The Critiera: What We Look For In An Instant Pot
The most useful function of an Instant Pot is its ability to pressure cook, so you want to get a model that quickly comes to pressure. Since many pressure cooker recipes start with a searing or sautéing step, it can help to have an Instant Pot with inner pot stability, so the pot doesnt spin while youre cooking. You want to know whats going on inside your machine while youre cooking, so an easy-to-read progress bar is super helpful. Some additional functions, like being able to use your Instant Pot for not-very-precise sous vide cooking, are sometimes welcome, but others, like the cake-baking function included in some models, we don’t find particularly attractive. However, if the Instant Pot model advertises it can do those functions, it should do them passably well.
How To Make Beef Stew In Instant Pot
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1. Add the beef to a 6 to 8-quart pressure cooker. Season it generously with salt and pepper and using tongs, toss it with the flour until evenly coated.
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2. Add the fresh herb sprigs, broth, beer, Marinara sauce, garlic, yellow onion, maple syrup, carrots and potatoes.
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3. Stir together, cover, and set the steam valve to the sealed position. Cook on high pressure for 22 minutes.
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4. Let the pressure release naturally for 15 minutes, then release the remaining pressure manually.
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5. Remove and discard the rosemary and thyme sprigs.
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6. Add the Worcester sauce.
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7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
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The Best Instant Pot: Instant Pot Pro
What we liked: This model pressurized the quickest and offered the best searing and sautéing experience, with a stable, non-spinning pot. The ability to use the stainless steel inner pot on an electric, induction, or ceramic stovetops was welcome, as it gives the user greater flexibility and control. Releasing the steam feels straightforward and safe because of its separate push-button release and the plastic cover around the steam valve. The control panel is easy to navigate with a mixture of buttons and a dial. We also liked the handles on its cooking pot, which made it easier to lift the pot up and out of the Instant Pot’s base.
What we didn’t like: Its pretty expensive, and while the sous vide function works, although it isn’t nearly as reliable as an immersion circulator.
Price at time of publish: $150
Also Check: Chicken Breast Instant Pot
Test : User Experience
Serious Eats / Vicky Wasik
The test: In reading reviews from Instant Pot users, a common user experience complaint is fear about the steam released when venting the pressure cooker. To find the least scary option, we added 3 cups of water to each pot, sealed the lid, and selected the pressure cook option for 5 minutes. Once the cooking ended, we released the pressure and waited for the float valve to drop before opening the lid.
Another common frustration is about how the inner pot spins uncontrollably while sautéing. We took note of this behavior while searing the meat and sautéing the onions for the chili test mentioned above.
Intuitive design is also a heavy hitter in affecting user experience. The control panels on each model vary some use buttons while others have dials for navigating options. Each model gives information about whats happening inside the pot through different status indicators.
Ease of cleaning, of course, is also important.
All of the pots spun while we was searing and sautéing except for one: the Duo Pro. We tested this pot both on the stovetop and in the machine and it was stable in both methods. It had handles that held it put in the cooker’s base.
The Duo Pro was the easiest to navigate, and the steam release felt safe and simple. The upgraded inner pot that doesnt spin when stirring and can be used on the stovetop is a true value-add.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8
This product is not eligible for coupons. However, you are able to earn and redeem Kohls Cash® and Kohl’s Rewards® on this product.
For delicious one-pot meals made fast for your hungry family or party guests, the Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-qt. 9-in-1 Multi-Use Pressure Cooker gets the job done.
Gift Givers: This item ships in its original packaging. If intended as a gift, the packaging may reveal the contents.
PRODUCT FEATURES
- 9-in-1 pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide and sterilizer
- Cooking progress bar shows every step from start to finish . Innovative auto-sealing lid with a button for easy, stress-free venting
- 13 customizable programs for quick one-touch meals
- Cook up to 8 portions, perfect for families, meal prep, and big batch cooking. Bring it to potlucks, parties, events and more
- Stainless-steel inner pot with tri-ply bottom for perfect sautéing.
- 10+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection and safe locking lid
- Dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot for quick and easy clean-up.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Also Check: How To Do Manual On Instant Pot
Is Instapot Duo Plus Easy To Use
The Instant Duo Plus has gone through multiple overhauls since it was first released back in 2012. Heres a side-by-side comparison of how the control panel evolved.
As you can see, the newer interface is much cleaner and user-friendly. It also has a progress indicator and better lighting. The company also added a sous vide button in lieu of 3 redundant functions.
The most significant upgrade of the Instant Pot IP Duo Plus can be found in/on the lid. Its now auto sealing and releasing the pressure has been made a little safer than the original Duo model. Its older sibling will also have this upgrade soon, but I havent seen it yet.
Those are nice updates, but to answer the question directly, multicookers have a moderate learning curve. Its intimidating at first, but youll get used to it the more you cook with it.
Instant Pot Duo Mini 3
Amazon
Normally $100, Now $80 at Walmart
Ideal for apartments, small countertops, or cooking just a few meals, this full-function 3-quart pressure cooker also functions as a slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker, warmer, and sauté pot. With deals available at multiple retailers, now is a great time to get this iconic kitchen appliance.
The lowest price we’ve seen on this item is $59.
Read Also: How To Cook Butternut Squash In The Instant Pot
Best Instant Pot Of 2022
Instant Pots are known for fast and easy cooking, but how do you know which one is right for you? This guide will help you find the perfect multicooker.
David Watsky
Senior Editor / Home and Kitchen
David lives in Brooklyn where he’s logged more than a decade writing about all things edible, including meal kits and meal delivery subscriptions, cooking, kitchen gear and commerce. Since earning a BA in English from Northeastern in Boston, he’s toiled in nearly every aspect of the eats business from slicing and dicing as a sous-chef in Rhode Island to leading complex marketing campaigns for major food brands in Manhattan. These days, he’s likely somewhere trying the latest this or tasting the latest that – and reporting back, of course. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.
While many thought it was merely a passing trend, the Instant Pot is here to stay. If you haven’t adopted one yourself, then Instant Pot cooking is something you could get into right now: These magic time-savers make it easy for budding home chefs. You really don’t need skill or any cooking knowledge to work with an Instant Pot. You can make simple, delicious meals in no time at all. Craft soups, chilis and even pulled pork for taco night. The effort you’ll need is in picking the right one for you. That’s why we’ve tested a number of models to find the best Instant Pot.
There are even Instant Pots made especially for Star Wars fanatics.
Test : Searing And Pressure Cooking
The test: To test how well the Instant Pots could sear and pressure cook, we made five batches of this recipe for chunky beef chili. We documented the sear on the beef from each model and timed how long each machine took to pressurize. We tasted each sample to evaluate the tenderness of the meat and overall flavor of each chili. One Instant Pot model, the Duo Pro, has a special inner pot that can be used on the stovetop, so we used this pot directly on the burner over medium-high heat to sear the beef. With the other four models, we used their sauté modes.
Heres what happened: The big reveal isno big reveal. Each chili tasted pretty much identical, which may be more of a testament to the quality of the testing of that recipe than the machines we used to make it. None of the five chili samples had bitter notes or off flavors. All of the meat was tender the meat cooked in the Ultra was almost too tender, losing its cube form and shredding a bit too much. There was, however, a clear winner for pressurizing timethe Duo Pro was remarkably fast, taking just over 5 minutes. The Duo Plus was the next quickest, taking about 6 minutes, and since it has a slightly larger inner pot, there was more surface area available for searing. The Duo 7-in-1, Ultra, and Max each took about 8 minutes.
Read Also: What Size Cake Pan Fits In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
This standout 11-in-1 pressure cooker was the first Instant Pot model to offer an air-frying function by way of a second air fryer lid. When youre done frying, you can simply switch back to the standard lid for pressure cooking, steaming, sautéing, and more. Like all Instant Pot models, this one comes with advanced safety features and access to a digital library of more than 1,000 Instant Pot recipes. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp even lets you broil, and until the Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer came along, this model was the Ninja Foodis fiercest competitor.
Year released: 2019Built-in smart programs: 11Cooking functions: Pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, air-frying, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydratingSizes available: 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots
Instant Pot Duo Plus Review The 9
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The Instant Pot Duo Plus, a.k.a Instapot Duo Plus, Instant Duo Plus, Instant Pot 9-in-1, or simply the IP Duo Plus, has gone several upgrades since it was released almost a decade ago.
In fact, this model is already the third iteration featuring a more refined look and better control panel. It has more cooking functions than its predecessor, and sous vide is one of those.
Also Check: Instant Pot Chicken Crack
See The Instant Pot 9
Dont take my word for it, heres a short video demonstration of Duo Plus Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus v3 is an updated version of the already excellent Duo Plus with lots of new and improved features. It highlights 9 appliances in one, so it is indeed a versatile multi-cooker with 15 functions to make your kitchen work easier. Not to mention, it has 12.3 psi of pressure compared to other models 11.6.
Instant Pot Instant Pot Round Cook/bake Pan With Lid & Removable Base
Amazon
Normally $22, Now $15 at Amazon
Instant Pots can handle any sized job but this accessory makes it even easier to cook something small or large. Fit for cooking and baking in 6- and 8-quart pressure cookers, it has a removable lid as well as a removable base. It also can be used to reheat foods and is freezer safe.
Read Also: How Fast Does An Instant Pot Cook Rice
Which Instant Pot To Buy Choices Choices
At the end of the day, you need to choose the best Instant Pot model for your needs.
Basically, the two areas where you need to make a decision are model and size.
Personally, I use the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 and have been very happy with it. Although, I now covet the newest 6 quart model the DUO Plus.
If you are not familiar with the Instant Pot, it is an electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, sauté pan, steamer, warmer, and yogurt maker all in one. You can read my Instant Pot Review here.
Which Instant Pot To Buy Let’s Start With Model
The Instant Pot basically comes in two model series.
There is the IP-DUO and the IP-LUX.
Judging from most recipes that I see online it seems that most people opt for the IP-DUO.
For the most part, the two models are similar except that the IP-DUO has a yogurt making functionality and the most current version of the IP-LUX has a cake and egg setting .
The IP-LUX also costs less than a comparable sized IP-DUO.
I prefer the Instant Pot IP-DUO to the Instant Pot IP-LUX series because I do use it to make yogurt and I like researching Instant Pot recipes online .
Read Also: Pulled Pork Instant Pot Recipes
Instant Pot Instant Milk Frother
Normally $50, Now $32 at Amazon
Instant Pot is known for its countertop cooking machines, and this milk frother is included in the lineup. On sale right now, the latte, cappuccino, and macchiato maker may not make chili, chicken wings, meatloaf or other Instant Pot staples, but it does make the perfect addition to any at-home coffee bar, especially when it is on sale. We like it so much we think it’s the best milk frother available.
$30 is the lowest price weve seen for this item.
Normally $50, Now $30 at Walmart
One of the beauties of Instant Pot is its versatility, and the wide range of accessories, add ons and conveniences available. This cook and bake set allows you to multi-task, maximize and otherwise further enjoy your device. Features two round pans / pan stackers and two snap-fit silicone lids.
The lowest price weve seen for this item is $30.
Which Instant Pot To Buy Pick The Size And Model That Is Right For You
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It can be a little tricky to figure out which Instant pot to buy because there are a few choices.
HOT NEWS: The Instant Pot DUO 60 is a Prime Day Deal it’s going on NOW! Check it out here.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Pinto Beans In An Instant Pot
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Reviews For Duo Plus 9
Customer Images
5
Made a bbq beef brisket…. high pressure for 90 mins and it was better than anything I have got from a restaurant!This cooker is amazing!
5
Made a bbq beef brisket…. high pressure for 90 mins and it was better than anything I have got from a restaurant!This cooker is amazing!
5
Made a bbq beef brisket…. high pressure for 90 mins and it was better than anything I have got from a restaurant!This cooker is amazing!
5
I just cooked pot roast for the very first time in my life, I always wanted to do this but was scared I might ruin it. Seared the meat ,took it out cooked onions put the pot roast and added liquid,then added vegetables ,but they came out a little soft but was ok for me , then one hour cooking time, and I couldnt believe it that meat was falling off so TENDER unbelievable!!! I love this Insta pot , cant wait to make more
5
A***
I’m not a cook, in fact, I hate cooking! I have 2 children under 2. I’m usually too tired to put in much effort into cooking. I heard great things about the instant pot and how it cuts cooking time in half of even more. Out of curiosity, I bought my IP and fell in love! It doesn’t take much time to cook a tasty meal! I’m happy with my IP and am looking into the other products they have.
5
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Instant Pot Star Wars Duo Little Bounty
This Baby Yoda- or Grogu-themed Star Wars Instant Pot Duo is on sale right now on Amazon. The deal brings the model’s $116 price tag down to $99.
Four other Star Wars themes are available on Amazon, and while none of the others are marked as on sale, they’re basically going for $100 each, too. The one exception: The BB-8 Instant Pot Duo Mini. It’s listed right now on Amazon for $80. But note: The BB-8 model is a 3-quart model . The Baby Yoda and/or Grogu version, known as Little Bounty, is a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo.
