Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cookers Friday, November 28, 2008

Pressure cookers go contemporary with European design and easy one-touch cooking. All Elite models made of 18/10 stainless steel with aluminum-clad base sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel for even heat distribution. Triple safety system that includes a dual-pressure control valve, two independent over-pressure release valves plus safety locking handle that prevents opening while cooker is under pressure. All models come with a 10-year consumer warranty. All models are UL approved.

Fagor Splendid 2-in-1 5 Piece Pressure Cooker Set Thursday, November 27, 2008

Pressure cooking reduced cooking time up to 70%, just imagine what you could be doing instead of laboring over the stove! Pressure cooking requires no added oil, seals in nutrients, and maintains natural flavors and textures, making it a healthy choice. And finally it's easy, just load the ingredients, seal the lid, select the pressure, and begin cooking. Have Steamed Lobster in 3 minutes, Cioppino in 5 minutes, Risotto in 7 minutes, or Vegetable Medley in 2 minutes.
Customer Review: Ideal sizes, saves more time than energy
I'm very happy with my pressure cookers, purchased a few months ago. I agonized over whether to purchase the 4 quart or 6 quart model, as I wanted both to be able to cook small amounts (e.g. 2 cups of rice) for small meals and larger amounts for dinner parties. This combination set is perfect, as it allows me to do both, without buying two lids and gaskets, and for considerably less than the cost of buying the two separately. I've made batches of beans and grains in the 4-quart pot, and a variety of soups in the 6 quart pot. It's also been great for cooking winter squash in just a few minutes. The pressure cooker is easy to use and easy to clean (& I'm new to pressure cooking), and thus far the gasket has sealed with relative ease. The steaming basket and flimsy trivet aren't ideal, but this is a minor complaint. I had hoped to save on my energy bill by pressure cooking - since food cooks in a fraction of the time, it should only use a fraction of the electricity / gas. I can't say that I've noticed any changes to my electric bill though, because it turns out that energy use for cooking is a relatively small part of overall energy use. According to Natural Resources Canada (from whom information happened to be conveniently available) the average household with an electric stove uses about 775 KWH (kilowatt hours) of electricity for the stove per year. At $0.12 per KWH, that would amount to about $95. Fagor claims that a pressure cooker reduces energy use by 70%. Assuming that you'll actually pressure cook one-fourth of what you cook on a stove-top that would mean that your average yearly savings would be $95*1/4*0.70, or about $17. Given that the pressure cooker set costs currently about $120, that means it would take about 7 years to recoup your investment in terms of energy savings (this would change a bit if you take into account that in winter the extra heat from cooking helps to heat the house, and in summer you have to pay twice, once to heat the stove and once to re-cool the kitchen). If you buy a new gasket every couple of years, it come out nearly even. In conclusion, my pressure cookers have allowed me to eat more healthy foods - whole grains, legumes and winter squashes - without spending all day cooking. For that it's a good investment, but not so much to save energy.
Customer Review: Not My Mother's Pressure Cooker, Unfortunately
I grew up using my mother's old Presto, and was really excited to see what the 21st century brought in the way of pressure cooking. This Fagor set is not at all what I hoped for. Main problem is, I have NO idea how to tell when optimum pressure has been reached, and whether it is being maintained. There is no rocker, just a valve that sputters off and on. I have burned everything I have tried to make. This is very frustrating, as I am an old pro at pressure cooking. The lid is hard to get on and seal. Last night was the last straw. I somehow got the lid jammed on incorrectly and the steam was leaking out the side. It took my husband pounding on the handle with a hammer to get the stupid thing to come off. From the pictures of the new Fagor pressure cookers, it looks like they may have solved the pressure problem with a pop-up button, but I think I am going back to Presto.

Fagor "Elite" Pressure Cooker, 6 Qt. Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A contemporary 6-Qt. pressure cooker with European design and easy one-touch cooking. Made of 18/10 stainless steel with aluminum-clad base sandwiched between two layers of stainless steel for even heat distribution. Triple safety system that includes a dual-pressure control valve, two independent over-pressure release valves plus safety locking handle that prevents opening while cooker is under pressure. 10-year consumer warranty. UL approved. Model # 918012660
Customer Review: Back to the future of speed cooking
With a Christmas gift card from Cathy's uncle Bob in hand, I headed straight for the cookware department at Macy's. My inner food geek wanted something for the kitchen. We didn't know what it would be, only that we would know it when we found it. And there they were, in all their gleaming stainless steel splendor. Twenty out-of-pocket bucks later, I'm strolling the streets of Victoria Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga with my new Fagor Elite 6-quart pressure cooker. Things sure have changed since I gave my mother a Presto Harvest Gold pressure cooker back in the last century. Fagor replaces the wobbling weight with a captive spring-loaded pressure regulator. Instead of a rubber plug that blasts out of the lid in the event of excess pressure, the Fagor's emergency release is a cutout portion of the lid that exposes part of the gasket. The gasket stretches but if it should snap, it would stay in place and the steam would escape out the side, not into the cook's face. To earn the Underwriters' Laboratories seal, Fagor pressure cookers feature a pressure-activated safety lock in addition to the manual latch. You'd have to be built like Mister Universe to force open a pressurized cooker. In operation, the Fagor behaves a little differently than a weight-regulated pressure cooker. On the latter, you have to determine if the weight is wobbling at just the right rhythm. The weight should waggle but not bang against the vent stem. With the Fagor, all you have to see or hear is a gentle constant flow of steam. The regulator knob is also the release valve, should you wish to depressurize the cooker immediately instead of allowing the pressure to drop naturally. The steam is routed through a fan-shaped outlet, allowing it to disperse and cool quickly. At six inches from the outlet, the steam is warm but not burning hot. So far, the cooker has performed as promised. Lentil soup with diced smoked sausage cooked up thick and flavorful in just 10 minutes under pressure. Ditto for spaghetti sauce and whole links of Italian sausage. The sauce had intense flavors of garlic and herbs, and the sausage came out juicy with a hint of snap in the casing. Three pounds of diced red potatoes and the peeled cloves from a whole bulb of garlic were ready to mash in 6 minutes. The amazingly short cooking times omit the time required for the cooker to come up to pressure which can take about 10 minutes. Still, you save a lot of time overall. Keeping the all-important gasket clean is a cinch because it's so easy to remove and replace. The lid and pot are made of gleaming 18/10 stainless steel with an encapsulated aluminum base that cooks over any gas or electric heat source as well as the latest induction cooktops. When it's time to clean up, you can use cleaners like Bar Keeper's Friend on the inside and out, but if the discoloration is from cooking lentils, split peas, potatoes or beans, it's iron and other minerals that are good for you. Just wash and dry the pot and put it away until you're ready to prepare spaghetti sauce or some other high acidity recipe. You'll get back a little nutrition and you won't have to scour your pressure cooker. If you've never heard of Fagor or you're wondering if it's a brand a pro would use, Lola Bistro owner and head chef Michael Symon used a Fagor pressure cooker while competing to become Food Network's newest Iron Chef. He then went on to win his first Iron Chef America challenge, preparing one of his winning dishes in his Fagor. Although he's not officially connected to Fagor in any way, I can't think of a better endorsement.

Fagor 918012928 UCook Pressure Cooker Set Monday, November 24, 2008

Fagors 7-piece pressure cooker set includes 2 nesting pots with an inner ridge to rest the steamer basket that allows 2 dishes to be cooked at the same time. Its complete with an easy cleaning valve that reduces food particle build up, an automatic locking lid and three accessories for even greater versatility.Features:Constructed of 18/10 stainless steelExclusive triple valve safety system plus safety lock on handle prevents opening before all pressure is released.Two independent over-pressure release valves assure no excess pressure build-up.Automatic self-locking mechanismSpring-type mechanism with two pressure settings: LOW (8psi) and HIGH (15psi)Works on all types of domestic stovetops: gas, electric, ceramic and induction.Simple-to-use dial format makes it easy to regulate and release pressure, and remove for cleaning!Select the automatic pressure release position to release pressure or the unlock position to remove for cleaning.Visual pressure indicator on handle shows when all pressure has been released 10-year warrantyEasy to clean; the body is dishwasher safe4 and 6 quart nesting potsPressure cooker lid (fits both pots)Tempered glass lid (fits both pots)Steamer basket/food graterPasta basketTastefully Under Pressure full color cookbookInstruction manual

Fagor 6-Quart Pressure Cooker

What could be better than a faster and healthier way of cooking? The Fagor 6-Quart Pressure Cooker seals in steam and nutrients so you can experience textures and tastes that are a true sensation. Make plentiful portions of perfectly cooked rice without the hassle of timer, boiling-over pots or incomplete cooking. Fagor 6-Quart Pressure Cooker Includes: Pressure cooker - measures approx. 17"L x 9"W x 7"H Instruction manual Recipe book Product Features: Steam vent Safety lock handle Fast cooking - reduces cooking times up to 70% Easy to use - place ingredients inside, lock lid in place, select pressure and begin cooking Healthy cooking - retains important water-soluble vitamins and minerals while cooking Safety lock handle - prevents opening before all pressure is released Aluminum sandwich base - even heat distribution Versatile - cooks on all types of stoves tops including induction Stainless steel lid - raised indentation on the top allows you to easily position the lid Base handle - easily move and carry the pressure cooker; interlocks with the lid handle Support grip - helps provide stability when moving the cooker Operating valve - 2 pressure settings: steam release and unlock position Rubber gasket - provides an air-tight seal Indicator - indicates whether there is pressure inside the cooker; indicator will raise automatically on the handle (there will be a slight amount of steam coming out of the lid handle) UL listed Brushed interior finish Mirror-polish exterior finish Made of 18/10 stainless steel, aluminum and plastic Hand wash only Made in Spain Comes with a manufacturer's 10-year limited warranty