Presto is an entry level brand that makes a number of very popular stovetop pressure cookers. They have five units which I have listed and reviewed below.
What is nice about Presto is that their pots are all very low in price so they are great starter pots for young families or entry level cooks.
Not only does Presto make a collection of value pressure cookers and canners but their products are extremely popular. They are some of the bestselling pressure cookers for sale today.
Although Presto cookers are not as fancy or sturdy as some of the high end models from other brands they are still known to make safe cookware that is easy to use.
Their smaller pressure cookers can be found in stainless steel and in lower priced aluminum and in sizes ranging from 4-quarts up to 8-quarts. They even have a big 23-quart pressure canner which I discuss in greater detail lower on this page.
If you are in the market for a cheap pressure cooker that will get the job done with little flash or fanfare then this is the line for you. See below for my reviews of the Presto line of pressure cookers.
Table of Contents
A Quick Summary of Presto Stove Top Pressure Cookers
My Reviews of Presto Stovetop Pressure Cookers
Here you can find summaries of my reviews for all of the Presto pressure cookers sold today. In addition to these short reviews I've also linked each product to their sales page for details and pricing as well as to my fully comprehensive review page.
Presto 01362 Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker (4-Quart or 6-Quart)
The Presto 1362 pressure cooker comes in both 4 and 6 quart sizes. It's made from stainless steel and it is their best selling item on Amazon. Generally speaking this is probably the best entry level pressure cooker sold today. The 18/10 stainless steel is thick enough to feel sturdy and cook safely.
The pressure valves are easy to clean and the pot itself is safe for use in the dishwasher and can even be used on induction stoves. The price point is almost as low as any pressure cooker sold today so it's usually able to fit into everyone's budget. I do have a lot more to say about it though. Click through to see my full Presto 01362 pressure cooker review.
Presto 01264 Aluminum Pressure Cooker (4-Quart or 6-Quart or 8-Quart)
The Presto 1264 line of pressure cookers are very similar to the models listed above. They are however made from aluminum which makes then weigh less, conduct heat a bit better, and cost a bit less. Obviously you can see there are pros and cons. Most people feel safer pressure cooking in steel but this aluminum pot is still safe assuming you follow the manual's instructions. Available in a 4, 6, and 8 quart size this low cost pressure cooker is cheap enough to buy a set. To see pricing click above or click through to see my full review of the Presto 01264 pressure cooker.
Presto 01370 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
This is one of Presto's larger 8-quart stainless steel pressure cookers. It's styled more like a small stock pot than a sauce pan and it also features the sandwiched bottom for even heating. The base is aluminum laminated between two layers of steel. This model only comes in the size pictured but it does come with it's own steaming basket which makes it really easy to steam foods at home quickly and perfectly every time.
This is the more expensive stovetop model from Presto but I like it's safety features and "quick-cool" release valve that mimics many of the higher end models from competing brands. The price is at the high end of that entry level point so take a look above for details or click here for my full product review of the Presto 01370 stovetop pressure cooker.
Presto 01365 6-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker, Deluxe
The Presto 1365 stainless steel pressure cooker is a higher end version of their regular steel pressure cookers. The biggest benefit to this unit is that the base is steel sandwiched around a layer of aluminum. The aluminum acts as a heat transfer which gives you even heat distribution and better cooking. This model is very safe and still doesn't cost very much. The lid can't even be removed when any pressure has built up. Make sure to click above to see pricing or here to see my review of the Presto 01365 pressure cooker.
Presto 01781 23-Quart Pressure Canner and Cooker with Canning Kit
The Presto 1781 pressure canner is a very good entry level pressure canner. It's big enough to do a lot of home canning but doesn't cost nearly as much as some of the other brands canners of this size. I particularly like this beginning pressure canner because it comes with the canning kit bundle so even though it doesn't cost a while lot you don't have any other purchases to make to get started canning. This unit is made like similar sized canners.
It's made with a heavy-gauge aluminum and past customers seem to be extremely happy with this purchase. Click above to see product pricing or through the following link to see my full review of the Presto 01781 23-Quart pressure Canner.
The Best Alternative to Presto Pressure Cookers
In the event you are OK spending a little bit more money on a better kitchen tool I'd like to point you in the direction of a couple brands that make good upgrades from the Presto line.
If you want something made to a slightly higher standard which is also a tiny bit more expensive then an upgrade to Fagor might be the right move. You can see my Fagor reviews here.
Also, you may want to see my reviews of Prestige pressure cookers because they are priced very similarly to Presto but you can find a lot of different shapes and sizes under the Prestige brand.
We have had ours (8 qt stainless) since 1966 and it still works great. Used as kitchen equipment for many years, then as an autoclave to prepare microbiological media in Puerto Rico expedition, and still used today-I am making a Cuban style pot roast with vegetables for supper tonight.
Wow! Yum, that sounds amazing!