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.
Year released: 2020Built-in smart programs: 11Cooking functions: Pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, air-frying, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydratingSizes available: 8-quart Instant Pot
Other Stovetop Pressure Cookers We Tested
$255 at
With a strong and sturdy stainless steel pot and a lid that easily locks into place, we were big fans of the Vitaquick. For one, its large blue pressure indicator is easy to see, with two white ring markings: one ring means its at low pressure, two means its at high pressure. Other great features: a removable handle that makes cleaning a snap , clear measuring markings on the inside of the pot that mean you dont need to dirty extra dishes, and a handy helper handle to carry it without fear of dropping the thing. The materials are high quality and we appreciated the added safety feature of a lid with a button that turns green and clicks when its locked into place. We also really liked the steam release function in the handle that requires just the push of a button to begin rapid release, and that it comes with a lifetime warranty. So what kept it from winning? The Kuhn Rikon did just a bit better job on the risotto and costs a little less. But the Vitaquick was a very close runner-up.
$299.95 at
$79 at
Instant Pot Size Comparison: 3 6 8 Or 10
If youve been eyeing an Instant Pot, youve probably noticed that it comes in many different sizes. So not only do you have to decide between the many different functions available on each model, you also have to choose which size fits you best. Thats why weve put together this Instant Pot Size Comparison guide.
» Check out these Instant Pot Symbols & Display Icons and Is the Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe?
What is the best Instant Pot size for your needs? They range from small to very large, so it can be difficult for a first-timer to decide what size would suit their needs.
Weve tried them all and have some tips and information to help you choose the right one. Consider the factors listed below to discover the perfect Instant Pot size for you.
Recommended Reading: Why Is An Instant Pot So Great
Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart
The defining feature of the new Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart is that you can pair it with your iPhone or Android to automatically engage the cooking functions from more than 800 smart recipes on the Instant Brands Connect app. This doesnt mean you can press Start while youre at the office and come home to your Instant Pot braising ribs , but you can control almost everything through the appincluding the steam release! The Pro Plus Smart also features a premium inner pot with easy-grab handles and comes with NutriBoost, a function that mimics the motion of boiling by moving food in the pot to enhance the flavor and texture.
Year released: 2021Built-in smart programs: Access 800+ smart recipes via the appCooking functions: Pressure-cooking, rice-cooking, slow-cooking, yogurt-making, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, baking, sterilizing, and NutriBoostSizes available: 6-quart Instant Pot
The Largest Instant Pot Available: Meet The 10 Quart Duo Nova
The largest Instant Pot size available is the 10 quart Duo Nova. Here is an overview of the features of this Instant Pot model.
Instant Pot sells various options of their electric pressure cookers in sizes ranging from 3 quarts to 6 quarts to 8 quarts. In 2019, they added a 10-quart model to the lineup as part of the Duo Nova model series.
There is currently only one 10 quart Instant Pot option available, the 10 quart Duo Nova.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You wont pay any more if you use this link.
Recommended Reading: Air Fryer Instant Pot Reviews
What Size Do I Need
Most Instant Pot users go with the middle size, which is a 6-quart pot. This is the most popular size for many reasons. It can easily cook a small amount or a large amount of food. Its good for making 4-8 servings.
If you are only cooking for 2 people and dont like to make leftovers, then a 3-quart Instant Pot is the best size for you. It will cook a small amount of soup enough for 2 servings, or a small roast, a few chicken breasts or thighs, pork chops, and can easily accommodate enough potatoes for mashed potatoes, while cooking 2 chicken breasts on the trivet above.
If you are cooking for 8+ people, then an 8-quart Instant Pot is the way to go. While you can still cook smaller amounts in this pot, you will have room for all the larger meals you want to make. You can cook a larger whole chicken or a small turkey in this pot. Its also great for cooking pot-in-pot.
Should I Get The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
The Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid is sold separately and is compatible with 6-quart Instant models that dont already have air-frying capability . The Air Fryer Lid comes with a fry basket and other accessories and allows you to air-fry straight from your pressure cooker. In addition to air-frying, the Air Fryer Lid adds broiling, baking, roasting, reheating, and dehydrating functionality to compatible machines.
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The Best Pressure Cookers In 2022
If old tales of exploding pots have kept you from jumping on the pressure cooker bandwagon, its time to reconsider. These days, the best pressure cookers are not only versatile and easy to use, but theyre brimming with safety features and theyre capable of making great meals faster and easier than ever.
Perfect for busy families or feeding guests without having to spend the whole night in the kitchen, pressure cookers are great for whipping up stews, soups and tough meat cuts as well as whole chickens, rice, beans and more. To determine which popular and highly rated models are best, we put 15 electric and stovetop cookers to the test, using each to make a no-stir risotto, unsoaked beans and a simple beef stew. Heres what we found.
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.
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Instant Pot 3 Or 4 Quart
The smallest in the range, the 3-quart, is big enough to make food for one to two people with almost no leftovers. Its perfect for those one-pot wonders when you dont feel like eating the same food for the next three days.
Its also a fantastic space-saver as it easily fits in smaller kitchens, such as those in RVs and dorm rooms. The smaller size might be convenient, but bear in mind you wont be able to fit food items like whole corn on the cob, ribs, or a roast.
Its slightly harder to find accessories that fit the mini 3-quart size. And the 3-quart can be as expensive as the next size up. It also takes longer to come to pressure due to the lower wattage over 11 minutes in fact. The 3-quart lacks a few of the buttons that the larger models have, but this wont overly impact your ability to use the appliance.
Instant Pot Turkey Recipe
- I think everyone has their own gravy recipe handed down from years ago but in case you dont you can follow this turkey pressure cooker gravy recipe.
- Remember that you can use the saute function to make your gravy instead of dirtying another pan and making it on the stove. That is up up to you.
- Put it on saute using the drippings already inside your pot. Remove vegetables, and add other ingredients to make a thick sauce for your turkey gravy if you desire.
Pour some generously over your moist white meat and dark meat and enjoy a wonderful meal.
Read Also: How To Operate An Instant Pot
Best Budget Electric Pressure Cooker: Instant Pot Duo 7
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.
Other Electric Pressure Cookers We Tested
$181 at
If you love the Instant Pot Duo and also love using an air fryer, this may be just the electric pressure cooker option for you. We found it performed identically to the Duo when it came to pressure-cooking our three recipes, and the interface is also essentially the same as the Duo, though it has four more cooking functions than that model .
However, its about twice as heavy as the Duo, and with the air fryer lid , it requires a lot of vertical storage and counter space . Included are a broil/dehydrating tray, multi-level air fryer basket, air fryer basket base, protective pad, storage cover and rack. So, if you think an air fryer-pressure cooker combo would save room and youd use it frequently, this model is certainly worth considering. Otherwise, the Duo will work just fine and the Pro Plus will perform even better.
$150 at
$53 at Walmart
$180 at
The Zavor LUX is a high-quality pressure cooker: It is simple to set up, with an intuitive digital LED display, including a super-handy preheating indicator, a lock icon, and screen that changes colors so you know when cooking has started the LUX also has a custom setting that lets you program your favorite recipes. There are 10 cooking functions and it comes with a steamer basket and trivet. We liked that the pressure valve includes a clean option that pops the piece out for easy maintenance.
$280 at Ninja
$170 at
Also Check: Instant Pot Easy Beef Stroganoff
Whole Turkey In Instant Pot
Now why would you even bother doing this anyway?? I mean for years you made it in your oven so why should you consider doing it this way instead? This
- It frees up your oven during the holidays
- Great idea for those living in small spaces or if youre celebrating Thanksgiving in an RV
- Cooks much faster than in an oven
- Allows you to cook turkey more often because it takes less than an hour
- Pressure cooker turkey comes out moist without having to put it in a bag
Here is what the pot looks like before you lower your turkey inside your Instant Pot.
Its filled with cut up vegetables and vegetable broth. Of course you could use water instead but I use broth every chance I can because it has so much more flavor.
- You also have the ability to add more or less depending on how large your turkey is.
If youre looking for how to cook a moist turkey breast recipe in your Instant Pot well share those instructions too.
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.
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Best Budget Stovetop Pressure Cooker: T
The T-fal Clipso is a breeze to use. In our tests, the Clipso pressurized very quickly. As with all stovetop models, you bring up the heat to your desired setting, and once steam begins to release through the valve, its time to reduce the heat and set your timer. We quickly found the sweet spot and noted that the pot held its pressure nicely throughout the cooking time, with little need for turning the heat up or down.
Like the electric pressure cookers, all the stovetop models performed well in our recipe tests, although some earned more points for better consistency, texture and faster cook time. So while the Kuhn Rikon beat out the T-fal when it came to making beans, risotto and stew, for about $155 less, the T-fal still did an admirable job.
The model comes with a steam basket and tripod and is dishwasher safe when you remove the gasket and pressure valve. It comes with a 10-year warranty against defects or premature deterioration and, for other parts, a one-year warranty is included. And we appreciate the side handles on the pot that allow for easy maneuvering. But what sets the T-fal apart from other models is its unique lid. Designed for one-hand use, the lid clamps down on the pot with jaws that lock into place with the press of a button. Once youre done cooking and the pressure is released , the lid opens by pressing the top of a large knob. As a safety feature, the lid will not open until all pressure is released.
Accessories For Making Corn On The Cob In The Pressure Cooker
I really love my stainless-steel steamer basket for making corn on the cob in a pressure cooker. It has a big pop-up handle in the middle that unscrews so you can fit beautiful full-size corn on the cob inside your 6-quart pressure cooker.
Or if youd rather not remove the handle, you can use a green silicone steamer basket that has handles to help you quickly remove your corn from the pressure cooking pot.
While I like to use a steamer basket, you can also stack the corn on the trivet that came with your Instant Pot.
To get corn out of your electric pressure cooker, I like to use the red silicone mini mitts to just grab the individual ears of corn and put them on a platter. However, if thats too hot for you, canning jar tongs actually work really well.
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What Accessories Included In The Box
When you buy the 10 quart Duo Nova, youll also receive 2 silicone sealing rings along with the trivet/steam rack.
If youre new to Instant Pots, having extra sealing rings is really helpful to prevent your desserts from accidentally picking up tastes from the other meals you cook.
If you need additional liners or sealing rings, try reaching out to their support team as these are not currently available for sale directly on their site.
