Straight To The Point
The best Instant Pot is the Instant Pot Pro. It performs well and has nice features like a steam release switch and handles on its cooking pot. Our budget-friendly pick is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1.
Instant Pot has become synonymous with a type of electric appliance more correctly known as a “multi-cooker” . Similar to how Xerox has become the de facto term for copy machines, Instant Pot has become the most well-known electric multi-cooker, even though plenty of other companies make electric multi-cookers, too. While we don’t think Instant Pots should be considered in a vacuum , the fact of the matter is there are so many Instant Pot models that we think it’s worthwhile to sort through them. This review, then, is our look at everything Instant Pot offers to help you weigh those options, but it’s only part of the larger question of what kind of pressure or multi-cooker you should buy, which we answer in a separate review.
How Do Electric Pressure Cookers Work
Dating back to the 1600s, pressure cooking involves using heat and pressure for cooking food more quickly. Before the Instant Pot revolutionized the industry, pressure cookers were non-electric stovetop devices. But, Instant Pot changed that with its countertop electric version.
For pressure to build in the cooker, the pot needs to have sufficient liquid , and the lid must be airtight. The steam created from the heated fluid causes the pressure to build and permits higher cooking temperatures and thus faster cooking.
Once you’re done cooking, you must first release the pressure before removing the lid. This step varies by model so consult your multicooker’s user manual to do this safely.
What’s The Best Size Instant Pot
Instant Pots and other multi-cookers come in an array of different capacities ranging from 3 quart / 3 liters right up to 8 quart / 7.5 liters, so knowing which size Instant Pot is best for you can be confusing.
For most people, the 6 quart / 5.7-liter size Instant Pot will prove to be the most useful. Instant say this capacity is enough to feed between three and size people depending upon your appetite, so will be ideal for families or those looking to batch cook meals for a handful of people.
The larger 8 quart / 7.5-liter size will be a better fit for bigger families, or anyone cooking on a large scale, such as creating chilies, stews, or curries for a party. Meanwhile, for one or two-person households the smaller 3-quart / 3 liter, Instant Pot will ensure you’re not using additional energy by cooking a small quantity in an Instant Pot that’s just too large for your needs.
It’s worth remembering that not all models of Instant Pot are available in all sizes, so do check before deciding on the best model for you.
Also Check: How Often To Replace Instant Pot Sealing Ring
The Best Prime Day Instant Pot Deals 2022 To Shop Before Time Runs Out
The last day of is ending soon but there are still plenty of Prime Day Instant Pot deals available. The online sale event is known for its incredible markdowns and massive savings, and it may just be the best time to pick up the cult-favorite pressure cooker youve been eyeing. You can snag some amazing Prime Day kitchen discounts from Amazon . and save big. Other than Black Friday and Cyber Monday, its the best time of the year to shop the popular Instant Pot brand. That means you can make your Instant Pot recipe dreams a reality.
Should You Buy An Instant Pot On Prime Day
If youre looking for a kitchen gadget that can help you prep meals fast with minimal clean up, then an Instant Pot is the way to go. Known for being both convenient and efficient, you can make countless Instant Pot dinner recipes in this easy-to-use kitchen device that takes up little counter and cabinet space. With the Instant Pot you can expect to sauté vegetables, bake desserts, steam chicken, and even braise beef easilythe possibilities are seriously endless!
Also Check: How To Cook Chicken Tenders In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker: What Are The Pros And Cons
The key benefit of a traditional pressure cooker is that it can deliver a higher pressure than all but the most expensive Instant Pots, so it cooks even more quickly: where most Instant Pots deliver a maximum pressure of 12psi, traditional pressure cookers can go up to 15psi. More pressure means a higher boiling point and faster cooking.
The main pros of an Instant Pot are its ease of use, its convenience and its safety: its a brilliant all-rounder thats incredibly simple to use, utterly reliable and has a dishwasher-safe removable pot . You can also save custom programs if the presets dont do what you want.
The main downside is the price: where the cheapest basic pressure cookers we can find on Amazon cost around $50 / £40 / AU$115, even the cheapest Instant Pot the 3-quart/3-liter Instant Pot Duo is $59 in the US and £69 in the UK .
The good news is that as the capacity increases, the price rises much less steeply. The 8-quart/8 liter Instant Pot Duo is currently $79 / £109 / $AU188.
Its also worth noting that the Instant Pots viral popularity means that you will see deep discounts during any big sales event such as Prime Day, Black Friday and other seasonal sales.
The other downside is that with the exception of the Mini model, Instant Pots are big: a 6-quart/5.7-liter Pro is roughly 13 inches/33cm high and the same width, while an 8-quart/8 liter model is just over 14 inches/36cm high.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Yes. There are a number of recipes devoted to cooking all kinds of foods from their frozen state in an Instant Pot. For some recipes, a little extra time is required to fully cook the meat, but in other cases the extra time required to come up to pressure is enough extra time to completely cook the food.
Read Also: Instant Pot Deals 8 Quart
Best Instant Pot 202: Our Top Picks
It’s the most expensive Instant Pot in our guide, but the Instant Pot Pro Crisp does everything you could wish for. It has an air fryer lid, 14 presets, and a digital display to track your cooking process.
Why we love it
When we tried the Instant Pot Pro Crisp for ourselves, it was able to pressure cook a chicken in just 20 minutes. We then turned it onto air fry mode, and crisped up the skin perfectly.
Most parts of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp can go in the dishwasher, including the pressure cooker lid. It has a removable air fryer basket that we found made takeout-worthy fries, and the handles allowed us to shake up the wedges for even cooking results.
Features
You can put the pot in the dishwasher, and because it has silicone-coated handles, it’s easy to lift out even when your meal has recently finished cooking. The pot can also go on the stove, although with the sear setting, you might not need it.
Our Instant Pot Pro Crisp review has more details
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is an upgrade on the classic Instant Pot Duo, with added safety features and a smarter display. When it comes down to it though, this Instant Pot has all the features you’re looking for when you want to get started with a multi-cooker.
Why we love it
The display shows a timer which makes it easy to know how far through your recipe is. That includes a bar for pre-heating or pressurizing, a cooking bar, and one for a keep-warm timer.
Features
Why we love it
Features
Check Out Our Amazon Prime Day Deal Roundups
Amazon Prime Day 2022 is scheduled to be held from July 12, 2022, to July 13, 2022. The event’s deals are for Amazon Prime members only.
Still not an Amazon Prime subscriber? Learn more about Amazon Prime by tapping the button below.
And while we think , you don’t have to wait for the sales event to score savings. Amazon is slashing prices on a bunch of products right now. Here’s our roundup of early Amazon Prime Day 2022 deals:
Also Check: How To Make Applesauce In Instant Pot
The Best Instant Pot Models Of 2022 According To Kitchen Appliance Experts
Our side-by-side comparison of Instant Pots makes it super simple.
If youre thinking of jumping on the Instant Pot bandwagon but feel intimidated by the number of multi-cooker models available, we don’t blame you. While most Instant Pots are similar in terms of size options and wattage, the built-in heat and pressure levels along with the smart program settings vary from model to model.
Luckily, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Kitchen Appliance and Technology Lab is here to help parse through those differences so you can find the best option for your household. We evaluate these multi-cookers for how well they pressure cook and slow cook a beef stew. We also evaluate their ability to evenly brown meat and make rice, including how quickly they came up to pressure and released pressure both quickly and naturally. We check each multi-cooker’s ease of use, including how intuitive and easy-to-read the controls are, the variety of settings offered, how easy it is to clean the cooking insert, and the clarity of the owner’s manual.
Is An Instant Pot Really Worth It
Thereâs no denying an Instant Pot is a great kitchen appliance but you may be wondering if itâs really worth it? Or will it simply end up as another kitchen gadget that languishes on your countertop gathering dust?
Itâs important to remember that while Instant Pots offer a multitude of cooking methods, many of which means you no longer need to use an oven or a hob, they canât cook everything. For example, theyâre not an option if you regularly prepare pasta, noodles, or stir frys. And while some do come with lids that can air fry, we found making fries in an Instant Pot wasnât as good as using one of the best air fryers.
At the same time, you canât just pop the lid off and check the dish youâre cooking, as you would when using the hob, the oven, or a slow cooker. Youâll need to release the pressure, effectively stop cooking, and detach the lid. Then if the dish isnât ready, youâll need to start cooking again.
Similarly, an Instant Pot can certainly shave a few hours off cooking stews, ribs and other dishes that usually take the best part of a day to cook, however with dishes like rice or steaming vegetables the time saving is minimal, which may mean an Instant Pot isnât worth the investment.
Recommended Reading: Nova Duo Instant Pot
This Instant Pot And Air Fryer In One Is At Its Lowest Price In Amazons Early Black Friday Sale
You can get the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 for less, today only
Do you love home-made fries as well as stews and curries? Then why not invest in an Instant Pot, a versatile kitchen appliance that offers several cooking methods in one gadget. Amazon has slashed 41% off the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1, which is now down to £118.95 from $199.99, for today only, as part of Amazons early Black Friday sales.
This is a new record low for one of the best Instant Pots, which has an additional lid so it can air fry alongside other cooking methods. It recently dropped to £119.95, which beat the offers we saw on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and now its been given an even bigger saving. They can be a pricey purchase, which is why a good deal is always welcome any time.
If you want to ensure the Instant Pot arrives in time for the festive period, wed recommend snapping up this deal now due to the ongoing supply chain issues. However, you may want to hold out until the day itself to be in with a chance of getting a better price. In that case, head over to our round-up of the best Black Friday Instant Pot deals to see the best discounts as soon as they drop.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 11
Normally $225, Now $150 at Amazon
In case seven or nine functions wasnt enough, this 8-quart Instant Pot Duo adds two more options for you: air fry and dehydrate. You just have to switch out the pressure cooker lid for the air fryer lid, which contains a heater and fan, plus an air frying basket.
The lowest price we’ve seen for this item is $120.
The Spruce / Donna Currie
“I decided to cook a small portion of pork ribs using both the Pressure Cook and Air Fry functions. I placed the ribs on the broiler/dehydrator rack because I wanted to get the sauce bubbly after cooking without overcooking the ribs. It worked well and was great for a quick dinner.” Donna Currie, Product Tester
Recommended Reading: How To Start Instant Pot Duo
This Is Your Last Chance To Get These Instant Pots
CBS Essentials is created independently from the CBS News staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday may be over, but the deals continue. Its not too late yet! to get a really great deal on the Instant Pot, one of the most popular kitchen appliances, before Christmas.
Like the multi-tasking kitchen appliance, this is a multi-tasking guide, outlining Instant Pot models, and highlighting the ones you can get on sale right now. Some prices are still as good now as they were on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. But if history is any judge, these deals on Instant Pots wont last long. And once its over, you may need to wait until Amazon Prime Day 2022 to see these kinds of deals again.
Dont know what the big deal is about the Instant Pot? First things first: Instant Pot is the name brand of a line of multi-use pressure cookers that promise to replace your other kitchen gadgets, including slow cookers, yogurt makers, rice cookers, steamers and air fryers.
Pressure cooking is a technique that prepares beans, meats, stews and more under high-pressure conditions. Pressure cookers cook food much more quickly than a similarly shaped slow cooker. Instant Pots come with safety features, such as overheat protection and a safe-locking lid, making pressure cooking seem like well, a low-pressure endeavor.
How We Selected The Best Instant Pot
We try our hardest to review all of the products we feature in our Small Appliance buying guides, and we are currently in the process of reviewing a number of the best Instant Pots in our guide. A few have already been extensively reviewed by our team of expert testers, and you can click through to find out how well they performed when we tried them out in our own homes.
Don’t Miss: How To Make Shredded Pork In Instant Pot
What’s The Difference Between Quick Release And Natural Release
With a quick release, you release the steam from the pot when cooking is done. With the natural release, you don’t release the steam immediately. Instead, you allow the pressure to decrease on its own.
Both have their pros and cons. For more details, check out our article: What do natural release and quick release mean on an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot Omni Plus Air Fryer Toaster Oven Combo
Fun fact: Instant Pot doesnt just make instant pots. In fact, they have a plethora of other kitchen gadgets as well, like this air fryer toaster oven. It has an extra large capacity and ten different settings for making food that includes broiling, baking, reheating, toasting, and, of course, air frying.
Read Also: Can You Steam In An Instant Pot
Best Smart Electric Pressure Cooker
With its hundreds of preset programs and step-by-step interactive recipes, the Chef iQ Smart Cooker is outstandingly precise.
- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Inner pot material: Nonstick
- Settings: pressure cook, sear/saute, steam, slow cook, sterilize, keep warm, ferment, plus 300+ preset programs in its menu
- Number of included recipes: 1000+ in the Chef iQ App
- Extras: Extra sealing gasket, steam rack, steam basket, heat-resistant pad for the lid
Pros: WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, a helpful app with 1000+ interactive recipes, full-color screen with 300+ present programs, quickest to cook rice and beans, good at searing, easy to set up
Cons: Didn’t do well in our pulled pork tests
The Chef iQ Smart Cooker has the best screen and most precise cooking options of any of the tested units and was easy to set up. Whereas other models have a button for beans, the full-color screen of the Chef iQ cooker offers much more detail. It has specific programs based on bean type, whether they’re soaked, and how much you’re cooking. The customization worked well. The Smart Cooker cooked a pound of beans perfectly 13 minutes faster than any other model.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8
Courtesy of Amazon
Normally $160, Now $120 at Amazon
Looking for a little more capacity in your Instant Pot? This 8-quart version of the Instant Pot Duo Plus does it allpressure cooks, sautés, steams, slow cooks, sous vides, and moreand also makes it easier to prepare a meal for a crowd without taking up much more space in your kitchen. The lowest price we’ve seen for this is $70 .
By swapping this lid for the one that came on your 6-quart Instant Pot, you can turn the appliance into an air fryer and dehydrator. The heater and fan are built into the lid , and it also comes with an air fryer basket and dehydrating/broiling tray.
The lowest price we’ve seen for this is $46.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Also Check: What Does Burn Food Mean On Instant Pot
