Preset Buttons On Instant Pot Multicookers
The functions vary between Instant Pot models, so it can help to consider which functions you expect to use the most when choosing one. This helps ensure you get the model that fits your unique cooking style so you’re able to make your favorite dishes with greater ease. The Instant Pot Lux series comes with six integrated functions, and the Duo series and Ultra series have extra functions for things like making cakes and yogurt. Some of the common Instant Pot functions to look for include:
- Slow cooking for tenderizing tough cuts of meat and for preparing meals ahead of time
- Rice cooking to create side dishes
- Saute function to sear food and lock in flavors
- Pressure cooking to quickly cook meats and vegetables
- Steaming for preparing fresh, nutritious vegetables
- Warming to get leftovers ready without investing a lot of extra time or effort
Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer Vs Instant Pot Duo Nova
Instant Pot Duo Nova: Not everyone needs the newest model, and not everyone needs an air fryer. Thats where the Instant Pot Duo Nova comes in. Retailing around $120, the Duo Nova is a 7-in-1 pressure cooker that features the usual programs like pressure cook, saute, yogurt, etc., that Instant Pot is known for. Its a great model for beginners, and its great as a second cooker in a busy house. The Pro Crisp is for a different audience. I love it and would recommend it to those who want the air frying option.
A fantastic combination of pressure cooking and air frying.
Instant Pot has so many different models, its hard to remember the differences, but the Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer stands out from the crowd thanks to its sleek black exterior, its handy vent/pressure toggle, and the innovative inner pot that adds to the versatility of this machine. Is it worth having? I say yes.
- Product Name Pro Crisp + Air Fryer
- Product Brand Instant Pot
- Product Dimensions 14.78 x 14.17 x 14.24 in.
- Material Stainless steel
- Warranty 1 year
- Whats Included A reversible rack, frying basket with broil/dehydrate tray, and a trivet/base for the air fryer lid
Features: Pressure Release Toggle
The pressure cooker lid is similar to other Instant Pot lids, and it twists on and locks when the pot comes to pressure. But while it looks familiar, it has some new features. A toggle is used to choose Venting or Pressure, but with this model, theres no need to actually select Pressure since the cooker automatically moves the toggle to Pressure when the lid is put in place.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
This cooker is designed so it can be cooled more quickly than other models by using the quick-cool tray . That tray needs to be filled with water, then frozen. The plastic cover on top of the lid is removed, the tray is placed on the metal, and the pressure cooker cools much more quickly while using a natural release.
Unlike some Instant Pot pressure cookers, this one doesnt have programs for things like poultry or grains. But I’m fine with that. Chicken breasts dont cook the same as thighs, and turkey isnt the same as chicken, so I think its better to set times based on the exact food being cooked. On the other hand, the lack of programs means cooks will need to use trusted recipes or look up times and temperatures for every cook.
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Should I Choose An Electric Or Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Stovetop pressure cookers are faster than their electric counterparts but electric pressure cookers have some advantages in that they operate on timers and the heat settings are more precise. If you live in an area with frequent power cuts, and you use a gas stove, the stovetop pressure cooker is for you. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages so its up to you to decide which one suits you best.
Competition: Smart Models Available
Another of the newer-generation models is the Instant Pot Smart WiFi, which integrates the pot with your home Wi-Fi system to allow you to control it from an app or from your Alexa device. This model doesnt have a sous vide function, though, and the controls are not quite as sophisticated as the Ultra. While Wi-Fi connectivity is cool, Id have to give the nod to the Ultra for its sous vide capability and better user interface.
One of the latest Instant Pot releases is the Instant Pot Max, which can cook at 15psi , like stovetop cookers. It can also be used for pressure canning, and it has a sous vide function. If you have to have the latest gadgets or you like the idea of pressure canning a few jars at a time, the Max is for you, but youll be paying more for less cooking capacity. If you needor wantthe larger cooking capacity, the Ultra does almost everything the Max does and gives you more space for that giant roast in your freezer.
Buy it!
Its hard not to fall right in love with the Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, even though I didnt think Id need the capacity of the 8-quart option I ordered. I liked the user interface, and I like the addition of the start button that just seems to make sense. Id happily recommend this to anyone who has space for it.
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How To Use Instant Pot Safely
Dont ever put any alcohol stronger than wine in a pressure cooker. This is a safety issue. Under pressure alcohol may be turned to a vapour and escape through the steam valve, which makes it extremely flammable.
If you are not following a specific recipe, for each type of food you cook always follow the guide to which fill line to use on the cooker.You need to do this because some foods like dried beans expand as they cook and create lots of bubbles and froth which has potential to block the valve. Never go over the ½ way line for these.
Dont peer over the top of the cooker when you vent steam as it can shoot out quite fast. Also bear in mind that if the pressure rises too much the pot will vent on its own which can make you jump.
Available from:
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.
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Accessories: Many Parts Easy Storage
This comes with quite a few accessories. Fortunately, most fit neatly inside the inner cooking pot, so they dont take up extra storage space. The cooker includes a reversible rack that can be used to raise foods slightly above the bottom of the pot or reversed to hold food closer to the top. That rack can be used for either air frying or pressure cooking. When I cooked an acorn squash using both pressure and air frying, I let the squash sit low in the pot, but when I broiled pork ribs, I raised them high.
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
This also includes a nonstick air fryer basket with a base that lifts it off the bottom of the pot for better air circulation when frying, and a dehydrate/broil rack that fits in the basket for dual-level cooking or to raise foods closer to the top of the cooker. The manual has no information about using the air fry basket for pressure cooking, but I contacted the company online and was told it is safe for pressure cooking as well as frying. A trivet/base for the air fryer lid is the last of the accessories.
For storage, the air fryer basket, its base and rack, and the reversible rack fit inside the cooker. The power cord wraps around the bottom of the cooker, and a small tab holds the cord in place so it wont dangle on the way to the pantry. The protective pad for the air fryer lid twists on so it stays in place, so the lid can be stored without worry about damaging it.
Slow Cooker Pros And Cons
Advantages: The low-temperature results in really tender meats and vegetables that are still tasty, even when overcooked a little bit. Its also virtually impossible to burn food in a slow cooker, which is another plus for many overzealous cooks! Another benefit? You can buy a new Crock-Pot for little as $15, so theyre very cost-effective.
Disadvantages: The slow in a slow cooker is there for a reason- cooking with this device takes a long time! You cant just throw something together with this appliance. Even with the lower temperature, since not every food has the same cooking temperature, the slow cooker could prepare food a little bit unevenly.
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Should You Buy The Instant Pot Viva
The Instant Pot Viva is a great choice if you want a dependable multicooker at a lower price. If you dont think you will use the extensive functions that later models, such as the Instant Pot Duo Crisp , have to offer, then the Instant Pot Viva has everything you would need at a much better price. The ability to customize the model in different colors is a fun bonus, and will allow users to match their pot to a range of kitchen designs.
Costcos Price And Sale Dates
*UPDATE* 2/1/22. Select Costco locations have the Instant Pot Duo Gourmet Multi-Use Pressure Cooker on sale for $59.99through February 6, 2022. That is $20 off Costcos regular price of $79.99. Item #3226685. While supplies last.
I spotted this item at the Covington, Washington Costco but it may be not available at all Costco locations. Prices may vary by location. When in doubt, call your local Costco before you go.
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How Can I Be Sure My Pressure Cooker Is Safe
Rule no. 1: Read the owner’s manual, and first and foremost, use as instructed by the manufacturer. Each pressure cooker is different, and whoever built yours has the best information on how to use it properly and safely.
To ensure youre using your pressure cooker safely, take care not to overfill the pressure cooker , especially if you cook beans or other meats that tend to produce a lot of foam. Also, make sure you never leave it unattended.
When it comes to pressure cooking, its better to have too much water than too little. I never start mine with less than a quart of water .
Do this: Cover, seal and start over high heat, once the whistling starts, lower heat to medium-low. Stop it in 15 mins. Put it in the sink and open the water, it will cool in a minute or two. Stop the water, carefully remove the valve, open and check food for doneness, back to the stove if necessary.
Once youre familiar with your stove/pressure cooker team, youll be able to eyeball it.
Best Instant Pot For Beginners: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7
The Instant Pot brand looms large in the pressure cooker space, but which model is best? The company offers so many different products that it can be tough to know which one is for you. Alex and Ryan Davis, the St.Paul-based husband and wife-duo behind Ryan and Alex Duo Life, a wellness and lifestyle site for couples that offers cooking and nutrition advice, call the Duo Nova the best device for beginners.
“What we get from the Instant Pot is consistency every time, making it far easier to share healthy recipes without worrying about different stove tops and ovens. From homemade granola to yogurt to quinoa, the Instant Pot is our most versatile kitchen appliance,” says Alex. “Plus, for those who live at high elevation like us, the pressure cooker feature is a must, saving us hours of cook time.”
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Express Crock Slow Cooker 8
A great alternative to the Elite Gourmet MST-900R, the Crockpot Express Slow Cooker also offers streamlined functionality, with just a front-facing knob for temperature control. Its exterior is also made from stainless steel, which helps with heat conductivity.
Unlike the Elite Gourmet, however, the Crockpot Express features a stoneware cooking insert, which is similarly useful for distributing heat and keeping food warm. It can be especially helpful for anyone who enjoys the crispy browning found on dishes such as casseroles and gratins.
For the same $45 to $60 price range as the Elite Gourmet, its definitely an alternative worth considering.
Here are some more slow cooker recommendations if that’s more what you want, rather than an Instant Pot or other multi-cooker.
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Monica is Reviewed’s senior Kitchen & Cooking staff writer and an avid home cook. A graduate of Emerson College, she’s had her work published in The Boston Globe, Culture Cheese Magazine, Modern Luxury, and more. In her spare time, you can find her experimenting in the kitchen, practicing yoga, or falling down a TikTok rabbit hole.
Jenny Dorsey
Contributor
Jenny is a professional chef, author and speaker specializing in interdisciplinary storytelling fusing food with social good. She leads a nonprofit named Studio ATAO and runs her own culinary consulting business. Her food and work has been featured in outlets such as Food Network, Oxygen TV, Eater, Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, among others. Her full biography, food portfolio, and bylines can be found here.
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How To Choose The Right Van Life Kitchen Essentials
We consider the Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid a van life cooking essential for so many reasons. Its extremely versatile , and its easy to store when youre done.
But depending on your current setup and collection of camper kitchen accessories, you might be in the market for something different. No matter what youre shopping for, use the tips below to ensure you make a good purchasing decision.
How Does It Work
Putting it simply: airtight container + water + heat + food = fully cooked meal. But how that actually works is pretty cool. Usually, water/liquid can only boil at 100 degrees celsius, because most pots are not airtight, so steam escapes. This means that food can only get up to that temperature, increasing cooking times considerably. Instant pots and pressure cookers create a situation where steam and heat cannot escape, increasing the boiling heat of liquid and food to 120 degrees celsius . Essentially, your food is cooking considerably faster at higher degrees.
But what does it do about heat regulation? Instant pots don’t let your food burn because they have a pressure sensor inside the outer pot. The inner pot with deform slightly at such high temperatures, and touch a pressure plate. When this happens the pressure cooker turns off the heating element. This allows the heat to cycle so your food cooks evenly, and shouldn’t burn. Interestingly, ovens work a similar way. They’ll shut off the heat to maintain the temperature inside.
In order for an instant pot to not just be a fancy pressure cooker, the internal computer can adjust temperatures and heat cycles to different foods in different ways. That’s how an instant pot can achieve all those different settings.
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How Do You Clean An Instant Pot
Cleaning an Instant Pot is easy but you should do it after each use. You’ll want to clean the base with a warm washcloth and scrub the cooking pot with soap and water. The lid, especially the underside, will also need a good washing after each use and the rubber ring can go through the dishwasher. Finally, you’ll want to wipe down the outside before putting it away. For more, see our full guide to properly cleaning your Instant Pot or multicooker.
