How reliable is the Breville Fast Slow Pro?
Reliability and durability are both mixed themes. Most owners are very happy, it feels solidly built, and some come back for a second unit of the same model. But one cooker stopped heating in its eighth month, and in another the display flickered and lost its program once. Breville's support replaced the failed unit promptly, though the replacement was only covered for the time left on the original 1-year replacement warranty. Use every function early, and keep your receipt.
Does the cooker really take a long time to reach pressure?
It depends on the load and on the seal. It can be quick, or it can take far longer than expected, up to a good twenty minutes depending on what is inside. If the valve is not seated or food touches the lid, it can keep trying to seal for a long time before warning you, so check both before you start. Natural release can also be slow; stock can take well over an hour.
What power does this pressure cooker need?
Breville rates it at 1100 watts on 110-120 volts, which is a standard US household outlet. It weighs 13.6 pounds and measures about 12 inches wide and deep, so give it a spot near an outlet with room for the hinged lid to open.
What's included in the box, and is cleanup difficult?
The cooker comes with a stainless steamer basket, a stainless rack and a recipe book with 41 recipes, alongside the 6-quart ceramic-coated bowl and lid. Cleanup is one of its strongest points: the lid is removable and dishwasher safe, the bowl is nonstick and doubles as a serving bowl, and the whole thing is easy to clean. Wash the silicone seal regularly, as it holds cooking smells, and consider hand washing the bowl, since its outer finish can wear in the dishwasher.
Is it worth paying more for than a basic electric pressure cooker?
Value for money is mixed, so it depends on how you cook. If you use the hands-free steam release, adjustable pressure, sear, sauté and reduce settings, the quality and control justify the cost. If you mainly want to cook rice and stews at a single pressure, a simpler cooker will do much the same job, and the mixed reliability makes the premium harder to justify.
How does the Fast Slow Pro handle both pressure cooking and slow cooking in one unit?
Breville's design adjusts time, temperature and pressure as you switch between fast (pressure) and slow cooking, using dual sensors at the top and bottom of the 6-quart bowl. You get 11 pressure cook settings and slow cook settings from high to low, with the LCD showing pressure, temperature, timer and steam status in every mode. Ease of use and cooking performance are both strong, so the dual-mode idea works day to day.
