Electric pressure cookers work automatically. Simply set to your desired programme and your cooker will do the rest. Timers mean that they are a great option if you wish the food to be prepared for when you get home. Which brand of pressure cooker is best? For a couple, or a small family, a three-litre capacity pressure cooker should be sufficient for most dishes. But if you cook on a larger scale then consider a pressure cooker with a capacity of at least six litres which is enough for a larger family or for batch cooking. We got ours in October and it has been fantastic. We cook a lot of Pakistani food in there, wholemeal rice is super fluffy and light, beans/lentils very easy to cook. I like the fact it’s not just a pressure cooker. (Tried and tested by Mumsnetter TakeMe2Insanity) Our verdict I like the fact that you can do a whole meal in one pan as you can sauté and then slow cook. I've started to use the pressure cooking setting more and more - it makes excellent rice for example."(Vetted by Mumsnet user QueenofLouisiana) Our verdict

CHOICE OF SIZE - Available in 4 litre capacity, great for couples or individual servings, or the larger 6 litre capacity, which is the perfect size for families, providing up to 8-10 servings.

3. Best compact pressure cooker: Drew & Cole Pressure King Pro Electric Pressure Cooker

The fact that you can just set it off and leave it is, IMO, the best thing about it and a total gift to parents. I don't do anything adventurous with mine, just one pot meals, or cooking up rice, polenta etc. Wouldn't want to be without it now though."(Tried and tested by Mumsnet user BessAndCress) Uses a visual indicator valve which raises to let you know once the pressure setting has been reached Stovetop pressure cookers are usually made from stainless steel. They tend to work at a higher pressure than electric ones, so they may require a little more liquid to be added. Because they have higher pressure, they are faster than electric cookers and, because of their design, they can make more of a noise and may appear to rattle as they reach their peak. Mentioned on the Mumsnet forums almost as much as the Instant Pot is the Pressure King Pro, another outstanding performer in the world of pressure cookers. Plus, it's so compact that you can simply pop it away in the cupboard next to your food storage containers when you're done. Because we know that there’s nothing like a real recommendation from a real parent, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out which pressure cookers discerning Mumsnet users had bought for themselves.

Decide whether you want an electric or stovetop pressure cooker. The main difference between an electric and stovetop pressure cooker is the power source. An electric pressure cooker is powered from the mains to create the necessary steam, whereas a stovetop cooker sits on your hob and heats up like a normal pan. There are some brilliant multi-purpose cookers on the market which allow you to pressure cook and slow cook (not at the same time), eliminating the need for two products. We recommend the Sage Fast Slow Pro which is a great cooker for quality and versatility. How do I choose a good pressure cooker? Say goodbye to hours of cooking time with our famous Prestige Pressure Cookers, helping you to save energy and cut costs on bills. LET US TAKE THE PRESSURE OUT OF COOKING - The best pressure cooker should be built to last - which is why we offer a lifetime guarantee.

8. Best pressure cooker set: Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cooker Set

FASTER COOKING & SAVES ON ENERGY BILLS -Did you know this handy piece of kit can save on your household bills by cooking, delicious, tasty food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods? This feature provides even heat distribution to ensure your food is cooked thoroughly, and is designed to work with any hob type I have a Kuhn Rikon stovetop pressure cooker and it would be instantly replaced if anything happened to it. Brilliant for soups and cooking pulses - I do a big batch of beans and freeze them. It’s a zillion times better than a slow cooker and makes amazing macaroni cheese."(Recommended by Mumsnetter MoltoAgitato) Our verdict