Ninja is a popular brand of electric pressure cookers. They make a range of different sized models to suit different household needs. For large families or those who do a lot of batch cooking, choosing the largest Ninja pressure cooker will provide enough capacity to cook large quantities of food at once.
Pressure cookers work by creating a sealed environment where the boiling point of water is increased so that food cooks faster while retaining more nutrients and flavors. Choosing a larger pressure cooker means you can cook bigger portions or multiple dishes at the same time.
Ninja Pressure Cooker Sizes
Ninja offers pressure cookers in the following sizes:
| Model | Quart Capacity |
|---|---|
| Ninja Foodi OP300 | 6.5 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP301 | 8 quarts |
| Ninja Foodi OP302 | 10 quarts |
The 10 quart model is the largest size Ninja pressure cooker available. At 10 quarts, it provides enough room to cook around 8 pounds of ingredients at once. This makes it a great choice for larger households or meal prepping.
Ninja Foodi 10-quart Pressure Cooker OP302 Overview
The Ninja Foodi OP302 has a 10 quart ceramic coated inner pot that is nonstick and PTFE/PFOA free. The total dimensions of the appliance are 14 x 11.7 x 17.7 inches.
Some key features and benefits of this large pressure cooker include:
Large Capacity
The 10 quart capacity is big enough to cook whole chickens, roasts, racks of ribs, or make large batches of chili, soup, oatmeal, beans, and more. You can easily cook dinner for the whole family in one pot.
9 Programs
There are 9 customizable programs – pressure cook, steam, slow cook, yogurt, sear/sauté, bake/roast, broil, dehydrate, and keep warm. This makes it easy to cook foods using a variety of cooking styles.
Stainless Steel Body
The outer body is made fromfingerprint resistant stainless steel for durability. The inner pot is coated in ceramic for a nonstick cooking surface.
High Pressure Level
There are 2 pressure levels – high pressure reaches up to 15 PSI to cut cooking time by up to 70% while low pressure is for delicate ingredients.
Easy to Use Display
The control panel is easy to use with a digital display and programmable buttons. You can set cook times, adjust pressure and temperature, delay start times, and more.
Various Safety Features
Ninja Foodi pressure cookers have numerous safety features like automatic pressure release, anti-block shield, overheat protection, lid safety lock and more.
Recipe Inspiration
A recipe book is included with 45 chef-inspired recipes to give you plenty of meal ideas. Recipes can also be found online.
Dishwasher Safe
The inner pot, cooker lid, and other accessories are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
Benefits of a 10 Quart Pressure Cooker
Here are some of the benefits of choosing a 10 quart pressure cooker like the Ninja Foodi OP302:
Cooks Large Quantities Quickly
The 10 quart capacity means you can cook up to 8 pounds of ingredients at once. This allows you to quickly whip up large batches of soups, chilis, oatmeal, etc. for the week ahead.
Saves Time on Weeknight Meals
With the pressure cooking function, you can cook foods up to 70% faster. This means you can cook stews, braised meats, beans from scratch, and more without spending hours in the kitchen after work.
Cook Complete Meals All at Once
With enough room for main dishes, sides, and even dessert, you can cook an entire meal in the pressure cooker at the same time.
Perfect for Meal Prepping
Meal prepping saves time and money. The large 10 quart capacity makes it easy to batch cook grains, proteins, soups, stews, and more for quick weeknight meals.
Entertain Large Groups and Families
This extra large pressure cooker is great for cooking for crowds. You can prepare party-sized portions of wings, meatballs, dips, and more with leftovers to spare.
Save Money by Cooking in Bulk
Buying in bulk can save money. With a 10 quart cooker you can take advantage of bulk savings on whole chickens, large cuts of meat, bags of dried beans and more. Simply cook and portion out servings.
Frees Up Oven Space
On holidays and busy cooking days, the pressure cooker frees up valuable oven space. You can cook things like moist braised meats, baked beans, potatoes, and more in the pressure cooker instead.
Sear and Sauté Before Cooking
The sauté function lets you sear meat and sauté veggies right in the pot before pressure cooking. This builds extra flavor into recipes.
Tips for Using a 10 Quart Pressure Cooker
Here are some handy tips for making the most of your extra large 10 quart pressure cooker:
Adapt Favorite Recipes
Many standard recipes can be adapted for pressure cooking. Reduce liquids by half, use cook times in your manual, and adjust seasonings as needed.
Cook in Layers
Place vegetables in first, then meat, grains, beans to allow proper cooking. Use a trivet if needed between layers.
Never Fill Over 2/3 Full
Always leave at least 1/3 of the pot empty to allow for food expansion and prevent clogging the pressure release valve.
Keep Some Liquid In
A thin layer of water, broth, or sauce on the bottom of the pot is needed to create steam and pressure.
Allow Natural Pressure Release
After cooking stops, let pressure release naturally for 10-15 minutes before quick releasing any remaining steam.
Get Creative with Flavors
Layer spices, herbs, sauces, and marinades under and over food for delicious infused flavor.
Use the Delay Start
Program the delay start so you can wake up to oatmeal already cooked or come home to dinner ready.
Cook from Frozen
Meats and vegetables can go straight from freezer to pressure cooker. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Embrace the Pot-in-Pot Method
Use oven-safe containers inside the pressure cooker pot to cook multiple foods at once that require different cook times.
Best Foods to Make in a 10 Quart Pressure Cooker
A pressure cooker really shines when cooking foods that usually take a long time to cook on the stove or in the oven. Here are some of the best things to make in a 10 quart model:
Soups and Chilis
Make huge batches of soups and chilis to freeze for later. The liquid is perfect for pressurizing and infusing flavor.
Stews and Curries
Tender chunks of meat in hearty stew and curries cook perfectly under pressure without drying out.
Whole Chickens
Cook a few whole chickens at once for meals throughout the week. They turn wonderfully moist.
Tough Cuts of Meat
Pot roasts, pork shoulder, short ribs, and other tough meats become fall-apart tender.
Dried Beans and Grains
Beans and grains like rice, farro, and barley can cook from dry to perfect in a fraction of the normal time.
Vegetables and Side Dishes
Quickly cook beets, potatoes, squash, and other veggies to use in sides and salads.
Cheesecakes and Custards
The gentle heat makes creamy desserts without curdling eggs. Use oven-safe ramekins.
Pressure Cooking Versus Slow Cooking
While a pressure cooker and slow cooker both use moist heat to cook food over a period of time, there are some key differences between the two cooking methods:
Cooking Time
Pressure cooking is much faster, cooking dishes in a fraction of the time needed in a slow cooker. This makes it better for cooking on weeknights.
High Heat
A pressure cooker traps steam and cooks at around 250°F. Slow cookers cook around 190°F for lower heat over longer periods.
Moisture
Pressure cookers use the steam and moisture trapped within to quickly cook food. Little liquid evaporates. Slow cookers allow moisture to slowly evaporate over time.
Flavor Development
The intense heat of pressure cooking infuses foods with flavor very quickly. Slow cooking also develops great flavor but over the course of hours not minutes.
Browning and Sautéing
Most pressure cookers have a sauté function you can use before pressure cooking. Slow cookers only use moist heat so no browning.
Foods to Cook
Tough meats are best pressure cooked to become tender. Cheaper cuts like pork shoulder shine in a slow cooker.
Convenience
Pressure cooking gives convenience by cooking quickly even from frozen. Slow cookers allow you to start food in the morning with no monitoring.
Pressure Cooker Safety Tips
While modern electric pressure cookers have more safety mechanisms than old stovetop models, it’s still important to follow some safety precautions:
Read the Manual
Read the instruction manual thoroughly to understand how your model works and all its safety features. Follow all directions.
Check Seals and Valves
Regularly inspect the sealing ring and pressure release valves for signs of wear or blockages that prevent proper sealing and steam release.
Don’t Overfill
Never fill the inner pot over 2/3 full to allow space for food expansion. Overfilling can clog steam release.
Keep Hands and Face Away
Don’t put hands or face near the steam release valves when venting. The steam escaping is extremely hot.
Allow Pressure to Drop Naturally
Always allow the pressure to reduce naturally for at least 10 minutes before quick releasing any leftover steam.
Clean Valves and Seals
Clean valves and sealing rings regularly to prevent food particles from interfering with proper sealing and pressure release.
Ensure Lid is Sealed Before Heating
Always make sure the lid is securely locked into place and all valves are sealed before starting pressure cooking.
Use Proper Liquid
Use at least 1 cup liquid in the pot and don’t fill with more than half thick foods or foaming ingredients.
Conclusion
A 10 quart pressure cooker like the Ninja Foodi OP302 is the largest size made by the popular brand. With its huge capacity, you can cook family-sized portions or make batches of food to enjoy throughout the week.
Pressure cooking makes it fast and easy to cook foods that usually take hours. Meat becomes falling apart tender in a fraction of the time. Beans can cook from dry to done in just minutes. Cheaper cuts of meat turn into melt-in-your-mouth meals.
The key to success is properly layering ingredients, keeping the pot under 2/3 full, and allowing for natural pressure release. Follow basic safety precautions, and this large pressure cooker will help you get dinner on the table faster any night of the week.