Well this is the very first time I've every used  or purchased a pressure cooker before. I had a hard time trying to get the top to line up right. I thought I was going to have to send it back, however, my daughter the other cook in the family was very successful in attaining this task. It works very well, I thought it was a bit cheap but it does just as great a job, I suppose as all the other pressure cookers. No problems with the release valve, it work well. So don't spend any more money than you have to, this one is great. So why did I give it a 4 and not a 5, good question. Would I purchase it again for a gift yes, do I recommend it, absolutely yes.