Instant Pot - need quick advice for Cyber Monday deal

[intrepidity]

Last edited Mon Dec 2, 2019, 05:46 PM - Edit history (2)

The Duo 60 7-in-1 is $50 on Amazon today.

I know next to nothing about the various models, just that I want one. I have limited counter space so figure the 6qt is the way to go. My first dish will be Pho.

Should I just take the plunge, or are there options i may regret not having?

TIA

ETA: What features *doesn't* this model have, that I may regret not having? I saw one that bakes a cake, will this one?

ETA2: For another $15, this model has cake, egg and sterilize functions! I think my mind is made

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Plus-60-Programmable/dp/B01NBKTPTS?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1

[hlthe2b]

1. That's the one I have and it was important to me to have the yogurt making function, which it does

Size is perfect for all but the largest family (they DO have a 8-quart too). I think I paid about that several years ago--also on a "deal" from Amazon.

I use mine for yogurt twice weekly and for soups, stews, beans usually once every other week--though I probably could use it more. (I tend to cook batches and freeze so that I don't cook every day)

[intrepidity]

2. This is going to be the lamest question ever...

Can I just punch in a time, rather than a program?

[hlthe2b]

3. Yes.. I usual the manual settings for pressure cooker all the time--also to saute' and

slow cooking. I will never hard-boil eggs any other way again. Very easy and quick.

[intrepidity]

4. Excellent. Thanks for the speedy replies!

[uppityperson]

5. That's the one I got also. There are programs but also manually enter

time and pressure. 6 qts is a good size. It's a handy device and doesn't take up a lot of room.

[intrepidity]

7. Thank you nt

[uppityperson]

9. They come with minimal recipes but there are books to buy or Internet to search

[hlthe2b]

10. tons of internet sites. I just search for what I want to cook followed by instant pot and usually

get multiple options.

[global1]

6. Does It Have An Air Crisper Feature?....

A friend of mine bought a pressure cooker like the InstaPot and learned that it had limitations. He was really enthusiastic when he first started using it. The enthusiasm wore off after he realized that he didn't have the ability to crisp certain dishes up.

He uses his pot only occasionally now and it takes up counter space in his kitchen. When I told him I was interested in getting a pressure cooker - he told me to make sure that it had an air crisper feature - as it would give me a greater range of usage.

So far I haven't made the plunge. Let me know what you decide to do.

[hlthe2b]

8. No. For that you need to spend $170 or more for the Ninja "foodie"...

No thanks. I'm fine with my $50 instant pot. If you want to air fry, I think there are other options such as the many counter toaster type ovens that provide that feature in a larger format so that you aren't limited to cut-up foods.

[intrepidity]

12. Ah, huge price difference

I'm with you, 50 is enough

[global1]

13. Just Remembered He Sent Me A Link To A Product He Said I Should Consider.....

Here's the link: https://mealthy.com/

This one has an air crisper attachment.

[hlthe2b]

14. So that product apparently WOULD convert an Instant Pot into a air-fryer.

[global1]

18. My Understanding Is That It Converts Any Pressure Cooker Into An Air Fryer.....

I guess it would fit on an InstaPot.

I think I'm gonna bite the bullet and treat myself to a Christmas present. I'm gonna buy both the pressure cooker and the air crisper from this Mealthy company.

[intrepidity]

11. Lol....this was what worried me

Although tbh, until you just mentioned it, such a function would never even occur to me.

Even now, I'm trying to imagine when I would need that, lol. Give me a few mins and it will become necessary.

Indecision sucks.

[customerserviceguy]

15. I love my instapot

The only problem I have is the amount of space it takes up, I keep it in a box in the attached garage when it's not in use. I'd probably use it more if I had it in the kitchen.

[intrepidity]

16. BTW, here's my inspiration for the Pho

And actually, the main reason I want one of these

https://m.

[hlthe2b]

19. Must be good. BTW, let the IP depressurize for 15 min before turning the knob to avoid his

catastrophe.

I like PHO, but don't know about the cartilage.

[intrepidity]

22. Noted, thanks.

Does his seem to be the 8-quart model?

[hlthe2b]

23. He comments on it being six liter and he overfilled past the 5 liter mark with fluid while

not accomodating the extra volume of the meat.

[intrepidity]

26. I noticed that

but while researching, learned that the actual capacity of the 8qt is closer to 6qts, so then I wondered if he actually had the 8.

[procon]

17. I've had an instant pot and an air fryer for about a year.

Bought each when they were heavily discounted on sale so I got great deals and use the two in combination. The instant pot I probably use daily so they sit side by side on my countertop. I cook for everything from breakfast or brunch like hot cereal, omelets, frittata and egg burritos. Entrees recipes are endless from casserole, soups, meats, and everything is super fast and one pot meals are easy with minimal clean up. Desserts are wonderful, cheesecakes, the best chocolate cake from scratch, fruits, puddings, breads... Yum!

Black Friday sales got me the new Ninja Foodi pressure cooker with the crisper lid at half price. Arrived yesterday and I'm cooking chicken thighs in the pressure cooker and then finish them off with the crisper for dinner. In my instant pot I'm going to cook potatoes for mashed, and a second layer will make an apple crisp dessert.

Either way, it's a time saver and it's fast, so these nifty modern pressure cookers really makes cooking fun. I would only suggest that you buy the larger size as they are more versatile for cooking a wider variety of foods and recipes.

[intrepidity]

24. 6 vs 8

You caused me to go back and do addl research, thanks.

I ended up going with the Duo Plus model 6qt for $65. Typically I would rather have the larger but a few points sold me.

1) cord detachable (not on 8qt)
2) 1kw vs 1200w
3) 12lbs vs 15

The footprint diff is small but not zero.

So, for same price I could get the Duo 8 or the Duo Plus 6 (3 addl programs on the Plus)

The cord and power issue decided it for me. I will just have to live with the lower capacity.

Thanks for the input, to everyone. It will be here Thursday!

[TreasonousBastard]

20. Relax. Walmart also has it for 50 bucks as does Kohls and a few others...

although I don't know how long the price will last.

I try not to order from Amazon because they are now the new Walmart, and I try not to jump on to silly trends, like Instant Pot, although I love the idea of pressure cookers. I'm considering upgrading to one with the fryer accessory.

I have a Cuisinart pressure cooker that is almost identical to this Insta Pot you are looking at, and it works just fine. May even be the same Chinese factory made them.

Anyway, the concept of the pressure cooker is an oldie but goodie. They ran out of fashion for a time because the old stovetop ones occasionally had the safety valves clog and the thing would blow up. Rare, but it did happen. More safety advantages like a safety switch, reduces the explosions to maybe nothing.

The good news is that the high pressure is to allow the steam to get hotter than the normal boiling point of water, which is how it cooks so fast. The bad news is that it could take 20 minutes or so for the water t get that hot-- still faster, but not by so much any more.

Many of the things this gadget is lauded for could be just as easily done in a cheaper crockpot that you can keep running all day. Or night. Much cooking is not dependent on quick steam but on time. This thing will do that but less conveniently than a crockpot.

You don't say what sort of pho recipe you'll be using, and there are a lot of them, but considering its roots in Asian street cooking, perhaps the crockpot would actually be best, since you'll probably be using the pressure function a bit less.

Anyway, have fun with it. Bon appetit!

[intrepidity]

25. Posted link above to Pho recipe

Thanks for all the input. I actually grew up using an old-school pressure cooker, so yeah, all caveats noted. I learned young to tremble in fear and awe at their power, lol.

I've wanted one of these for awhile, so it wasn't an impulse exactly. Just noticed the price and went for it.

Watch that video above and post what you think.

[Freddie]

21. Daughter loves her Instant Pot

And she’s not really an enthusiastic cook. Was a Christmas present from me last year. This year I got her an air fryer so she can make chicken nuggets and fries for Picky Grandkids while making real
food in the instant pot.