I have used a pressure cooker for decades for canning different types of foods. But I have not used one for general cooking. I can remember my grandmother using pressure cookers. I think she had about 3 sizes of them. I remember her cooking a chicken or a roast in them to speed up the cooking time. I don't hear of too many people using pressure cookers anymore because they seem to be scared of them.....afraid they will blow up or something.