What We Like About The Instant Pot Duo Crisp
The Duo Crisp fundamentally works as both a pressure cooker and an air fryer, and its genuinely useful for making one-pot meals. It can pressure cook a whole chicken until tender and then brown the skin afterward, or heat up a small batch of frozen fries faster than an oven. And its better designed than the one other pressure cooker/air fryer weve tested, the Ninja Foodi .
After pressure cooking a whole chicken atop a bed of carrots and potatoes in the Duo Crisp, we were able to brown the exposed skin in seven minutes using the air-fryer lid on the Roast setting. Compared with chickens weve cooked in other air fryers, this chicken browned much more evenly, although it wasnt as deeply golden as chicken roasted in an oven or a convection toaster oven. The meat was succulent, while the vegetables underneath turned out tender and even caramelized in places, if a little overcooked. The result wasnt quite as good as traditional French chicken in a pot, which would be more flavorful after a longer cooking time and gentler reduction. But wed gladly eat this comforting one-pot meal again.
Instant Omni Plus 18l Toaster Oven And Air Fryer
The Instant Omni Plus is a high-performance countertop air fryer oven. With a large capacity to cook up to four servings, its perfect for growing families. The Omni Plus replaces 10 separate cooking appliances to help you create quick, delicious and healthy homemade meals. It features a grill function, EvenCrisp technology for a golden crisp finish and more. Omni Plus delivers the quality, convenience and versatility you expect from Instant and finds it amazing.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer Vs Ninja Foodi Fd401 8
Ninja Foodi FD401 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer: There are a few differences between the Ninja Foodi FD401 8-Quart 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer and the Instant Pot I tested. The first difference is namely the price, as the Ninja Foodi retails for around $250. Unlike the Instant Pot Duo, the fryer lid on the Ninja Foodi is permanently attached and flips up to accommodate the pressure cooker lid. The cooking pot on the Ninja Foodi is also wider and nonstick.
Because of the wider pot in the Ninja Foodi, I give it a slight edge for air frying since it offers more surface space. However, I like the Instant Pot Duo because both lids can detach. Both brands have proven themselves to be reliable, and either would be a great addition to the kitchen.
A great space-saving option.
Like other Instant Pot pressure cookers, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer performs well. I like that its two-in-one capabilities mean less storage space, and despite its lack of presets, its cooking options allow you to tailor a recipe exactly to your needs.
- Product Name Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
- Product Brand Instant Pot
- Product Dimensions 15.6 x 22.3 x 17.9 in.
- Color Black, Stainless Steel
- Material Stainless steel cooking pot, nonstick coated air fryer basket
- Warranty 1 year
- What’s Included Two lids, a stainless steel cooking pot, a nonstick fryer basket with a plastic base and stainless steel rack, a reversible cooking rack, a trivet/base for the air fryer lid
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Multiple Appliances In One
This was the biggest sell for me, as I live in an apartment and dont have a huge amount of storage space. Im a bit of a kitchen appliance junkie, so Ive had my eye on an air fryer for a long time but couldnt justify the space it would take up, especially since I already own a toaster oven that can produce pretty similar results. The fact that the Duo Crisp combines multiple appliances into one is a huge plus for me!
How Easy Is It To Clean
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp, with all of its bells and whistles, has a number of parts that require cleaning. This machine boasts a stainless steel inner pot, making it a candidate for washing by hand or using the dishwasher. Because I didn’t have to worry about a nonstick surface, I was free to use an abrasive sponge if necessary. After just one use, the pot did not have quite the same luster and shine, but I felt it was quite easy to clean, much like the rest of my stainless steel cookware.
The air fryer basket, however, required a bit more care because of its nonstick coating. It did clean up with some effort, but using an abrasive would be a mistake here. There were bits of food stuck to the basket, so letting it soak with some hot water and dish soap certainly loosened them. Alternatively, you can try cleaning it in the dishwasher. I will say that this fryer basket was not as easy to clean as the Cosori fryer basket that I recently tested, but it was manageable.
The air fryer lid should never be submerged in water, so cleanup requires a bit more care. The heating coil is coated in a non-stick surface which makes most of the cleanup quite simple with a damp kitchen towel or sponge. The outside of the lid cleans up well with a kitchen spray.
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How Does The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer Look/feel/sit
At first glance, the base of this machine looks like a typical pressure cooker with brushed stainless steel sides and black trim. One-touch controls and preset cooking programs are located on the front of the pot. The bright, easy-to-read dual display with large font makes programming relatively simple, with 11 functions, temperature, and time controls that give the user a wide range of cooking options.
What makes this unit unique is the two separate lids that correspond with specific functions. The pressure cooking lid is much like many of the other lids of its kind. It has a generous black handle that makes it easy to remove. The air fryer lid, however, is unique. It has a taller, curved shape with a swirled texture that sort of resembles a Chinese steamed bun. It has a hinged handle that makes it somewhat easy to move, despite its size and weight. It even has it’s own storage cover/protective pad to keep it from burning your countertop.
The unit itself is 15 inches wide and nearly 16 inches tall with the air fryer lid in place. While it certainly fits in my counter space, I would probably not want to sacrifice that much room if I did not plan to use it daily.
With 11 functions, I felt optimistic that this multi-cooker was up to a number of methods that would make my time in the kitchen a bit more streamlined.
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The bestselling 5.8-quart Cosori air fryer features 13 different cooking functions that prepare your food at the best temperature and time. The non-stick air fryer basket is removable and dishwasher safe. The top-rated air fryer comes in black, red and white.
“I like the fact that, in addition to the nine pre-set temperatures and times for various foods and tasks, you can also manually adjust times and select a temperature right up to 230, which is close to the ‘Max Crisp’ temperature setting offered by one of the leading models in the market,” enthused who purchased the Cosori air fryer.
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11
The Duo Crisp is the Instant Pot Duo, but with the ability to air fry. It comes with a multi-level, air-fryer basket.
If you’re keeping count, the 11-in-1 Instant Pot Duo Crisp can do all of these things: air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, bake, broil, roast, steam, sauté, proof, sous-vide cook and warm food.
How To Use Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer
Have you just purchased the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer? If yes, this guide will help you get started on how to use it.
We will put you through everything you need to know about the parts, buttons, and functions. So, continue to read to learn all about your new kitchen appliance.
The Instant Pot Crisp Air Fryer is a pressure cooker and an air fryer. Depending on whether you want to pressure cook or/and air fry, this appliance is for you.
It has a display panel, a lid that converts the appliance into an air fryer, and a pressure cooker lid that can automatically seal itself.
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Resources: Good Not Great
While Instant Pot has a vibrant online community and a recipe app, I found that recipes dedicated to this device were lacking. There were plenty of pressure cooker recipes, but the air fryer recipes I found on the app were for the Vortex oven, which doesnt translate exactly to this device.
While its simple enough to look up recipes for either pressure cookers or air fryers, those dont address the fact that this machine can do both for the same recipe, like when I pressure cooked potato wedges, then swapped the lid to air fry them. Id love to see similar recipes in the app in the future.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Instant Pot Duo Crisp And Air Fryer Review: Cooking Performance
During our tests, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer performed well when pressure cooking meat stews, but steaming and air frying were a little disappointing.
I was particularly impressed with the Saute program, as it was able to brown onions and sear meat on a high heat for about five minutes. After throwing in all of my other ingredients, I pressed the Pressure Cook button twice to set the temperature to either Low, Normal or High, which is set at 239°F to 245°F. After 00:35 on a high temperature, it resulted in a tender and very tasty meat casserole.
On the other hand, steaming broccoli and green beans were not as successful. While the official website recommends a three-minute cooking time, it still takes seven minutes to preheat. As a result, the majority of beans were overcooked with a soft and soggy texture. Results seemed the same on a few tries, despite reducing the water content. You may need to manually experiment with timings to suit your tastes.
I was most excited about the air fryer function, and began with a batch of my trusted French fries. Once you place the air fryer lid on with a twist and lock, simply press the Air Fry button, which automatically sets it for 15 minutes at 204 degrees. It takes about two minutes to preheat, and you also have the option of manually changing the cooking time and temperature. After about seven minutes, the cooker prompts you to turn over foods to ensure an even crisp.
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The Sous Vide Function
The sous vide function has been another big win for me! Ive wanted a sous vide for a long time, but wasnt sure Id use it enough to justify the cost. Essentially, a sous vide allows you to cook a protein to a precise temperature throughout. You know how the end of a large steak is always more done than the center? The sous vide takes care of that problem.
You simply vacuum seal your food , place it in the pot, and let it cook for a few hours. The result? Perfectly-cooked protein that is tender, and the same temperature throughout. You can then give your protein a quick sear to give it a crispy, caramelized crust. I love that searing only takes a minute or two because it prevents me from smoking up my apartment.
A few versions of the Instant Pot have the sous vide function, but instead of circulating water like a traditional sous vide, the Instant Pot simply keeps the water bath at a constant temperature no circulation involved. Id read negative reviews on the function because of this, so I wasnt sure how well it would work. Im happy to say Ive been pleasantly surprised! The sous vide function has absolutely changed my steak and pork cooking game, and Im excited to give it a try with delicate proteins like fish as well.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer: How To Use
The air fryer has a powerful fan that blows hot air around the food, heating it up and cooking it. You do not need to use oil at all with the air fryer.
Your food comes out crisp, cooks fast, and you do not have to deal with excess heat. You place the food in a mesh basket and put it in the inner pot.
Place the air fryer lid on the top, and superheated air will be blown into the food to cook and crisp it. Whether your food is fresh or frozen, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer has got you.
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How It Performs As An Air Fryer
I cooked several of my favorite air fryer foods with the Duo Crisp and its Ultimate Lid. The air fryer was plenty proficient once it got heated. Speaking of which, this is one of the only air fryers Ive used that needed an official preheat time. For an air frying session at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, it took about five minutes to preheat plus the actual cook time. Im used to air fryers that dont need preheating, so it took getting used to.
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How The Air Fryer Fries
Air fryers are basically small convection ovens. Inside, they have a heating element and a fan that blows hot air around their small cooking chamber, circulating the air very quickly. Combined with its perforated basket, this means that the food comes into contact with the hot air at a much faster rate, frying it. No, it doesnt produce deep-fried results , but the air fryer can cook brown and crispy foods very well, making it a great way to cook foods like French fries, broccoli , and even proteins like salmon.
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The Parts Of The Pressure Cooker Of The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp Air Fryer comes with two lids. One of them is for the pressure cooker while the other is for the air fryer.
Outer Pot: houses the heating element, control panel, and power cable
Inner Pot: a removable stainless steel pot where the cooking takes place. You can use this pot on your stovetop and can wash it by hand or dishwasher.
Pressure Cook Lid: seals the Pot and keeps pressure on it. Can be washed by hand or through the dishwasher.
Air Fryer Lid: converts the Pot into an air fryer. Do not wash this lid. Remove grime and grease splatter with a soft, damp cloth or sponge.
Lid : the lid fin, found on the outer pot, props the lid open. You use the lid handle to handle the lid, and the locking pin holds the lid in place.
Steam Release : the steam release button allows you to release the pressure manually from the cooker, which will then travel through the pipe outside. The steam release valve controls the inner temperature and pressure.
Float Valve: allows the Instant Pot to be pressurized.
Silicone Cap for Float Valve: keeps the float valve in place while covering it.
Anti-block Shield: prevents food from coming out.
Sealing Ring and Rack: the sealing ring seals the pot while the rack holds the ring in place.
Condensation Collector: collects the moisture that builds on the rim.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp And Air Fryer Review: Design
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer looks simple with its trademark stainless steel exterior, LCD display and streamlined touch control pad. Of course, the main differences are the two separate lids , that automatically swap over the wet and dry functions. The 8-quart size provides a generous capacity for families or handling large quantities. However, it is quite large and bulky, particularly once the air fryer lid is on, measuring 14.8 x 14.2 x 14.2 inches. Whats more, if you have low-hanging cabinetry, the top of the air fryer lid might not have enough clearance, so bear this in mind. In any case, if you only have small quantities or limited space, it may be worthwhile opting for the 6-quart capacity.
The touch control panel shows the standard programs such as Slow Cook, Pressure Cook, Saute, Steam and Sous Vide. In addition, it has a specific line for the air fryer functions such as Air Fry, Grill, Roast, Bake and Dehydrate. You can manually adjust the temperature and cooking duration using the buttons on either side of the LCD display. The dry cook functions can be set to a temperature between 84C 204oC while the wet cook functions offer Hi or Lo temperatures.
The box also contains a dehydrating tray, air fry basket, multi-functional rack, and protective pad which is handy for placing down your hot lids safely on the countertop after removing. It doesnt come with a recipe book or charts, however, these can be found on the website or downloaded via the app.
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How Easy Is It To Set Up
After unpacking and finding space for the Instant Pot air fryer, I knew right away that this would require some research before I was ready to start cooking. I found the Getting Started Guide to be very helpful, as I proceeded to familiarize myself with the proper setup. I definitely recommend the “Initial Test Run” that is detailed in the manual as it will take a first time user, like myself, some time to get used to the mechanisms for pressure cooking. This pretty much took me through the process of setting up the cooker with water. I learned how to set the timer and release the steam properly which was very worth the time I spent doing it.
It took me a while to acquaint myself with all of the parts. After about 30 minutes, I felt I was ready to move ahead, though I certainly continued to reference the manual through the process. Once I felt prepared, I moved into some simple air frying. I wanted to see if this function was enough to set this multicooker apart.
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