Through my local Freecycle, I have just got my first ever one.
I was scared to death of it at first, but I've done a bit with it now and I LOVE it!

In an odd way it's almost like having my own steam engine.... you may laugh... but it has a lot in common and the first thing you need to do is stop being scared of it hissing and huffing. Like a steam train it has the fire (the hob) - the boiler (the pan) and a few things on top that regulate the steam - so not much different to a traction engine then. If it gets a bit oversteamy you can flick the regulator to release pressure or turn the heat down... what's to be scared of???

I did get all the booklets and "destructions" with it (couldn't have dared otherwise) and I got a new gasket for it....

I am cooking up some chickpeas to make hummus (nom!) and yesterday cooked a piece of spiced gammon in less than half an hour - I used to simmer it for 2hrs.

Got any tips?

Oh dear , would never have one in the house after we had to scrape potatoes off my mothers  kitchen ceiling !Yours does sound a bit more advanced than hers, having a regulator and all. good luck ...

I think modern ones must be more advanced!
This is a Prestige, less than 10 yrs old, and very easy to understand. It does have a couple of safety features so that might be the difference.

Done my chickpeas, blended them with garlic and olive oil and a little bit of sweet chilli sauce, I now have hummus to die for!

She made me and my father clean the ceiling before we ate dinner too ...Hummus sounds good , making me hungry !

If there's any place we might ever meet up, I'll gladly make some for you :)

If there's any place we might ever meet up, I'll gladly make some for you :)

If we ever get the chance to meet up off line I will happily make some for you but be warned it keeps vampires at bay as well as friends and relatives!

If we ever get the chance to meet up off line I will happily make some for you but be warned it keeps vampires at bay as well as friends and relatives!

If we ever get the chance to meet up off line I will happily make some for you but be warned it keeps vampires at bay as well as friends and relatives!

If we ever get the chance to meet up off line I will happily make some for you but be warned it keeps vampires at bay as well as friends and relatives!

Lol Ms Temeraire, you seem to have indigestion.

I have always had a pressure cooker in my kitchen and there are some things that take to long to bother with if you do not have one and there is always the things it does to cheap cuts of meat and how good it is to make speedy stock.

Sounds awesome ....might be able to meet and exchange recipes , but I won't be going anywhere till spring.. whenit'sa bit warmer ..I hibernate...Judging at Redditch Open in May

My pressure cooker is 30 years old and still in use - original seals as well. Have to admit I was scared of it when I first got it and even now I do make sure I keep an eye on it whilst it is in use. I heard so many scare stories when I first had it that I actually hid behind the kitchen door to watch it the very first time I used it. It is fantastic for cooking cheaper cuts of meat in it as they cook quickly and are always tender whereas they can take hours to cook in the oven.

Steak and kidney pudding from my pressure cooker is amazing and always turns out just right :-) Makes amazing stock too.

Well my cooker is just about to die!!! Sob! Sob!

What makes are you girlies using? My old one is prestige and I wouldn't be without it!! I've considered a steamer but takes too much time.

Must say never tried steak and kidney pudding in mine but would love recipe for it.

My hubbie has a terrible habit of forgetting to put water in it...result burnt nasty potatoes stuck to bottom of cooker....answer he scrapes them off hopefully he won't do it again.

Why is it going to die?

Is it a high dome one?  They are the only ones I have used, but I undersand that all parts are replaceable.

Karen

Mine is a Prestige, about 10 years old I was told, but barely used. I got it from Freecycle. Replaced the gasket as it hadn't been used for a long time, £6.

OMG - I nearly had a heart attack.  I thought you said "My cocker is about to die" - I couldn't believe you would take time away from your poor dying dog to send us all a post . . .  then I re-read the post!!!