This is apparently a very basic pressure cooker, but it does a great job and is easy to use.  I bought a portion of a cow from a local farm, and the stew beef was so tough after being cooked in the crock pot that we couldn't eat it. I thought I was going to have to give the remaining packs to the dog, but I tried it in the pressure cooker, and this meat was fork tender after 20 minutes. That was enough to sell both my husband and me. I can't wait to dry brown rice and black beans in there! You can't beat the price.