Pete Fraser > wrote:
> I've been inspired by the recent exchanges on Kuhn-Rikon
> and Lorna Sass to go get myself a pressure cooker.

> I'll normally be cooking small quantities, but sometimes I'll
> cook large batches. Is there any disadvantage to getting
> a large (7 or 8 L) PC, other than the fact it's slightly
> more expensive than a smaller one and takes up more space?

> In essence, is it more difficult or liable to produce inferior results
> if I use a large PC to cook small quantities?

i've got the 2QT fry pan. i use it for sauces, soups and stews for 1, 2 and
sometimes 4-5 persons, though 5 is really pushing it. my favorite is chicken
soup where i can brown the chicken, saute the vegetables, deglaze and
pressure cook w/ a single pan/pot!

it doesn't come w/ a trivet but the guy at the store threw one in anyhow. have
never used it, though.

if i had to do it all over again i'd still get the fry pan. i sometimes
fancy getting a 5QT, but what would i use it for? feeding an army, or
possibly speeding up making my own chicken stock. but, the truth is i'll
never do either of those two (especially w/ the awesome frozen stocks at
whole foods).

the things are expensive as it is, and the fry pan is a damn good skillet in
it's own right. it has an extremely heavy bottom with aluminum core, and the
cooking surface is dimpled so you can brown meat well w/o it sticking like
crazy.