If you are looking to buy an electric pressure cooker with a delayed cooking timer then you need to be careful to closely check the features of every model.
Not all electric models have this feature built in.
Just about the most expensive model made, the Fast Slow Pro by Breville doesn't even have a delay cook timer while the super inexpensive Elite Platinum does have a delay that stretches up to 24 hours!
It takes a lot of digging to find this information so I've put this page together to help you out because I get this question from time to time.
No matter what you need the delayed cook start timer for all models listed on this page include this in their feature set.
I've ordered this list in no particular order and I've included both expensive and inexpensive models. I hope you find it helpful.
Electric Pressure Cookers With Delayed Cook Timers
If you want to set up your pressure cooker to cook ahead of time any of these models will get the job done. I've tried my best to list models from the high end and low end of the pricing spectrum so you'll find that build quality and extra features to be varied from within this list.
1. Instant Pot LUX Programmable Electric Pressure Cooker
This model from Instant Pot is the cheap version of Instant Pot Duo. It's the upgraded version out of the LUX line of electric pressure cookers that adds a few features like pre-programmed egg cooking programs and increased pressure cooking times to name just a few.
The LUX V3 pressure cooker also lets you delay your cooking time for up to 24 hours too so it's super handy for early meal prep. The price on this model is on the lower end as it's Instant Pot's entry level device so it should fit within most people's budgets. You can see pricing throught he link above or check out my reviews of Instant Pot pressure cookers here.
2. COSORI Electric Pressure Cooker 7-in-1 Multifunctional, with Tempered Glass Lid
This electric pressure cooker can also delay your cooking start time for up to a full day. If you know you'll need a good pot of beans tomorrow afternoon then this pot can get the job done for you. What I like about it in addition to the delayed start function is that it does almost everything else you can think of too. It's got a ton of pre-programmed cooking programs and will also let you manually choose your cooking time and your pressure level.
They give you low, medium, and high pressure settings. The price is in line with Instant Pot's LUX series and if you want a super small pressure cooker they have a 2-quart electric model! Crazy small. You can see my review of Corsori electric pressure cookers here or click the link above to see product pricing.
3. T-fal CY505E 12-in-1 Programmable Electric Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker with 25 Built-In Smart Programs / Ceramic Nonstick Cooking Pot and Stainless Steel Housing
T-Fal is a brand that is mostly known for their stovetop pressure cookers and not their electric cookers does have this model, a well reviewed electric version. It is very similar in capabilities and price to the Instant Pot LUX V3 and similarly includes a delayed cooking function that will let you prepare your meal to be cooked well in advance.
A common problem people have with this T-fal unit is the user interface on the side of the housing. It's not as intuitive as many alternatives but that doesn't change the quality of the build which does seem to be high. Click through above to see current pricing or through this link to see my review of T-fal pressure cookers.
4. GoWISE USA GW22623 4th-Generation Electric Pressure Cooker with steam rack, steam basket, rice scooper
On this page you see a bunch of 6 and 8 quart pressure cookers but for those people with big families GoWISE USA has a large pressure cooker that can set up a delayed timer too. The model linked above is available in 6, 8, 12-quart, and 14-quart sizes! I love the variety!
This is also one of the few electric pressure cookers with a yogurt making program if you are into that sort of thing. The delayed cook start timer is a nice feature but beware this is only usable in slow cooking mode.
5. Fagor 670041960 LUX Multi Cooker
If you are in the market for a premium electric pressure cooker than this Fagor LUX multi-cooker may be just right. It includes a 6-hour delay cook timer which is shorter than the 24-hour period commonly found but it is probably the best build quality of any listed on this page.
It's review comments from past customers are as good as they come and the price, although higher, is not anywhere close to the top of the price range for electric pressure cookers. Fagor gives you high and low settings for both PSI and for slow cooking which is a nice touch. Make sure to click above for pricing information or through this link to see my reviews of Fagor's complete line of pressure cookers.
6. Big Boss 1300-Watt Stainless Steel Oval Pressure Cooker, 8.5-Quart
If you are looking for something a little bit different then the Big Boss is definitely worth a look. It's oval in shape and a bit bigger than normal, sized at 8.5 quarts. I think the delayed cook timer to be adequate at 8 hours, this is obviously well short of a full 24 hours but enough to get you through a days work or a nights sleep before the cooker turns on.
The Big Boss also advertises a high pressure setting of a full 15 psi, which would be higher than the normal 12 psi in electric pressure cookers. Despite the 15psi number I still wouldn't advise canning with this. There are safer small canners on the market but for the oval shap alone I would consider buying this.
What do you Use A Cooking Delay Timer For?
So there you have it, there's a good list of units that included delayed cook timers but do you know what you would even use a delayed cook timer for?
The most common reason to use a cook delay timer is to cook beans.
Yes, with a pressure cooker you don't have to soak beans for hours in advance of cooking them but most people find that a soaking before cooking always results in a better tasting bean. Typically you would take your beans and wash them off in a colander over the sink and then put them in a pressure cooker along with the water you plan on soaking them in and eventually cooking them in.
After a delay of 6 to 12 hours or in some cases a delay up to 24 hours your pressure cooker will kick on and finish cooking them automatically.
Other things that can easily be put on a delay include chickpeas, potatoes, steel cut oats, or basically anything that is not going to get mushy sitting in water for hours on end and will not start going bad like meat or dairy products.
Unfortunately it is not a good idea to setup a stew in the morning to cook later that afternoon. Perishable items should be prepped just before they are cooked.
Can you use the delay timer to cook eggs in the pressure cooker? This one is debatable. If you buy eggs at the store and need to keep them refrigerated then I would say no but for those of you who raise chickens at home and regularly keep your collected eggs on the counter than I would say go for it.
I actually have a small flock of chickens and we rarely keep our eggs in the fridge. At night before bed I set the coffee pot timer to go off at 6am and if I want I can prep the pressure cooker to soft boil me some eggs at the same time so that I can be lazy in my pajamas first thing in the morning and still have fresh eggs and coffee waiting for me when I wake up.
If I were to set my eggs up high in a steamer basket I could even setup my oats to cook at the same time on the lower level of the pressure cooker and have a full meal waiting for me when I wake up. Genius!