Lakeland 3-litre pressure cooker 18435 review

Set-up is smooth, thanks to a well-written instruction book that includes cooking times and pressure tables. In addition, there's a great section on cooking rice and grains. There are only six recipes, but they are comprehensive and easy to follow. There are also details on adjusting your recipes to work in a pressure cooker. Anyone new to pressure cooking can feel confident using the Lakeland pressure cooker.

Usability and functionality – how easy it is to use?

We especially liked the simplicity of the Lakeland pressure cooker. The lid snaps on sharply with the one-handed mechanism for opening and closing. All that's needed is to turn the pressure gauge to level one or two, depending on what is being cooked. With the excellent instructions in the book, there is nothing to be nervous about. The cooker is exceptionally quiet as well.

Cooking results

The meat and vegetables can be seared directly in the pan. However, as the cooker is shallow and was on a high heat, the meat did splutter, which was a little messy.

Our slight disappointment on the first test was that after 20 minutes, the meat was not as tender as we would have liked, though the gravy was a great consistency and the vegetables retained their colour well. We cooked the stew for 10 minutes more, which achieved the perfect result we wanted: the meat was meltingly tender and on the edge of falling apart. The depth of flavour in the sauce was delicious and ready to serve with no more reduction needed.

Safety

Safety is important with any pressure cooker, and several pages of the instruction book comprehensively outline the cooker's features and how to use it safely.

Pressure is released by turning the regulator to one position, then a second. The pressure releases quickly in an even stream, with no spluttering.

The cooker has a safety window for the emergency release of pressure should something go wrong.

Conclusion

The Lakeland is a lovely, reliable and safe cooker that's great for smaller households. It is particularly excellent for those new to pressure cooking who don't want a large cooker. We loved the results, easy cleaning and stove-to-table option thanks to the second glass lid. With its small footprint, the cooker tucks away easily in a drawer or cupboard. The quality of the cooker for the price is a steal.

Full product specifications:
Size: 33 x 21.5cm
Volume: 3-litre
Dishwasher-safe: cooker body only
Hob-safe: stovetop model, suitable for all hobs
Includes: additional glass lid
Guarantee: three-year

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