I'm a sucker for buying kitcthen equipment which ends up sitting in the cupboard, if I can find the space! I used to own a pressure cooker and was thinking of buying a new one, is it worth it? or should I maybe try a steamer ? Any suggestions as to which I might get the most use from

I absolutely swear by my steamer - one of my favourite pieces of equipment. Veggies done in a steamer are wonderful and the base can be used for potatoes or swede, etc. I also steam pieces of fish in it. It is also space saving as you can steam/cook a meal on one burner rather than have pots and pans all over the place. So my vote would have to be for the steamer!

STEAMER!!!! definitely,they're so versatile, i bought a nice big family sized one from Fenwicks a few years ago, it has a nice large "bottom" which is great just as a large saucepan, and 2 further tiers to steam in which can also act as colanders. Its one of the best "gadgets" i've bought for ages, wouldn't go for the electric type, more wires and it needs somewhere to stand. Get yourself a nice "big'un" like mine carol2, have fun!!

I couldn't live without my microwave steamer, it cooks the vegetables perfectly - so much better than a pressure cooker!

I only use my pressure cooker when I am cooking citrus fruit for marmalade.
I think it gives food a strange taste and a few seconds too long and things become mushy.

Go for a steamer.

I use a stainless steel steamer. It replaced my bamboo steamer which fell to pieces from use. I can't compare the two because I have never used a pressure cooker but one of my workmates swears by his. I don't know if he has tried a steamer, though! Horses for courses maybe?

P.S. Thanks for the welcome folks :-)

Stainless steel steamer. Excellent!

It depends on what you love to cook and eat!
If you love stews and slow cook type casseroles... then a pressure cooker would be your thing because it cooks the stew like you would in an oven but only like half the time! I think its fantastic using a pressure cooker because it makes my lamb stew sooooo tender and melt in mouth with little bit of bite and soaked in its own sauce... perfect for these cold weather!

But if you're more into like health stuff and love dim sums and dumplings then i go for a steamer...

Personally i think its handy to have both of these items... but thats me... im greedy :P

Steamer for me, chicken breasts in the steamer never go dry and you can cook the veg at the same time, like georgie said its only one pan not about 4.
Andy.