Why America's Test Kitchen Calls the Fagor Duo the Best Buy for Stovetop Pressure Cookers

The Fagor Duo 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker is a terrific value for its performance, and we highly recommend it for anyone who wants to cook food faster without sacrificing flavor. Our high-performance Best Buy pressure cooker is easy to operate, even if you’re new to pressure cooking.

*** Our editors proudly maintain an unassailable reputation as an unbiased and advertising-free cooking authority, and our objective reviews are strictly uninfluenced by product manufacturers, distributors, or retailers. ***

How did we put pressure cookers to the test?

Highest Temperature:
We measured the temperature inside the cooker under high pressure for 30 minutes and noted the peak temperature reached. Because temperature is directly related to pressure, this indicates the pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure generated by each cooker. Since recipes calling for “high pressure” are designed to cook at 15 psi, which is achieved at 250 degrees, pots that could reach 250 degrees were rated higher.

Cooking:
We prepared our pressure-cooker recipes for risotto, Boston baked beans, chicken stock, a meaty tomato sauce with pork, and beef stew, rating the dishes’ tastes and textures and the cookers’ steadiness of heating and evenness of browning (which we also checked by making crêpes).

Ease of Use:
We evaluated shape, size, weight, and handle comfort; the design of locking mechanisms, pressure indicators, and steam-release mechanisms; cleanup; and other features that enhance user-friendliness.

Evaporation Loss:
We added 2 pounds of water to each cooker, weighed the whole cooker with water inside, and boiled it at high pressure for 1 hour, checking the weight at 20, 40, and 60 minutes to determine the amount of water that had evaporated. Cookers with lower evaporation levels rated higher.

America's Test Kitchen is the most-watched cooking show on public television—up to 2 million viewers watch each episode. The show is filmed in the test kitchen of Cook's Illustrated magazine, located just outside Boston.

Each episode features recipes we've carefully developed to make sure they work every time. Christopher Kimball and the test cooks solve everyday cooking problems, test equipment so you never have to waste money on things that don't work, and taste supermarket ingredients to save you time in the store. It's a common-sense, practical approach you won't find on other cooking shows.

[noracharles]

Please know : Fagor has gone out of business so it is challenging to find parts. I cannot find a lower handle for my Fagor duo, which makes it useless. Do not buy Fagor based on this review, as I did. The handle is easily broken. 🙁

[craigb.]

I have this pressure cooker and love it!

[NaturalFlirtGamer]

There needs to be a new review as this model is no longer available! Love your reviews <3.

[ImTheDudeMan]

I love my unpopular? stainless steel "Hawkins" pressure cookers. Simplest design out there. Easy to: clean, get gaskets, get safety valves.

[Breadmason]

Always lightly oil the seal before using..no problems....great pressure cooker can recommend

[leaguefan]

Since Fagor America is shutting down soon..can you please recommend a new pressure cooker?

[chefmike]

Another excellent review. I always appreciate the thoughtfulness.

[TheJunebuglove]

I've had my 6 qt. Fagor Duo since 2009 and it is a work horse, just like they say in the video. A few years ago I purchased a 4 qt. Fagor so that I could cook grains in that one while doing the main dish in the other. I just can't bring myself to buy an Instant Pot. Not when these simple, heavy duty pots last so long and have so many uses. Their super power is their simplicity.

[daveheel]

i've cooked 2 recipes from the book that comes with this pressure cooker and the dishes were excellent. the flavor that these pressure cookers give the food is the best part.

[Sevil]

If it wasn't for comment from Nora Charles, I would not have known that Fagor was replaced with Zavor. You should add an "UPDATE" alert on this video.

[ThePoorStudent]

I have the 6 quart model and it works well too. Over 10 years and still good! The other good thing is that Fagor is good with replacement parts. I have broken various plastic parts and the replacements parts are reasonably priced.

[uranusplanet]

Fagor Duo link in description throws 404 error. I cant find this in Amazon. I think its shitty quality thats why its no longer for sale

[NinerFourWhiskey]

Brand new out of the box, Fagor pressure cooker (5 piece kit from Sur La Table) will not seal on its own. Only way to get it to seal and build pressure is to hold the handle tightly together until it gets enough pressure to start building. If locked and left on its own, it will not build pressure and continues to leak out of the lid. Looked at everything around the lid and gasket, but as far as I'm concerned, this thing is junk and going back to Sur La Table.

[SkkyJuse]

I have the 6 qt. version. I use it all the time, I couldn't live....okay cook, without it! Makes presoaked beans in 9 minutes and makes the best

[rachelgibson]

I have the 10qt Duo. It's awesome! Looking to get a smaller pressure cooker. 10qt is great for cooking for large groups. But sometimes I only need one big enough for 4 people.

[laperlenoir]

Great review, but I love my Hawkins. Parts are easily available and easily replaced.

[dwardt]

14% of the reviews of this cooker= Amazon say the the pressure valve breaks and, in some cases, spews the hot item being cooked all over the kitchen. That doesn't sound like a pressure cooker that I would buy!

[cadi]

Does this model work on an induction stove top?

[guguigugu]

ive had a fagor set for almost 10 years now. it consists of two same diameter cookers, one short, one tall and a pressure lid that fits both. also came with one regular glass lid. prefect results every time. i use the short one as a daily use stockpot and it is still like new. would definitely recommend this brand.

[azfarhassan]

Can someone share an updated link for it?