Instant Pot Started When Wang Lost His Job
Today, Ottawa, Ontario-based Instant Brands has nearly 90 employees and there seems to be no end in sight to its record-setting sales.
But it all started after Wang lost his job in 2008.
Wang had been the chief scientist at a mobile messaging company he’d co-founded in 2000, but the company’s CEO shut down Wang’s division, putting Wang out of the job . Despite having spent 14 years working on telecommunications technology, Wang decided to turn his attention toward solving a personal problem he had been pondering.
Wang and his wife, Tracy, both worked full time in the tech industry , which left them with a very relatable problem: They had little time to cook fast, tasty and healthy meals for their two young children, who were then 4 and 8, he tells CNBC Make It.
“We did a lot of takeout, fast food. Kids really love fast food,” Wang says. “But my wife and myself don’t think that’s the way to raise our kids. So, at that point, I was dreaming about an automated cooking machine, which will help me cook healthy dinner after work.”
What’s more, Wang knew he was far from alone. “I believed that people share the same issue I have, which is putting dinner on the table after a busy day,” he says.
“But we all know that, when we leave for work in the morning it’s hectic,” Wang says. “You don’t have much time, and also you’re eating your breakfast, you’re thinking about your dinner.”
That’s where Wang saw an opportunity to make things even easier with an all-in-one cooking product.
Oxo Silicone Pressure Cooker Lifter
Barbone said a silicone rack with handles is helpful when cooking anything youll need to lift out of the Instant Pot, like a small chicken, meatloaf or cheesecake. Instant Pots come with a metal steam rack, but she said the silicone one is easier to maneuver. This dishwasher-safe option from OXO fits 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots, the brand says. It has two large loop handles that connect to fit under the appliances lid while youre cooking, and you can detach them while moving it in and out of the pot. The lifters flat base allows you to pile food directly on top, or you can place it under a pan.
What Are The Top 5 Best Pressure Cookers
The Best Pressure Cookers to Buy Online, According to Enthusiastic Home Cooks
- Most Popular: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus Pressure Cooker.
- Easiest to Use: T-Fal Clipso Pressure Cooker.
- Best for Experienced Cooks: Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker.
- Best for Crispy Food: Ninja Foodi TenderCrisp 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker.
Read Also: How To Steam Chicken In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer
The 8-quart Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is the Duo Crisp turned up to 11. This pro model has all the same functionality of the Duo Crisp plus an upgraded lid with advanced heat protection, auto-sealing, and gentle pressure release. The sturdier stainless-steel inner pot is made to handle anything its stovetop friendly and oven safe up to 450ºF.
Built-in smart programs: 11Functions: Pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, air-frying, roasting, baking, broiling, dehydratingSizes available: 8-quart Instant Pot
The Best Electric Pressure Cooker Is An Instant Pot
In 2021, Instant Pot streamlined its offerings. Weve tested the updated Duo, Duo Plus, and Pro models.
The Instant Pot is probably the most well-known electric pressure cookermore accurately called a multi-cooker because it can also slow cook, sauté, and morebut many brands make this handy type of appliance. A good electric pressure cooker can help get dinner on the table quickly and easily even when youre swamped. Of the 18 models weve tested from a variety of brands since 2016, the Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart is still our favorite. It offers great performance at a reasonable price, and its tried-and-true design makes it easier to use than other multi-cookers or gimmicky smart cookers.
Looking for things to make in your Instant Pot? Try these recipes for bone broth, corned beef and cabbage, salsa verde chicken, and classic beef chili from NYT Cooking.
Our pick
The Duo is a versatile time-saver in the kitchen. Its one of Instant Pots more basic and affordable models, and it does everything you need it to do with ease.
Buying Options
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What Is An Instant Pot
At its core, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker, which means it uses hot steam and pressure to cook food. Food is being boiled at a high pressure, so its not going to make you happy if you only like crunchy food, Barbone said, noting that dishes that come out of the Instant Pot often have a moist rather than crispy texture.
Instant Pots are different from traditional electric pressure cookers, however. All of Instant Pots different pressure settings are slightly higher than that of a traditional pressure cooker, said Weinstein. This helps it cook food faster than a standard electric pressure cooker. It also means that if you use recipes designed for standard electric pressure cookers, the cooking timing is going to be off with an Instant Pot.
Instant Pots are also considered multi-cookers since they perform multiple different functions. The most basic Instant Pot model, for example, offers a steamer, sauté and rice cooker function on top of the pressure cooker setting.
Since Instant Pots are so versatile, Barone said home chefs of all skill levels can use them to make a variety of dishes. Im not a huge gadget person, but I really think Ive seen the Instant Pot fit every lifestyle, she noted. I haven’t seen anyone have the Instant Pot not work for them.
Best Air Fryer Made In Usa
We started our research with the most popular air fryer brands like Ninja, Cosori, NUWAVE, GoWISE USA, Instant Vortex, PowerXL, etc. Then we further looked at the model from these top brands.
Some of the products that we specifically looked at:
While most of these manufactured in China but there are some models that made in the US.
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Can You Use A Pressure Cooker For Canning
Although you can use pressure canners for regular pressure cooking, standard pressure cookers cant be used for pressure canning. If youre serious about canning meats, broth, or other low-acid foods, a pressure canner is what you need there are currently no electric pressure cookers rated for canning.
Instant Pot Smart Programs Vs Functions
Instant Pots are beloved because of their ability to cook foods quickly using pressure. But theyre also wildly popular, in part, because theyre true multi-cookers that can be used to braise, sauté, steam, and so much more. But all Instant Pots are not created equaler, not every model can perform every function, and theyre billed accordingly . All Instant Pots can pressure-cook, slow-cook, sauté, and keep warm, and fancier models tack on additional cooking methods like yogurt-making, sous vide cooking, broiling, and air-frying. The functions are customizable, and while you cant air-fry or broil in a model that doesnt have an air-frying lid, people still manage to bake cake in models that dont offer mini oven functionality and make yogurt in models that arent officially marketed for yogurt-making.
The Instant Pot Smart Programs allow you to engage each cookers listed functionality with the touch of a button. Many models also have additional Smart Programs that take the guesswork out of specific items like cake, yogurt, eggs, brown rice, and more. The buying guide below details which and how many functions and Smart Programs are available with each model.
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The Steam Boss Steam Release Diverter
One of the biggest downsides to the Instant Pot that I have personally experienced is the steam valve. I always hold my breath when I have to quickly release the pressure, knowing the sputtering steam is about to get everywhere. But this steam release diverter from The Steam Boss is the perfect solution to your Instant Pot woes. It diverts steam away from your cabinets by simply placing the diverter over your steam valve.
Buy It: The Steam Boss Steam Release Diverter, $10
How To Choose A Pressure Cooker
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.
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What Can I Make In An Electric Multicooker Or Instant Pot
Virtually all Instant Pots and off-brand multicookers can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, cook rice, and keep foods warm. Some models can also sous vide, air fry, make yogurt, and much more.
For more ideas of what is possible with an electric pressure cooker, check out these articles:
Is An Instant Pot Really Worth It
Thereâs no denying an Instant Pot is a great kitchen appliance but you may be wondering if itâs really worth it? Or will it simply end up as another kitchen gadget that languishes on your countertop gathering dust?
Itâs important to remember that while Instant Pots offer a multitude of cooking methods, many of which means you no longer need to use an oven or a hob, they canât cook everything. For example, theyâre not an option if you regularly prepare pasta, noodles, or stir frys. And while some do come with lids that can air fry, we found making fries in an Instant Pot wasnât as good as using one of the best air fryers.
At the same time, you canât just pop the lid off and check the dish youâre cooking, as you would when using the hob, the oven, or a slow cooker. Youâll need to release the pressure, effectively stop cooking, and detach the lid. Then if the dish isnât ready, youâll need to start cooking again.
Similarly, an Instant Pot can certainly shave a few hours off cooking stews, ribs and other dishes that usually take the best part of a day to cook, however with dishes like rice or steaming vegetables the time saving is minimal, which may mean an Instant Pot isnât worth the investment.
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Which Is The Best Pressure Cooker 2021
Hit your Slow Cooker Function on your Instant Pot and then hit the adjust button to change the setting to normal or high. If you want to cook a recipe like you would on low in a slow cooker, adjust your slow cooker to normal on the slow cooker function and cook for as the recipe calls to cook on low.
What Can You Cook In A Pressure Cooker
Whether youre trying to get beef stew done in time for dinner or you want to make rich soup stock in less time, a pressure cooker will get the job done. While speed is one of the major selling points, pressure cookers also cook some foods better. Corned beef and similar tough cuts of meat will become tender while remaining juicy, cheesecakes will remain smooth and creamy without excess browning, and risotto cooks to perfection without any stirring. Meanwhile, everything from dried beans to chicken thighs to sturdy grains will get done in time for dinner, even if you forgot to thaw that chicken before cooking
A better question might be: What shouldn’t you cook in a pressure cooker? Most people don’t recommend pressure-cooking breaded meats or veggies , pasta , or delicate cuts of meat. Dairy is usually a no-go because it will curdle, but there are some yogurt and cheesecake recipes specifically developed for pressure cookers with the appropriate settings.
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Best Air Fryer Made In Usa 2022 Guide
If youre like me and want to buy an air fryer thats made in the USA, then this article is for you.
I dont mind paying extra if its originally made in the US. Itll support American families and will strengthen society overall.
Best Air Fryer Made in USA
But is there any air fryer made in USA not in China? Lets find out:
Instant Pot Silicone Springform Loaf Pan
You’re no longer limited to the round shape of the inner pot. Use this loaf pan to make meatloafs, desserts, breads, and more.
This pan comes directly from the manufacturers of the Instant Pot, and is designed to fit a variety of models. It’s also dishwasher and freezer safe so leftovers can be saved in the pan.
Buy It: Instant Pot Silicone Springform Loaf Pan, $15
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Why Arent Air Fryers Made In America
It seems that most commonly used domestic appliances arent made anywhere other than China these days, especially when it comes to the smaller domestic appliances. You might find some premium coffee makers and the like made in America, but air fryers are not really in the same league. No one is buying a premium air fryer anytime soon, so I dont see much hope for the American-made air fryer. This is just my humble opinion, though
The reality is, at the time of writing, making an air fryer in China is a lot cheaper than making one in America. Unless air fryer manufacturers come up with a good reason to take on that extra cost, they are always going to use the cheaper option. Welcome to our modern business culture
Would you like to see an American made air fryer? Would you pay a premium for this? Let us know in the comments section below.
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.
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Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker
Brevilles Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker has knobs that allow you to manually adjust the appliances pressure level and cook time, or you can choose from pre-programed cook settings like pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sear, sauté and more. It has a 6-quart capacity and comes with a steamer basket and trivet. The pressure cooker also features an LCD screen that shows cook time, heat time and other updates throughout the cooking process.
Cooking Functions And Programs
The main cooking function on every Instant Pot is pressure cooking. You can customize the pressure level and cooking time depending on what youre cooking, or press buttons with cooking settings specific to certain foods, like poultry, multigrain, rice, bean/chili and more. Weinstein said these settings are conveniences, but not necessarily across the board instructions for how to cook a particular dish. In recipes he shares on his YouTube channel and cookbooks, Weinstein includes details about the pressure level and cooking time to manually set the Instant Pot to rather than using the preset functions.
Instant Pot models differ in terms of the cooking functions each offers beyond pressure cooking certain models offer functions like sauté, yogurt, sous vide and more. Select Instant Pots also offer a slow cooker setting, but experts agreed that the appliance is really meant to be a fast cooker. If you want to slow cook food, they recommended purchasing a dedicated slow cooker.
Some Instant Pots also have built-in air fryer capabilities, or you can add the air fryer function to some models with a special lid. While the Instant Pots air fryer function gets the job done, Weinstein said theres limited room inside an Instant Pot to space out food. Because of this, he said you may want to buy a standalone air fryer instead.
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Where Is Instant Pot Made
The short answer to this question: Instant Pot is made in China by one of the premiere pressure cooker manufacturing plants. It was however designed by Canadians and although it is usually found in 110v it can also be found in electrical configurations for the European 220v market.
For the average person at home the quality of build will be just about as good as it gets but for those people who are really concerned about buying American made products then the Instant Pot simply isn’t worth it. There are other pressure cookers are made in the USA such as the well regarded All American pressure cookers and canners but electric USA made models are harder to find.
