Known for its ability to whip up quick yet healthy meals, the Instant Pot has truly taken the world by storm. As you’re probably already aware I’m sure, the multi-cooker boasts a number of features including the abilities to slow cook and pressure cook. Versatile and convenient, more and more individuals have chosen to replace their kitchen gadgets with the 7-in-1- and for a good reason! Why clutter your kitchen counter with multiple appliances when you can just have one that does the job?
Today, countless home cooks swear by the Instant Pot- in fact, there are dozens of sites on which they trade recipes and tips. If anything, the multi-cooker is slowly becoming a necessity in the kitchen.
Instant Pot: A Closer Look at Its Functions
Before we delve into this, it’s important to note that the exact features differ from model to model. With that said, the underlying functions are the same. Let’s take a look at some of the Instant Pot’s main functions below.
Electric Pressure Cooking: You can easily prepare yourself a yummy meal ahead of time with its ability to act as a programmable pressure cooker. Easy-to-use, simply plop your ingredients into the pot, customize your settings, and press start!
Slow Cooking: Are you into cooking pot roasts and stews? Look no further for the Instant Pot is fabulous at preparing such dishes- simply use it as a slow cooker!
Rice Cooking: Perhaps you’d like to make some rice? Why cook it on the stovetop when you can simply use the Instant Pot’s “Rice Cooker” function? Just add your rice into the inner pot, along with the appropriate amount of water- and you’re done, easy!
Sautéing Pan: Need to salute some onions and garlic for your meal? Just pop it into the pot, and press the Saute/Brown button.
Steaming: The steaming function is incredibly handy when it comes to cooking frozen food- not only that, but you can use it to steam things such as vegetables, eggs, and even seafood!
Keep Warm: Don’t want your food to get cold? You’ll be happy to know that the Instant Pot comes with a “keep warm” function that does exactly that- it keeps your food warm, so you can easily eat it later.
Yogurt Making: Why buy yogurt from the store when you can make it yourself out of scratch? It has never been easier with the multi-cookers “Yogurt Maker” function.
*Not available with the Lux model
Instant Pot: How Many Models Are There?
As you can probably expect, there are a number of models out there when it comes to the Instant Pot. Below, we’ll be going over some of the differences.
Instant Pot Lux: Perhaps the most “basic” option of them all, the Lux comes with six different features (all of the above, except for yogurt making). One of the more inexpensive options, it’s great for those who are looking to get started with an Instant Pot but is on a tight budget.
Available in 3, 5, 6, and 8-quart sizes
Instant Pot Duo: The most successful model, the Duo is a “7-in-1”, in that it does everything that we’ve listed above. In contrast to its predecessor, which only has one pressure setting, it comes with two (i.e. low and high) for more precise cooking.
Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes
Instant Pot Duo Plus: A step up from the Duo, the Duo Plus does everything that the former does, with the addition of “sterilize” and “egg/cake” settings. Not only that, but it boasts a larger screen for easier viewing.
Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes
Instant Pot Ultra: The newest and fanciest model, the Ultra comes with a special “Ultra” setting, which allows you to customize your cooking to the next level. If you’re looking for something to tinker and play with, this is the one you want.
Available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes
Instant Pot Smart: Perfect for those who are tech-savvy, the Smart not only offers a larger screen, but it also comes with a programmable app that can be connected to the Instant Pot via Bluetooth. With the use of recipe scripts (which can be fully customizable), the possibilities are truly endless.
Available only as a 6 quart
Instant Pot Gem: Despite being one of the newer additions to the Instant Pot Family, the Gem does not offer any pressure cooking capabilities. If anything, it’s closer to being a “fancy slow cooker” than a multi-cooker. Nonetheless, it’s another solid choice for those who are looking for a reliable appliance.
Available only as a 6 quart
Instant Pot: Pros and Cons
What’s good about the Instant Pot? We’ll briefly go over some of its pros and cons below.
Pros:
– Extremely versatile as a seven-in-one multi-cooker
– Cooks food up to 70% faster
– A variety of models to choose from, depending on your needs
– Comes with a one year warranty
– Easy to clean
Cons
– It might take some getting used to at the beginning
– Some of the fancier models can be more expensive
So Should I Get an Instant Pot?
With all that the Instant Pot can do, there’s no question that it’d be a vital asset in the kitchen. Having said that, is it suitable for your needs? Hopefully, we’ll be able to answer this question for you below.
You might want to consider getting an Instant Pot if you…
– Want to prepare healthy, home-cooked meals ahead of time (i.e. so that they’re ready when you get home)
– Want to reduce clutter on the kitchen counter
– Don’t want to spend as much time cooking on the stove top
– Want to tinker with all of its features and functionalities
– Want something reliable that can be used to cook a variety of dishes
Instant Pot: 5 Things You Need To Know
Whether you already have an Instant Pot or is contemplating on buying one, there are some things that you should keep in mind about the multi-cooker. We’ll be going over them below.
1.) It’s Great At Saving You Money
For many individuals, the ability to make home-cooked meals on the fly significantly cuts down on the number of times that they eat out. With how expensive restaurants can be nowadays, it’s a no-brainer that the Instant Pot is capable of saving some major bucks. Did we also mention that it uses up to 70% less energy compared to traditional cooking methods? This means that you’ll also be paying less for your electricity bill!
2.) It Makes Eating Healthy Meals Easier
Our second point ties in nicely with the previous in that it’s easier to eat healthier when you’re not eating out all the time. Instead, you can whip up delicious, home-cooked meals with the Instant Pot.
In fact, did you know that that was the reasoning behind the invention of the appliance? Robert Wang and his team had wanted to develop a gadget that was capable of preparing easy-to-cook yet delicious meals for their families, in efforts of eating healthier at home.
3.) It Can Require Some Getting Used to at the Beginning
Considering all that it can do, this shouldn’t be surprising. With all the buttons and settings that it has, it might be a little overwhelming at first. Slowly, as you get used to it, however, things will be easier. A good tip is to sit down and give the instruction manual a thorough read before starting.
If you want to start off with some simple recipes, it might be a good idea to perhaps try cooking simple items such as eggs, and vegetables.
4.) It’s Easy to Clean
Are you worried about the cleanup? Don’t be! The way the Instant Pot is designed, several components can be taken apart and be put safely into the dishwasher. We recommend getting a nice instant pot scrub brush set and cleaning between “cooks” will only take a couple minutes! For more information on how to clean the different parts, Instant Pot has a guide on their official website, which you can check out here.
5.) It’s Extremely Safe to Use
Designed with safety in mind, the Instant Pot comes with 10 different safety mechanisms, so that you can cook with ease. These include Lid Close Detection, Automatic Pressure Control, Automatic Temperature Control, Anti-blockage Vent, and more.
…and there you have it! Five points to consider when it comes to the Instant Pot.
