Instant Pot Duo Plus 8
Normally $160, Now $140
Looking for a little more capacity in your Instant Pot? This 8-quart version of the Instant Pot Duo Plus does it allpressure cooks, sautés, steams, slow cooks, sous vides, and moreand also makes it easier to prepare a meal for a crowd without taking up much more space in your kitchen. The lowest price we’ve seen for this is $70 .
By swapping this lid for the one that came on your 6-quart Instant Pot, you can turn the appliance into an air fryer and dehydrator. The heater and fan are built into the lid , and it also comes with an air fryer basket and dehydrating/broiling tray.
The lowest price we’ve seen for this is $46.
Instant Pot Silicone Cover
Normally $20, Now $14 at Walmart
This cover creates an air- and water-tight seal on an Instant Pot stainless steel inner potso you can just pop the pot out of the Instant Pot and put it in the fridge without needing to transfer anything or dirty another vessel. When youre done with it, throw it in the dishwasher for quick cleaning.
Lets Try The Quick Release
Back to our pot of water: Activate the steam release valve to the venting position. Keep your face and fingers away from the top of the knob where the steam vents.
The steam will come shooting up and be a little noisy.
Releasing all of the steam can take a minute or more. The more liquid in the cooker, the longer the release will take.
Coco Morante
Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Pork Loin In Instant Pot
Can Instant Pots Really Replace Other Kitchen Appliances
Instant pots are equipped with a ton of pre-programmed buttons, ranging from slow cook to yogurt. The slow cook option allows the Instant Pot to let off some steam , but the other settings dont do anything special, theyre just pre-set pressure cooking times. In fact, most Instant Pot chefs suggest avoiding these buttons in favor of the simple pressure cook button.
Knowing this, its worth asking whether or not an Instant Pot can replace your other appliances. And the answer is a solid maybe. It depends on what youre cooking and what youre coking with.
An Instant Pot can replace your rice cooker, veggie steamer, or hard-boiled egg maker a little better than it can a slow cooker. In some instances, the Instant Pot can replace your slow cooker, too.
In our experience, slow cooker recipes dont always carry over to the Instant Pot. This comes down to the fact that, while slow cookers release a decent amount of steam, pressure cookers retain steam, which prevents reduction . Although to be fair, you may be able to modify the recipe to suit the Instant Pot.
The other big advantage to a dedicated slow cooker is that its easy to pop the lid off to give things a stir or add new ingredients over time. Thats a little more complicated with an Instant Pot.
However, the Instant Pot is reasonably good at all those tasks. If you dont already own those other gadgets , the Instant Pot is worth taking a look at.
Prepare For Pot Roast Overkill
Do you live off pot roast, brisket and shredded pork/chicken for dinner? Buy an Instant Pot and suddenly youll be eating a lot of it. These tried-and-true recipes are what Instant Pot die-hards swear by there are over 9 million pulled pork recipes alone online, but the quality is questionable depending on whom you ask. I know people cook brisket, pork shoulder, and baby back ribs in the Instant Pot and love the convenience. It just cant compare to the product that one gets using a pellet grill, offset smoker, or charcoal grill with the same recipe. In my opinion, the Instant Pot is all about convenience at the detriment of flavor and texture, and even then, its not very convenient, says Gafford of The Barbecue Lab.
Insider Tip: If youve got a smoker and fancy some Texas-style pulled pork, check out Davids recipe.
Read Also: How Long Do You Steam Frozen Tamales
Food From A Slow Cooker Tastes Better Than Food From The Instant Pot
No matter what I made, everything in the Instant Pot tasted bland or off compared to how the exact recipe tasted in my slow cooker. This makes sense, because the pot is stainless steel, and I personally dont like drinking out of stainless steel cups of any kind for the very reason that it makes things taste a little off. I thought it might just be me, but members of my family said the same thing about all the Instant Pot meals I served them.
The Instant Pot also made my food taste too watery no matter how many times I adjusted the liquid and the seasonings. This problem doesnt happen in my mini or large slow cooker at all. Ive also heard many other people say the same thing about their Instant Pot, but they still use it for the convenience. Of course, I have heard other people say they love the flavor of their Instant Pot meals. To each her own on this, I suppose.
Instant Pot Pro Crisp 11
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp comes with an air-fryer attachment. The 8-quart model can accommodate a whole chicken. Its fry temperature goes up to 400 degrees. You can use this Instant Pot to reheat French fries, experiment with a healthier version of fried chicken, and so much more.
Best Buys Black Friday deal on this model is now over, but you can still snag this powerful Instant Pot model at its $250 MSRP.
Also Check: Reheat Ribs In Instant Pot
So Theres A Debate Out There Amongst Those Who Havent Purchased A Pressure Cooker Yet Instant Pot Vs Crock Pot Express Which One Should You Buy And What Is The Difference Between The Two You Might Ask I Have The Answers For You From Someone Who Uses Both Every Day I Love Them Both But They Are Different
Ok so I am a busy mom and was excited to try the Instant Pot when I first got one last Christmas. This year I got a Crockpot Express and now use both. I am here to say theyre not the same, and will share whats the difference between the Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot Express here today so you can make an educated decision if youre thinking of buying one or the other.
What are they you might ask??
Well both pots have several functions, one of the most popular ones being a pressure cooker. You may be familiar with the old fashioned pressure cookers that were set on your stovetop, had a really large lid, and didnt have many of the safety features these fancy multi function pressure cookers have today. Back in the day it was a bit scary for some to use one because when the pressure was released it didnt have an option to release slowly AND release quickly with just a small knob, these have somewhat solved that issue and Ive never had an apprehension in using either one.
I just follow the guidelines to keep my hands, face, and all body parts away from the steam valve when releasing it and Ive never had an issue.
Lets be honest though. If youre new to pressure cooking or using either an Instant Pot or Crock Pot Express it can be intimidating.
There are a lot of buttons and you dont know how long to cook anything.
What Can An Instant Pot Do
There are many uses for an Instant Pot. Its not just used for pressure cooking, although thats its primary function. You can also use it as a slow cooker and rice cooker, or to bake, make yogurt, and even do some canning. See the list below for a complete list of what the Instant Pot is capable of.
Some of the uses vary by model, so if youre set on doing one particular thing, youll want to make sure you get the appropriate model.
- Pressure cooker
- Sous Vide
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You Can Use The Instant Pot To Reheat Food For Real
I was kind of skeptical on how you could reheat food in the Instant Pot at first. I mean, if youre reheating stew or soup or something else thats okay to touch the cooking surface, I can see how it would work. But what if it was a casserole or shredded chicken wouldnt that make a mess? Or ruin the leftovers?
Solution steamer insert pans. These pans fit in 5, 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot and allow you to put food inside while putting water or something else on the outside. The Instant Pot heats the water, and the water reheats your leftovers. Done!!
How To Find Instant Pot Recipes
Now that youre comfortable using this new electric appliance, youre ready to branch out and start to look for some other fun recipes to try.
There are plenty of home cooks who share their favorite recipes, tips, and adaptations on blogs and popular Instant Pot Facebook groups. We have our own collection of Instant Pot recipes on this site. When you join our mailing list, we also have a free Instant Pot Cookbook to share with you.
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Don’t Miss: Pork Sirloin Tip Roast In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Official 8
Normally $50, Now $28
One of the beauties of Instant Pot is its versatility, and the wide range of accessories, add ons and conveniences available. This cook and bake set allows you to multi-task, maximize and otherwise further enjoy your device. Features two round pans / pan stackers and two snap-fit silicone lids.
So Many Recipes So Little Time
12. There are a million, billion, trillion, gajillion Instant Pot recipes on the Internet. Not kidding here.
Social media is driving the Instant Pots popularity. Its has nearly half a million members. The various models have nearly 18,000 reviews on Amazon.
Fans love to share their recipes for chicken or chili or risotto or weirder uses like popcorn or cheesecake. Some good places to start are here, here or here.
13. Some recipes take longer than their titles indicate. Sure, the recipe might be called 1-minute quinoa or 7-minute rice or 20-minute beef stew, but its going to take longer than that. It can take 10-15 minutes for the device to build up pressure before cooking, plus more time to release the pressure after the cooking.
14. Use a cup of liquid to cook meat. When youre starting out, a good rule of thumb is to use one cup of liquid when youre pressure-cooking meat. That could include broth, water, soy sauce, etc. Too much liquid will dilute the flavor.
15. It has a cool lid. One food blogger, Dad Cooks Dinner, says his favorite feature is the built-in lid holders on top of the Instant Pot. When you remove the hot lid, you dont have to set it down on the counter. You can fit a tab on the side of the lid into either of the Instant Pots handles, and the lid still stand up on its side.
For safety reasons, open the lid away from you. And never force the Instant Pot open.
Also Check: Instant Pot Flashing Lid
In Terms Of Function Which Instant Pot Should You Buy
Different models offer different capabilities. Some LUX models have cake and egg functions, the DUO has the yogurt, bean/chili, and poultry functions, and the SMART model is blue-tooth compatible. Then there are the ULTRA and NOVA and DUO PLUS models to consider too.
Personally, you can cook almost anything with the basic Instant pot. As long as you have the manual button and a pressure release valve, I think youre good to go.
There Are Tons Of Great Instant Pot Recipes
The Instant Pot also delivers variety. Between the app, cookbooks, and innumerable blogs, novel recipes are just a click away. Easy dishes like an Instant Pot whole chicken are great for weeknights while time-saving staples like Instant Pot beef stew or our 5-Ingredient Instant Pot Mac and Cheese are ready in a snap. Whats more, the Intelligent Programming and Save Customized Cooking settings on the LUX and DUO models memorize your preferred settings and learn to cook your meal exactly the way you like it every time.
If you are already making your own yogurt weekly, or are looking for a way to make faster curry, the Instant Pot might be your dream machine.
Get the recipe for Instant Pot Chicken Adobo
Also Check: Converting Crock Pot Recipes To Instant Pot
What Comes In The Box
Depending on your specific model of Instant Pot, in the box you should generally find:
- An owners manual, for one. Its boring and confusing, which is why you are reading this.
- A big ol lid.
- A silicone gasket that fits in a ring under the lid. Some models come with a spare gasket: one for milder foods, and one for strongly spiced foods like chili or curry. You can switch gaskets to keep the smell from carrying over into your next recipe.
- The cooker itself .
- A detachable power cord.
- The metal insert, a.k.a. the stainless steel pot that actually holds the food.
- A small translucent plastic drip catcher to collect condensation. .
- A metal steaming rack. You may or may not use this a lot, but hang onto it anyway.
Alison Conklin
Replaces Several Other Kitchen Gadgets
Like we mentioned earlier, while it can cook simple things like soups, pastas, rice, boiled eggs etc., it can actually do some amazing things as well. You can even make your store bought style Greek yogurt and cheesecake in this genie pot. You can even cook different dishes at the same time using the stacking method. Forget about soaking your beans, now you can just throw them into the pot and have a bean soup ready in no time
Read Also: Boiling Water In An Instant Pot
How To Choose An Instant Pot Model
If you arent sure which one to buy, Instant Pot model comparison can be a bit overwhelming. Thats because you can select from eight different models within five distinct product series ranging in size , and features .
Beginner meal makers can take advantage of the 10 Smart Built-in Programs found in the Lux Series models, while intermediate cooks can play with the 14 programs in the Duo and Duo Plus models. True Instant Pot enthusiasts can wield the Bluetooth enabled, Ultra model and its whopping 16 programs to expand their repertoire to include yogurt, cake, eggs, and even sterilized baby bottles.
Be sure to consider how you cook now. Are you a big batch cooker, or are you more prone to making smaller meals for a family of two? Go through some of your favourite recipes and consider which ones could be made faster or better in an Instant Pot. Do you make a lot of braises, stews, grains, yogurt, legumes already? This will help you decide the model and size best fit for your cooking habits.
If you are in the market to replace your ageing slow cooker, this might be a good option, as it can be used in a variety of ways.
Enjoy This Appliance To The Fullest With These Top Recipe Collections
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Best New Release:
The meals appeal to adults and kids alike and will feed a family of four or more in rapid time.
So, you’ve had an Instant Pot for a while now but still don’t know where to begin, or maybe you followed in the footsteps of countless other home cooks and finally bought one. You likely made the investment for the same reason they have: It’s a multi-purpose kitchen appliance that can help you make almost every type of dish imaginable. But the Instant Pot’s versatility can also be dauntingit can pressure-cook, sauté, braise, and steam? It can whip up both keto and vegan dishes? Plus, there are so many Instant Pot cookbooks out there, of varying credibility, making it harder to know where to begin. That’s why we’ve done the work for you.
Here, the best Instant Pot cookbooks to get you experimenting in the kitchen in no time.
Don’t Miss: Ninja Foodi Frozen Tamales
Instant Pot Is Not Instant
One of the most common questions I see in the Instant Pot communities is: What brand of Instant Pot should I buy? This question actually does not make sense because Instant Pot is a name of a brand.
What people actually mean is: What brand of an electric pressure cooker should I buy? However, Instant Pot brand is now one of the most popular on the market so it became almost synonymous to saying electric pressure cooker.
Now, is Instant Pot instant? No! BIG NO! But naming the brand Not too quick but faster than average cooking pot wouldnt be a good marketing decision so its called Instant Pot.
First Things First What Is An Instant Pot
Links in this post are Amazon affiliate links to products we love.
The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker but also a slow cooker, yogurt maker, rice cooker, big sauté pot, steamer, and more. We have the 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo which is what we use for all our Instant Pot recipes. They also make a 3-Quart Instant Pot Mini and a hefty 8-quart Instant Pot.
The Instant Pot is an absolute game-changer, especially on busy nights. Most recipes are dump and cook, and all you have to do is set it all up and then WALK AWAY to do other fun stuff like watch TV, walk your dog, clean your house, have a dance party, etc.
BONUS: it also cooks food way faster than other ways to cook and its all done in one pot. Do you get why we love this thing yet?
If youre still not convinced, the Instant Pot is PRIME for meal prepping and freezer meals no thawing required. You can check out all our freezer meal Instant Pot recipes here if youre into that kind of stuff .
Well also just drop the obvious: its also a pretty excellent gift for a certain holiday coming around the corner.
Alright, lets get on with it. Here are some of our favorite ways to use this little gem.
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