I have never used a pressure cooker before buying this one. I decided to buy a small one to see how I liked cooking in it. I absolutely LOVE it! Living in the southern US during the HOT summer months is not conducive to use the kitchen oven so this pressure cooker comes in handy. I have made numerous roasts in it and they all came out juicy; NOT DRY! I highly recommend this product. In other reviews some people complained about the hard time they were having with the handle. I have not experienced this issue at all. I've owned this 4-quart pressure cooker for about a year now and I am extremely satisfied with it.