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January 2, 2024 10:31 PM Subscribe
Hello I have decided to finally join the ranks of people who have Instant Pots. I’ve avoided them for this long somehow and did not know there are dozens of models available all with different functions and sizes and idk, vibes or whatever. Please read the list of things I am hoping to cook with it I will write below and tell me what model I should get that is available new in the US.
Did you read the last sentence up there? I am purchasing the appliance new and it must be available in the United States. I live in an urban area and have access to most big retail stores as well as delivery options. Price range is under $500 but a quick perusal of their website shows that means price doesn’t really come into it.
Storage: if it becomes an oft-used device I will sacrifice precious counter space for it, but it needs to be all contained in one thing. No extra lids or bonus accessories that get lost. If the appliance has holders or storage slots for the extra things so it’s all in one moveable unit that’s okay.
Size: I think I want the 6 quart? I definitely do not want a larger one, I’m never cooking for that many people. I intend to do batch cooking of stuff like soups and slow cooked meats though so I think I want a medium size and not the smaller models.
Things I definitely want to cook in an Instant Pot because my current options are lacking in efficiency: Dried beans, barley and other hardier grains, collard greens, beef stew, chicken stock made with backs and feet, many different veggie soups, seafood chowders, pulled pork, jambalaya, stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed other vegetables Persian style, frozen chicken thighs and frozen veggie and some kind of sauce type toss it together meals.
Things I want to try cooking in an Instant Pot because I want to cook them more in general and it sounds like the instant pot might be the way to do it: Indian curries (this is a whole culinary world I have not explored), baked pasta dishes, cornbread, steamed whole fish and greens, oatmeal, mixed grain pilaf things.
Things I don’t think I will use an instant pot for but maybe I will???: rice (I have a very good zojirushi rice cooker), baking or bread making (I make a mean pie but I hate baking in general), yogurt, air frying (I have a toaster oven that does convection and isn’t that just the same thing?), feeding large crowds.
Thank you for your advice!
Did you read the last sentence up there? I am purchasing the appliance new and it must be available in the United States. I live in an urban area and have access to most big retail stores as well as delivery options. Price range is under $500 but a quick perusal of their website shows that means price doesn’t really come into it.
Storage: if it becomes an oft-used device I will sacrifice precious counter space for it, but it needs to be all contained in one thing. No extra lids or bonus accessories that get lost. If the appliance has holders or storage slots for the extra things so it’s all in one moveable unit that’s okay.
Size: I think I want the 6 quart? I definitely do not want a larger one, I’m never cooking for that many people. I intend to do batch cooking of stuff like soups and slow cooked meats though so I think I want a medium size and not the smaller models.
Things I definitely want to cook in an Instant Pot because my current options are lacking in efficiency: Dried beans, barley and other hardier grains, collard greens, beef stew, chicken stock made with backs and feet, many different veggie soups, seafood chowders, pulled pork, jambalaya, stuffed cabbage rolls, stuffed other vegetables Persian style, frozen chicken thighs and frozen veggie and some kind of sauce type toss it together meals.
Things I want to try cooking in an Instant Pot because I want to cook them more in general and it sounds like the instant pot might be the way to do it: Indian curries (this is a whole culinary world I have not explored), baked pasta dishes, cornbread, steamed whole fish and greens, oatmeal, mixed grain pilaf things.
Things I don’t think I will use an instant pot for but maybe I will???: rice (I have a very good zojirushi rice cooker), baking or bread making (I make a mean pie but I hate baking in general), yogurt, air frying (I have a toaster oven that does convection and isn’t that just the same thing?), feeding large crowds.
Thank you for your advice!
In the UK I have the 5.7L Duo, which is the US 6 quart Duo. I agree with the commenter above, it'll suit your needs just fine.
I bought it only for cooking dried beans and soups, but it's made me swoon with its rice cooking function. I've since moved into making almond milk yogurt (it's worth trying if only because it's so clearly higher quality than any commercail yogurt) and steaming heavy veg (potatoes and sweet potatoes, in particular). This Christmas I used it as a slow cooker / crock pot, which was handy. It's a wonderful, reliable time saver, and I'm glad I didn't get a smaller size. Mine stays out on the counter all the time, and I live in a tiny London flat. It doesn't feel like an imposition.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:58 AM on January 3, 2024
I bought it only for cooking dried beans and soups, but it's made me swoon with its rice cooking function. I've since moved into making almond milk yogurt (it's worth trying if only because it's so clearly higher quality than any commercail yogurt) and steaming heavy veg (potatoes and sweet potatoes, in particular). This Christmas I used it as a slow cooker / crock pot, which was handy. It's a wonderful, reliable time saver, and I'm glad I didn't get a smaller size. Mine stays out on the counter all the time, and I live in a tiny London flat. It doesn't feel like an imposition.
posted by late afternoon dreaming hotel at 2:58 AM on January 3, 2024
The Wirecutter recommends the 6 quart Rio model, which they describe as the new version of the Duo.
posted by Dip Flash at 6:20 AM on January 3, 2024
posted by Dip Flash at 6:20 AM on January 3, 2024
I've got the 6 qt Duo and I love it. We use it for yogurt, rice, beans, braising, one-pot meals, chili, soup stock, etc. Rice and yogurt are the foods cooked most often, but I want to start doing more beans.
posted by ceejaytee at 6:26 AM on January 3, 2024
posted by ceejaytee at 6:26 AM on January 3, 2024
The extra lid thing is mainly for the 'Air Crisp' feature, which lets your Instant Pot also be an air fryer. So, avoid anything with Crisp in the name. Some things that 'Crisp' have an extra crisping lid and some things have a crisping lid built in with a separate lid for pressure cooking.
All Instant Pots are going to come with at least some accessories that could get lost, though -- they have an inner pot they can't operate without so you won't lose that, but usually come with a trivet insert that you use for certain recipes when you want to keep what you are cooking above the water your are cooking it in. For the most part, it sounds like you don't intend to make many of those recipes anyway but it's useful if you want to pressure cook a roast or something.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:37 AM on January 3, 2024
All Instant Pots are going to come with at least some accessories that could get lost, though -- they have an inner pot they can't operate without so you won't lose that, but usually come with a trivet insert that you use for certain recipes when you want to keep what you are cooking above the water your are cooking it in. For the most part, it sounds like you don't intend to make many of those recipes anyway but it's useful if you want to pressure cook a roast or something.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:37 AM on January 3, 2024
it needs to be all contained in one thing. No extra lids or bonus accessories that get lost.
Any basic Instant Pot can be stored entirely self-contained. However, to get the best use out of it you may want a small number of extra accessories.
The silicone sealing ring picks up odors, especially if you cook with things like turmeric. I bought an extra ring so I have one for strong smells and one for other recipes. The second ring can't be stored inside the pot, and it would get damaged if it got squished or pinched, so it lives in a box standing up next to where I store the pot.
A lot of the recipes I've made call for two tier cooking where you have your protein in the bottom, then a little riser (like a cooling rack, but round and about 3" tall) with a small metal pan sitting on it for rice or whatever. The riser and pan can be stored inside the Instant Pot.
posted by bcwinters at 6:40 AM on January 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
Any basic Instant Pot can be stored entirely self-contained. However, to get the best use out of it you may want a small number of extra accessories.
The silicone sealing ring picks up odors, especially if you cook with things like turmeric. I bought an extra ring so I have one for strong smells and one for other recipes. The second ring can't be stored inside the pot, and it would get damaged if it got squished or pinched, so it lives in a box standing up next to where I store the pot.
A lot of the recipes I've made call for two tier cooking where you have your protein in the bottom, then a little riser (like a cooling rack, but round and about 3" tall) with a small metal pan sitting on it for rice or whatever. The riser and pan can be stored inside the Instant Pot.
posted by bcwinters at 6:40 AM on January 3, 2024 [1 favorite]
The Duo/Rio has the yogurt cycle in case you decide to make yogurt (you can also use the BOIL segment of the yogurt cycle to make cheese), it's plenty good, you'll be happy with it.
Most people don't use most of the other pre-programmed cycles, you're just going to hit the pressure cook button and set a time. I only ever use the Saute, Pressure Cook, Slow Cooker (this on LO gives you a better near-simmer than the "low" Saute option), and occasionally Yogurt functions.
I'll note that I use mine quite frequently without ever putting the lid on; for one-pot meals of any kind I mostly prefer it to stovetop, as it is just a very reliable heat and the stainless steel pot - I will NEVER own a multicooker that has nonstick or whatever as the inner liner, the stainless pot is best in breed here, though I'm fine with the nonstick in my fancy rice cooker - is just really easy to clean.
Any accessories you might care about will fit inside the pot. It comes with a trivet though a lot of people upgrade to some kind of silicone sling. You will probably mostly use your normal utensils with it, though, like a spatula or other long utensil to stir, tongs to fetch stuff in and out, mitts if you do something where you want to lift out the inner liner while it's still hot.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:42 AM on January 3, 2024
Most people don't use most of the other pre-programmed cycles, you're just going to hit the pressure cook button and set a time. I only ever use the Saute, Pressure Cook, Slow Cooker (this on LO gives you a better near-simmer than the "low" Saute option), and occasionally Yogurt functions.
I'll note that I use mine quite frequently without ever putting the lid on; for one-pot meals of any kind I mostly prefer it to stovetop, as it is just a very reliable heat and the stainless steel pot - I will NEVER own a multicooker that has nonstick or whatever as the inner liner, the stainless pot is best in breed here, though I'm fine with the nonstick in my fancy rice cooker - is just really easy to clean.
Any accessories you might care about will fit inside the pot. It comes with a trivet though a lot of people upgrade to some kind of silicone sling. You will probably mostly use your normal utensils with it, though, like a spatula or other long utensil to stir, tongs to fetch stuff in and out, mitts if you do something where you want to lift out the inner liner while it's still hot.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:42 AM on January 3, 2024
The most basic, cheapest version model will do all of those things well, with the possible exception of cornbread and baked pasta (I haven't tried those but I'm skeptical for any version without the air fryer lid). Usually that's a duo, but may depend on the store.
6 quart will be fine unless you want to do very large batches (for example, with the 6 quart I can cook enough soup or chili for roughly 8 adult-size meals) or large whole chickens (I can usually fit a ~2 kg chicken but it couldn't quite manage a 3.5 kg turkey - though the turkey body did fit after I removed the breasts and quarters). You may have trouble fitting ribs and other large cuts. I would not go smaller than 6.
FWIW, I have a toaster-oven air fryer and it's very noticeably less strong/"air fryer-y" than the instant pot air fryer. But it's probably not worth the tradeoff for you since you're mostly not interested in baking stuff - the lid is large and annoying to store.
I do recommend buying (separately) a strainer basket that can be stored in the instant pot when not in use (greatly simplifies making stock and dried beans), and depending what you cook and if you want to store the whole pot in the fridge after, a clear lid can also be useful and can be stored with your other pot lids, but both are very optional.
posted by randomnity at 7:02 AM on January 3, 2024
6 quart will be fine unless you want to do very large batches (for example, with the 6 quart I can cook enough soup or chili for roughly 8 adult-size meals) or large whole chickens (I can usually fit a ~2 kg chicken but it couldn't quite manage a 3.5 kg turkey - though the turkey body did fit after I removed the breasts and quarters). You may have trouble fitting ribs and other large cuts. I would not go smaller than 6.
FWIW, I have a toaster-oven air fryer and it's very noticeably less strong/"air fryer-y" than the instant pot air fryer. But it's probably not worth the tradeoff for you since you're mostly not interested in baking stuff - the lid is large and annoying to store.
I do recommend buying (separately) a strainer basket that can be stored in the instant pot when not in use (greatly simplifies making stock and dried beans), and depending what you cook and if you want to store the whole pot in the fridge after, a clear lid can also be useful and can be stored with your other pot lids, but both are very optional.
posted by randomnity at 7:02 AM on January 3, 2024
You can buy a nonstick inner pot for the 6qt IP on their website, if you want one later. Nest it with your other pots.
The IP is not going to make better rice than the zojirushi, but could be convenient if you're going to be doing more cooking with the rice (in the same pot). Or using the pot-in-pot method to make your curry and rice all in one go.
A convection toaster oven isn't quite the same as an air fryer, but neither is an instant pot with the crisper lid, so I agree with avoiding those.
Likewise, if you want to do sous vide then get an immersion circulator.
The IP is an electric and electronically controlled (i.e. programmable) cookpot/pressure cooker/slow cooker/steamer. It's good at those things. Including browning things on sautee mode before pressure/slow cooking them, reducing them afterwards, holding them at temp, etc.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:17 AM on January 3, 2024
The IP is not going to make better rice than the zojirushi, but could be convenient if you're going to be doing more cooking with the rice (in the same pot). Or using the pot-in-pot method to make your curry and rice all in one go.
A convection toaster oven isn't quite the same as an air fryer, but neither is an instant pot with the crisper lid, so I agree with avoiding those.
Likewise, if you want to do sous vide then get an immersion circulator.
The IP is an electric and electronically controlled (i.e. programmable) cookpot/pressure cooker/slow cooker/steamer. It's good at those things. Including browning things on sautee mode before pressure/slow cooking them, reducing them afterwards, holding them at temp, etc.
posted by snuffleupagus at 8:17 AM on January 3, 2024
I don't think the OP cares about Sous Vide, but FWIW, I like sous viding in the IP *much* better than using my immersion circulator and would only choose the circulator if I needed to sous vide things that don't fit in my Instant Pot. The quasi-sealed lid means IP sous vide is much more set it and forget it than regular sous vide for long cook times and it burns through less power because of the insulated body of the device. Plus I don't have to own another giant pot or try to clip the immersion circulator to the edge of it. I sous-vided about once a year with the circulator and do it about once a month with the IP.
posted by jacquilynne at 8:52 AM on January 3, 2024 [2 favorites]
posted by jacquilynne at 8:52 AM on January 3, 2024 [2 favorites]
Interesting! It was the reverse for me (though first with a slow cooker and temp controller, and then a circulator).
I see the Duo Plus has the sous vide mode if OP does want that option; it also has the knob control from the discontinued Ultra line (which is what I have and prefer).
Otherwise, the original Duo should be fine.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:02 AM on January 3, 2024
I see the Duo Plus has the sous vide mode if OP does want that option; it also has the knob control from the discontinued Ultra line (which is what I have and prefer).
Otherwise, the original Duo should be fine.
posted by snuffleupagus at 9:02 AM on January 3, 2024
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posted by yueliang at 10:56 PM on January 2, 2024 [8 favorites]