nterest in pressure cooking is increasing.  Initiated by the recession as consumers looked to get good meal while spending less and save some time and energy in the process.  In addition, interest in alternatives continues to grow as health and nutrition concerns move to the forefront of consumer issues without sacrificing ease of use and great flavor.

“With the current state of the economy, people are looking to make more out of less whether it be taking an inexpensive cut of meat and transforming

Fissler Blue Point Pressure Pan

it into a tender delicious dinner, or perhaps those who are interested in making healthful meals filled with whole grains and beans in a fraction of the time with little to no pre-soaking involved,” said a representative for a manufacturer of pressure cookers and small electrics.   (www,gourmetnews.com, December 2009)

There has been a recent rise in consumers sales as we learned by talking to a number of vendors at the San Francisco Gourmet Show last September.  Our site has received a growing number of queries specifically asking about pressure cookers.  However, there does seem to be a certain amount of people who still fear the pressure cooker – typically it seems this fear is often based on a story they’ve heard from friends or relatives rather than a first-hand experience.  Education and demonstration help adjust these unfounded fears.  Once the concept of pressure cooking, along with a full explanation of the operating and safety features of the new generation pressure cooker, are demonstrated many people are eager to start implementing pressure cookers into their everyday cooking.

Consumer education and live demonstration will be key factors in the success of selling pressure cookers.  Essential to this training will be focus on techniques and benefits of pressure cooking  as well as to convey the convenience and efficiency of pressure cooking to brides-to-be, chef wannabees and many others who are newcomers to pressure cooking.

Not everyone in the industry is sold on the idea of pressure cookers as a hot trend, however.

The Phoenix-based Riedel Marketing Group, conducted an online pressure cooker survey of there panel of Home Trend Influentials, a group of 160 “trend-setting, trend-spreading” consumers that meet strict criteria, such as home-ownership, interest in home decorating and appliances, and a tendency to share tips and trends with friends and family.

Twenty-two percent of the survey group use a pressure cooker, and the majority of those, 64 percent, have been using it for over five years.  The primary reason reported for using pressure cookers the panel members use pressure cookers is to save time.” Through this survey, Riedel concluded that there is not an increase in interest in pressure cookers among the panel.

According to The NPD Group, a market research company, total pressure cooker sales have increased  13.4% over the previous year. Total dollar sales for pressure cookers from September 2007 to August 2008 was $18,323,300 or 2.4 percent of the dollar share of the cookware category; from September 2008 to August 2009, total sales were $20,770,663 or 2.9 percent dollar share of the cookware category. These figures do not reflect forth quarter 2009 sales or sales from WalMart or Bed Bath and Beyond, according to The NPD Group.  (Results are our store would indicate growth rates continue to grow.)

Based on data from The NPD Group’s consumer tracking service, the top three reasons for purchase concerning stovetop cookware were good value, price and easy to clean.

Fissler USA stated that Fissler has seen strong recent sales in the pressure cooker category.

“As people turn their focus back to the kitchen, with family meals growing in importance, we believe that the Blue Point pressure cooker (a Fissler product) offers the perfect alternative to fast food or convenience food, with the opportunity to have healthy meals quickly at home,” said Chris Wert, Marketing executive.

The possibility of a home-cooked meal in half the time makes pressure cooking increasingly attractive and consumers see a pressure cooker as a worthwhile investment.  Add to this,  the resulting meals taste better, are more nutritious, and are healthier.

There are still many home cooks that are afraid to use a pressure cooker, though, and education and demonstration for the consumer on the benefits and safety of pressure cooking will be needed to close the deal.