Kuhn Rikon pressure cookers sure have expensive prices but once you see them and feel them, you will find every reason to agree that they are well worth the price. This particular 2 set model is so lovely that my wife decided to get rid of most of her cookware as they both compliment each other so well. They can be used for almost everything we cook for our daily needs. The lids are interchangeable. This makes it so convenient to pressure cook veggies and lentils and then continue to use it with glass lid to make the final curry without having to transfer the cooked veggies and lentils to another cookware to make the curry. You can cook meat much faster and tastier without having to marinate for long.

The small one is so convenient if you have small babies and would like to feed them fresh boiled veggies, rice, or lentils. It saves lot of cooking time and the cook book that comes with it is wonderful. It gives you so many nice and simple receipes for everyone.

Couple of our guests got so impressed with this that they bought it right away from Amazon.com without waiting to get an incredible deal for it in their Amazon.com GoldBox like I did.

77 of 77 found the following review helpful:

Great Pressure Cookers! (Edited April 2010)  Nov 22, 2002

I purchased the Kuhn Rikon Duo Set recently because I had heard the 2nd generation pressure cookers are much safer and quieter than the older models. I have not been disappointed and am no longer afraid of pressure cooking! As a matter of fact, I have been so pleased with this set that I have been cooking with it at least 4 or 5 times a week. Our family is "back to two" again, and the pressure frypan is just perfect for a few pork chops, meatballs, or other small portions of meat. I love yams, but didn't serve them often because it takes about an hour and a half to cook them in a conventional oven. In my new pressure frypan, yams only take about 10 - 12 minutes, and they come out perfect every time with no "hard" spots. I have also used the pressure frypan for carrots and corn on the cob with excellent results. I am equally pleased with the 5L pressure cooker. The glass and pressure lids are interchangable between the 5L cooker and the 2L frypan, and the cookers are so quiet, you hardly know they are working.

The 2 pressure settings, 10 and 15psi, are clearly indicated on the popup valve stem. The valve can also release the pressure quickly with just the touch of a button. Unlike the older models, these pressure cookers lose very little steam, so less water is needed and more vitamins are retained in the food.

The beautiful, highly polished stainless steel is very easy to clean. I have never had to use anything other than a plastic scrubbie, and the pans always clean up quickly and easily. For stubborn stains, I use the plastic scrubbie and a non-abrasive cleanser such as Bar Keeper's Friend. To help keep the pressure cookers in good condition and avoid the possibility of burning or scorching, I never cook with high heat. I do use high heat to bring the cooker up to pressure quickly, but once the correct pressure is reached, I gradually lower the burner to the lowest possible setting I can that will still maintain pressure.

Before using these pressure cookers the first time, it is a good idea to take them on a little "test run", using only water. That way, you can familiarize yourself with the new pressure cookers so that you will be more comfortable using them the first time. Test to see how long it takes to reach each pressure setting. Also, test to find the lowest temperature you can cook at and still maintain a constant pressure for the number of minutes your food will need to cook. I was glad I decided to do a test run before I used my new cookers the first time. After 4 or 5 attempts to bring the cookers up to pressure on my test run without success, I finally discovered that there is a little screw in the pressure lid that has to be tightened. Once I tightened that screw, the cookers came up to pressure immediately, and I have had no problems since. I would highly recommend the Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker duo set. But the 2L frypan is rather small. If there are more than 2 people in your family, or you have really hearty appetites, you would probably be happier with one of the larger pressure cookers.

April 23, 2010
It's hard to believe I've been cooking with these pressure cookers for about seven and a half years now. Just a note to let everyone know I love them as much, if not more than the first day I cooked with them. I highly recommend Kuhn Rikon. Their pressure cookers are pricey, but worth every penny. A good investment that will last a lifetime if properly cared for. And no, I don't work for or sell Kuhn Rikon. I just love to cook and appreciate great cookware!

93 of 98 found the following review helpful:

Kuhn Rikon 4 Piece Duromatic Pressure Cooker  Dec 26, 2000
By Velma J. Houston
Excellent set, easy to use and will last beyond its ten year guarantee. I use the pressure frypan to cook macrobiotic rice or oatmeal. After 50 minutes of high pressure cooking, I get perfect brown rice or oatmeal(no sticking or burning). Once you know the stove setting required to maintain pressure, you can almost forget it. However, as with any cooking device, I monitor it periodically. The pressure pot and frypan have flat bottoms which makes food preparation and cleaning a breeze. The glass lid was a major selling point, as it enables conventional use of both pots.

My wife makes succulent turkey drumsticks in only eight minutes of cooking time.

None of the other brands, we previewed, appeared to be constructed as well as the Kuhn Rikon models.

Needless to say, our family considers this set a great value. More important,we use it almost daily.

78 of 83 found the following review helpful:

The smaller cooker is not really that useful  Nov 11, 2002
By Marvin R. Hamon
I purchased the set for use on my boat where I wanted to save energy and time while preparing meals and have been using them for several months now.

I found the 5 liter pressure cooker to be great. It is extremely well made and if cared for I have no doubt that it will outlast me. The glass lid is also very useful if I want to use the cooker as a regular cooking pot, which I do quite often.

The 2 liter cooker is quite disappointing though. Since you are not supposed to fill a pressure cooker more than half full at best you only have 1 liter to work with. Even for one person this is not much. I have found that I can use the larger cooker and if I have smaller amounts to cook I just use a small metal bowl as an insert. I was hoping that it could double as a fry pan but it does not have a non-stick coating and the stainless steel is quite sticky.

If I were to do it again I would buy the 5 liter cooker and the glass lid separately.

Additional info: after having the fry pan for close to ten years the bottom is delaminating form the pan. I'm hoping I can get it replaced under the warranty before it runs out in a few months.

44 of 45 found the following review helpful:

Great investment, wonderful time-saver  Jul 25, 2002
By Rabecca K. Larson "rabeccajane"
I received a 5-liter Duromatic pressure cooker as a gift 7 years ago, and wondered, "What on earth will I do with it?" Now I use it almost every time I cook. It is well-constructed and lives up to every promise they advertise: fast, healthful cooking has never been easier. If you love beans, there's no better way to cook them--dinner's ready in half an hour or less. Steam vegetables in 1 minute, cook a whole chicken in 19 minutes,or make perfect risotto with NO stirring in under 10 minutes from start to finish! You can make wonderful puddings and cheesecakes, too, with a little practice.

I ordered the "Duo" set to get the glass lid and the smaller cooker. Though I didn't need another 5L, it is quite handy to have two (I use it without pressure for cooking pasta or some soups.) The smaller (2L)size is wonderful for quickly cooking cereals, small quantities for babies or kids, or side dishes.

The recipe book provided with this set is extremely helpful and detailed, so don't be put off by having to learn the cooking techniques (Note to Kuhn-Rikon: a video or CD-ROM would be wonderful! I received a marketing CD-ROM a few years ago but IMO it should be in the box.) It can be tricky to convert recipes, the book contains thorough charts with cooking times for most foods, and once you get the basics down you'll be ready to start experimenting with your favorites. If you would like to cook with more whole grains and beans, this is a must-have. If you want that slow-cooked tenderness, but not the boring taste of Crock Pot cooking, pressure cooking is for you. Unlike the Crock Pot, the PC allows you to start with a saute', use the pressure to speed up your cooking time, and then add more delicate ingredients at the end so they stay crisp and colorful. Also, on a hot day like today, I appreciate that the shorter cooking time uses less energy and doesn't heat up the kitchen!

At first I had a hard time finding good PC recipes, but lately there seem to be more cookbooks coming out as the PC seems to be enjoying a bit of a revival. I just ordered Rick Rodgers' "Pressure Cooking for Everyone" and am happy to see more recipes for "gourmet" foods as well as everyday meals.

My only complaint, and it's a small one, is that I wish they sold custom cooking inserts for puddings and cheesecakes. The standard method is to cover your springform pan with foil and make a "harness" from foil to lift your pan in and out. You end up wasting a lot of foil, and it is easy to accidentally dump your dish on the way out. It would be great if they made an insert with a lid and handles to make this easier.

It would be hard to find a more versatile cooking tool, and I'm newly in love with my Duromatic(s) again after receiving my new set. BTW, the 7-year-old set is still perfect, not even the gasket has worn out, although it looks a bit shabby compared to the new styling and shiny finish of the new set. I can't say enough good things about Kuhn-Rikon or Duromatic. Give it a try! Here's to healthier, faster cooking in your home!

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