Buying a used pressure cooker is a good idea if you want to save money, serve really good meals, and or can foods for eating later. Used pressure cookers can often be found at garage sales, thrift stores, online, and at second hand stores. If you plan to purchase a used pressure cooker know what you want before you go to buy as this will help you narrow your search and ensure you get what you want.
One thing to think about is – what do you want to do with your used pressure cooker? Are you going to use it to cook food for meals or are you going to use it to can fruits and vegetables etc. These two kinds of activities work better with a specific pressure cooker. If you are going to use your pressure cooker for later consumption, you probably want to look for a pressure canner as it is typically larger to hold canning jars of various sizes.
Another thing to consider is what size of used pressure cooker will meet your needs? Pressure cookers come in a variety of sizes and the size you choose should be based on your needs. If your need is for a pressure cooker that will make meal preparation faster, you can choose from as small as a 2 quart size up to a 10 or 12 quart. A 6 quart size is a nice compromise if you are unsure. This size pressure cooker is good for making servings for one person, a couple, or a family. If you are looking for a pressure cooker canner, the size you select should be based on how much canning you plan to do and what size canning jars you will be using.
It is always good to know the parts of a pressure cooker before you buy one so you know if the used pressure cooker, you are interested in, is complete. All makes of pressure cookers have different parts that are made specifically for that brand and model. There are common names for these parts such as pressure regulator, air vents and overpressure plugs, seal rings, stem gauges, handles, and cooking and canning racks. Many pressure cooker parts work with a several brands of pressure cooker.
When you are looking at a used pressure cooker be sure to check out the seal ring that fits inside the lid along the outer rim. These seals often get hard, rigid and crack with age. This is not good. The seal ring needs to be supple and flexible. Seal rings are fairly easy to find if you need a new one. You can check out your local Walmart store for starters. You may also need a new overpressure plug. These often come with the seal rings.
Many times when buying a used pressure cooker, it does not come with instructions or recipes. You can quickly get these pieces of information by searching the internet on the brand of pressure cooker you bought. While you are searching for information on how to use your used pressure cooker, take time to also search the internet for basic cooking charts. You can find charts on how to pressure cook all kinds of vegetables, meats, and legumes. You can also find specific recipes for just about anything that will fit in a pot.
Once you get the hang of a pressure cooker, cooking will take on a whole new meaning.
