Back To School And Instant Pots For Students
Summer will be over before you know it so its time to start thinking about back to school sales. The best Instant Pots for students are always in high demand in the lead to schools returning, so it pays to start shopping as early as possible. For those heading off to college, youll want a convenient, multi-cooker that is suitable for your cooking needs. Right now many of our favorite picks are currently on sale making now the ideal time to buy one of the best microwaves. Be sure to follow our back to school guide for all of your shopping needs this season.
How To Clean The Instant Pot Duo Plus Air Fryer
Heres a short video on how to clean an Instant Pot.
When using the air frying function and pressure cooking greasy recipes, cleaning wont be as easy. The trick is to fill your inner pot with water and soak it overnight to loosen the food particles.
In addition, you have to be careful with the small parts when cleaning up the lid. Losing any of it means youll have to buy a new one.
So far, I never lost a single component.
When it comes to the air fryer lid, wait for it to cool down before wiping it off with a damp cloth. However, it may require deep cleaning once in a while.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp And Air Fryer Price And Availability
- List price: $199.99/ £179.99/ AU$299.99
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer is priced at $199.99/ £179.99/ AU$299.99 and is available from the Instant Pot website in the US and UK, while in Australia its available via Amazon.
This is Instant Pots top-of-the-range multi-cooker, if youre looking for a more affordable option the Instant Pot Duo Evo can do everything apart from air fry and will set you back $119.99 / £129.99 / AU$269.99.
- Touch panel controls
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer will certainly take up a lot of space on your countertop – it comes with two separate lids and when fitted with the air fry lid, its particularly large measuring 14.8 x 14.2 x 14.2 inches/ 37.5 x 36.2 x 39 cm. In addition to the bulky size and two lids, it comes with a dehydrating tray, air fry basket, multi-functional rack, and protective pad, all of which will need storing. It doesnt come with any accessories for steaming but these along with lots of other accessories are available to purchase separately.
It doesnt come with a recipe book or cooking charts, these are all available on the website, plus theres a free app available to download which contains over 1000 recipes as well as hints and tips on settings. So theres plenty of information and recipes available to inspire you to get the most out of this multi-cooker, which is useful as it doesnt have pre-programmed settings for different dishes like some other multi-cookers.
Read Also: How To Use The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
How To Choose The Best Instant Pot For You
Here are the key things to consider when choosing an Instant Pot:
Features: Some Instant Pot models come with preprogramed cooking functions and even additional capabilities such as Yogurt Making and Sterilization. However, these preprogrammed functions merely mimic low- and high-pressure cooking, and you can re-create them manually. Additionally, we found that some preprogrammed functions were unreliable .
Evaluate the kind of cooking you typically do before splurging on bells and whistles that you don’t need. You should also realize that you may still need to adapt your cooking times to get the results you want. We frequently found that the more features an Instant Pot had, the more confusing the controls were.
Size/capacity: We tested only 6-quart models, as they’re the most popular size on the market. However, many Instant Pots are available in 3-quart sizes, which are better for individuals or couples, and 9-quart sizes, which are better for larger families.
Price: It’s surprising how widely the prices vary for Instant Pots, given that most of them offer the same basic features, give or take a few specifics. Your personal budget for cooking gear will influence your decision on which price is best.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp And Air Fryer Review: Price And Availability
The Instant Pot Duo Crisp and Air Fryer is available in two sizes: the 6-quart model is $149 and the 8-quart model costs $199. Its widely available at online retailers and often on sale below the list price on Amazon.
Its no surprise that this is one of Instant Pots top-end pressure cookers, so you can expect to pay a premium. However, if youre looking for a more affordable option the Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Cooker can do everything apart from air fry and starts from a reasonable $99.99 depending on the size.
Recommended Reading: Campbells Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff
How Instant Pots Work
Instant Pots and other pressure cookers have unique lids that create an airtight seal. Once the lid is locked in place and the cooker is set, steam gets produced in the pot and can’t escape.
The trapped steam increases the atmospheric pressure inside the cooker, increasing the boiling point of liquids and speeding up the time it takes to boil, braise or steam foods.
An Instant Pot should not be confused with an air fryer. Check out our guide on Instant Pot vs air fryer for more details.
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
You May Like: Instant Pot Gem Multi Cooker
Instant Pot Pro Crisp: Features
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp has 11 different multi-cooker functions in one appliance, making mealtimes simpler and quicker than ever. The cooking modes of the Pro Crisp include pressure cooking, sauté, slow cooking, steaming, sous vide, warming, air frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydrating. So whether you want to whip up a cake, or roast a whole chicken, the Instant Pot Pro Crisp has a function to suit your needs.
The possibilities extend even further with the devices interchangeable lids, which, together with EvenCrisp technology, can fry foods in a flash. The air frying capabilities of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp make cooking up fried chicken or fries super easy, as the device comes with a non-stick multilevel air frying basket. Air frying is great when home cooking using up to 95% less oil and grease than traditional fryers, and making your fried food favorites much healthier.
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp has ten built-in safety features, including the easy steam release valve, meaning no more waiting around for the pressure to lower before you retrieve your food. This is an improved feature from the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, as well as the new QuickCool protective cover. The protective cover has been designed with safety in mind, with advanced heat protection to keep your hands safe.
What The Duo Crisp With Ultimate Lid Does
Unlike any Instant Pot before it, the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid has air fryer functionality built into the main lid. Because of this convection cooking element, you can air fry, broil, bake and roast — all cooking methods that most Instant Pots don’t offer. It also has most of the functionality of your basic Instant Pot multicooker including pressure cook, slow cook, steam and sauté.
While you won’t have to screw on a bulky conical air fryer lid attachment as you do for the original Duo Crisp, you will have to slide in the pressure cooker lid when you want to pressure or slow cook. However, that lid is very light and thin measuring no more than 2 inches high it shouldn’t be hard to find space for one.
I found the dials and controls simple to use, but I’m not used to air fryers that require preheat time.
Also Check: 8 Qt Instant Pot Accessories
Is The Mealthy Crisplid A Good Alternative
I recommend the Instant Pot air fryer lid over the Mealthy Crisp lid, mainly because the lid serves more as a broiler than an air fryer because it doesnt circulate air a well as the Instant Pot lid. This means your food will take a little longer to cook. Plus, I feel its best to stick with appliances made by the same manufacturer. However, the Mealthy Crisp Lid does fit 8-quart Instant Pots, so this is a great choice if you have a pot you already love and want to upgrade!
Should You Buy The Instant Pot Pro Crisp
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp is an impressive multicooker and benefits from an improved design. If you’re looking to upgrade your Instant Pot, the features of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, such as the higher temperatures and improved inner pot, may sway you to splash out. It’s an all round better machine than the Duo, but with few real stand-out upgrades.
If you are less concerned about the specifics of your Instant Pot, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp can deliver almost all of the same features, for a fraction of the price. So whilst the Instant Pot Pro Crisp is an impressive product, its worth considering exactly what you’re paying more for.
Recommended Reading: Ready Made Instant Pot Meals
What Users Have To Say About Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11
The B& D cooked slightly browner than the Instant Pot when it was on its default setting, but we tried three types of pakoras at the same time and achieved nearly identical results.
I think the stand alone unit is the most important thing for sous vide, and I’m not sure if this can do that as well, but it does one thing and that is keep a very consistent and precise temperature.
I don’t like setting my timer too early, it could change the result if I can’t manually release the pressure.
The new switch that Instant Pot developed makes it easy to turn off the steam outlet when it’s time to relieve the pressure.
If you have any additional questions, you need to access the online manual. I really like this product and would recommend it.
Best For Advanced Chefs: Instant Pot Pro 10
Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions : 13 x 12.7 x 12.8 inches | Weight: 17 pounds | Programs: 28
Replacing our former “Best for Advanced Chefs” pick is the newer Instant Pot Pro. This model has the more modern matte black Instant Pot look, something that’s a bit easier to keep clean than the previous stainless steel siding. Inside, you’ll find the new silicone-handled inner pot, which is versatile enough to be used on the stove in a pinch. Of course, there are also more than 11 safety features so you don’t have to worry about a disaster in your kitchen.
The front panel packs a lot of information into its display, while also making you feel very “welcome to the future.” Once it turns on, no matter which of the 28 different programs you chose, you easily move to the next field by twisting the knob. And if you mess up, it’s easy to start over.
When we sent this home for testing, we found that you do need to read through the instructions to familiarize yourself with all the options. Our tester, who’s used Instant Pots before but never her own, appreciated that the booklet walks you through a “water test” before using it. Once she started using it for recipes, she found you definitely will need to wait until the “preheat” cycles are done especially when using the sauté function. But as she used the Rice, Sous Vide, and Manual functions, our tester fell more and more in love with it.
Recommended Reading: How To Cook Quinoa In An Instant Pot
Instant Pot Omni Pro Features
Now that you have seized the fundamental pluses and minuses of the Omni Pro, lets dig deeper into other, more subtle features and properly investigate why this oven is considered one of the forerunners in the field.
EvenCrisp Technology
The Instant Pot Pro has incorporated EvenCrisp Technology, a cutting-edge and virtually 95% oil-free formula tailored to deep-frying recipes.
You can be confident that most of your cuisine will enjoy a delectable crunchiness, leaving a distinct and enduring impression on anyone who has the slightest taste of them!
Golden Quartz System
Accompanying EvenCrisp is the Golden Quartz system, which has been considered a huge step-up compared to other competitors and even previous Instant Pot models.
It has employed rapid heating to assure exceptionally speedy cooking progress. Furthermore, the system distributes internal temperatures evenly to guarantee every surface is heated to the same degree. You will be astonished to learn that fermenting delicacies, which used to take roughly one hour, now only call for 20 minutes!
Performance
Other add-ons will further convince you of this long-standing fact: the high price tag of Omni Pro is totally justified.
One such instance is the all-in-one bakery, which offers the finest pastries and bread without any torturous visit to a bakery. Creating self-basted cakes is more than a breeze with appropriate ingredients.
Accessories
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer Review
Love Instant Pot? Love Air Fryers? Youll Adore This Combo.
When the Instant Pot first graced store shelves back in 2010, it quickly became the favorite kitchen appliance of fervent foodies. Instant Pot continued to grow as a company, releasing the most advanced pressure cooker of its time the Instant Pot Max in 2012.
The Instant Pot and its various iterations have surpassed the trust slow cooker as Americas most beloved kitchen appliance, and the company continues to push out innovative new concepts and designs.
In 2019, Instant Pot released a long-awaited pressure cooker and air fryer combo the Instant Pot Duo Crisp.
Instant Pot Duo Crisp Highlights
You May Like: How To Cook Beans In The Instant Pot
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.
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.
Read Also: How To Cook Spaghetti In The Instant Pot
