What could be better than a steaming bowl of soup on chilly days to warm you up? The pressure cooker has no rival when it comes to preparing soup quickly and easily. Not only do pressure cookers speed up cooking time, but they’re also energy efficient.
With so many different pressure cookers, it can be overwhelming to pick the one that’s right for you. Luckily, we’re here to help you sort through pressure cooker features and brands so you have the perfect pressure cooker for soup season.
What Is a Pressure Cooker?
A pressure cooker cooks food using the steam pressure created by sealing off the pot. It significantly reduces the time needed to cook:
- Soups
- Pot roasts
- Stews
- Side dishes
- Desserts
Why You Need a Pressure Cooker
- Saves time as it cooks food faster
- Energy efficient
- Helps retain more healthy compounds in food compared to other cooking methods
- Easy to use
Types of Pressure Cookers
There are two kinds of pressure cookers: electric pressure cookers and stove-top pressure cookers. The pressure cooker you purchase should be able to withstand at least 15 psi (pounds of pressure per square inch), regardless of its type.
- Electric pressure cooker: These types of pressure cookers plug in and sit on the counter. Most modern electric pressure cookers have timers and temperature controls that you can program for various cooking tasks, including simmering, browning, sautéing, and warming. One benefit of this cooker is that it doesn’t take up a lot of space, making it handy when cooking a large meal.
- Stove-top pressure cooker: Stovetop pressure cookers allow you to regulate the heat the same way as you would with any other pot on the stove. But make sure you choose a stainless-steel stove-top cooker. Cheaper aluminum pressure cookers are less sturdy and can react to acidic substances.
Features to Consider
- Look for a pressure indicator to tell you if the contents are still under pressure
- Steam baskets (with partitions) that allow you to cook multiple items at once
- A cover with a quick-release valve for quick steam release
- Cover-locking safety mechanism to prevent pressure buildup in the pot if you don’t fasten the lid properly, preventing you from lifting the lid while the pot is still under pressure
Pressure Cooker Options for Soup Season
Many people are making the switch from pots to pressure cookers to cook warming and nourishing soups. Below are some of the best pressure cooker options to consider.
Instant Pot Pro 8-quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker Has A Variety of Smart Program Options
The Instant Pot Pro 8-quart Pressure and Slow Cooker gives you more control over your meals while doing the heavy lifting for you. It has 28 smart program options for different pressure levels and cooking times. You can adjust cooking times manually by choosing between “natural” or “quick” steam release.
This electric multi-cooker has five presets to make your favorite dishes quickly and easily. Additionally, it offers you the option to brown meats and toast spices by using the sauté function before pressure cooking.
It also boasts 11 safety features including Overheat Protection™ and a safe-locking lid.
The inner pot and attachments are detachable and dishwasher safe, making cleanup easy.
The Crockpot Express 6-Qt Pressure Cooker Can Make More Than Just Soup
The Crockpot Express 6-Qt Pressure Cooker not only pressure cooks but allows you to steam, sauté, and brown foods. You can program these functions using the delay timer to guarantee a hot supper is ready when you are.
In addition to the steaming rack and serving spoon, this purchase comes with a recipe book brimming with tasty ideas for easy weeknight meals. And if you want your electric pressure cooker to make more than soup, it has some presets that make it easy to prepare a variety of dishes including:
- Beans/chili
- Meat/stew
- Rice/risotto
- Chicken
- Yogurt
The Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker Is Easy to Use
The low-cost Presto 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is perfect if you don’t need a lot of features and want to try pressure cooking a delicious soup during the colder months. The pressure regulator maintains an even pressure inside the pot while the cover lock prevents the lid from opening and indicates that the pot is still under pressure.
Presto constructed this stove-top pressure cooker from stainless steel, not aluminum. This means you can use it to cook meals with a high acidity level like a warming tomato soup.
It’s dishwasher-safe and has a rack to prevent food from touching the bottom of the pot during cooking.
The Yedi 9-in-1 Instant Programmable Pressure Cooker is Great For Making Large Batches of Soup
Yedi’s 9-in-1 Instant Programmable Pressure Cooker is an ideal electric pressure cooker for large servings, whether you’re making soup for a dinner party or an entire week’s worth of meals. Yedi adds new recipes to the Yedi app each week, and you can download these for free. Like other multi-cookers, besides helping you make soup, this one can:
- Sauté
- Slow cook
- Steam
- Bake cakes
- Keep meals warm
This pressure cooker also allows you to define a personalized custom setting. Steaming trivets and cheat sheets make multitasking in the kitchen a breeze, and the steamer’s stainless steel steaming basket allows you to prepare two meals at once.
Breville Fast Slow Pro Offers Crockpot Functionality on Low Heat
Breville’s Fast Slow Pro multi-cooker has 11 preprogrammed cooking methods and several extra features, including sous vide mode and sensors that automatically regulate the cooking time and temperature.
This multi-cooker can mimic the role of a crockpot when set to low heat, and it also features a sear and browning mode and an easily removable cooking pot.
The safety system of this pressure cooker includes:
- A hands-free steam release valve
- A locking lid
- An extra safety valve
- Heat-resistant handles
Plus, a large wrap-around container keeps the kitchen countertops free of cooking liquids. Then when time is up, the keep-warm setting automatically turns on.
The Perfect Pressure Cooker for Soup Season
There’s nothing that can provide comfort during the cold months quite like a hot bowl of soup. And once you have a pressure cooker to easily whip up a variety of different soups, soup season is sure to become your favorite season.
