Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker, 4 Qt. Saturday, December 6, 2008

Easy one-touch pressure cooking. Contemporary design with European flair in 18/10 stainless steel with aluminum-clad sandwiched base layer for even heat distribution. Includes recipe book. Exclusive safety system features a dual-pressure control valve, two independent over-pressure release valves plus safety locking handle that prevents opening while cooker is under pressure. UL approved. 10-year warranty. Model #918012544.
Customer Review: Does not hold up.
When I got my Fagor pressure cooker I was very pleased with how it worked and assumed my pressure cooking days were just beginning. I used it daily for about six months with no trouble other than cleaning. Then, without overheating or other accident, it developed a crack in the safety valve under the lid. It is made of some sort of weak pot metal. This is the valve which seals in the steam and raises the safety button. Unfortunately it cannot be purchased alone. You must buy the handle and other parts as a kit--all of which costs nearly as much as a new pressure cooker. I had expected nothing would need replacement but the gasket. Between the weakness of the part and the lack of economical access to a replacement, I would say Fagor is selling a throw-away product, unfortunately, because it really does work well--at first.
Customer Review: Faulty design - consider another brand
I've owned this pressure cooker for 6 months and I've already changed the gasket twice. Even with that, it doesn't hold pressure and often just lets out a burst of hot pressurized steam halfway through cooking. I wouldn't recommend this item to my worst enemy.