So what’s the craze of this Instant Pot? It’s just a pressure cooker, right? Well that’s what I thought too, but I have used the stovetop pressure cookers throughout my life and the Instant Pot was an interesting twist to the concept. Lets take a closer look at what it has to offer.
Instant Pot Features
The Instant Pot is 7 things in one appliance.
- Pressure cooker
- steamer
- slow cooker,
- sauté pan
- yogurt maker
- rice maker
- stove/oven
.
Instant Pot Benefits
The stainless steel insert, which is great, because you don’t have to worry about the toxins from Teflon or any other type of non-stick material to get into your food.
Helps Save time and energy.
Pressure cooking helps maintain vitamins,minerals and flavor in food.
Portability it can be used while on vacation or camping as long as you have electric you can cook a nice home cooked meal.
Another added benefit is the one pot meal.
Accessories
There are many accessories that can be acquired for the Instant Pot.
The glass lid, can be used while sautéing of meats and vegetables, and making popcorn.
A spring form pan can also used for so many recipes like lasagna, meatloaf or cheesecakes.
The egg steamer rack is another accessories that is used quite a lot, but if you don’t have this at first the rack that came with it can also be used.
Suggestion, get a second stainless steel insert for a back up in case you want to reset the Instant Pot and add to the meal.
Also having a second Instant Pot seal would be an asset also, just in case it tears or so that odors from one meal to next don’t mix.
Instant Pot Tips
Sauté is the most used feature besides the pressure cooker and rice setting.
Start with easy recipes at first, like hard- boiled eggs, beans and veggies.
If you are anything like me, when I first started out with the Instant Pot it was bit overwhelming so reading the instruction manual was “necessary”.
The Instant Pot website is also a great resource for instructions and recipes.
You CANNOT DO CAN PRESSURE COOKING in the Instant Pot. It was not designed for this.
Also please be careful when releasing the pressure release valve as the steam that comes out is extremely hot and can and will burn you.
Instant Pot Cleaning
This has got to be the easiest appliance to clean. The inner pot, lid and seal can all be thrown in the dishwasher on the top rack.
The lid and rubber seal can also be hand washed if that is a preference. So a lot less work cleaning up too.
Most important unplug the Instant Pot before cleaning and use a clean damp cloth to clean the exterior base and never submerge the base in water due to the electronic components.
Instant Pot Rap Up
The Instant Pot has been a wonderful addition to my kitchen. I watch my grandchildren and with busy schedules, it works great when the days are chaotic. Its great to come home, throw all the ingredients in the Instant Pot and within an hour or less I have dinner done, so I get to spend more time with them and less time making dinner.
It can cook rice to ribs and turn out great. I haven’t used all the features as to date, but I am working on finding the perfect recipes for each setting.
I have the The Instant Pot 6 quart 7 in 1 and yes it’s the older version, but I still love it.
Check out some simple 4 easy Instant Pot recipes,