Kuhn Rikon 2 1/2-Liter Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker

This heavyweight 18/10 stainless-steel beauty is a fine example of contemporary engineering and style. Its mirror finish gleams, and its black handles stay cool. Its spring valve doesn't hiss unless too much steam has built up and the heat needs turning down. Two other valves offer backup safety, and the top automatically locks until all pressure has been released. Pressure-cooking traps steam to heat foods at temperatures higher than boiling. This cooker has an aluminum disk sandwiched by stainless steel in its base to speed the process even more through fast heat conductivity. Little water is required, so nutrients, flavor, and color are not boiled away.