4, 6 or 8 quart pressure cooker?

[Guest]

I am somewhat capacity impaired and wanted to ask what size pressure cooker would be most versatile. As I am writing this, I realize that 8 quarts is pretty big, that being the size of my stockpot, and 4 is probably small for soups and stews, so the 6 quart one sounds about right. After reading through the posts on rice cookers and pressure cookers, I think I am going to order a Farberware electirc pressure cooker. My trusty rice maker kicked the dust the other night and I do miss it. Last time, I made rice the old fashion way and it worked, but it sounds like a pressure cooker will take care of the rice and more. I have never used a pressure cooker before and have vivd memories of my mom using it. I, too, am a little intimidated by all that pressure, but the Farberwares sound like that were made for me.

[karen w]

I just got a pressure cooker this past summer, and I now swear by it. After buying el cheapo chicken scraps for just over a buck, and making the richest tasting chicken stock I've ever made in 30 min., I was sold. That's how I've been making all my stocks now. I've also used it for grains and beans. I got an electric 8 qt. pot from QVC, and I don't think it is too big especially if you are going to do soups or stocks. I would suggest not getting anything smaller than 6 qt. since some things can foam(beans etc...) so often you don't want to fill the pot to the top. I just used mine last week to make turkey stock from a roasted turkey carcass, and I was glad to have had the bigger size to fit the carcass. Just my 2 cents. Good luck with your decision.

Karen

[Guest]

Karen,
Thanks for your advice. I just ordered the 8 quart Farberware from Overstock.com. The price looked pretty good and I think I will get a lot of use our of it.

[sneezles]

Just wanted to say that I LOVE my Faberware 4qt (I have had it 3 years now). I have been trying to justify adding the 8qt to my butler's pantry...

[Deanna]

Well....this sorta clears it up for me....I guess 8 qt isn't TOO big for stock and beans.

So glad for the exchange of information on this board!

d