Hawkins Contura Black 5 Litre Pressure Cooker, Hard Anodised Cooker, Handi Cooker, Black (CB50)

Product Information

The Sage has 7 pressure levels and the added safety of three types of steam release; all are hands-free and only need the press of a button.

Automatic pressure release - Electric pressure cookers, like the Tefal CY851840, with this feature release the steam at the end of cooking for you, meaning you don't have to put your hands anywhere near the hot steam. If you are tech-savvy, this is a brilliant cooker and excellent for busy households where quickly getting healthy, exciting and delicious food on the table is needed. Today’s pressure cookers come in different shapes and sizes, but there are two main types – traditional stove-top pressure cookers and the newer electric pressure cookers. Modern stove-top pressure cookers are designed with safety in mind: many have safety-locking lids which mean there's no danger of opening them before it's safe to do so, and pressure valves to release steam if the pressure gets too high. Microwave - these have the health benefits of pressure cookers, as well as the speedy cooking times.Pricier stove-top pressure cookers are often made of stainless steel instead of aluminium and have a thicker base, making them more durable than cheaper models. Learn more about the art of pressure cooking and find mealtime inspiration by browsing BBC Good Food's pressure cooker recipes .

Safety locking lid - Models with this feature keep the lid locked until the pressure has reduced enough to be safely opened. Safety instructions - Included with your pressure cooker, whilst not the flashiest safety feature, contain all the vital dos and don'ts on how to use your appliance. The pressure cooker features a gasket release system - in case there is any blockage of vent tube, the gasket will bulge and steam will be released through the slot. Cooking: we tried a variety of recipes to really put them through their paces, including meats that take a long time to tenderise, pulses and recipes with a lot of liquid, to see if it escaped on pressure release. All models will indicate when pressure has reached the desired level, but some have multiple pressure levels to choose from, or built-in timers and thermometers to take some of the guesswork out of the process.Slow cooker - if you’re interested in the hands-off approach to cooking, but would prefer to not have to release pressure, a slow cooker will turn out tasty stews and curries for those prepared to wait. This makes them a good option for people who are new to pressure cooking or those who don’t want to watch over their appliance. The increased pressure forces moisture into the food, helping to tenderise tough cuts of meat, and soften beans and chickpeas in rapid time. The low-pressure option makes cooking more energy-efficient, as the cooker can switch to this setting once the food has cooked.

The design is super simple, meaning it's both easy to seal and doesn't have any bits that are awkward to clean. Electric pressure cookers, especially multicookers, generally have smaller capacities than stove-top pressure cookers. The 36cm round cooker is a striking black with some silver accents, and until the screen lights up, it does look slightly menacing. They work in fundamentally the same way, using a build-up of steam pressure to raise the temperature above boiling point and force liquid into food, cooking it more quickly. The smallest models have about a three-litre capacity, but most are around four to six litres, which should be plenty to make a meal for a family of four.INDUCTION SUITABLE - Unlike the aluminium versions, our stainless steel pressure cooker is suitable for ALL hob types, including induction. If you want maximum flexibility, look for a pressure cooker that is also a multicooker, such as the Instant Pot.

We especially like the inclusion of a second glass lid, which instantly turns it from a pressure cooker to a useful pan or serving dish. Pressure cooking is really good at retaining nutrients, making it a great choice for those who want to eat healthily.

After using the Cooker now for more than 6 months I’m so glad I made the change - it was the right choice and I’m delighted with the product which cooks perfectly and much quieter than my old one. The durable non-stick surface of this pan added extra versatility and we were able to make a surprisingly good risotto. A two-valve mechanism gives you more choice for releasing pressure, either naturally by leaving it to cool, or speeding things up by sitting the pan in cold water or running some over the top. Like electric pressure cookers, stove-top models come in different shapes and sizes, starting at around 1. We act as a credit broker not a lender, offering credit products provided exclusively by Klarna Bank AB UK branch (BR020956), a branch of Klarna AB (556737-0431) which is authorised and regulated by the Swedish Financial Services Authority.