to Cost?
Normally the Fagor Duo has a list price of 119.99 but is marked down to $90.00 or 25% here.


When shopping at a retail outlet you might be able to find a decent price but thie link above will most likely give you the best deal unless you purchase a used one.


If looking for a used one please make sure the warranty is still in tact for you to use and see if it will transfer to you. Otherwise it's best to go with Amazon.


Extra Features
Overall you can find certain products that will compliment the Fagor Duo such as cook books with recepies for this cooker in particular.


However keep in mind that the Fagor Duo also comes with a Canner applicator to help you preserve foods you might like to store for future use.


Conclusion
Hopefully this has given you a little insight into the Fagor Duo 10-quart pressure cooker.
This is a great buy and will help you prepare large meals for family or public outings going forward. They are a great tool for holiday meals, summer time get-to-gethers, etc.
Thanks for stopping by and if you would like one more glance at the link you can find here.

Friday, May 13, 2011

6 qt pressure canner/cooker.... most energy efficient

6 qt pressure canner/cooker.... most energy efficient

Electricity and gas are two of the most highly consumed energy sources in a house. The amount of electricity or gas, depending on what you use, that is used in a normal kitchen can be quite astounding. Many people try their best to bring down their energy consumption. If you also fall into the category of people who are trying hard to bring down their energy consumption levels, buying a 6 qt pressure cooker can be a good option.

An oven uses around 2 kWh of energy for one hour. A 6 qt pressure canner/cooker can cook quite a large amount of food at the same time. Since 1 quart equals one liter approximately, it is possible to cook 6 liters in a 6 qt pressure cooker at the same time. Cooking such an amount of food at the same time can show dramatic decreases in your gas or electric bills.

Cooking in a 6 qt pressure canner cooker has many advantages. It takes a relatively shorter span of time than other methods of cooking such as cooking in the oven or on the stove. This can be quite convenient for people with busy schedules. Another advantage is that the food absorbs a lot of flavor from spices and other seasonings when it is cooked in a 6 qt pressure cooker. Since the cooking time in a 6 qt pressure cooker is shorter, the food also retains their nutritional value.

6 qt pressure canners/cookers come with lids that lock in order to retain the steam and the water inside the pressure cooker. When cooking in a 6 qt pressure cooker make sure that you place its lid correctly so that it will not let any steam or water escape. If the lid is not fit properly it has the danger of coming off abruptly as the pressure builds up in the pressure cooker. Every 6 qt pressure cooker comes with a steam release valve so that when the pressure reaches a certain level the steam can be released through it. Most pressure cookers are made in such a way that their lids cannot be opened unless all the steam has been expelled from it. This mechanism will ensure that no steam will come out directly onto the person opening the pressure cooker lid. In the event that the steam release valve is blocked, there is another valve called ‘pressure release valve’ through which steam can escape.

There are a large number of 6 qt pressure cooker brands in the market today. Presto, Fagor, and Vasconia are a few popular brands of 6 qt pressure canners cookers. They have varying prices depending on the design you choose. But it is always a good idea to purchase from a reputed brand. They usually come with a guarantee and after sales services.

4 qt pressure canner/cooker

 4 qt pressure canner/cooker

A 4 qt pressure cooker is an easy solution for all your culinary distresses. They cook multiple dishes fast and preserve nutrition in the food items too. Anyone (except children and those physically unable to handle a pressure cooker) can use a 4 qt pressure cooker; there will be no fear of the so-called cancer causing rays emitted and since no electricity is used, power leakages are not a worry. However, there are several safety measures that you must keep in mind and follow at all times, when using 4 qt pressure cooker. This article discusses some of those essential safety measures briefly.

Firstly, you must ensure that the handles of the 4 qt pressure cooker is fastened properly. You should note any broken or cracked handles immediately and take measures to replace them. A loose handle will cause the lid to get pushed off at unexpected times. You sure can imagine the consequences of that!  There are many models and price ranges of 4 qt pressure canners/cookers on Amazon, but the Fagor Duo Stainless- Steel-4qt Pressure Canner/Cooker has the absolute best reviews.  Though it is higher priced than other 4qt pressure canners, it is by far the best.

One common mistake people make when using 4 qt pressure cookers is filling them more than required. You must note how much of water the item of food you cook will need. For examples, veggies and grains will cook with less water at lower temperatures and meat will need more water to cook well. Overfilling can also block the vent pipe and this can result in the build-up of excessive pressure within the cooker.

As a matter of fact, checking the vent pipe every time you plan on using the 4 qt pressure cooker is vital. This is the only outlet of pressure and if it’s blocked your 4 qt pressure canner/cooker may even explode. Indeed it is always safer to stick around the kitchen when you use a 4 qt pressure cooker; this will ensure nothing ever goes wrong.

You must not cook food that froth or foam in 4 qt pressure canner/cookers for these will block the vent pipe. Opening the 4 qt pressure canner/cooker after cooking must be done with proper care. It is advisable to open it only after all the pressure is released through the vent pipe.

Regulating the heat properly is also a must in 4 qt pressure cookers. Once the heat is adjusted as per required, the pressure regulator will begin to rock. You can then either increase or reduce the heat supply.

If you keep the above in mind and use a 4 qt pressure cooker safely, you can get so much of cooking done in fraction of the usual time. A 4 qt pressure canner/cooker can boil, stew, steam, braise and defrost almost any food item.

Presto 22 qt Pressure Canner/Cooker

The 22 qt Pressure Canner/ Cooker- For The More Serious Canner

When it comes to choosing a 22 qt pressure cooker, the Presto 22 qt pressure canner/cooker has it all. Remember that there are a few factors that need to be assessed. Before delving in any deeper into the subject remember that when buying pressure cookers you need to be concerned with one chief aspect, which is functionality. This would go a long way in helping you decide which 22 qt pressure cooker to buy. There are, as you would note, many products which have a range of bells and whistles along with flashing lights, yet they do not actually serve any purpose. The best thing you can do is to go for the most basic of pressure cookers.

Having said that, you should be able to come across many user reviews of the 22 qt pressure canner/cooker on sites like Amazon, for example. While you will be offered a list of various pros and cons we do believe that choosing the right kind of 22 qt pressure canner/cooker is certainly a discreet and individual choice. After all, what you should recognize is the fact that while there may be a list of value additions that vary according to brand, you cannot actually differentiate on a whole level.

What is trying to be said here is that a 22 qt pressure canner/cooker would be a generic product despite being branded. Henceforth, this should allow you to choose the most functional one at a low price. You also need to consider aspects like warranties and after sales service. This is not to say that you need to look at all these products with suspicion; these are just a few tips which you need to consider before making any purchase decision. While choosing a 22 qt pressure cooker will certainly make life so much easier in the kitchen for you, you also need to be aware of the price.  The best price we've found is the Presto 22 qt Pressure canner on Amazon, for as low as $89.36.

For instance when choosing a 22 qt pressure/canner cooker, find out whether you can get a discount. This may depend on whether the present stock is selling quite well or not. If that is not the case, then you need to be aware of whether branding has an impact. The honest truth here is that there are many offers and promotional drives which take place to get rid of old stock. This would lead to quite a few dollars being shaved off from the listed price. Ideally it would be beneficial to you to keep your eyes peeled for things of this nature.

12 Quart Pressure Canners

12 qt Pressure Canner/Cooker

Pressure cookers save a lot of time and energy in the kitchen, and a 12 qt pressure canner can help a lot. If you still do not own one, it is about time that you added this useful utensil to your kitchen. A 12 qt pressure cooker is quite enough for a regular family. When cooking in a pressure cooker, the boiling point of water is brought down due to the conditions of high pressure created within it. Because of this, the water boils faster and therefore the food is cooked quickly. This retains a large portion of nutrients in food which might otherwise get lost when cooked in other methods. Pressure cooking is also a great way to enhance the flavor of spices and herbs. Foods such as meats can be cooked to the right tenderness in a short time using a pressure cooker.    

Many people think that they will have to change all their recipes when cooking in a pressure cooker. This is a common misconception and you can indeed cook all your normal recipes exactly as before in your 12 qt pressure cooker. For instance, think of the ‘pasta and potatoes’ recipe that most of us are familiar with. Let us consider how to prepare this favorite dish in a 12 qt pressure cooker.  

First wash the potatoes and slice them just like you did when you were preparing the dish on the stove or the oven. Then instead of putting olive oil in to a pan, put it into your 12 qt pressure cooker. Heat it and add sliced onions, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, chili, garlic and potato strips and sauté for a few minutes. After sautéing for sometime, add the pasta and vegetable or meat stock to the mixture as well. Cook for three minutes in this manner. Then close the lid of your 12qt pressure cooker properly and cook for 5 minutes on low heat. After 5 minutes are up remove the pressure cooker from heat and wait till all the steam is expelled before opening it. You can now take your pasta out and serve it, sprinkled with cheese. When you were reading this recipe you would have noticed that you were following the same steps that you’d follow if you were preparing this recipe on an oven or stove.

12 qt pressure cookers come in various brands. Magellan Star, Presto, Mirro, and Fagor are a few popular brands of 12 qt pressure cookers. The prices of them differ from one manufacturer to another, but average around $65. But there can be some 12 qt pressure cookers with much higher prices.

But we've found them as low as $53.44 on Amazon.

10 qt Pressure Cooker/Canner

 The 10 Qt Pressure Cooker
Like most generic products out there, you should remember that pressure cookers cannot be differentiated that much. Of course this may not be entirely true since there are enough and more manufacturers that do devise great value additions and features. Having said that, the rule of thumb is to go for the most basic of pressure cookers such as the 10 qt pressure cooker. Especially if you were to traverse what is available online and visit a site such as Amazon, you will be able to come across various reviews for the 10 qt pressure cooker. Needless, to say this is rather helpful.

At the end of the day, it is fair to state that customer reviews are extremely helpful, since they allow you to gauge how a user really feels about a certain product such as the 10 qt pressure cooker. Keeping this in mind you should tread carefully when you desire to purchase something. What many of you should understand is the fact that there are many brands out there that offer you many features, yet what you should focus on should be aspects which are more qualitative. For instance things like design, size, materials used and functionality are all significant aspects.

While a 10 qt pressure cooker can certainly be considered to be rather big, this is still advantageous to you in the long term. After all what is the point in purchasing something that is small and cramped up when you can in fact have a brand new 10 qt pressure cooker? Bear in mind though that there can be a small price difference associated with a 10 qt pressure cooker. The bigger a certain product is there is always a chance that it could very well be more expensive than its smaller counterparts.

Finally what you also need to consider when talking about a 10 qt pressure cooker would be the variations in price. There are many e-commerce sites out there that would offer you great seasonal and promotional offers. Some sites would even sell you a 10 qt pressure cooker along with a juice maker for free. While offers of this sort are somewhat hard to come by, they do in fact exist. This is the precise reason why you should be keeping your eyes peeled for these many great offers that do show up time to time. Last but not least make sure that you do inquire as to whether there is a warranty on the pressure cooker you are about to purchase.