What Exactly Is an Instant Pot, and Is It Worth the Money?

So you’ve heard of Instant Pots but aren’t sure whether they’re right for you. It is understandable. After all, these kitchen equipment may be rather pricey. Are they worth the money? What would you even do with them? Why are they occupying North America?

Fortunately for you, I’m here today to answer all of your burning questions. I’ll explain what an Instant Pot is, why it’s so handy, what you can do with it, and why it’s one of the finest purchases you’ll ever make. Before you go out and purchase one, you’ll need to know these things. Keep an eye out.

What Makes an Instant Pot Special?

Instant Pot is a brand that specializes in electric pressure cookers. Because of the built-up pressure and high temperatures, their pots cook food exceptionally quickly.

There was a period when this was the sole producer producing electric pressure cookers. But, as time passed, more brands entered the market and launched alternatives. Despite the fact that those later versions are offered by a different manufacturer, we still refer to them as Instant Pots. Please keep this in mind.

The versatility of the Instant Pot is what makes it so wonderful. It has a plethora of various cooking settings, which is why it is referred to as a multi-cooker. It may also be used to replace other kitchen equipment. An Instant Pot, for example, may be used as a rice cooker, yogurt maker, and egg cooker.

Another advantage is how fast it can prepare dishes. Something that normally takes hours to prepare may be ready to serve and eat in less than an hour. Isn’t it cool?

Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Crock-Pot, Instant Pot. Is There a Difference?

While seeking to purchase an Instant Pot, you’ll likely hear all of these terms. Be aware that these are not all the same kitchen item! If you are not cautious, you may wind yourself purchasing something you do not want. Let’s break it down to make sure that doesn’t happen.

Slow Cooker and Crock-Pot

A slow cooker is a kitchen gadget that cooks dishes under low pressure for up to eight hours. It’s ideal for stews since it cooks at a low temperature for an extended period of time. It breaks down the flesh, making it delightfully soft. As a result, if you’re looking for a fast supper, this isn’t it.

A crockpot is basically the same cooking equipment as a slow cooker, except it is manufactured by the well-known company Crock-Pot. This company’s name got synonymous with electric slow cooker technology since it was one of the first to invest in it. Slow cookers, in any case, are incredibly simple to use.

Keep in mind that the Instant Pot may also be used as a slow cooker. After all, it’s essentially an electronic pressure cooker!

Pressure Cooker

You’ve probably seen a standard stovetop pressure cooker. These kitchen equipment have been around for quite some time. Pressure cookers resemble regular pots but have a whistle-like steam valve on top to relieve the pressure.

The pressure cooker’s purpose is to shorten cooking times. They do this by heating at greater pressures and increasing the boiling point of water. Pressure cookers may achieve considerably higher temperatures inside this method, which speeds things up. If this sounds frightening, you are not alone. Yet, using a pressure cooker isn’t as difficult as you would imagine! It does pay off in the end.

Instant Pots may function in the same manner. When you choose high pressure, the pot will lock and create pressure. You’ll know when your meal is done since the LED panel will indicate it. Then just open the steam release valve to relieve pressure. It’s really that easy.

What Can You Make in an Instant Pot?

There are several dishes that can be prepared in an electric multi-cooker. It all relies on your imagination and the model you have (more on that later). Moreover, this device is ideal for meal preparation. Let’s split things down by category to give you a fast idea of the worlds of cuisine that await you.

Steamed Vegetables

You may not realize it, but Instant Pots can be used to steam a variety of veggies. It’s really one of the fastest dishes you can make with your new equipment. Place the vegetables in the steam basket, seal the pot, and set the pressure cooker to manual. You’ll have your vegetables ready to eat in less than two minutes.

Cooked Grains

This electric multi-cooker may also function as a rice cooker. The Instant Pot can handle anything from white rice to wild rice and brown rice. You may even experiment with cooking pseudocereals in it. Furthermore, why not prepare some oatmeal in your electric multi-purpose pot? For a more nutritious boost, try it with oats, buckwheat, and quinoa.

Pasta Dishes

Who doesn’t like a tasty pasta dish? I certainly do. Did you know you can use the pressure cooker pre-set to reduce the time it takes to cook pasta? While the pasta is cooking, prepare any desired toppings. You can even whip up a pot of mac and cheese in under five minutes!

Stews

Throughout the winter, I like a delicious stew. And, although I enjoy having an excuse to use my slow cooker, when I’m in a rush, I grab for the Instant Pot. It instantly tenderizes meat and imparts a lovely earthy taste to the meal.

Yogurt

Amazingly, you can create large amounts of yogurt in one of these Instant Pots without using a yogurt machine. And, although the procedure may take around 12 hours, it is an excellent method to save a significant amount of money!

(Tip: If you sterilize baby bottles using a yogurt maker, you can do the same with the Instant Pot.)

Soups

Nothing beats a large bowl of warm soup as the weather begins to chill. Experiment with whatever veggies are in season where you live. In less than an hour, you’ll have a fantastic lunch for very little money.

Hard-Boiled Eggs

It’s simple to cook eggs in an electric multi-cooker Pot. Make full use of the high pressure level cooking setting by using the inner wire rack. Next, peel them and store them in the fridge for a protein boost in the morning.

Whole Chunks of Meat

You may cook any piece of meat in your Instant Pot as long as it fits inside. Skinless chicken breasts, a whole bird, ribs—whatever you want. Be sure to season it well and make side dishes (such as mashed potatoes and creamed corn) to accompany it!

Cooked Legumes

If, like me, you often forget to soak dry beans the night before, an Instant Pot will come in handy. You can prepare many cups of chickpeas, beans, and lentils in thirty minutes.

Air Fried Chips

The latest (and most costly) Instant Pot versions also have an air fryer oven attachment. I know, it’s insane. If you want to indulge a bit, air frying is now an option! It’s a delightfully nutritious substitute for deep-frying that requires just a few droplets of canola or olive oil.

Is It Safe to Cook in an Instant Pot?

Any equipment that uses increased heat and pressure to cook food tends to frighten even the most seasoned home chef. You have nothing to worry about with Instant Pots. They’ve been created and equipped with several safety features to keep you safe at all times. For example, if the pressure inside is dangerous to you, the lid will lock until part of the pressure is released via the valve. Moreover, a silicone ring seals the pressure in, preventing any mishaps from occurring.

Which Instant Pot Model to Choose?

I’m sure you can see all of the benefits of owning this sort of cooking device by now. The next step is to decide which of the several models to choose. You must first choose which qualities are most essential to you. Since there are so many, I’ll summarize the most popular Instant Pot models for you.

• The classic is the Instant Pot Duo. If you don’t know which model to choose and aren’t too finicky about the settings, this one is ideal.
• The Instant Pot Duo Nova is the most user-friendly and ideal for novices.
• The only model that can bake and air fry is the Instant Pot Duo Crisp.
• The Instant Pot Ultra is a more sophisticated model that allows you to completely personalize all of the pre-sets that come with it. It is ideal for chefs who desire complete control over the cooking process.
• Since it allows you to link your appliance with your phone over Wi-Fi, the Instant Pot Smart Wifi is ideal for a tech-savvy chef. This means you can monitor and manage the cooking process from afar.

In addition to selecting a model, you will need to choose the volume of your pot. The majority of models come in 3-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart, and 10-quart capacities.