REASONS TO BUY
Good pressure cooking performance
Relatively easy to clean
REASONS TO AVOID
Interface is a bit clunky
Fewer cooking presets than average
Cuisinart discontinued this pressure cooker as of 2023.
Cuisinart CPC-600N1 Review
A capable cooker that lacks any differentiating features and doesn't feature the best price
Credit: Cuisinart
RELATED: Best Pressure Cookers
Our Verdict
The Cuisinart CPC-600N1 6 Quart functions quite well overall. It made good food in our tests, is relatively easy to clean, and offers a useful set of pressure cooking features. However, it lacks a lid storage solution, and we found its interface slightly more difficult to navigate than most others. Though these complaints are relatively minor, they still push the CPC-600N1 6 Quart fairly far down on our recommended kitchen appliance list.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Performance Comparison
The Cuisinart offers excellent cooking performance.
Credit: Laura Casner
User Friendliness
The Cuisinart keeps things fairly spartan when it comes to its interface. While this makes things simple, it also means a lot more button-pushing to get to your desired settings. For example, you'll have to press and hold the time button while the timer slowly scrolls up and then let go once you hit your desired time. You'll also have to press the menu button repeatedly to cycle through the cooking functions. Additionally, the LED screen that displays all this information is relatively small.
While these things certainly aren't dealbreakers, and you'll likely get used to the control panel's idiosyncrasies after just a few meals, it is a hurdle that you don't have to clear with most other models in our review of the best pressure cookers.
The Cuisinart's interface is simple but sometimes difficult to discern.
Credit: Laura Casner
Cooking Performance
Pressure cooking is an inherently consistent cooking method — as long as a cooker can achieve the proper pressure and temperature, the results are likely to be pretty consistent. As such, the Cuisinart performed very similarly to most of the other models we tested.
In our tests, the Cuisinart treated to fluffy rice, tender meat, and its saute function was able to handle everything from mushrooms to carrots. We found some models that could make meat taste just a bit more tender, but overall, the Cuisinart can likely pass anyone's taste test.
We enjoyed all of the meals we made with the Cuisinart.
Credit: Laura Casner
Ease of Cleaning
The Cuisinart keeps its design relatively simple and presents few cleaning challenges.
It utilizes a two-piece lid, which makes cleaning its gasket easier but does take longer to dry. The nonstick cooking pot stays clean even when you saute a bit too long, requiring just a quick scrub.
Unfortunately, the Cuisinart's handles don't double as lid holders.
Credit: Laura Casner
Cooking Features
It's relatively light on cooking features, meaning you'll likely have to manually punch in settings for many meals.
A Full List of The Cuisinart CPC-600N1 6 Quart's Cooking Functions
Manual Pressure Cooking, Browning, Saute, Simmer
Should You Buy the Cuisinart?
The Cuisinart performs well overall but fails to differentiate itself in a field of very similar products. This, in conjunction with some minor ease of use issues, makes it one of our least favorite models. The Cuisinart lists for a fairly standard price. While we wouldn't call this a poor value, there are multiple other models that cook as well and are as easy to clean, offer more features and are easier to use, and cost the same amount or even less. Therefore, we feel that there are plenty of better ways to spend your money if you're looking for a pressure cooker.
What Other Pressure Cooker Should You Consider?
In this same price range are products that score higher and perform better in our tests. The Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart is one of the highest-ranking in the lineup and has the same price tag. It has a variety of features and is far easier to use. While the cooking performance of the two is relatively equal, we think it's a no-brainer to choose the easier to use option since the price is not a decider. If you want something a little cheaper, the Instant Pot DUO Mini is an excellent option that is perfect for two and costs significantly less. Both are superior to the Cuisinart.
—
Michelle Powell and Max Mutter
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