Turning Your Instant Pot Into An Air Fryer
A recent Instant Pot accessory is the new and detachable Air Fryer lid that allows you to turn your Instant Pot into an Air Fryer with innovative EvenCrisp Technology.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
The Instant Pot Air Fryer lid is compatible with most 6QT models with stainless steel inner pots. It is not compatible with ceramic, non-stick inner pots. I haven’t used it yet, but have seen many positive reviews in multiple facebook Instant Pot support groups. I have, however, used the one below:
Mealthy Crisplid
The Mealthy Crisplid is another innovative kitchen gadget that turns your 6QT or 8QT pressure cooker into an air fryer. It’s compatible with the Mealthy Multipot and Instant Pot. You can read all about my review, too!
Broil, crisp and air fry directly in the steel pot of your pressure cooker. These new, detachable lids allow you to make such recipes as Stuffed Mushrooms, Tandoori Fish Tikka, Chicken Tikka, Samosa Poppers, Samosa Chaat Phyllo Cups and more!
Learn How To Boil Water
Whichever electric pressure cooker you end up with, your first time using it should involve literally learning to boil water. You do this by adding a cup or so of water to the inner pot , sealing the lid, and selecting a short cook time. Within five minutes, the water should heat up and build pressure, at which point the pressure is released via the natural method, or you can use the quick-release method. .
Instant Pot Steamer Basket Considerations
Size
Proper fit is the number one consideration when choosing an Instant Pot steamer basket. The product should indicate which size of Instant Pot it fits . Trying to cram a basket made for a 5-quart Instant Pot into a 3-quart model isnt recommended it wont perform as well, and metal steamer baskets may scratch the inside of the appliances liner.
Also, the steamer basket should elevate whatever youre cooking above the main water level in the Instant Pot. This keeps the ingredients inside from being boiled, and instead lets the steam inside the pot cook the food, so that key nutrients arent boiled away with the water.
Ease of cleaning
Cleaning a steamer basket can be difficult, depending on the type. Mesh steamer baskets are versatile and affordable, and often hold plenty of food, but that food can get trapped within the mesh and be tough to clean out especially gummy foods like rice. Punched-hole steamer baskets are easier to clean, but are often much smaller and hold less food.
Durability
Look for baskets that are corrosion resistant, as they will spend a lot of time in a wet, damp environment. Lower-priced steamer baskets may use rivets or screws that rust easily in the water, shortening their service life.
Basket Type
Sectional steamer baskets have rigid inserts that split the container into two, three, or four separate chambers so that cooks can steam small amounts of different foods in the same basket.
Read Also: How To Make Spaghetti In The Instant Pot
Are Pressure Cookers Safe
Yes, electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot are generally safe and easy to use. The Instant Pot has so many safety mechanisms built in, its hard to make a catastrophic mistake. The lid has two safety catches: a valve that releases excess pressure automatically, and a lock preventing you from opening the pot while its under pressure. If for some reason the steam-release valve isnt doing its job, the appliance has another sensor that shuts off the heating element if excess pressure builds inside the pot.
But as with any kind of cooking, there is a risk of injury if you are careless. If you follow the safety instructions, you should be good. Weve found only one confirmed report of an injury caused by an Instant Pot, and it was the result of user error: The person suffered minor burns after she covered the steam valve with a dish towel while the pot was under pressure. When she touched the towel a few minutes later, hot soup sprayed onto her arm and neck. The Instant Pot manual, however, explicitly states that all venting valves should be clean and free of debris.
What You May Not Love About The Instant Pot Ace Blender
- The glass container is very heavy, over 5 lbs., and it cant be submerged in water
- The blender is too tall to fit under kitchen cabinets, and steam comes out of the lid while cooking hot foods, so youll need to make sure its not too close to your cabinets.
- Currently a recipe booklet is not included with the blender. The manual only has recipes for creating soy, rice, nut and oat milks. However, Instant Pot has teamed up recipe creators in the past to create amazing recipes for their products. Im sure theyll continue this tradition with the Ace Blender and youll see recipes soon.
- The silicone seal absorbs odors.
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Cooking 2 Separate Dishes At The Same Time
Instant Pot Ace Blender Review
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Did you know the Instant Pot company sells appliances other than just pressure cookers. The Instant Pot Ace Multi-Use Cooking & Beverage Blender is their newest appliance and heres my Instant Pot Ace Blender review.
When Instant Pot asked me if Id like to review their new Ace Blender I jumped at the chance. I love their pressure cookers, and was impressed with their Gem slow cooker, so I knew their blender would probably be awesome too.
The Ace Blender uses Instant Pots advanced microprocessor technology and has 8 Smart Built-In One-Touch programs: Smoothie, Purée, Ice Cream, Soy, Rice, Nut/Oat Milks, Soup and, Crushed Ice programs. In addition. the Ace features 3 manual blending speeds and a Pulse / Clean button that self cleans the blender.
Four of the programs are for blending cold items, and the other are hot blending programs. The cold blending programs are for making smoothies, ice cream and other frozen treats.
Whats cool about the hot blending programs is that they actually heat up the ingredients to boiling before blending. So its not the friction from the blades that creates the heat like most blenders. Theres actually a heating element so you can create one-pitcher meals.
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When Should I Use Keep Warm Function
The Instant Pot can be kept on Keep Warm after cooking most foods. In fact, its very handy if you are finished cooking before youre ready to serve food. Some foods like rice, quinoa, or anything that has soaked up a lot of liquid should be monitored or warmed in a more moist environment to prevent dryness or burning. You can select Keep Warm cycle before you start cooking or after.
What Is An Instant Pot Exactly
The Instant Pot is simply an electric pressure cooker with multiple functions, which sets it apart from many kitchen appliances with a single purpose like a rice cooker or slow cooker.
If youre brand new to the concept, a pressure cooker electric or stovetop version creates a pressurized environment inside the pot, which cooks food much quicker than the oven or a regular pot on the stove. You can learn about how the Instant Pot works in more detail here.
The Instant Pot is also multi-cooker so in comparison to a gadget like a rice cooker, it has multiple functions instead of a single function. There have been dozens of models since it was first introduced, but they all possess similar features that make the Instant Pot what it is.
So, what does this multi-cooker entail? Well, it has functions of a simple pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and yoghurt machine in one. While previously all of these appliances were sold separately, you can now have them all in one. You can also sauté foods in the Instant Pot, which is done without pressurizing and uses a heating element that sits just underneath an inner pot. It will even keep your food warm once it stops cooking.
The Instant Pot is a self-regulating machine in many ways. You dont have to be watching over it to make sure it turns off when its done cooking. Gone are the days of exploding pressure cookers on the stovetop! The Instant Pot is super safe, efficient and economical.
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Take Out A Tape Measure And Check The Dimensions
If youre up for a little more work, then pull out a tape measure and check the actual dimensions of your Instant Pot.
Simply measure across the top of your Instant Pot from handle-to-handle:
- 3 quart Instant Pots are just under 12 inches wide.
- 6 Quart Instant Pots are about 13 inches across
- 8 Quart Instant Pots are a little more than 14 inches wide
- 10 Quart Instant Pots are just under 17 inches wide.
If you have an older model Instant Pot, its possible you have a 5 quart electric pressure cooker. It was originally available as a Lux or Duo.
Chicken Wings That Are Finer Licking Good
Chicken wings are always a finger-lickin good choice that is totally worth the mess. For game day, barbecue parties and just preparing a super delicious dinner alongside a few simple sides. No matter what your craving, spice tolerance or sauce versus spice preference is, weve got an Instant Pot chicken wing recipe for you in todays roundup. Break out the napkins!
This vegan and gluten-free friendly Instant Pot chickpea stew is a delicious main meal full of Moroccan-influenced spices and flavors. Serve it over rice, couscous or with some crusty bread.
Learn more about the Instant Pot on their official website.
If you have any additional questions, ask away! If youre ready to purchase your Instant Pot, you can find the recommended model for beginners here.
Read Also: Frozen Ground Turkey Instant Pot Recipes
Where Do You Get Your Pork Shoulder From
We are HUGE fans of Butcherbox and have been getting our pork from them for years now. In fact, Rachel wrote a comprehensive honest review about this meat subscription service.
We love that all their meat is healthy and sourced responsibly. Its so convenient to have it delivered to our doorsteps whenever we choose!
When To Select Low Pressure
Low pressure should be used for delicate foods like eggs, fish, and vegetables. However, all of these foods can also be cooked using high pressure for a reduced amount of time. If you are confused about whether or not to use low or high pressure, its best to stick to high pressure. This should be specified in recipes.
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How To Use Your Instant Pot: Everything Youve Wanted To Know
Its not just a supercharged pressure cooker its a way of life.
Like a microwave or an electric kettle, the Instant Pot has become a kitchen staple. This versatile pressure cooker replaces so many countertop appliances, from rice makers to slow cookers. Its introduced a new generation to pressure cooking, and shown us just how quickly it can cook a healthy meal.
Whether youre a new Instant Pot owner or its long been stored away in a cabinet, this guide is for you. A longtime Instant Pot owner myself, Ill guide you through the basics, including explaining those strange buttons and some basic recipes.
To kick things off, lets walk through Instapot basics. Even if youve owned yours for a while, theres something here for you, too. Lets get started.
The Best Instant Pot For You: A Comprehensive Guide To Every Size And Model
All products featured on Epicurious are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Youve heard the hype, read the articles, perused the recipes, and come to the conclusion that you absolutely need an Instant Pot . But finding the best Instant Pot model for your unique cooking needs is a more involved task than it may seem. This buying guide for the beloved kitchen appliance has the answer to every anxious Instant Pot question you may have and will help you determine which of the many varieties is right for you.
Though every Instant Pot model has the same basic multi-cooking functionality that made it a household favorite, some are more versatile than others. Most of the models are very similar in terms of pot size, wattage, and voltage where they differ is mostly in the softwarehow many smart programs are built in with preset heat, time, and pressure levels.
Also Check: How To Clean An Instant Pot
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot
While this tutorial focuses on cooking fresh chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, you can easily achieve the same results with frozen chicken breasts using this technique. Just make sure to add 5 additional minutes of cooking time when using frozen chicken breasts. And be sure the breasts are separated before cooking. For more details, learn step-by-step how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot.
Cooking Multiple Recipes Together
I frequently cook two foods that have approximately the same cooking time together. Add 2 cups of water to the inner pot, place a steam rack on the bottom, place a bowl containing the first food on the steam rack, add a second steam rack on the bowl, and place the second bowl of food on the top rack.
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Why Does My Beef Stew Come Out Tough
If this happens to you, you should let the stew cool down before you add any additional ingredients. If the recipe calls for adding spices, herbs, or vegetables, do so now. Youll need those ingredients to make the dish taste better. And while youre at it The reason why beef is tough is because the protein in it has seized up, which is caused when the water in there is too hot. When the temperature is lowered, all the components of muscle are able to work together to form a strong structure. This is what happens when you cook beef. But if the heat is removed, only the gelatinous center remains.
Update: Amazon Price Specials On Instant Pots
- Three years ago during Amazon Prime Day, I purchased a 6 qt. Instant Pot that was on sale. And I quickly realized what a great addition it was to my kitchen. The first thing I made was a continuous beef bone broth. I cooked the bones and water under pressure and then switched to slow cooking and kept it going for several days. We were having cups of delicious and healthy bone broth every day and I simply added additional water each day to replace what we had taken from it.
The next year when Amazon Prime Day came I wanted to get my daughter her own Instant Pot as she was getting married that fall. The one that was on special was the 8 qt. size. When it arrived we realized how much bigger it really was than the one I already had.
Then just a few days later my sister told me about the newest Instant Pot that was a 3 qt. size. I immediately began thinking of ways that this size would be helpful. When it arrived we were instantly struck by how small and cute it was!
Now one thing about Instant Pots is that even though they are called Instant they really arent instant. They still need to come up to pressure to cook and that can take several minutes or more. But would the smaller Instant Pot come to pressure quicker and make my meals a little faster? Which one would work best for everyday use?
Also Check: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
Pot In Pot Instant Pot Cooking
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Pot in Pot Instant Pot cooking is a convenient and reliable way to cook multiple dishes at once, or dishes with thick creamy sauces and more!
Once youve mastered all the great features an Instant Pot has to offer, you may want to start exploring some of the amazing things you can do with your Instant Pot that maybe you didnt even know about like pot in pot cooking.
Does Meat Get More Tender The Longer You Pressure Cook It
All cuts of meat can become much more tasty in this method. This method is especially useful for steaks, chops, roasts, etc. You can also use this technique for all types of meats, including pork, chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, seafood, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, grains, beans, legumes, lentils, peas, soy, tofu, tempeh, miso, rice, pasta, potatoes, bread, crackers, biscuits, cakes, cookies, ice cream, yogurt, pudding, sauces, jello, smoothies, soufflés, milkshakes, shakes, drinks, coffee, tea, cocoa, hot cocoa powder, chocolate chips, candies and more. If you dont want any of those ingredients, you should definitely consider using this pressure cooking method instead.
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