Cooking Frozen Chicken Strips
Any good air fryer should excel at crisping up frozen breaded foods. While an oven can often leave one side charred and the other a little soggy, an air fryer will circulate hot air around the food as it cooks and often significantly reduce the cooking time.
When testing these in the Ninja air fryers we used their Max Crisp mode, which goes up to 460 degrees. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in 1 doesnt have this mode, so we used the regular air fry setting and turned up the temperature as high as it would go 400°F.
In the Ninja air fryers the chicken was done after nine minutes, a far cry from the 20-25 minutes the packaging suggested. In the Instant air fryer it took a little more time because the temperature was lower, but after 12 minutes it still came out very evenly cooked and with visible sizzling on the breaded coating.
Although they took an extra three minutes to cook, the consistency of these chicken strips was definitely worth the wait. They were evenly cooked and not dry on the inside.
About The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer
This isn’t the first line of air fryers to come from Instant. We tested the first edition of the Vortex Plus back in 2019 and had some mixed feelings. But this machine is different.
It features a traditional basket with a handle, an attachable cooking tray, and a sleek touch-screen interface. From there, you can select functions beyond air fryinglike roast, bake, dehydrate, reheat, and broil.
But what really sets this apart from similar machines on the market is the ClearCook window and OdorErase filters .
This model also has a stainless steel exterior, which makes for a sleeker look, and dishwasher-safe accessories.
Can You Put Aluminum Foil In An Air Fryer
They use hot air instead of actual microwaves to create heat, so putting foil in an air fryer doesnt cause the same alarming spark show. Thats because air fryers work by circulating hot air, which originates at the bottom of the fryer. Lining it with foil can constrict the air flow and your food wont cook properly.
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The Instant Vortex Plus Xl Dual Doesn’t Perform As Well
The Brussels sprouts cooked in the XL Dual had significantly inferior, undercooked results compared to the singular model.
When it came to testing the XL Dual model, we experienced similar results to the singular Vortex Plus modelwith some disappointing differences.
While the double basket feature makes it easy to cook two recipes simultaneously, we found that the food didn’t come out as crispy as it did in the original Vortex Plus.
Brussels sprouts were tough, fries were soft, and potatoes didn’t brown after cooking in the time and temperature recommended by the Instant Brands app. With almost every recipe I triedwhile results worked well for the single-basket Vortexwe had to increase the cooking time in this machine.
If there had been a helpful manual included with the XL Dual, with appropriate and accurate cooking instructions, this air fryer would have been a home run. Its easy-to-use interface makes it easy to roast potatoes and air fry chicken at the same time .
The SyncCook feature is also an easy shortcut to use when using both baskets to make the same recipe.
Of course, double baskets means more counter space is required for this machine. And even though there are two separate cooking vessels, they’re not large capacity. Each basket can only hold up to four quartsso keep that in mind when filling them up.
Customer Ratings By Feature
- This item: Instant Pot Vortex Plus 10 Quart Air Fryer, Rotisserie and Convection Oven, Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate and Warm, 1500W, Stainless Steel and Black$189.99Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca.Get it by Tuesday, Jul 26
- In Stock.Ships from and sold by Amazon.ca.
- Sold by Lotteli Inc. and ships from Amazon Fulfillment.Get it by Tuesday, Jul 26
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Is The Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer Easy To Use
Heres the deal:
Any basket drawer air fryers have top-notch usability, but not necessarily the controls. Luckily, with the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6 in 1 Air Fryer, the console is quite simple.
So, what does this mean for you?
If your primary concern is the ease of use, then the 6-Quart Instant Vortex Plus is perfect. First off, it features a touchscreen control panel with a dial, so you dont have to worry about complicated buttons.
For instance:
What do you think is easier to understand, icons or texts? While symbols make things look cleaner, it definitely isnt easy to grasp like the PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer. On the other hand, texts are more descriptive. As a result, its easier to comprehend.
My point is, youll love the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryers easy-to-use controls.
Furthermore, the cooking experience is even more straightforward with the one-touch programs. Essentially, the machine has default settings for temperature and duration. Therefore, you only need to press one button and let the air fryer do the rest.
Of course, you can also customize the programs for different and personalized recipes.
And the best part?
It features a non-stick coating, which means cleaning wont feel like a chore. Simply put, even with just running water, any food debris will likely slide right off. More importantly, its dishwasher safe!
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Simple Straightforward And Easy To Use
The Instant Vortexhas an incredibly intuitive control panel that made it one of the easiest to use in my tests. The buttons are simple and straightforward, and the machine conveniently beeps when its done preheating, and beeps again midway through the cooking process when its time to shake or flip food, which I found to be a helpful feature thats unique to this machine. You can easily remove the basket from the machine, and a built-in light lets you see whats happening inside the oven without opening the drawer. I found the built-in light to be a helpful feature in the Instant Vortex, and in the Breville oven. Other fryerslike the Cosori, Dash, and Philipslacked this handy light and were a little harder to use.
The Instant Vortex has a basket that’s easy to remove so you can flip foods to get them extra … crispy.
Laura Denby
Thanks to the super-slick nonstick coating on the Instant Vortexs basket, its very easy to clean. Food easily wipes away . This air fryer also has a few extra bells and whistles that helped it stand out from the rest. It has built-in safety features like overheat protection and an auto-off sensor that powers the oven down when not in use. The Instant Vortex has a 1-year limited warranty and replacement parts can be purchased separately.
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Instant Vortex Plus Vs Instant Vortex Plus 6
Two top-of-the-range fryers fight it out
Treats such as fries and chicken wings are delicious, but as theyre usually deep-fried in gallons of oil, theyre unsuitable for those looking to keep their calorie consumption down.
This is where an air fryer can help. It uses hot air to crisp and evenly brown foods to create much healthier versions of your favorite fried foods. Instant, the brand behind the Instant Pot multi-cooker, is now one of the biggest names in the air fryer market, and its Instant Vortex Plus model previously topped our list of the best air fryers.
Now the brand has unveiled a new and improved version, the Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer with ClearCook and OdourEase, which builds on the air fryer with the inclusion of a window in the frying basket, a light in the cooking cavity and a filter to remove smells and has superseded the standard Vortex Plus at the top of our listings.
Unsurprisingly, with more features, its more expensive than its predecessor too. With both air fryers still available, will spending $30 / £30 more on the list price of this handy kitchen gadget really make a difference when it comes to creating crisp crunchy fries?
We pitted the two Instant Vortex Plus air fryers head-to-head by cooking up both homemade and frozen fries, along with chicken wings to find out, to help you choose the right appliance for your kitchen.
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Instant Pot 6 Quart Vortex 4 In 1 Air Fryer Oven Review: Design
The Instant Pot 6 Quart Vortex 4 in 1 Air Fryer Oven is a big black box, measuring 11.5 x 13 x 12.8 inches, that will require quite a bit of countertop space. However it is not terribly heavy at 12.1 pounds, so its easy to move to a cabinet or closet if you dont plan to keep it on display. It has a handle that protrudes for removing a single cooking basket. The control panel features large buttons that are clearly marked and a dial for controlling the setting, temperature and time. When youre not using it, the control pad blacks out so it doesnt appear obtrusive.
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Instant Pot 6 Quart Vortex 4 In 1 Air Fryer Oven Review: Verdict
The Instant Vortex 6-quart Air Fryer impressed us with its great air frying results on brussel sprouts and, in particular, frozen French fries. We also loved that it could deliver these results speedily. While it doesnt have preset programs for air frying, it is exceptionally easy to use as the buttons are clear and the display isnt cluttered with icons.
However, if youre new to air frying and need the suggested settings and convenience that presets provide, you may be disappointed plus, theres no cooking guidelines in the manual so you have to visit Instant Brands website for that information.
This appliance nearly took the top spot in our air fryers test, but the Cosori Smart Wifi Air Fryer 5.8qt performed slightly better in terms of chicken wings and breaded chicken.
The Interface Is Easy To Use
Navigating the Vortex’s home screen was a breeze from the very beginning.
It’s easy to get intimidated by appliances that have touch screens instead of traditional buttons they often make navigation more complicated. But we found the opposite experience with this machine.
The touch screen is sleek and easy to use. We didn’t even have to read the manual to learn how to navigate between cooking mode, time, and temperature settings. The dial also moves smoothly and is fast for navigating minutes and temperature degrees, compared to holding down a button.
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Instant Pot 6 Quart Vortex 4 In 1 Air Fryer Oven Review: Cooking Performance
On our tests, we found that the Instant Pot 6 Quart Vortex 4 in 1 Air Fryer Oven performed best on brussels sprouts and frozen French fries. In fact, it was the only air fryer to score full marks for frozen French fries, needing just 15 minutes to cook. It also scored highly for breaded chicken as well, needing just 13 minutes to cook this after preheating. However, it somewhat struggled for air frying chicken wings.
There are no preset cooking programs on this air fryer instead you need to set the temperature and time manually as well as the overall setting, such as air fry, roast or reheat. This can be daunting if youre new to air frying. Theres also little guidance in terms of cooking charts supplied you will need to go online to find these.
After you set your desired cooking temperature and time, it automatically goes into a preheat mode. There is no option to deactivate the preheat. This actually comes in use, because if your food isnt ready once time is up and you want to air fry it for a few more minutes, it will automatically revert to preheating again.
The roast setting worked beautifully, turning out a whole roast chicken with a well-browned skin and juicy meat in just 50 minutes. As in other air fryers, the bottom wasnt crisped, but this is to be expected unless the chicken is rotated.
There’s An Accompanying App With Lots Of Recipes
The Instant app has recipes organized by appliance, so you can explore countless air fryer dishes
Although the manual doesn’t provide much when it comes to sample recipes or cooking recommendations , the Instant Brands app does. It houses countless Vortex Air Fryer recipesfrom the basics like crispy broccoli to more unique ideas like Greek tomato fritters.
It’s a user-friendly app that allows you to search for recipes or browse according to whatever Instant appliance you have in your home. Once you “Start Cooking,” it guides you through the cooking process step-by-step with no room for confusion. You can also “heart” or share a recipe to save it for later use.
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Big Enough To Feed Busy Families
With a large cooking basket and easy-to-understand controls, this is the perfect air fryer for busy families looking to streamline weeknight meals. The basket can fit up to two pounds of fries or even a 4-pound whole chicken. Its always important not to overcrowd a fryer, so the added space helps keep foods separate, ensuring consistent air flow throughout. Though the Instant Vortex takes up slightly more space on the countertop than some of the other models I tested, its a convenient gadget for anyone looking for a dedicated, functional air fryer.
Though the Instant Vortex has fewer functions than some of the other products I tested, I found that the simplified functionality can actually be a positive for many novice home cooks. Many competing products boast a ton of extra features that actually perform the same task, and I like that this product keeps it simple. Air fry, roast, bake, and reheat are enough to cover necessary cooking tasks in the average home kitchen.
Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6
- Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
- Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
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Odorerase Technology Isn’t Very Effective
One of the key elements of this model is that it features a replaceable OdorErase filter, which is designed to reduce lingering cooking smells in the kitchen. We were excited about this feature, since we’ve noticed air frying smellsespecially when it comes to greasy foods like friestend to overtake the kitchen and linger for a while.
Unfortunately, we didn’t notice much of a difference with this air fryer. Cooking foods like bacon and fried chicken imparted a significantly strong smell in the kitchen . When we were using the machine, passersby by would immediately ask, “what’s that smell?” We took that as a bad sign.
How Well Does The Instant Vortex Air Fryer Work
Our engineers scrutinized the Instant Vortex in the lab, and we also tried it at home. Heres what we found:
During an at-home evaluation, it became clear that the Instant Vortexs unique square footprint is the secret to its success. It capably cranks out multiple servings in one cycle easily making enough appetizers for a game-day gathering or a small dinner party. Its really that spacious.
Like most air fryers, it excels at delivering crispy food in a fraction of the time. But weve experimented with at least half a dozen air fryers at home and can attest to the fact that its the most ideal for baking dishes like macaroni, brownies, and cupcakes because square baking dishes fit easily inside, and it is intuitively easier to use. Small but thoughtful design features dramatically simplify the cooking process.
But, oh, the noise! The Instant Vortex sounds like three microwaves running all at once, as opposed to the more subtle fridgelike hum of other air fryers weve tried.
Its also not the easiest air fryer to clean. The crisper tray that comes with the unit, though dishwasher-safe, has an abundance of small airflow openings. Its great for getting a nice crunch sure. But when you have to use a skewer to get food debris unstuck, it quickly becomes a nuisance . Finally, the basket cant go in the dishwasher. But to be fair, wiping it clean with a hot, soapy rag isnt a big deal.
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Instant Vortex Air Fryer Review
This simple-to-use fryer is great for families, if you dont mind the noise
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The Instant Vortex 4-in-1 Air Fryer, brought to you by the folks who gave us the Instant Pot, is the companys signature air fryer model, released in 2019. It earns dismal scores in Consumer Reports tests due to its loud operational noise and a crisper tray that tends to trap food debris. But at home, this large-capacity fryer displays plenty of pluses: It has one of the most intuitive displays in our ratings and a design that makes cooking for a crowd an incredibly easy task.
What About The Vortex Plus
While its very similar to the 4-in-1 air fryer, the standout feature in the Vortex Plus is the dehydrator. If youre looking for a reliable air fryer that can also produce perfectly dried fruits and veggies, the Vortex Plus is for you. Just like the 4-in-1, the Vortex Plus has a roomy, 6-quart basket with a nonstick coating for easy cleanup. Equipped with pre-programmed settings and a temperature-controlling dial, the interface is also super user-friendly. The only downside to this model is the broiler function, which is pre-set to 400 degrees F and for two minutes and didnt perform well for us in testing.
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