Hawkins 8L Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Induction Base - Fast & Safe Cooking for Soups, Stews & Meal Prep | Induction Compatible

I got this pressure cooker because pressure cooking improves food quality in seeds and grains by making the toxic proteins in these foods called lectins much easier to digest and therefor much less toxic to the digestive system. I looked at a lot of different types of pressure cookers including the electric ones. I choose this one over an electric pressure cooker because it can be used even if the power goes out. That can be an issue where I live. I like that this cooker is made by a company that has been making pressure cookers for many years, and does not ship the work away to China, but continues to make the pressure cookers it sells in it's own facilities in India as it has always done. The design of this cooker is quite unique, and it is intended by the manufacturers to last for a long time. Also, the manufacturer supplies spare parts if they are needed. This is definitely a good sign!The cooker comes with lots of instructions. It is important to follow them, pressure cookers are dangerous. I like the safety features that this one provides. I feel as though the cooker could not actually explode as some kinds can do if they run dry (they could at least, when I was a kid). There is a safety on this one that will have to be replaced if you ever get the cooker over pressure. So, it would be a big hassle if you ever did force it into action, but at least it will be safe. so, I think it is better just to read the instructions and treat this item with the respect that a pressure cooker deserves. When i was a kid we always used one, it was a big heavy aluminum item that I am sure most people my age will recall. I never though about using a pressure cooker after learning about the dangers of aluminum in your body. I didn't know anyone was making stainless steel cookers. That is one of the reasons I bought this particular model -- it is all stainless steel - so you will know that your food is not contaminated by aluminum. The only draw back of this particular model is the fact that you can not plunge it into cold water when cooking is over to bring down the pressure. This is because the base is made from 3 layers of different metal ( a thick heavy base of aluminum is sandwiched between the innermost and outermost layer of stainless steel) . Plunging the pot into cold water to hasten the pressure drop would put too much stress on the dis-similar metals and would result in damage to the base. Also, I am afraid that it would be unwise to apply too, too much heat to the cooker when bringing it up to pressure, lest this also should lead to stress on the cooker's base. So, I heat the cooker at slightly below full flame on my gas stove. It heats up very quickly anyways. so that isn't a problem. When cooking is done I let the pot sit for a few minutes, off of the cooking ring, and if I am in a hurry I let some steam out by lifting the weight with a fork. Mostly, it is not an issue. When cooking is done, usually not everything is finished in the kitchen. so, I really don't mind that you can't hurry the cooling off as much as you might if you could use cold water.It takes a little while to become familiar with the way the cooker responds to your own particular stove, so you have to pay good attention to it when first using it. And, since it is a pressure cooker, and therefor inherently dangerous, you can never leave it alone anyways (you really should not) lest it run dry - that is when things get very dangerous - but maybe not in this case with the meltable safety valve. I'm not clear on this point. But, like I said before, if you put this pressure cooker under the type of conditions that will cause the safety valve to melt, you will have to replace that part, and it will be a hassle, so that is one reason, at least to keep a good eye on your pressure cooker when it is being used.I would recommend this pressure cooker to anyone. I really like it, and have enjoyed using it immensely. Unfortunately this pot does not come with inner containers as the next size up does (8 liters?) I have the 6 liter model. However, I happen to have a small stainless pot that fits inside just right, so when I cook up a smaller amount of rice or oatmeal I put the grain in the small pot with the required water to cook it properly, place this small pot on the steaming rack that comes with the pressure cooker and then add the necessary water to provide the pressure cooker's steam to the bottom of the pot. This works perfectly and makes fabulous grains and beans and porridge. If you were cooking for more than one or two people I think I would recommend getting a larger size pot than the 6 liter size. Over all I am extremely pleased with this pressure cooker.