Is it Worth it to Buy an Instant Classic Pot?
Seen as a safer alternative to a stove top pressure cooker, the Instant Pot gives home cooks a chance to make classic dishes much more quickly. Here is our review to help you decide if it is worth it.
For those of you not familiar with the phenomenon, the Instant Pot is a multi-functional cooker that can do a lot more than just pressure cook. It can work as a warmer, sterilizer, slow cooker, rice cooker, egg cooker, yogurt maker and can even sauté!
It has a non-stick inner ceramic pot which is specially designed for foods that have a tendency to stick to the sides of the container.
This pot also has a tempered glass lid which is transparent and gives you a clear view of what’s being cooked, as well as being more durable.
Instant Pot Features
- Easy to use
- 24-hr delay start timer
- Control panel that is easy to operate
- Long lasting three-ply stainless-steel construction that is guaranteed
- Three temperature setting for everything from slow cooking to sautéing
- Dual pressure settings and an automatic keep warm
- It uses approximately 80% less energy than regular pressure cookers
- Lid sensor
- Anti-blockage vent that prevents food debris from blocking the vent
- A quick release button which can perform both continuous steam and pulse release manually
- Steam rack and lid. The Instant Pot’s safety lid prevents cooker exposure, which can be caused by high steam pressure.
- Instant pots come with several other adjustments and programs, including ultimate custom programming and altitude adjustment.
Instant Pot Models
- Max: Max models have an LCD touch screen that offers very useful information about the cook, including but not limited to the internal temperature of the pot and a progress bar.
- Smart: Smart models are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity capabilities that can help you monitor the cooking progress in graphics from your smartphone or tablet.
- Ultra: The ultra models come with a central dial which gives you a more precise cooking program selection and adjustment.
- Duo: The duo models have multi-use programmable pressure cookers, which come with advanced microprocessor technology.
- Duo Plus: In the duo plus models, the cooking programs keys are on touchpad which is easy to select and operate.
- Lux: Lux models come with easy one-touch controls.
- Viva: The viva models can effectively cook in both high and low pressures.
- Nova Plus: The Nova Plus models are designed with a large, blue Liquid crystal display with 4 new status indicators that enable you to see the progress of your meal at a glance
The main difference between these models are the cooking programs and their size. For example, the Lux model has 12 programs, the Duo model has 14 programs, the Duo Plus model 15 programs, and the Ultra model has up to 16 programs.
Sizes range from 3 quarts up to 8 quarts. Smaller sizes are more budget-friendly and take up less space on the worktop, but larger sizes are great for cooking a family meal. If your family is larger than five, an 8-quart model might be the best Instant Pot for you.
The Pros of Instants Pots
- Keeps food warm after cooking
- Safety (due to the steam leak detector and safety measures on the lid to prevent opening).
- They do not heat up the kitchen.
- They save energy using less power overall and are better insulated than regular pressure cookers.
- Perform multiple cooking functions: they offer various types of cooking functions, such as slow cooker, sauté pan, steamer, food warmer, pressure cooker, and yogurt maker.
- Instant pots can be cleaned easily without any hassle
The Cons of Instant Pots
If you like to check on your cooking progress along the way, this cooker is not for you. You cannot just lift the lid, stir the food, or add an ingredient because you’ll lose the pressure build-up, thus requiring restarting of the entire process.
The Verdict
The Instant Pot is considered one of the best time-saving cookers on the market right now, due in no small part to the fact it utilizes about 80% less energy, while making your favorite dishes in just a few minutes.
Just like any other man-made device, instant pots are not perfect. However, it is worthy cooking device that you should buy.