Hi, Sassy here. :)
Many people write to ask me, "Which is the best pressure cooker out there, and which one do you recommend?" So this page has been created to share this information with you. I hope you find it helpful.
You have likely heard of the benefits of cooking under pressure, but you may wonder if it is right for you, how it works, how much it costs, and what to look for before purchasing?
That is, until he actually used it!
What a pain in the butt it was; loud and obnoxious, and quite confusing and difficult (and scary!) to use. It was like a monster! We were terrified of it.
After a couple of uses, he gave it away to Goodwill. And closed the pressure cooking chapter of our lives.
Or so we thought...
In 2003, I was reintroduced to pressure cookers, with the promise that today's cookers are nothing
like those old jiggle-tops.

I will never forget the excitement of opening the box when our Super Rapid II Pressure Cooker by Magefesa was delivered.
Although our Super Rapid II cooker is still rock solid and working like a champ, Magefesa has stopped
making this particular model.
Here at VeganCoach.com you will never find anything recommended that we haven't personally used. So Jeff and I have searched for a pressure cooker that we could recommend that would be comparable to our Super Rapid II and that you would love and find easy to use.
So we started testing pressure cookers. And fortunately, Magefesa makes the cookers we recommend;
specifically, the Practika Plus and the Mageplus. These are the BEST pressure cookers.
And this page will explain why you need a cooker, what to look for, and why we suggest Magefesa cookers.
Let's begin with a topic near and dear to my heart. BEANS.
Do you eat beans regularly? I am always touting the importance of eating beans. I love beans, and value their magical ability to provide so much vegetarian nutrition in such a small package, especially important for vegans.
But I haven't always loved beans. In fact, I rarely if ever ate them. When I think back to my life before I started pressure cooking, it is nearly impossible to fathom. It wasn't until the best pressure cooker came into my life that Jeff and I started to eat beans on a regular basis.
That's fresh beans, not beans out of a can.

Because while beans out of a can are convenient, they could never compare to the taste of freshly cooked beans.
It is like the difference between fresh veggies and canned veggies -- it is an unfair comparison because they are like two different worlds; the flavors are quite different.
Not only that, but dried beans that you make from scratch are FAR less expensive than those from a can. It's unreal.
The only challenge is that making beans from scratch can take a long time to cook, especially the larger beans such as kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and fava beans.
Instead of taking over an hour in a regular pot on the stovetop, you can cook beans in a pressure cooker in minutes instead. Black beans, for instance, can take 2-3 hours to cook on a regular stovetop. Soaking the beans first will cook them faster, but even then you are looking at a total cooking time of 1 1/2 - 2 hours.
your pre-soaked black beans will cook in just 9-11 minutes. (Even UNsoaked beans take just 20-25 minutes in a PC.) |
You can save SO MUCH TIME pressure cooking.
Not only will you save time and money, but your beans will be more nutritious than those cooked in a regular pot on the stovetop.
Here's why

Imagine you have a regular pot on your stove top filled with boiling water. If you were to leave that pot on the burner, you would eventually come back to a burning pot with no water in it. This is obviously because your water boils away.
When you cook your food in a regular pot, many of the nutrients simply get boiled away and disappear into never-never-land. boo-hoo!
But if you were to put that same amount of water in the best pressure cooker, and lock the lid in place, you could leave it for a very, very long time and experience very little water loss. Everything inside get trapped inside the airtight pot.
What does this mean for you?
infused with nutrients because everything remains trapped within the sealed pot. |
When you get more nutrients from your food, it also satisfies you so you eat less - one of the secrets to healthy weight loss.
You and your family will truly enjoy eating yummy meals you have prepared. You will be amazed by how much money you can save by eating at home more often.
But there's more you can make in your pressure cooker than just magical beans.

You can make yummy vegetable soup in minutes!
Simply toss all your veggies and broth into the pot, set the timer, and continue to do other things in the background to get your meal on the table fast. Then add some cooked beans at the end for a nutritional boost.
And if you want to mix it up, begin by adding some soaked grains to the pot and cook for a few minutes. Bring the pressure down and dump in your veggies. Bring to high pressure again for a few minutes, and your meal is on the table in (seriously) less than 15 minutes.
Talk about your quick meals! Rachel Ray will have NOTHING on you! :)
You will feel like a rock star in your kitchen.
Pressure cooking is so much faster and more convenient than other cooking methods such as steaming, boiling, or baking.
You can save SO MUCH TIME! And cooking is fun and never a drag with the best pressure cooker around.
You will actually WANT to get into the kitchen and cook your buns off - literally! Because when you eat at home more, and eat out less, you can lose that pesky weight you have been holding onto.
Ever finish cooking and look around at your kitchen work space? Oy! Splatters on your counters, stovetop and even floor from the meal you have been working hard to prepare.
That is a thing of the past. When you use the best pressure cooker, all the food and liquid is locked inside the pot! So clean up is a SNAP. You can get out of the kitchen and on with life.
Jeff and I take turns in the kitchen. If I cook, he cleans up; and if he cooks, I clean up. Now, I'm not saying Jeff is a messy cook. But when he uses the pressure cooker, I am more than happy to clean up after him. ;o)
Perhaps one of the coolest parts about using a pressure cooker is something we rarely even think about.
The best pressure cooker will use less energy than conventional cooking methods. So not only will you save $$ on cooking bills, but you are doing your part for the planet.
It always feels good to be a responsible person and lessen your footprint upon our precious Earth. You'll feel great every time you use it. Happiness! :)
Get Meals On The Table Faster - Many people new to pressure cooking don't know that it is important for your food to reach steam time quickly. "Steam time" is the time you lock your lid on until the time low or high pressure is reached.
Faster steam time means your food cooks faster from start to finish. You'll get meals on the table faster so you can get on with the next important thing - like spending time with loved ones or completing a project, relaxing, enjoying life, and feeling less stress!

Very Quiet - I don't know about you, but I find cooking therapeutic. Stepping foot into the kitchen to cook is a great way to think things through and "blow off steam" (ha! - that's funny). The last thing you need is a loud and obnoxious pressure cooker sputtering liquid all over the place and freaking you out!
So you will be happy to know that these cookers are incredibly quiet while under full pressure. So you (and your loved ones) never have to be distracted by unnatural noises coming from your stovetop. You can relax and enjoy your cooking experience.
Here is a quickie video that will show you just how quiet these cookers are at full pressure:

No Hot Spots! - Have you ever cooked something in a pot on your stovetop, and realized to your horror that some of the food stuck to the bottom in certain spots while the food in other spots barely warmed? This is due to hot spots - locations in the base of your pot that heat up more rapidly than the rest causing uneven cooking.
SO not fun when it happens. And such a waste as you usually have to toss out the burnt food and start all over again. And what a time waster too!
The best way to ensure NO HOT SPOTS is with a base made of aluminum. Of course, you want to avoid as much as possible cooking food in aluminum pots and pans due to the risk of aluminum leaching into your food.
But while Magefesa cookers have a base with aluminum (and nickel and chrome too), it's all sandwiched between 18/10 surgical stainless steel for your protection. Very heavy duty. Yet surprisingly lightweight, considering what they're made of.

Won't Chip, Flake, Crack - Easy To Clean Too - Speaking of "18/10 surgical stainless steel", do you know how it differs from regular stainless steel?
"18/10 surgical stainless steel" means these cookers are corrosion resistant, heavy duty, and are very easy to clean. In fact, they can be placed in the dishwasher (minus the pressure regulator valve) -- but personally, I would recommend washing the entire cooker by hand.
In addition, 18/10 surgical stainless steel pressure cookers do not chip, flake or crack, and contains a self-repairing film which makes it reliable for everyday use. Cool.
With Magefesa cookers, you can make delicious food with less waste, be a success in the kitchen, and feel awesome about the delicious and nutritious meals you are cranking out.

Works On Many Different Heat Sources - Do you use a gas or electric range in your kitchen? Jeff and I had lived in the same place for nearly a decade with a gas stove - which I loved as I feel it's the best way to cook with the fastest response. And my pressure cookers worked beautifully on them.
Then we moved. And our current kitchen has a CERAMIC electric cooktop. Fortunately, my cookers worked just as beautifully here as they did in our old digs.
The beauty of these cookers is they work on gas stovetop, electric stovetop, and even ceramic and induction! So you are covered no matter what life throws you.
In fact, I have heard you can even use these cookers over charcoal grills, wood campfires, and solar stoves. (Although you will need to research exactly how to do this properly to ensure a hassle-free experience.)
In other words, you will certainly make use of your investment no matter what your circumstance. You work hard for your money! And you can feel confident with your purchase of a Magefesa Pressure Cooker. Scout's honor. :)

Super Safe - If you have lived long enough, you likely know someone who at one point owned a pressure cooker that scared the living BLEEEEP out of them when the lid blew off; food all over the ceilings and the walls and the floors. Not a pretty sight. And not the best pressure cooker, by a long shot.
Cookers today are made differently, and are very safe. Nothing like their ancestors, the "jiggle-top pressure cookers".
Magefesa cookers have multiple safety mechanisms in place for YOUR protection. So even if you are disctracted and ATTEMPT to do something wrong, the cooker will stop you in your tracks.
Now THAT'S a great insurance policy. (Hey, they don't call me Sasster the Walking Disaster for nothing!)
In case it interests you, you can jump to the bottom of this page to see how some of these safety mechanisms work to ensure you always feel loved and well taken care of. Click here to see photos of these safety mechanisms.

Your Hands Stay Safe From Steam Burns - Have you ever had a steam burn? Not fun. And not pretty in any way, shape or form. If it's bad enough, a steam burn can do some SERIOUS damage to your skin.
These Magefesa cookers have nice LONG HANDLES , and the steam is directed away from your hands as you open the cooker. Awesome, eh?
I understand how important it is to not only get your money's worth but that you buy from a company that you can put your trust in, and that deserves your business. |
I am one of those annoying people who are a stickler for great customer service. I always take the time to fill out comment cards to let a business know when they are doing something right -- or wrong! (Here is a picture of my mom, my sister Eileen, and I filling out comment cards after a restaurant meal. It runs in the family! -->)
It is so rare these days to find a company that makes quality products, treats you with respect, and actually sticks around to grow right along with you.
Magefesa has been in business since 1948 when they started making their first pressure cookers. They know what they're doing!
I have personally been working closely with one of the fabulous people at Magefesa (Hi Alex!) who has been so incredibly kind, helpful, and patient as I worked hard to bring you the fabulous deals you will find on this page.
In other words, my promise to you is that you can feel confident you are purchasing a quality cooker from a quality company with awesome customer service.
Buying your first cooker should be a fun adventure. Relax and enjoy the process.
Sure, you might find a good deal out there for a cooker at a quarter of the price of a new one; for instance, you might find one at a great price in a garage sale or on E-bay. But these usually come with no warranty, which means you are not covered should something go wrong.
And knowing what you know now about how these cookers work, with the high pressure buildup inside, it is incredibly important for your safety and that of your family (and clean ceilings!) that you purchase your cooker brand new, and direct from the manufacturer.
Of course, both of these cookers are amazing. Jeff loves cooking with the Practika Plus because he finds it very simple to use (perfect for those who have experience with pressure cooking), while my favorite is the Mageplus because it has a fantastic big blue button that tells me PRECISELY when low or high pressure has been reached.
So I thought you might need help deciding which one is the best pressure cooker for you and your needs.
When making foods that swell during cooking, such as rice, dry beans and lentils (pulses/legumes), leeks, pasta, or stewed fruit, only fill to 1/2 its volume.
But for all other foods, you should never, ever fill a pressure cooker more than 2/3 of its capacity. (This information will help you to decide which size you need.)
Choose the Practika Plus if you:
Choose the Mageplus if you:
The Practika Plus Handle is slimmer and a bit easier for smaller hands to work with...
...then the Mageplus
But this might not be enough to convince you to take the plunge...
What if it doesn't live up to your expectations?
Firstly, I understand it's a good chunk of change.
But remember, it IS a long-term investment that is sure to pay you back over and over and over for years to come. And just to be certain you feel good and comfy with your purchase...

But you will likely NEVER have to take advantage of this warranty because they make such a faaaantastic product. Truly! You will be completely blown away at how well these cookers are made.

So I know you will love this special offer I have worked out for you:

Firstly, the price includes taxes AND handling AND shipping via UPS - the whole ball of wax in one
low price. (Sorry, U.S. only - Outside of the U.S. will incur an additional shipping charge.);
Next, when you order through VeganCoach.com, I am here to assist. You can ask me any questions about your
Magefesa cooker, including how to use it, trouble shooting, how to create recipes with it, tips and techniques, etc.
In fact, I have set up a page of my site specifically for your pressure cooker questions, and I am always available via email. So before you buy from another company out there, be sure to find out the level of personal support they offer;

Order today and you will receive a FREE 30-page pressure cooking guide, "Fresh Adventures With Pressure! (Or Just A Refresher)", with some of my favorite pressure cooker recipes created right here in my own vegan kitchen. Learn to work with your new cooker, and then create recipes ranging from very easy to slightly more difficult, so it is your perfect companion no matter what your pressure cooker skill level;
And finally, when you order
through VeganCoach.com, your cooker is sent directly from the manufacturer, Magefesa.
Why should you care if your cooker is sent direct from the manufacturer? No middleman. When the middleman is taken out of the equation, the cookers are never repackaged. This means there is far less of a chance for you to receive a cooker which has been broken in transit due to poor packing practices. Imagine what a hassle it would be to deal with returning your new cooker when you are excited to get started.
I encourage you to compare prices across the internet. You will find that very few are priced as low as we
have priced them here at VeganCoach.com -- be sure to check if they are sent direct from the manufacturer,
and whether shipping and taxes are included.
Are you ready to order your very own super deluxe Magefesa Super-Fast Pressure Cooker?
Click here to place your order today.
You are going to love it! I promise! :)
Enjoy your new cooker! xo
p.s. By the way, there's one final benefit that I forgot to mention:
Your friends will be green with jealousy and wowed by your brilliance!
Now, how can you pass THAT up? ;)
is the perfect choice if you: |
is the perfect choice if you: |
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U.S. Only ![]() | U.S. Only ![]() |
A gasket is the round rubber ring that fits just inside the bottom of the lid. When pressure rises inside the pot, it is the gasket that helps to keep the seal airtight. Gaskets age slowly, but it is a good idea to have an extra one on hand because when your current gasket reaches the end of its life (about 2 years), your cooker simply cannot work without it. I recommend you buy one and stash it away. ![]() Please Note: All cookers come with a gasket. Additional gaskets can be ordered here. Practika Plus Gasket Mageplus Gasket Have an old Super Rapid II? We have gaskets for you too. :) (Hey, that rhymed.) The steamer basket sits on top of the trivet, and the whole shebang rests inside the cooker. Perfect for steaming those vegetables which take longer to cook, such as carrots, potatoes, and yams). ![]() Practika Plus Steamer (plus Trivet) Mageplus Steamer (plus Trivet) - The 6.5 quart and 8.5 quart Mageplus cookers automatically come with a steamer basket/trivet. - Sorry, steamer basket doesn't fit into the cute 4.2 quart. U.S. Only |
* PLEASE NOTE THIS RETURN POLICY BLURB: All merchandise returns must have a Return Authorization (RA) number issued by Magefesa's Customer Service. If you need to make a return, please contact me through the VeganCoach.com contact page.
Any returns not having prior authorization will be refused by the Magefesa Operations Department. Only products purchased in the last 30 days with an approved claim for damage or coverage are eligible for return. Special orders are not returnable. All returns must be accompanied with the original packing slip and sent in the original packaging to ensure proper credit or exchange.
In the case of a return, you are in charge of a restocking fee of up to 30%. Please note you are also in charge of shipping the item back to Magefesa, and in addition the original cost of shipping the product TO YOU will not be refunded. Magefesa will pay for the shipping back to you on a replacement for a defective item.
** PLEASE NOTE THIS LIABILITY BLURB: MAGEFESA USA cannot be responsible for injuries, illness or damages sustained by the misuse of any of our products. It is the user's responsibility to decide that the product is suitable for this particular requirement. Our liability is limited to the replacement of merchandise proven defective with respect to material and workmanship.
Of course, we (Patty and Jeff Knutson) cannot be held responsible either.
In other words, please pay attention to what you are doing when working with your pressure cooker. Today's pressure cookers are very safe and easy to use, but please read the instructions completely before using your new cooker.
Both cookers have an open button - here is what it looks like from the outside...
...and from the inside.
In both cookers, the long-life gasket fits perfectly inside the edges of the lid.
When pressure forms inside the cooker, the gasket presses against the open button inside and the cooker is unable to be opened until pressure subsides.
HOW THE PRACTIKA PLUS PRESSURE COOKER WORKS
The Practika Plus pressure detector/sensor in the start/off position. See the small black tab which is blocking the hole a bit? That means the lid is not closed and locked on.
As long as your lid is not locked on correctly, your cooker cannot reach pressure.
Once locked on properly, that black tab will be hidden and your cooker can then reach the pressure you desire.
To close, match up the dot on the lid with the dot on the handle. Then turn until it clicks into place.
Practika Plus closed and locked.
Practika Plus Pressure Regulator - Set the dial to low (I) or high (II).
Practika Plus Sensor - "Up" position. This small red pressure detector/sensor that pops up to tell you that you now have pressure in the pot.
When you see a gentle, steady stream of steam (wow, say THAT 3 times fast!), set your timer.
After you have finished cooking, you will watch for this sensor to go back down completely to its original hidden position before opening the cooker.
You are simply unable to open the cooker if this sensor is up and and there is still pressure in the pot.
HOW THE MAGEPLUS PRESSURE COOKER WORKS
The Mageplus pressure detector/sensor - start position (zero pressure). See how there is some blue showing in the hole? That is because the lid is not closed and locked on.
As long as your lid is not locked on correctly, your cooker cannot reach pressure.
Once locked on properly, the blue will disappear and the entire hole will be visible. Your cooker can then reach the pressure you desire.
To close, match up the arrow on the lid with the arrow on the handle.
Now that the lid is closed and locked, you can see that the entire inner hole is visible.
Mageplus closed and locked.
Mageplus Sensor - "Up" position, which means it has reached pressure.
After you have finished cooking and have removed your cooker from the heat source, you will watch for this sensor to go back down completely to its original hidden position before opening the cooker.
As with the Practika Plus, you simply are unable to open the cooker if this sensor is up and there is still pressure in the pot.
This big fat blue button is what sets the Mageplus apart from many cookers available today. I call it the "cheat sheet" because it takes the guesswork out of pressure cooking. This is a feature our old Magefesa Super Rapid II had that I just loved.
Remember, with the Practika Plus you turn the knob to tell the cooker you want low or high pressure? A person with more experience in pressure cooking would have a pretty good idea of how to regulate the heat source to keep that "gentle steady stream of steam" going.
With the Mageplus, you watch for the button to reach low pressure (the first visible line) or high pressure (the 2nd visible line). Once it reaches your desired setting, set your timer, and begin cooking under pressure.
In other words, the guesswork is taken out of the equation. As you watch the button go up or down, simply adjust your heat source setting as needed to keep the pressure where you want it.
Thanks for visiting my pressure cooker page. Have a fun day. xo

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"Thank you very much. Your information is awesome. This is my first time on your site and Jeff's video and your information had me purchasing in 5 minutes! Great job." I was wondering about pressure cookers for a while and I really have been wanting to cook beans instead of always buying canned so I can't tell you how happy I was to find such an easy site. You guys rock. :-)" "Received my Magefesa yesterday. I just finished cooking sweet potatoes this morning. Works perfectly! Can't wait to do artichokes!" "I just made potatoes, carrots, asparagus, cranberries - I threw them all in there; yup, I'm a guy. The potatoes literally cooked faster than a microwave. All I did was wait til it got to the second line then turned the heat off. After the thingamabobber fell back down, they were ready. It's got to save on the electric bill, too. After all, it does a fair amount of cooking after the heat has been turned off." "Thank you for the speedy delivery of my new pressure cooker! So far feeling it out, the energy savings are immediately impressive. I feel like a mad scientist every time I use it (muhuhuhahahaha!). Now it's off to another fast and deliciously hearty bowl of steel cut oats this morning." "I just wanted to tell you that I finally got brave enough to try the cooker, lol! I cooked fresh frozen peas this week and they were delicious! Yesterday I received the pressure cooker cookbook Thanks for all your help! I am sold on the cooker! I will probably cook a lot of my meals in it." "The Mageplus pressure cooker is awesome. Sooo much faster, and the beans come out nice and soft. I was too impatient with stove cooking to even let them get that soft and gave myself stomach aches sometimes. LOL." "You are so wonderful and I appreciate so much all of the great info that you give us for *free*. I trust you, with customer satisfaction and your recommendations. "These days, it is priceless to receive trustworthy, honest personal assistance and support, in which you are a master my dear! Therefore, I am very happy to be ordering my pressure cooker from YOU." "Thanks for the pressure cooker info and for the ability to order through you. I love hearing about the good ideas from you on your site which I have recommended to a lot of people. "Take care and thank you for being my health angel." "Thanks for being so thorough and helpful AND especially for teaching a younger generation about the glories of the pressure cooker! Yay! I remember one blowing up in my mother's kitchen in the 1940's. "And I was terrified to use one until I married my sweet George in my late 40's and he was a confirmed pressure cooker guy. We still use the jigglers after 23 yrs - and laugh when our kids have that scared look when we prepare our foods that way. But they love those veggies. "The new cookers should allay some of the fear that comes with the about-to blow sounds our cookers have. We wouldn't think of having veggies any other way other than maybe using our Vitamix for small amounts of quick soups or cold soups. "Keep up the great work!" |
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