Best Overall: Instant Pot Duo 7
Who else recommends it? Delish, TechRadar, and Simply Recipes all picked the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker.
What do buyers say? 85% of 140,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.
Electric pressure cookers today have evolved into true multi-cookers. This offering from Instant Pot can pressure cook, but it can also slow cook, sauté, steam, and keep foods warm.
The lid is designed for easy sealing, and the pressure release valve automatically sets to sealing, so theres no chance of cooking with the vent open by accident. Quick-cool technology helps it cool to release pressure quicker, so those hungry diners wont have to wait as long for the lid to open. This model comes in a 6- or 8-quart size.
Our tester made various dishes, including hard-cooked eggs, steel-cut oats, dried chickpea stew, mushroom risotto, lentils and sausages, bread pudding, salmon, and bone broth. Each meal turned out delicious and perfectly cooked, making this model precise and reliable.
The Spruce Eats / Danielle Centoni
Size: 6 quarts | Interior Surface: Stainless steel | Cooking Presets: 13 | Wattage: 1,000 watts | Weight:11.8 pounds | Dimensions: 13.4 x 12.2 x 12.5 inches
“I tested its ability to slow cook, making chili with dried pinto beans and beef chuck, and soup with a ham hock and dried cannellini beans. It always produced tender beans and meat in four hours on high.” Danielle Centoni, Product Tester
Specs Of Instant Pot Aura Pro
This Aura Pro Multi-Use Cooker has a 8 quart capacity which is quite large and enough to cook food for 8 people. And it is oval-shaped which allows you to cook a variety of food such as pork ribs. Moreover, the cooking pot is made of stainless steel which is non-stick coated while the exterior is aluminum which helps enhance the cooking performance.
Besides that, you can monitor the cooking process without releasing steam and heat due to the clear lid. This is important if you use the slow cooking or steaming functions, as it affects the cooking time and performance essentially.
Whats more, you will get some extra accessories which include stainless steel steam/roast/sous vide rack, recipe booklet, and 250 mL measuring cup if you place an order. The recipe booklet provides you with access to Instant Pots app with 1000+ inspiring recipes.
The Instant Pot offers a one-year warranty.
What Are The Advantages Of Using A Stainless Steel Rice Cooker
Having a stainless steel pot means you dont have to worry about Teflon or other questionable materials leaching into your food while cooking.
Some nonstick may not be as worrisome, but the aluminum underneath definitely is. And when those pots start flaking or peeling? Youll have to toss it and get a new one.
Stainless steel is non-reactive, so you dont have to worry about harmful chemicals in your food.
Whats more?
Its resistant to rusting or corrosion, which is great for getting the most mileage out of your cookware.
Its sturdy, so if you accidentally drop it, the chances of damaging the pot are small.
Stainless steel does not conduct heat as well as aluminum, however. For that reason, you might find some pots with a stainless steel layer over an aluminum core.
Thats not a problem.
You still wont have to worry about the aluminum touching your food, because the stainless steel wont flake or peel like a non stick coating would.
Just be sure to look for grade 304 stainless steel, which has nickel and chromium in it. This increases its protection against corrosion.
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Trying Out My New Instant Pot
After unboxing and setting up the new Instant Pot DUO Mini I was eager to cook something. I chose one of our favorites, Country Style pork ribs. Normally I have to bake or simmer or slow cook them, which takes time. But with the new Instant Pot, I had them falling off the bone ready for the barbeque in 30 minutes!
Ive decided not to do an in-depth review on the Instant Pot. If you search the web, you find hundreds or check out the Instant Pot DUO Mini page on Amazon which has over 27 thousand reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 stars rating.
What I did do was a few tests using my boondocking power system and my electrical circuit testers to see how much energy the Instant Pot drains from my battery bank. I set up three different tests. Test one records the power drain from my RV batteries during a 5-minute steamer cycle. Test two I did a 30-minute pressure cook and three a 4-hour slow cook.
Instant Pot Vs Ninja Foodi: Cooking Modes
Both the Instant Pot Pro Crisp and the Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 SmartLid have 11 cooking modes.
For the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, these are:
Pressure Cook
Keep Warm Proof
Both have all the essentials covered, and in my opinion, it’s not a number game with these machines. Sure, if you like the sound of making yogurt in a mode that’s specifically designed to do that, then opt for the Ninja. However, it’s just a pre-set temperature and timer, something you can easily replicate if you opt for the Warm mode on the Instant Pot
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How To Choose The Best Multi
Multi-cookers vary widely in capacity and versatility. If youre cooking for a crowd, you’ll find the bigger the better, but there are mini ones for smaller households, too. Some models can stand quite tall if they have hinged lids, which is something to take into consideration if you have low kitchen cupboards.
There’s little point paying for functions that youre unlikely to use but do consider those that excite you. Multi-cookers are excellent gadgets for introducing new ways of cooking to your everyday meals and completely mitigate the need to buy and store multiple appliances.
Youll often see the name ‘pressure multi-cooker’ and this is simply the brands way of highlighting a now automated way of cooking that traditionally required a separate stove-top pan process. This, along with slow cooker and air frying functions, are some of the most efficient ways to save rather than buying three rather large and expensive appliances.
Look out for the difference in recipe presets and cooking modes along with dishwasher-safe inner bowls and additional accessories. Models such as the Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 multi cooker offer a separate lid for pressure cooking, which would require additional storage when using other functions. With its newer 15-in-1 model , Ninja is leading the way with its combination steam and convection cooking modes, designed to lock in ingredients’ moisture and flavour while still crisping the outside.
How We Test Instant Pots
To see how Instant Pots and multi-cookers stack up, weâve spent hundreds of hours whipping up curries and chilies, preparing batches of rice, and even steaming portions of vegetables, comparing the end results. Weâre looking for meat that falls off the bone but is still tender and succulent, rice thatâs fluffy but still with some bite, and crisp vegetables. Weâve also compared how easy they are to use and just how much they speed up cooking.
We evaluate each model on how many different cooking methods it offers, how durable and easy to clean the body and parts are, how loud it is in use and when releasing pressure, and how hot the exterior casing gets. Weâre also assessing how simple each multi-cooker is to use and whether you need to read the instruction manual before cooking, whether recipe inspiration is provided and the useful accessories such as racks and trays it comes with.
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The Best Budget Option
You may not recognize the name Zavor, but the company is a direct descendant of Spain’s storied Fagor kitchen brand. Fagor went out of business in 2018, and its US employees started a new company, rebranding Fagor’s products with the Zavor label and adding some modest upgrades. The Zavor Lux 6-Quart Multicooker was the first of this new crop of machines I tested. Even though it’s several years old now, the Zavor Lux is still our top budget pickespecially now that its price has dropped to $90.
Its controls were easy enough to figure out, and when I worked through some of my favorite recipes from cookbooks written for slow cookers and pressure cookers, it delivered results that came out exactly how they’re supposed to. The Lux worked well enough that if something started going sideways, I could tell whether the problem was with the appliance, the recipe, or myself.
There was even a degree of temperature control that I appreciate. Within a range, you can dial up or down its cooking temperatures, allowing you to tweak heat presets on everything from the sauté function to the brown rice preset to the high-pressure cooking . It’s an impressive improvement over the temperature customization offered on other, more expensive models. It doesn’t sear particular well, or quickly enoughI was able to sear a chuck roast about three times faster using a Dutch oven on my stovebut in all other respects, it performs admirably.
The Material Used To Make The Cooker
The second thing to consider is the material used in its making. Traditional Indian cooking requires using pots made of specific materials that can withstand high temperatures without breaking or warping.
If you are not familiar with the different types of materials used in Indian pressure cookers, it is best to stick with a cooker made of stainless steel. It is a safe and durable material that will last for years. The aluminum-made cookers are also good options.
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How To Choose The Best Multi Cooker For You
What features should I look out for?
All of the best multi cookers will have preset functions for slow cooking, baking and either rice or steaming. Some multi cookers, such as the Instant Pot and Tefal All-In-One, can also pressure cook. These are a good option if you cook a lot of meat joints and want to achieve slow cooker-style tenderness, but dont have time to wait around.
READ NEXT: Our pick of the best slow cookers
If healthy cooking is on your list of must-haves, a multi cooker with an air frying function may come in handy. The Ninja Foodi does just that, as well as all of the usual functions, so you can make stews, soups, pressure-cooked meats and crispy chips all with the same appliance. The only issue is that this versatility comes at a price: at around £200, you could potentially buy a cheaper multi cooker and separate air fryer for less.
What size multi cooker should I buy?
This depends entirely on the size of your household. If youre cooking for one to two people, then anything from 1.4l upwards should be just fine. For families of four to five, wed suggest nothing smaller than 4l. If you cook for a crowd regularly or are seriously into batch cooking, then wed suggest a 6-7l multi cooker.
How much should I spend?
Time & Temperature Setting
After a busy working day, having a ready-to-eat meal once back home is an excellent thing. There are two functions that make this possible. You can put off the cooking start time by the 24 hour delay start setting. Or let the auto-shift-to-warm setting help you keep the temperature of your meal until you are ready to eat.
You are able to customize the time and temperature manually. The food is cooked well with an even and proper temperature which is crucial particularly for slow cooking and sous vide.
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Presto Aluminum Pressure Cooker
The Presto 01264 6-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker is an excellent option for Indian cooking. It has a durable construction and comes with a number of features that make it perfect for this type of cuisine. Plus, it is affordable and easy to use.
This appliance is constructed with heavy-gauge aluminum that will last for years. Moreover, it ensures fast and even heating which is very essential for Indian recipes. It is compatible with any heating source including glass top stoves.
This appliance has a pressure regulator that maintains the pressure inside the pot while cooking. In addition, the safety-enhancing cover lock indicator shows when there is pressure inside the pot. Also, it prevents the cover from opening until the pressure has been safely vented.
Thanks to its stylish and smooth finishing that is not only attractive but also offers hassle-free cleanup. Additionally, it comes with a rack and a recipe book, which provide more cooking options.
As this is not an electric pressure cooker, it does not have built-in cooking functions like the previous two models. If you looking for a pressure cooker that isnt an electric one, then this unit may be the answer.
Key Features
- A safe pressure release mechanism
Pros
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Top-notch quality
Instant Pot Pro Plus 6
A fully connected multi-cooker you can wirelessly control through the Instant Brands Connect app.
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is a fully connected multi-cooker that lets you wirelessly operate the unit through the Instant Brands Connect app. Simply select from one of 800+ smart recipes and the app will wirelessly program the Instant Pot Pro Plus. Simply follow the cooking instructions in the app. It will tell you when its time to sauté your ingredients and when you should place the pressure cooking lid over the unit to slow cook your ingredients. You can also wirelessly release steam, or with the one-touch steam release button on the control panel. Program a quick or delayed steam release at the end of a cooking program too, making it easier than ever to use an Instant Pot. The 3-ply stainless steel inner cooking pots aluminum core offers faster, more even heating, and greater searing. Its versatile too, meaning you can use the inner pot on your stove top or in the oven. The control panel is easy to use, and it includes status messages to guide you through various cooking programs.
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Best And Delicious Instant Pot Multi Cooker Recipes
In the event that you love best and delicious recipes, one of the best tools you must have in your kitchen is Instant Pot multi cooker. For those of you out of the loop, the Instant Pot is a performing various tasks powerhouse that joins an electric weight cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and the sky is the limit from thereacross the board flawless ledge machine. Instant Pots can cook anything. But what are they truly great at? The answer, most of the time, is anything that usually takes a while but that youd rather not take a while to make. Here are some of the absolute instant cooker multi cooker recipes to cook when you get an Instant Pot or any other:
INSTANT POT LEMON BUTTER GARLIC SALMON WITH HOMESTYLE VEGETABLES
The Instant Pot is the secret to easy and delicious butter lemon salmon with vegetables! This recipe is the universally adored one-pot wonder, and the Instant Pot multi cooker makes it far and away superior. How? For instance, in this formula, you can skirt the progression of depleting your salmon subsequent to cooking, and returning it to the pot.
Recipe:365daysofcrockpot
INSTANT POT MAPLE DIJON CHICKEN AND SWEET POTATOES
When you utilize an Instant Pot, the water is consumed totally during cooking, so you can essentially add the rest of the fixings to the pot when you are preparing yummy recipe of chicken and potatoes. Try to ensure you have all the ingredients so they cook effectively. For more detailed recipe click on the link!
INSTANT POT CHILI
What Size Cooker Should I Choose
This is a big factor for many people. You definitely want to choose a rice cooker that can handle whatever volume you plan to cook.
Youll want to consider your family size, amount of rice for each meal, and whether you plan to do any batch cooking.
A rule of thumb is to allow one cup of cooked rice or half a cup of uncooked rice per person. Rice cooker sizes are quoted in uncooked rice cups. So allow half a cup per person. I like to have a little margin so I would suggest 1 cup plus half a cup per person. On this rule of thumb, a 5-7 cup rice cooker will be great for a family.
Trying to cook too much rice at once is the number one mistake Ive seen with using rice cookers. This error results in water spewing out of the lid and rice stuck to the bottom of the pot.
So how do you avoid that?
First, you have to understand the measuring unit. Theres a difference between a rice measuring cup and a standard U.S. measuring cup.
A standard U.S. measuring cup is equivalent to 240 mL. The rice measuring cup follows a traditional Japanese measuring unit, called the go. The go is equivalent to 3/4 cup .
People who dont understand this difference could be disappointed when their rice cooker is smaller than expected.
So when you see a rice cooker with a capacity of 5 cups, its really 5 rice measuring cups, or 900 mL. That would be approximately 3.75 standard cups.
Something else to consider?
The result?
Just to be on the safe side.
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Here Are The Main Attributes We Looked For And How We Tested Them:
Setup: I timed how quickly I could get the cooker set up and building pressure from the moment I opened the box. I also noted whether I could do this without looking at the instructions or if the controls were confusing. Most units took five minutes or less to set up.
Pressurizing: Many pressure cooker recipes look like they won’t take long, but few recipes factor in the time it takes for the unit to build pressure. A cooker that builds pressure quickly is a real time-saver. I tested how long it took each model to get up to pressure with just four cups of water inside. I also tracked how long the pressure build took during the cooking tests. I gave more favorable scores to cookers that built pressure quickly.
Performance: I put each multicooker through five cooking tests:
Additional cooking functions: Three of the units I tested featured sous vide cooking, and two had air frying capabilities. I cooked a NY Strip at 129 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours to test the sous vide and assessed how tender and flavorful it was. All sous vide cookers performed well. For air frying, I cooked a pound of Ore-Ida Extra Crispy Fast Food French Fries at 400 degrees for eight minutes shaking the basket halfway through and judged the doneness.
I donated most of the pulled pork my family didn’t eat to a local restaurant to keep waste to a minimum. And, extra rice and beans went to feed the pigs at a local farm.
