If you are looking for reviews of Kuhn Rikon pressure cookers you are in the right place.
On this page I've tried my best to summarize and review each major pressure cooker from the Kuhn Rikon line.
As we all know well these pressure cookers as a collection are some of the best models made from and brand. The level of quality is superior to any other model on the market today.
With that level of build quality though comes a heavy price tag. These are also some of the most expensive models made so they are not going to fit within the budgets of every consumer.
If however you have an appreciation for fine products and have deep enough pockets to add a Kuhn Rikon stovetop pressure cooker to your collection of cookware please read on and let me help you decide which one may be right for you.
Table of Contents
A Quick Summary of the Kuhn Rikon Stovetop Pressure Cookers
Before we dive into all the models lets first look at a brief video on this brand and the pressure cookers they make.
My Reviews of Kuhn Rikon Stovetop Pressure Cookers
Without exception every Kuhn Rikon pressure cooker is made from the highest quality 18/10 stainless steel for strength and durability. Stainless steel cooking surfaces are also used to prevent the metals from interacting with acidic foods which can change the way foods taste.
Steel however isn't the best at conducting heat efficiently so every Kuhn Rikon cook pot is made with an aluminum core. Although aluminum is not the best to use as a cooking surface when sandwiched between layers of steel it acts as a heat conductor evenly and quickly spreading heat throughout a pot. This helps prevent scorched food on the bottom of pots and even cooking throughout the pressure cooker.
Another universal perk of these pots is that they all use a modern and precise spring-loaded valve that regulates pressure more effectively than older style weight or wobbler valves. The spring valve releases far less steam than weight or float valves do resulting in far less water evaporation and also in much less noise. In my home the quieter cooking environment is a big deal.
Now, lets quickly review Kuhn Rikon's pressure cookers one by one. For each unit listed below I've included a short mini-review of the product with links to the products full review here on the site.
Kuhn Rikon "Duromatic Top" Model #3918 Energy Efficient Pressure Cooker (7-Quart)
This is probably the only pressure cooker you will ever need. It's size is perfect for most average sized families and it's construction quality is as high as it gets. This is basically an upgraded version of the unit featured below, model #3344. This unit is heavier and more sturdy, shorter so it will take up less space, and safer due to the enhanced Duromatic Top which provides a protective dial on top of the pressure release valve that can diffuse steam while allowing for a couple of quick pressure release settings.
There is even an indicator on top of the cap making it really easy to see what the current pressure is within the pot. This unit is more expensive than the model I've featured next but for the expected life of the unit the extra cost is probably worth it. Click through above to see current pricing or here to see my full review of the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Top 3918.
Also available in 3.5 & 5-Quart sizes.
Kuhn Rikon "Duromatic" Model #3344 Energy Efficient Pressure Cooker (7-Quart)
If you want the absolute best pressure cooker saucepan then the #3918 listed above is it but this cheaper model from Kuhn Rikon is still better than just about every other pressure cooker made by any brand and it's notably less expensive than the 3918 too. This unit looks almost exactly the same as the more expensive model listed above. It does however have the older model lid venting system which does not have the easy pressure release dial settings or vent guard.
This model, although still made from heavy gauge steel is lighter and a little taller than it's more expensive cousin meaning it will take up more space in your cabinet and isn't quite as heavy duty as it could be. All else however is almost a wash of sameness so if you want to save a chunk of cash then picking up the Duromatic 3344 will happily cook your meals for years to come. Click above to see current pricing or here to see my full review of the Duromatic 3344 pressure cooker.
Also available in 5, 6, and 8-Quart sizes.
Kuhn Rikon Stainless-Steel Pressure Cooker (8-Quart)
These big pots are your classic style of pressure cooker. They are tall and have a smaller circumference and are good for stacking foods. For instance you can easily cook some foods in the liquid on the bottom while steaming other foods on a raised rack at the same time.
Generally speaking this pot is going to be a lot cheaper than the family-style stockpots listed below because the disk base is smaller. A lot of the weight and cost of construction goes into the production of the sandwich style base where steel fully encapsulates a disk of aluminum.
When the diameter is smaller the disk is smaller and the total weight and cost of the pot decreases. This style of pot, regardless of size, is not going to be best for braising or for searing surface. You'll find it great for making soups and stews though if you are ok with the super tall style pot.
As an example of sizing the 6-quart and 8-quart model are 8 ¾ inches wide while the family-style stockpots listed below are 11 inches across. Click above to see pricing or through here to see my full product review.
*Also available in 5, 6, and 7-quart models.
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Stockpot "Family-Style" Pressure Cooker (12-Quart)
If you read the review of the unit listed above you'll know that this pressure cooker is Kuhn Rikon's best model for cooking big slabs of meat. It has a super wide cooking surface at 11 inches across and the height is a lot less that the more normal style. For instant this 12-quart stockpot is only 6 inches tall whereas the 8-quart pressure cooker listed above is 9 inches tall!
In some ways that just doesn't seem possible but the width of it makes a big difference. Most people find the pricing difference between the two pressure cookers to be to great for comfort. This family-style (wide) stockpot comes with a significantly higher price and although you can get a larger capacity you'll find the 8-quart version is still a lot more expensive than the regular 8-quart stockpot listed above. The reason is the disk on the bottom that sits on the burner.
The disk is the heaviest and costliest part of the pressure cooker to make and adding 2 ¼ inches to the diameter makes the disk a lot bigger and adds to the price considerably. No doubt cooking with a bigger bottom makes a lot of things easier but the high price can take the family-style stockpot out of many people's budgets. If you can afford it I think it's worth buying for sure. Click above to see current pricing and here to see my full review.
*Also available in 5 and 8-quart models.
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Energy Efficient Pressure Cooker - Frying Pan
Kuhn Rikon DM Anniversary Cooker 3.5-L
Kuhn Rikon Duromatic Family Style Pressure Cooker Braiser (5.3 Quart)
Also available in 8 and 12-quart models.
The Best Alternatives to Kuhn Rikon Pressure Cookers
There is no doubt that owning one or two Kuhn Rikon stovetop pressure cookers will probably last you for a lifetime and you'll probably never wish you bought anything else but at the same time not everyone can plunk down a couple hundred dollars on one cooking pot!
If you can afford it I say go for any one of the Duromatic Top pots listed above but to save some cash you could easily step down in price a bit to the Fagor pressure cookers and not lose a lot in function, safety, or performance.
Fagor pressure cookers are not entry level pots either. They are still pricey but you can save money up and down their product line over the Kuhn Rikon models. Across the board Fagor also uses the encapsulated aluminum cooking base surrounded by heavy gauge stainless steel, just like Kuhn Rikon so your food is likely to come out great every time.
The biggest difference is safety features, style, and control over settings as well as the smaller price tag. You can see our Fagor pressure cooker reviews here for more options.