Instant Pot Best Buy 8 Quart

Must Try

Straight To The Point

Introducing the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8 Quart Programmable Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer

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 To Choose The Best Instant Pot 8 Quart

The Instant Pot is one of the most popular kitchen appliances on the market today. It’s a Pressure Cooker, Slow cooker, Rice cooker, Steamer, and more all in one pot. It can be used to cook a variety of food items from meat to vegetables to desserts. So, if you’re in the market for an Instant Pot, how do you choose which one is right for you? Here are some things to consider:

1. Size:

The Instant Pot comes in a variety of sizes, from 3 quarts to 8 quarts. If you have a large family or entertain often, you’ll want to choose a larger size. If you have a small family or are cooking for one or two people, a smaller size will suffice.

2. Features:

The Instant Pot has a variety of features, including a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more. decide which features are most important to you and make sure the Instant Pot you choose has those features.

3. Price:

The Instant Pot ranges in price from around $60 to $200. Choose the Instant Pot that fits your budget and has the features you’re looking for.

The Best Instant Pot Cyber Monday Deals 202: Amazon Best Buy Walmart Sur La Table

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The best Instant Pot Cyber Monday deals are here, which means if youve upped the ante on your home cooking game theres never been a better time to invest in a new gadget, thanks to the best Instant Pot deals youll find for months. As part of Cyber Monday 2022 deals, buyers can save over 50%a rare, rare dealoff this popular pressure cooker at retailers like , Target, Best Buy, Sur La Table, and Walmart. For other kitchen sales take a look at our top Cyber Monday kitchen 2022 deals.

Recommended Reading: How Long Do You Cook Pulled Pork In Instant Pot

Are There Any Disadvantages To An Instant Pot

Instant Pots are affordable and easy to use and clean, so there aren’t too many downsides to buying one. If you have a small kitchen or limited cupboard space, it’s worth noting that Instant Pots do take up a bit of space so consider how much you think you’ll use it before settling on one. There are compact 3-quart Instant Pots but, as you might imagine, they don’t have as much cooking capacity.

How We Test Instant Pots

Best Buy: Instant Pot 8 Quart Duo Plus 9

When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab assess multi-cookers, including Instant Pots, we put each to the test in a variety of ways. We check overall functionality by filling the device with water to capacity, then activate the high setting and set a timer. We watch and listen once the cooker comes to pressure, we note the time. Then, we maintain pressure for 15 minutes and release the pressure, timing how long it takes for the pressure to drop. Next, our pros get cooking. We mix all of the ingredients for beef stew in the pressure cooker, cover, record how long the pot takes to come to pressure, cook for 20 minutes and record how long the pot takes to release pressure. Then, we evaluate the final product: Is the beef tender? How were the veggies cooked? Whats the overall flavor like? Finally, our pros cook a batch of rice in each device, combining all of the ingredients in the multicooker and cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We then evaluate the rice: Whats the texture like? Is any rice stuck to the bottom of the cooker?

Our testers also consider ease of use, evaluating each product for how intuitive and clear the controls are, how many settings are offered, how simple cleaning is and the clarity of the owner’s manual.

Read Also: Pot Roast In Instant Pot Time

What Is The 8 Quart Instant Pot

The basic 8 Qt Instant Pot comes with the unit itself, a lid, an interior pot, a plastic piece to collect condensation, a trivet and utensils. Assembling the unit is very intuitive, you plug in the power cord, place the interior pot into the Instant Pot, place the lid on top, and you are good to go. You will find the spot for the condensation collector to slide into place on the back of the Instant Pot, near the base. In general, you will not see much condensation collect back here when cooking with the best 8 Qt Instant Pot it is only for heavy flow scenarios.

The lid of the 8Qt Instant Pot warrants a closer look as you will frequently be dealing with the steamer function which will, in turn, require caution as the steam will easily be hot enough to cause burns that may not be serious, but will certainly be painful. To lock the lid, you are going to move the steam release handle into the sealing position. The top of the lid also features a float valve that pushes up from inside of the lid. This valve will be down when the Instant Pot is not at a maximum pressure which Servings as a visual indicator as to if it is safe to open or not.

If you have not yet used your Instant Pot to steam cook something, it is important that you first complete the water test to ensure the unit is not defective. This test will also serve to familiarize yourself somewhat with the controls.

How Do You Clean An Instant Pot

The good news is that most Instant Pots have dishwasher-safe components. At the least, the stainless steel cooking pot and the silicone ring are dishwasher safe. On many models, the entire lid is dishwasher safe. The lid has a few removable parts that should be removed and cleaned, but the process for that is different depending on the model, so its best to check the user manual to see what parts are removable and how to clean them.

Read Also: Can You Pressure Fry In An Instant Pot

Introduction To The Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is a revolutionary kitchen appliance that cuts cooking times and makes meal prep a breeze. It combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, air fryer, and more into one convenient device.

With its easy-to-use digital controls and multiple cooking settings, it can help you prepare delicious meals quickly and easily.

How To Choose A Pressure Cooker

Is The Instant Pot Worth It? | Gear Heads

Simple stovetop cookers use the heat source of your stove and need a bit of attention as youll need to adjust your burner to maintain proper pressure, while newer electric versions do the job automatically .

While folk wisdom holds that pressure cookers are dangerous, accidents are in reality rare . All the pressure cookers we tested come with multiple safety features and lids that lock into place, and are designed so that all pressure must be released before the lid can be removed . Some models spit out a bit of moisture as steam condenses, but many of the electric versions include condensation collectors that catch any water before it drips onto your counter.

For extra versatility, many of the models come with trivets and steamer baskets, and some of the electric models even offer air fry lids, and ship with extra sealing rings for use in different types of recipes. Some featured nonstick inner pots, which can be great for easy cleanup, but stainless pots will likely be more durable over time. The electric versions were all intuitive to use, even given the multiple functions they offered, although some did require a few extra referrals to the user manual. All allow you to manually adjust the cooking time, but our favorites were models that included cooking progress bars and auto steam release. Sometimes we worried whether those without progress indicators had actually started pressurizing.

Read Also: Instant Pot Ready Meals

What Are Instant Pot Smart Programs

All Instant Pot models, regardless of size, are equipped with a variety of Smart programs. These can be used with the touch of a button.

Outside of the pressure cook option that is standard for all models, your Instant Pot may also have saute, rice, beans, soup, and even cake programs! These programs can be further adjusted according to preference.

Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For 8

A pressure cooker is a kitchen appliance used to cook food faster by trapping steam inside the pot. The steam increases the boiling point of the liquid, thus cooking it faster. This is especially useful for cooking foods that need to be cooked at higher temperatures. Browse the top-ranked list of 8-quart pressure cookers below along with associated reviews and opinions.

  • Be the first to write a review

    Product Description

    Prepare food up to 70% faster with pressure cooking in the Hamilton Beach QuikCook Pressure Cooker. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, egg cooker, yogurt maker and more. It has 12 preset cooking programs.See all Pressure Cookers

    Product Description

    Prepare food up to 70% faster with pressure cooking in the Hamilton Beach QuikCook Pressure Cooker. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, egg cooker, yogurt maker and more. It has 12 preset cooking programs.

  • Read Also: How Long To Cook Red Potatoes In Instant Pot

    Final Words: Is An Imit Pressure Cooker Right For You

    The answer to this question is an overwhelming yes. In fact, the only thing you should hold back from using the best instant pot 8 quart is your desire for perfection. If you want to make perfect batches of rice, then you should absolutely use an instant pot. But you also dont have to make the exact same rice every time. The choice is yours. And finally, you dont have to clean your pressure cooker or use a slow cooker when you make my favorite comfort food, slow-cooked meatballs. There are so many options when it comes to slow-cooked meatballs, youre probably going to end up with a batch thats just right. So, no worries. So there you have it. A quick and easy way to make the perfect batch of pressure cooker meatballs. There are so many options, youre probably going to end up with a batch thats just right. So, no worries. If you make it once, then make it again and again and again.

    Where Can I Find The Best Instant Pot Recipes

    Best Buy: Instant Pot Duo 8 Quart 7
    Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook
    Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

    If you need recipe inspo for all the fuss-free meals you can make in your new Instant Pot, check out Good Housekeeping’s Instant Pot Cookbook. In addition to a primer filled with all the how-to info youll need to know, it features 60 delicious dishes, including Weeknight Tuscan Ragu, Vegan Black Bean Soup, Spicy Sesame Rice Bowls and Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps.

    You May Like: How To Clean Instant Pot Heating Element

    Why You Should Trust Us

    Serious Eats has long promoted the benefits of stovetop and electric multi-cookers, but we are not Instant Pot evangelists. I personally have now been living with these five machines for over a monththey have taken up residence in my life, and we are currently in an intimate and complicated relationship, sprawling across every inch of my kitchen counter.

    I am a seasoned cook and pretty darn familiar with following a recipe. I went to both culinary and pastry school and developed and tested recipes at Americas Test Kitchen for five years . I’m able to use my trained culinary background to recognize good outcomes and know what matters in the kitchen, and my Instant Pot agnosticism makes it easy to assess the usability of these machines.

    Instant Pot Cyber Monday Deals

    If we havent sold you yet, just know that Instant Pot sales dont come around often or at such steep discounts. The best Cyber Monday Instant Pot deals are largely set to expire at the end of the day and are known to sell out, so youll want to move fast on getting your Instant Pot, along with these other Cyber Week kitchen and home steals. With hibernation season on the horizon, the ability to whip up hearty meals in a flash is more appealing than ever. You’ll be happy you scooped up an Instant Pot pressure cooker this Cyber Mondayits sale prices are that good.

    Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Models Comparison

    What Instant Pot Accessories Do I Need

    Since each Instant Pot model is a little different, its important to read the manual and learn about the various features and settings your model offers. Generally, every Instant Pot will include an outer body with a display panel and buttons, a lid, a pressure valve, a steam release valve, a plastic collector cup to catch any condensation released during slow-cooking, a stainless-steel or nonstick inner pot, a sealing ring that surrounds the lid and helps absorb odors, and a steam rack or basket to elevate food inside the inner pot.

    Any Instant Pot accessories or gadgets you may choose to buy to bulk up your cookers functionality are just a bonus. Depending on what you plan to make with your Instant Pot, extras range from practical and essential to plain old fun. Some people buy extra sealing rings so they can use one for meat and one for baked goods. Some invest in egg trivets if they cook a lot of hard-boiled eggs. Some look into springform pans to make cheesecake and quiche. There are also super useful silicone mitts with a surprisingly strong strong grip.

    Best Budget Electric Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7

    A Chef Reviews the Instant Pot (7-in-1 Pressure Cooker) | Sorted Food

    Instant Pots best-selling model comes with seven built-in functions , and also features 13 customizable programs. The digital and push-button display is large and easy to read and we appreciated that the lid can be detached for easier cleanup. The stainless steel inner pot can be tossed in the dishwasher and its simple to switch between low and high pressure, while a keep warm option and included steam rack offer added convenience.

    During our recipe tests, we found the beans were cooked well overall, but did find some inconsistencies, with some softer than others. The risotto needed a bit more time at the end on the saute function to get it to the right creamy consistency and the stew veggies were a bit too tender, but still resulted in a tasty dish.

    The Pro Plus upgrade performed better on all three recipes, and has the added benefit of a more streamlined interface, auto steam release and progress indicator. But if youre just testing out the pressure cooker waters, this is a great option for wading in.

    You May Like: Instant Pot Hard Bouled Eggs

    What Size Instant Pot Should You Get

    Instant Pots come in three basic sizes: 3, 6 and 8 quarts. Most people with a household of three to five people will do fine with a 6-quart — the most popular size. If you’re cooking for one or two, you might consider the three-quart model. And if you have a small army of mouths to feed or tend to host large gatherings, the bigger 8-quart multicooker will be a better fit. In our experience, there is no difference in performance between the different sizes.

    The Best Instant Pots Of 202: A Comprehensive Buying Guide

    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 have 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.

    Though every Instant Pot 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.

    Ahead, we’ll take a close look at all of the Instant Pot models and break down the built-in smart programs, cooking functions, and more. You can read about all of Instant Pots or jump straight to a specific model if you have one in mind:

    But first things first: For those new to Instant Pot, let’s break down exactly what an Instant Pot is and what it can do.

    is

    The short answer: The Instant Pot is a convenient multi-cooking machine that lets you cook fast or slow.

    Now, let’s get into each of the Instant Pot models.

    Don’t Miss: How To Start Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Latest Recipes

    More Recipes Like This