Are you a fan of slow-cooked, creamy beans? My family loves red beans and rice, however, there was a time that I only cooked them on the weekend because of the cooking process length. That is – until I started using a pressure cooker for preparing my beans.

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You can decrease the cooking time of slow-cooked meals like beans by 50% or more by using a pressure cooker. There are electric and stove top options.  It’s a helpful small appliance and some even work as a rice cooker, slow cooker and EVEN an air fryer!  They’ll also use less energy than stovetop cooking. 

With so many available options, we want to make the process of selecting the best pressure cooker for beans easier for you. Therefore, we’re providing this review of the top pressure cookers on the market. 

Comparison Table of The Best Pressure Cookers for Beans

Class	Brand	Details
Best Overall	Ninja Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer	– Type: Electric – Capacity: 8 Quarts – Wattage: 1760 Watts
Best Electric Runner-up	Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker	– Type: Electric – Capacity: 6 Quarts – Wattage: 1000 Watts
Best Bang for the Buck	Nuwave Nutri-Pot Digital Pressure Cooker	– Type: Electric – Capacity: 6 Quarts – Wattage: 1000 Watts
Best Stovetop Option	Presto 16-Quart Aluminum Canner Pressure Cooker	– Type: Stovetop – Capacity: 16 Quarts – Dimensions: 13.62″D x 17.31″W x 11.81″H
Best Stovetop Runner-up	T-fal Pressure Cooker	– Type: Stovetop – Capacity: 6.3 Quarts – Induction compatible

Quote: Be sure to read through the entire article for detailed information on the above recommendations.

Review of the Best Pressure Cookers for Preparing Beans

To ensure that you select the best pressure cooker, we’ve compiled detailed research on some of the best choices.

Best Overall – Ninja Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL 8 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer

If you’re looking for multi-function then you should check out a pressure cooker with air fryer like this option by Ninja. Our top overall pick is not only a great pressure cooker for beans but also boasts 11 other functions.

I dislike when I’ve paid good money for a small appliance and then I have to purchase a bunch of additional accessories just to use it. The great thing about the Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL pressure cooker is the wealth of included items – including a pressure lid, crisping lid, deluxe stainless steel rack, inner pot and crisp basket.

The inner pot and included crisp basket are both made of non-stick, PTFE, PFOA-free ceramic coating. This is perfect for those looking for healthy, teflon-free nonstick cooking options.

The pressure cooker function for slow-cooking beans was perfect. However, we were blown away by how well the other functions performed – most notably, the air fryer function. Air fryer chicken wings, egg rolls and french fries came out nice and crisp with considerably less oil than traditional deep frying.

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Best Electric Runner-up  – Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

This electric pressure cooker by Instant Pot almost single handedly revived interest in pressure cookers. It’s easy-to-use functionality makes it non-intimidating – even for beginners. 

Having an electric pressure cooker without teflon is important to many consumers. We were pleased to see that the inner cooking pot of the Instant Pot is food-grade, teflon-free stainless steel.

This selection has an incredible NINE different functions! It can function as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, saute, sous vide, steamer, food warmer and a sterilizer. 

Related Post: What Size Springform Pan for a 6QT Instant Pot?

I wasn’t impressed with the slow cooker function as it took too long to heat up, however, it worked considerably well to make nice, fluffy rice. The Instant Pot Electric Cooker also has options available at 3QT and 8QT to accommodate smaller or larger families.

As a pressure cooker for beans and other one-pot meals, the Instant Pot cooks 70% faster than other cooking methods. In fact, my red beans were cooked perfectly and creamy in less than 45 minutes!

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Budget Friendly Electric Option – Nuwave Nutri-Pot Digital Pressure Cooker

Here is another reliable pressure cooker for beans and other slow-cooked meals. You’ll have no problem making a meal like beef stew in less than 45 minutes. It’s a great budget-friendly option that also has versatile cooking options.

Safety is a common concern amongst novices when using pressure cookers. The NUWAVE Nutri-Pot makes pressure cooking safe by including a safety system that only allows the pot to pressurize when the lid is securely in place.

Like the Instant Pot Duo, the Nutri-Pot is another pressure cooker with a stainless steel pot. This is great for consumers looking to avoid Teflon and the stainless steel ensures a better sear on foods when using the searing function.

The brand also offers a 6 quart pressure cooker with a non-stick pot for those who like the easy clean-up that comes from non-stick surfaces. Just be sure to only use wooden or silicone utensils to avoid scratching the finish.

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Best Stovetop Pressure Cookers for Beans

Some people prefer to use traditional stovetop pressure cookers. Electric pressure cookers do offer more versatility. However, you’ll find that the stovetop options may be a better choice for simple, reliable, no-frills, and high-quality pressure cooking.

Best Stovetop Pressure Cooker – Presto 16-Quart Aluminum Canner Pressure Cooker

This option by Presto is our top choice as a stovetop pressure cooker for beans as well as canning. It’s an absolute workhorse in the kitchen with unmatched durability.

Related: What Do I Need To Start Canning Food

You want to have a pressure cooker with a gauge especially for canning as the pressure needs to be precise. We were happy to see that the pressure dial gauge on this Presto pressure cooker is large, easy to read and most importantly – accurate.

Now let’s talk safety because the biggest fear most people have is that their pressure cooker will explode. First, the Presto stovetop pressure cooker has an overpressure plug that releases excess steam to prevent the cooker from becoming over-pressurized.

Secondly, the cooker has an air vent/cover lock that will only allow pressure to build up if the cover is properly closed. It also prevents the unit from being opened until the pressure is reduced safely.

The size of this pressure cooker may be intimidating, however, the 80 page instruction guide (including recipes) is very easy to follow. If you are looking for a stovetop option beyond making just beans, the Presto pressure cooker is for you.

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Best Stovetop Runner-up – T-fal Pressure Cooker

This T-fal option is another contender for the best stovetop pressure cooker for dry beans if you’re looking for a smaller option than the Presto model featured earlier. 

Pinto beans soaked overnight can be easily cooked in less than 20 minutes using the T-fal pressure cooker.  My aunt has owned one of these for pressure cooking for nearly a decade with no issues.

An important feature of the T-fal pressure cooker is the dual pressure option. With a simple turn of a dial you can select between cooking at either 10 or 15 PSI. 

15 PSI is what you’ll normally use for beans and other foods that are typically slow-cooked. However, you’ll want to use the lower pressure option of 10 PSI for cooking veggies or foods requiring minimal tenderizing like fish.

You don’t have to be fearful of using the T-fal stovetop pressure cooker as it has a wealth of safety features such as secure locking, a variable steam release valve, a stay cool handle and more.

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Is It Better To Cook Beans in a Pressure Cooker?

If you’re looking to save time then using a pressure cooker for beans, it’s better than other cooking options. We also know that a reduced cooking time also ensures more retention of important nutrients.

I’ll use a pressure cooker to prepare beans in a pinch. However, I do prefer to slow cook my beans traditionally on a stove as long as I have the time, but I know this is due to family tradition and habit. I might add that the flavor is generally the same with either preparation method.

Buyer’s Guide For Pressure Cookers: Features to Consider

There are a few important features you need to consider when deciding on the best pressure cooker for beans and slow cooking. Be sure to review the below to assist in your selection:

1. Heating Source

When mentioning heating source, we’re referring to the two types of pressure cookers: Stovetop vs Electric.

Stovetop pressure cookers require a stove range as the heating source. Since they are exclusively made and designed to pressure cook you’ll find that they will come to pressure and prepare foods more quickly than an electric version. 

Electric pressure cookers like the Ninja Foodi Deluxe XL are multi-cookers and have versatile options like steaming, as a rice cooker, air fryer and more. They also have easy to use pre-programmed button functionality.

2. Size

In selecting the size of your pressure cooker you’ll definitely want to consider the size. You should select a capacity that will be big enough to accommodate the amount of food you plan to pressure cook. You’ll also want to consider your kitchen space. 

The most common electric pressure cooker sizes are 6QT and 8QT which is more than enough to handle beans, stews and other foods for slow pressure cooking. 

Stovetop pressure cookers have a wide array of sizes – ranging from approximately 6 QT all the way to 40QT. If you’re purchasing a stovetop pressure cooker for beans and slow cooking, you’ll be fine with a 6.3QT option like the T-fal Pressure Cooker. The larger size options are typically for canning meats, vegetables and fruit in jars.

3. Safety Features

A crucial component of any pressure cooker would be the inclusion of features to allow for a safe cooking experience. We elaborate on some of the safety features you should look for below.

Safety Lock

Opening a pressure cooker that is full of steam can be dangerous. For this reason, pressure cookers of today almost always include some type of safety lock. Once the lock is engaged you cannot open the pressure cooker until the level of steam/pressure has been safely reduced.

Safety release valve

It’s important for pressure cookers to have a safety valve in place in the event of excessive steam build-up. The valves engage and release steam if the pressure begins to exceed 15 PSI. They should also engage if the primary valve becomes blocked by froth or other food particles.

Pressure Indicator

Another important safety feature is a mechanism that indicates the pressure cooker has been de-pressurized and can be safely opened. For example, the Instant Pot Duo has a visible float valve that goes into the “down” position when all steam/pressure has been released.

Our Final Thoughts

The best pressure cookers for beans and other slow cooking should be easy to operate. You’ll also need to decide if you’d prefer a traditional stovetop pressure cooker or an electric pressure cooker. 

Specific components such as a secondary release valve, safety lock and pressure indicator work to make pressure cooking safe – even for novices.

We’ve provided the top options to assist you in finding the best pressure cooker so you can buy the right one – the first time. 

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