Opinions please, on electric steamers and pressure cookers

[northender]

Are they worth having? I use a hob top steamer now which I cook all veggies in. My only memory of pressure cookers is mum using one when I was little and the top continually coming off and a great hissing ensuing. I presume things have moved on from then?

I think modern pressure cookers are far more sophisticated in controlling pressure. I have an old one that I use a few times per year to make soup, casseroles (15-20 minutes cooking time instead of 2-3 hours)and to soften oranges for home made marmalade. If you are likely to need a pressure cooker on a regular basis to do something like this it might be worth the investment (and the loss of kitchen storage space. As for steamers, I too use one that goes on top of a saucepan for veg but if you have the space on your work top and want to cook entire meals using steam, perhaps an electic one might be useful.

I have an electric steamer and I love it!! We use it for all sorts of things, from the usual steaming veggies and fish to boiling eggs and reheating leftovers (keeps food lovely and moist rather than drying it out like the microwave would) ooh, and rice is divine cooked in it!

I have a pressure cooker on my wishlist but I'm not sure how much use it would get so I'm still on the pondering stage..

I have a slow cooker which I love. Does the meat in casseroles turn out tender as it would with long slow cooking? If so then I could see the use especially on the days I work if I haven't been able to set something off in the slow cooker before work. How is veg when done in a pressure cooker?

I love my steamer. I use it for everything. Last night I steamed a load of veggies, tonight I steamed up some lovely tender, moist chicken which I shredded and put into tortillas.

I always feel so worthy and healthy when I use it and it's so easy.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I've got the extra sexy Tefal Vitacuisine. I believe in the UK it's being hawked by the Lakeland lot. Ah yes.

www.lakeland.co.uk/product.aspx/kitchenideas/kitchenelectricals!11342

It is more expensive but definitely loads better than my older layered steamer. Heats up in about 2 seconds.

Thanks arfy, need to decide whether or not I've enough space. Anyone else on pressure cookers?