Instant Pot Smart Unlimited
Just when you thought that these cookers couldnt improve anymore, the IP family appears with the SMART edition that can perform all the features and functions just like the DUO 7 in 1 series but it can function as well via internet and Bluetooth giving you the ability to use your cooker even where you are not at home.
You can program your cooker from your phone using the Smart App that gives you control of the cooker from anywhere.
You can also write, download and upload different recipes. You are able to write a program where the food might pressure cook on high for one hour, then slow cook for 3 hours, and then pressure cook again on low for another 30 minutes.
So this cooker is great for those folks that like to get that level of control and they like the Smart houses.
When it comes to size you can only get the 6 quarts version for now.
In case you want to know more about it you can check
What About Other Brands
Often people ask me to compare the Instant Pot to other brands. Im sorry Im not familiar with other brands.
The Instant Pot won me over because of its high ratings, the stainless steel insert, all the recipes out there written for Instant Pot , its safety features, and friends recommendations. I chose it and have not been dissatisfied in the least, nor inclined, at this point, to test out any others.
So, while I cant comment on other brands, I do know the Instant Pot in and out and can highly recommend it. I dont think anyone could regret choosing it.
When you choose your Instant Pot, you need to select both the model and size . Lets go over the choices now.
Instant Pot Pro Review: Design
Instant Pots are not usually known for their attractive design. However, the Instant Pot Pro has a stylish, black and stainless steel finish, making it look more premium than its counterparts. This upgrade is also reflected in the large LED display with a chrome control dial. The one-touch control panel has the standard presets including Slow Cook, Pressure Cook, Saute, Steam and Sous Vide you can select one of the 28 presets on the large display. You can also manually adjust the temperature and cooking duration should you choose not to use a preset.
Another difference to other models is there are five favorite buttons where you can program your own recipes. This is handy for cooks with regular, signature recipes. With everything displayed on the screen though, it can look a bit overwhelming. However, its easy to read.
The 8-quart size provides a generous capacity for families or cooking up large quantities. However, it is quite large and bulky for small countertops, in which case, the 6-quart capacity might be the better choice. For those worried about the weight, the inner pot comes with Easy-Grab, silicone handles so you can lift it safely out of the base with ease. Plus, it comes with an upgraded steam release switch that makes it easier to change from sealed to venting, with a handy cover to reduce inevitable splashes and noise.
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So How Many Quarts Is Your Instant Pot
If you dont know how many quarts is your Instant Pot, there are a few ways to check. Certain models are only available in a single size . Or you could measure the width of your Instant Pot and check against the dimensions. Otherwise, check the sticker on the back of your Instant Pot and it mentions the volume.
Do what size Instant Pot do you own? And is that enough for you or are you thinking you want to buy a different sized electric pressure cooker?
What Is The Instant Pot Anyway
Its a multi-purpose electrical appliance. Think like a Crock Pot or slow cooker, except it can also do other things its a pressure cooker, a yogurt maker, and more. What features you get depends on what model you choose.
In other words its a plug-n-play machine that can replace a bunch of your kitchen appliances! And its amazing!
We have 2 Instant Pots and use them both multiple times each day. In fact, I love it so much that we have an entire class on pressure cooking featuring the Instant Pot.
For more info, check out the Pressure Cooking eBook & Video Package or our Pressure Cooking eCourse .
Yet I use the Instant for much more besides like its my favorite way to reheat leftovers which you can learn about here. Or if you want to see 11 creative uses for an Instant Pot, go here. Theyre fun!
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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.
Which Model Is Better For Me
At the end of the day, the decision belongs to you, since you should consider your needs and preferences. However, to make it a bit easier, here are a few tips that may be helpful.
Choose the Instant Pot Duo if…
- You dont need fancy functions besides the slow, rice, and pressure cooker
- Your budget is limited
Choose the Instant Pot Duo Plus if…
- You have small children and need to sterilize their bottles
- The Cake module is important for you
- Sous vide function is important for you.
Both options will save you time spent slaying in the kitchen and will make cooking a more interesting experience. And, while it may take a bit to get the measurements and the ingredients right, once you learn how to use it, each dish will come out perfectly.
Furthermore, bot pots have the same size options and feature the same build. So, you can choose to go with the DUO 60 Plus for more features, but if youre just looking to save space in the kitchen and cook healthier meals for the family, the DUO 60 should be enough.
Also Check: How To Steam Vegetables In The Instant Pot
How Big Is A 6qt Instant Pot
The 6-quart Instant Pot holds 4 quarts of food and is big enough to feed a family of 4 with leftovers. It is the most popular size of Instant Pot.
Because you are only supposed to fill the pot full, the maximum ingredient fill for a 6-quart Instant Pot is 4 quarts.
If you are trying to make sure you have the counter space or cabinet space for one, they are 13.4 inches long, 12.5 inches wide, 12.5 inches tall. It weighs about 13 pounds. So, it takes up a good amount of space and can be pretty heavy.
The 6-quart Instant Pot is the most popular size machine sold, and for a good reason. It feeds a family of 4 comfortably, usually with leftovers.
It is the perfect size if you have a lot of hungry family members.
You can make a huge pot of soup, cook a whole chicken, and batch cook bone broth. And most Instant Pot recipes are written for the 6-quart pot. If you buy anything smaller or bigger, youll have to scale the recipe and adjust cooking times. Some even come with Smart WiFi!
But dont buy the smaller machine because you think cooking time will be faster.
All of the models will cook food in the same amount of time using high pressure. But the larger the model, the longer it will take to come to pressure. It will also take longer to release pressure.
Its not a lot of time, but just keep that in mind when you are considering your options.
Is There A 10 Quart Instant Pot
The 10 quart Duo Nova was discontinued. It was released in early September 2019 and was the only model available at that size. It was difficult to find online because it was not listed with the rest of the series on Amazon originally.
You may still be able to find a 10 quart Instant Pot online or at your local stores, but the inventory is likely limited.
If you need an electric pressure cooker larger than 8 quarts youll need to look at other brands. You may also want to consider contacting the company to let them know you would buy a larger Instant Pot. With enough feedback maybe theyll consider making another 10 quart model.
Also Check: Why Is An Instant Pot So Great
Can You Air Fry In An Instant Pot
You sure can. Where the Ninja Foodi’s crisping lid once had a leg up is no longer Instant Pot’s blind spot. The fall 2019 collection brought the Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which opened the door for a collection of other air-frying Instant Pots with Pro, Plus, or both tacked onto the end of the name. There are also multiple dedicated air frying convection ovens by Instant Brands that do not pressure cook.
For folks who already have an Instant Pot and don’t want to replace it just to buy the Duo Crisp, Instant Pot released a standalone air fryer lid that attaches to regular Instant Pots and turns them into an air fryer. This lid works on all existing models with the exception of the Instant Pot Pro Plus, the now- discontinued Duo Evo Plus, Duo SV, Smart WiFi, or Max. This lid is compatible with the Duo Nova, which is also discontinued.
Still confused about what air frying even is? Read our simplified explanation of the crisping craze and check out some of the best air fryers.
What If You Cant Make It
Dont worry. You can catch the replays or listen to the podcast!
- Come back here to AskWardee.TV all replays will be up within hours of airing live the print notes are always posted at the same time I go live.
- Follow to view the replay.
- Subscribe to the #AskWardee podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, , or the Podcasts app. While youre there, be sure to leave a rating and review!
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What’s The Best Size Instant Pot
Instant Pots and other multi-cookers come in an array of different capacities ranging from 3 quart / 3 liters right up to 8 quart / 7.5 liters, so knowing which size Instant Pot is best for you can be confusing.
For most people, the 6 quart / 5.7-liter size Instant Pot will prove to be the most useful. Instant say this capacity is enough to feed between three and size people depending upon your appetite, so will be ideal for families or those looking to batch cook meals for a handful of people.
The larger 8 quart / 7.5-liter size will be a better fit for bigger families, or anyone cooking on a large scale, such as creating chilies, stews, or curries for a party. Meanwhile, for one or two-person households the smaller 3-quart / 3 liter, Instant Pot will ensure you’re not using additional energy by cooking a small quantity in an Instant Pot that’s just too large for your needs.
It’s worth remembering that not all models of Instant Pot are available in all sizes, so do check before deciding on the best model for you.
Can You Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
Yes. There are a number of recipes devoted to cooking all kinds of foods from their frozen state in an Instant Pot. For some recipes, a little extra time is required to fully cook the meat, but in other cases the extra time required to come up to pressure is enough extra time to completely cook the food.
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What To Consider When Buying An Instant Pot
With such a wide array of models available when it comes to Instant Pots and multi-cookers, choosing the right one for you can be confusing.
Start by considering the different cooking methods offered by the best Instant Pots and multi-cookers, and the dishes you prepare most. While some offer a handful of cooking modes including pressure cooking and slow cooking, others including the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus have as many as 48 different ways of cooking and can do everything including proving bread and making yogurt.
Next look at the capacity the Instant Pot can hold and whether it’s sufficient for the number of people you have to cook for. Multi-cookers with a 6 quart / 5.7-liter capacity and above are ideal for those with a large family to feed, or those that want to batch-cook, while a smaller Instant Pot can hold around 3.2 quarts / 3 liters should suffice for an individual or couple.
On top of that, look out for Instant Pots and multi-cookers that have inner pots that can be used on the stove, when browning meat before slow cooking and are dishwasher safe to make sure you have as few utensils to wash up as possible.
It Helps To Consider What Youll Be Cooking
I know its hard to think of what a 6- or 8-quart Instant Pot can hold. Let me give you some examples.
Whole chickens The 6-quart will fit a 5 to 6-pound whole chicken comfortably. The 8-quart fits 5 to 6-pound whole chickens comfortably side by side.
Yogurt The 6-quart will make 4 to 5 quarts of yogurt comfortably while the 8-quart will make 6 to 7 quarts of yogurt comfortably.
Spaghetti squash A medium-size or 2 smaller will fit in the 6-quart Instant Pot 2 medium or even a large spaghetti squash will fit in the 8-quart.
Batch cooking If you batch cook at all, whether rice, beans, pre-cooked chicken, etc., you will fit more in the 8 quart, making your efforts stretch farther.
Accessories Many of the accessories I chose fit in both the 6-quart and 8-quart Instant Pots. An exception is the stackable pans I showed you in the second video above. Those ONLY fit the 8-quart Instant Pot. However, there is a greater capacity for stacking and using larger containers inside the 8-quart Instant Pot. Wondering what Im talking about? Like making this sourdough cornbread in a 7-cup Pyrex bowl it will fit in either size Instant Pot.
See the second video above for real-life examples of how these foods fit in the 6-quart or 8-quart Instant Pot!
If youd like more ideas for using your Instant Pot, be sure to check out 11 Creative & Surprising Things To Make In The Instant Pot. I think some will astound you!
Back To Size, Though
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First What Is An Instant Pot
Before diving into all the models, let us explain how an Instant Pot actually works. The Instant Pot is a multicooker appliance that can perform the functions of a variety of appliances in one tool. Every Instant Pot model can slow cook, pressure cook, keep your food warm and sauté, and all models can effectively cook rice, meat and soups. No matter which model you pick, you’ll get a pressure cooker that will help you prepare dishes in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.
Are Instant Pots Safe
You may have heard stories in the past of exploding pressure cookers that resulted from a malfunctioning unit or a random case of bad luck.
Instant Pots have multiple built-in safety mechanisms such as lid closing and locking mechanisms, anti-blockage vents, automatic temperature controls, high temperature and burn warnings, pressure regulation and excess pressure protection mechanisms, and extreme temperature and power protection features. These safety features help to prevent accidental fires and other dangerous situations, and encountering a risky Instant Pot situation is pretty rare.
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What Is An Instant Pot And Why Is Everyone Obsessed With It
Imagine having a slow cooker that also functions as a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, a steamer, and a yogurt maker. Thats the Instant Pot. Its simply an electric pot that lets you cook fast or slow. People love it because its a convenient, time-saving device that lets them quickly cook dinner without having to keep an eye on the stove.
What Can I Cook In An Instant Pot
The best Instant Pots offer a range of different cooking methods, which means there are a plethora of different dishes that can be created in Instant Pots and multi-cookers. Slow cooking means you can use cheaper but tougher cuts of meat and cook them low and slow to make casseroles and stews, while pressure cooking speeds up cooking times, making it great for ribs and chicken wings. However, you can even bake cakes – in particular, we found making cheesecake in an Instant Pot was very good, air fry foods like fries, and even hard-boiled eggs. You can find an extensive variety of recipes at instantpot.com.
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