I want to buy a pressure cooker but I'm really scared as I don't really know what they are and my only memories are of scary amounts of steam being let off in my kitchen when I was little.

[GordontheGopher]

It's one of those things that I really think I should own. Please advise!

Have you sought therapy?

I even remember it was orange.

I used to be frightened of it when I was little!
I have got one and they are no trouble at all to use and they speed up the cooking no end. I use it for soup a lot and it is good for boiling gammon and Christmas pudding. It does just about anything.

Gordon, having read your satnav thread I can only conclude that you are mortal afeard of technology and should restrict yourself to cooking in an iron pot without a lid over a fire. That'll be £350, and get your feet off my couch.

Touche Habbibu.

my mum had one, was scared of it too. the jamie oliver one is supposed to be good, am getting one myself. love stews, hate waiting. the only thing is you don't get the depth of flavour as with slow cooking apparently, but still. don't think they're as scary nowadays.