I’ve noticed the debate about the pressure cooker vs slow cooker (sometimes called a crockpot) – but didn’t really understand the difference.
Although I’d had a slow cooker for years, and remember Mum using one when I was a kid, the pressure cooker was pretty much an unknown animal to me.
A friend had been raving about hers – as a busy working Mum, she loved the speed at which the pressure cooker enabled her to produce tasty, nutritious meals.
I began wondering whether a pressure cooker would be useful in my kitchen too.
The hubster does love a gadget or two, so when he saw a Tramontina pressure cooker on special he proudly brought it home for me.
I Must Confess: it sat in it’s box for about a month.
I was scared of it!
We’ve all heard the horror stories of pressure cookers exploding, but I am reliably informed by my good friend the internet, that this only happened with the old generation of pressure cookers, back in the 40’s and 50’s. Yes, they really have been around that long.
I read the instruction manual that came with my Tramontina pressure cooker, but it was slow going and sounded terribly complicated. So my pressure cooker remained as an attractive (?!) ornament on my kitchen bench.
When my friend heard this, she promptly lent me the book “A Pressure Cooker Saved my Life” by Juanita Phillips. (If the name seems familiar, that’s because she’s an ABC reporter).
As well as being a good yarn, Juanita explained the technicalities of pressure cooking in a way that was both practical and interesting. I plucked up my courage and gave it a whirl.
I don’t know that it’s “saved my life”, but now I’m converted: a pressure cooker is definitely a welcome addition to this Middle Aged Mama’s kitchen.
Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker
- You have to think ahead to use a slow cooker, and have the meal prepped and ready to cook in the morning. This is not so great for people like me, who habitually get to 5 or 6 o’clock in the evening before skidding into the kitchen going “What on earth shall I cook?!”
- The slow cooker is well, slow. A pressure cooker means you can have a meal on the table within half an hour from start to finish – including prep time.
- I found that a lot of slow cooker meals, no matter what the ingredients, tasted much the same: like they’d been cooked in a slow cooker. Whereas food cooked in a pressure cooker has a much better flavour.
- You can brown your meat in a pressure cooker, before using it as a pressure cooker. This means only one pot/pan to clean up, unlike with a slow cooker. Score!
- Both are a pain to wash up!
- Both are a great way to cook and seal in the nutritional goodness.
I’m so glad the hubster surprised me with the Tramontina Pressure Cooker – I’m even thinking of retiring my slow cooker for good!
Which one would be your choice?
Linking up with My Home Truths for another Monday morning confession!
Ms_MotorbikeNut says
I have a slow cooker and have never ever had to brown my meat before it goes in the slow cooker & I’ve been using mine for about 3 yrs now since I became the proud owner of one I love it.
It does lovely roasts, our slow cooker gets used at least once a week in Summer and even more during winter.
Like you (at one stage) I’m a Pressure Cooker virgin & I think I’ll always will be only cause our kitchen is small & I don’t have the storage space to store a Pressure Cooker when not using it, in fact I really have got the space to even have it to use it which makes me sad now after reading your post as I would 100% use a pressure cooker as well as my slow cooker still.
(((( Hugs ))))
Ms_MotorbikeNut says
My stupid fingers and mind not working together this part “in fact I really have got the space to even have it to use it which makes me sad now” should actually read …. in fact I really haven’t got the space to even use it which make me sad now ….
(((( Hugs ))))
Janet Camilleri says
My friend has one that’s a pressure AND slow cooker! So that would be a great space saver if ever your slow cooker decides not to work π
Kirsty @ My Home Truths says
I think you have talked me into a pressure cooker Janet. I’m also pressed for time most nights and am looking at meals that can be prepared quickly. I possess an original 70’s brown and orange crockpot which is superb for corned meat and stews but you are right about having to plan ahead – not my forte (I must confess!)
Janet Camilleri says
LOL then my work here is done – attention pressure cooker companies, you should sponsor me!!!
Mystery Case says
We ended up going with a slow cooker and have hardly used it. More of a winter thing and more a case of me needing to be more organised in the kitchen. I might need to find that book and have a read.
Janet Camilleri says
It’s a great book – very real – Juanita shares the struggles and joys of “having it all”, something we can all relate to I think!
Kathy Marris says
Oh I love my slow cooker because I am a morning person and love to put it on before I leave for the day and then walk into the house late in the afternoon to the mouth-watering aroma of a meal all ready for the eating! But I confess I haven’t used a pressure cooker, but my mum had one back in the 1960’s.
lisa says
I am a slow cooker person but I put it on around lunchtime, because I am not a morning person. The pressure cooker scares me but my MIL swears by them. Will have to give it a try..
Pinky Poinker says
My mother had a pressure cooker back in the seventies and cooked all our vegetables in it. It was such a healthy way to cook. I had a slow cooker when the kids were little but I’d be too nervous to leave one on all day when I was out.
Nicola Saad says
I originally bought a pressure cooker/slow cooker in one. I never used the slow cooker side, but use the pressure cooker all the time! The only frustration is that there are hundreds of slow cooker recipe books, but very few for pressure cookers. It almost feels like society has it in for those of us who stare vacantly into the freezer after work wondering vaguely if we can organise a decent meal before dinner… ;-P
Janet Camilleri says
I have actually found that a lot of my regular recipes work really well in the pressure cooker – will have to put some up on the blog for you and others to enjoy. Now I’ve got the hang of it I’m enjoying experimenting!
Zita says
Oh I love my slow cooker… I love that I can leave it and go out and not worry, I love the smell of it cooking when I arrive home! Have never tried a pressure cooker though so can’t honestly compare..
Janet Camilleri says
I love doing silverside in the slow cooker … mmmm … and as you say the whole house smells amazing when you walk in!
Jo says
My mother used a pressure cooker as I was growing up. We always had very well cooked vegetables in record time ( not sure what happen o the nutrients). I prefer the slow cooker.
Ness says
I think you’ve converted me. I like the slow cooker but I’m usually never prepared well in advance as I’m waiting for that pesky old Dinner Fairy who never shows. A pressure cooker sounds like something I’d definitely like to try.
Janet Camilleri says
Do it – I’m loving mine!
Tegan says
I won a slow cooker a couple of years ago and I love it. I had a laugh at your comment about the food all tasting the same, because it kind of does. Although I really feel in love with my slow cooker when a friend sent me a recipe for a chocolate sundae cake mmmm