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Those among us who are often short on time (who isn’t these days!) are probably well acquainted with a pressure cooker by now. And if you’re not – you should be. Like its name suggests, this kitchen gadget cooks food under high pressure steam and water in a sealed vessel. This high pressure means it’s able to maintain high temperatures and cook food far more quickly without reaching boiling – genius!

Here are our 8 picks.

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Breville The Fast Slow Go Pressure Cooker, $269, Bing Lee

This machine may look intimidating but don’t let its army of buttons sway you – this is a one-stop shop for cooking, especially if you’re in a hurry. It has the ability to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, stew, make risotto, yoghurt or sous vide (among more) at the touch of a button. The 6 litre stainless contraption has 14 different shortcut and appliance settings, joined by imagery for ease.

Healthy Choice 6L Pressure Cooker, $129.95, Harris Scarfe

A slightly more streamlined take on the pressure cooker is this black and rose gold option. There are 8 different cooking programs to choose from, with 6 timer settings catering to your cravings for a slow-cooked casserole or quick stir-fry. There’s even a ‘keep warm’ mode if you’re not yet ready to dig in. Alongside a 6 litre non-stick aluminium pot, your purchase arrives with a spoon, measuring cup and recipe book so you’ll never run out of meal ideas.

Tefal Neo Pressure Cooker 8L, $299.95, Harris Scarfe

Leaning into old school simplicity is this no nonsense pressure cooker from Tefal which guarantees seriously tender meat dishes in no time at all. Hosting an 8 litre capacity for your feasting pleasure, this gadget keeps it easy with just 2 cooking programs, and promises ample safety with no less than 5 security systems which monitor open/close and over pressure potential.

Healthy Choice 6L Air Fryer & Pressure Cooker Stainless Steel, $349.99, Harris Scarfe

If you’re a fan of a combination kitchen gadget, this Healthy Choice creation merging the uber popular air fryer with the pressure cooker is right up your alley. With its 7 pre-set air frying cooking programs, adjustable timer, temperature controls, and 6 litre aluminium pot, this ‘no fuss’ cooker can help you do everything from produce perfectly fluffy rice, to slow-cook some pork belly for tacos.

Fissler Vitavit Premium Pressure Cooker, $999, Myer

Proof that you get what you pay for is this Fissler pressure cooker. At just under $1000 it’s undoubtedly an investment piece, but for the devoted home cook it’s one worthy of your time and attention. This is the top of the range – a product designed, developed and manufactured in Germany that promises to save you up to 70% cooking time, boasting 4 cooking settings (including a pressure-free steaming option).

Woll Diamond Active Lite Fixed Handle Induction Low Pressure Pot, $599.95, Myer

You’re looking at the next generation of kitchen technology (or so Woll proclaims). Designed with patented low-pressure lid innovation, these nifty additions to your cookware promise slow-cooked favourites in half the time. Plus the removable lid allows you to season, or add extra herbs and spices during the cooking process if need be.

Tefal Cook4me-plus Pressure & Multicooker, $294, The Good Guys

A fellow multifunction cooking machine, this seriously intelligent Tefal number will help you sear, saute, and pressure cook in a flash. Its Cook4Me inclusion will guide the way (quite literally) offering 150 built-in recipes from starters through desserts that will show you step-by-step how to create each dish – just pop in your ingredients, close the lid, and select your Cook4Me recipe of choice.

BK Pressure Cooker Blue, $639.95, Myer

Or stay true to pressure cooker traditions with this BK enamel pressure cooker made from quality carbon steel in vibrant blue, a non-toxic, non-porous and scratch resistant material that guarantees fast heat conduction and max heat retention. This cooker can be used on all stovetops, including induction and it’s dishwasher safe (excluding the lid that is).

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