A Look at the Modern Pressure Cooker Back to Library Menu   The Pop-Up Pressure Indicator People often ask me about how to choose a pressure cooker. I have always recommended the new, modern pressure cooker with their many improvements and safety features over models that still rely on the old fashioned weighted pressure release valve. Today's modern pressure cooker is 100% safe and a joy to use. More and more cookware manufacturers are adding pressure cookers to their line of cookware, and there are a few well-known, specialized companies that make outstanding pressure cookers. There are also plenty of unknown companies importing pressure cookers of dubious quality into the US. Gone is the familiar old jiggle top, the second-generation cookers use an indicator rod that will pop up (think Butterball turkey) and shows when the desirable pressure has been reached. The pop-up stem rises as pressure builds in the pot. When the upper red ring appears the pot has reached the medium pressure setting, or 10psi, when the lower red rings appear the pot is at high pressure with 15psi.  Find out more about the 2nd generation, spring valve pressure cookers here. Jiggle or Spring? Pressure cookers save you time by cooking foods at above-boiling-point temperatures, usually from 212 degrees F to 250 degrees F. And the heat stays in the pot, not in your kitchen. Both types of cookers -- the traditional jiggle-top from manufacturers such as Presto and the spring-valve from leaders such as Kuhn-Rikon, Magefesa, and Fagor -- are safe, but they vary in design, operation, and cost. Do You Know What The Pressure Is? The new, spring-valve designs are so much easier to use and so much more precise than the older designs. Introduced by Kuhn Rikon in Switzerland in 1949 but only available in the United States since 1990, this brand uses a precision spring inside the valve to set pressure.  Pressure is indicated by a pop-up pin or rod. As the pressure builds, the rod rises. Marks on the rod indicate the pressure that is being reached. These new, 2nd generation pressure cooker are a "closed system" and very little steam is released. As a result these cookers are much quieter than those with weight valves. They also need less cooking liquid and fewer heat adjustments. The pop-up pressure indicator, shown here on the Kuhn-Rikon Duromatic pressure cooker, is also the Quick Release button. Although you can use your finger to push the button sown to release steam,  I found it easier to use a wooden spoon. Its not only easier on my hand but it keeps you well away from any hot steam. Their new design makes these new spring valve cookers more precise than the classic jiggle-top models; bottom construction and steam-release features are also important. Although pressure cookers have been marketed for home cooking in the United States since before World War II, the recent arrival of second-generation spring-valve designs from European makers has revived enthusiasm for this timesaving kitchen tool. The newer models are also much quieter when cooking and hardly make any sounds. Unlike the older style, first generation, jiggle tops, very little steam escapes. The new models come to pressure very fast, and they also hold heat for a long time even after you remove it from the stove. The less water used in cooking the less nutrients are lost.  If a pressure cooker is perfectly sealed; less steam is released during cooking so you will need less liquids to cook the recipe, and the flavors become more concentrated in stews and risottos. In testing the spring-valve cookers against the "jiggle top" model I measured to see how much water had evaporated. The test was simple, I added 1 quart of tap water to the cooker and brought it to high pressure, reduced the heat to maintain high pressure for five minutes, then let the pressure release naturally, that is, without using cold water lost almost 3/4 cup of water. There are Many Varieties of Pressure Cookers This is an example of a Fagor pressure cooker with a push button release valve The is one of the Magefesa pressure cooker with the dial type knob. The is one of the models made by Kuhn-Rikon with the pop-op button on the top. There are also many safety features which are not found on the jiggle top models. There is no pressure plug that can 'blow' when too much pressure builds up in the cooker. Instead excess steam is safely vented through a secondary valve system, and in worse case scenarios the gasket will be pushed out from under the lid allowing built-up steam to escape. See more.     Questions or comments on this article? Click here.