Anyone use an Instant Pot?
#102
DVD Talk God
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
#103
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
This. I probably posted about it earlier in this thread but am too lazy to check. Filling it too full will cause a geiser. I had chicken broth hitting my ceiling in a futile attempt to make a larger than usual batch of broth.
#104
Moderator
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I used mine twice so far this week. A few days ago I made a dozen hardboiled eggs. When you use an Instant Pot, the shells come off easily. And I used it tonight to make Beef Stew. The stew was delicious and so simple. Here's the recipe:
2 lbs of Stew Beef
3 Carrots
2 Medium Potatoes
1 Onion
1 Can Tomato Soup + 1/2 Can of Water (or Beef Bouillon)
Salt & Pepper
Chop up the veggies and just dump everything into the pot. Set it for 35 minutes and let it slow release for 15 mins. It was ready in about an hour.
I recommend the 6-Qt model, which is the regular size that everyone seems to get. Although it depends on how much food you intend to make. If you're going to make large batches, then get the 8-Qt model. But I've never gotten near the Max Fill line on the 6-Qt.
Don't bother with anything smaller. It'll be too small.
2 lbs of Stew Beef
3 Carrots
2 Medium Potatoes
1 Onion
1 Can Tomato Soup + 1/2 Can of Water (or Beef Bouillon)
Salt & Pepper
Chop up the veggies and just dump everything into the pot. Set it for 35 minutes and let it slow release for 15 mins. It was ready in about an hour.
I recommend the 6-Qt model, which is the regular size that everyone seems to get. Although it depends on how much food you intend to make. If you're going to make large batches, then get the 8-Qt model. But I've never gotten near the Max Fill line on the 6-Qt.
Don't bother with anything smaller. It'll be too small.
Last edited by TheBigDave; 01-11-18 at 07:33 PM.
#105
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Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I had probably my first disappointing IP experience over the holidays. In the past, I've made a chocolate lava cake in the slow cooker, but I figured "Why get out the slow cooker when I have the IP right here?" So I followed the usual recipe: Prepare a box of cake batter mix and pour it in the bottom, prepare a box of pudding and pour it on the cake, then dump a bunch of chocolate chips on top of the pudding, and let it cook.
At the end of the cycle, I opened the pot, and it was all still liquidy on top, like the cake had never cooked. I replaced the lid and let it cook longer: Same result. I finally dug into the cake and discovered that the cake was cooked at the bottom, but the liquid top was the melted chips and probably some of the pudding. I think the difference was that my large slow cooker has a much wider pot. The narrower IP left all the melted chips covering the top, with no way to see the other food components (like the baked cake) underneath.
So in the end it was fine, but I was really confused along the way.
At the end of the cycle, I opened the pot, and it was all still liquidy on top, like the cake had never cooked. I replaced the lid and let it cook longer: Same result. I finally dug into the cake and discovered that the cake was cooked at the bottom, but the liquid top was the melted chips and probably some of the pudding. I think the difference was that my large slow cooker has a much wider pot. The narrower IP left all the melted chips covering the top, with no way to see the other food components (like the baked cake) underneath.
So in the end it was fine, but I was really confused along the way.
#106
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Honestly not trying to be a jerk, but an “instant pot” is just s fast crock pot....corrrect?
I love to cook. Am s good cook. And probably have 4-5 crock pots of various sizes....taking away speed, is their an advantage of this instant pot?
I love to cook. Am s good cook. And probably have 4-5 crock pots of various sizes....taking away speed, is their an advantage of this instant pot?
#107
DVD Talk God
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Electronic pressure cooker. Yes, you can look at it as a crock pot, buy it can do many things you can't do in crock pot.
Last edited by Deftones; 01-11-18 at 10:03 PM.
#108
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Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I'm not a yogurt person, so haven't tried that. It does a good job with the saute and browning.
#109
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Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Hard boiled eggs are awesome in it.
Yes, we have used it a few times a week since getting it right before the holidays.
Although, we are starting to have some issues getting it to seal lately and can’t figure out why. Seems as if I have to push down on the lid (after it is locked in place) for a moment. This caused a problem when I tried to do chicken and noodles. After finally getting it to seal, I kept getting “burn” messages. I found out it cooked the shit out of the bottom but wasn’t getting a seal to cook the rest.
We’re loving a “salt mine potato” recipe that is unbelievably easy and delicious: 6 cups of water, 1cup of salt, and 3 pounds of bite size potatoes. High pressure for 5 minutes with a slow release.
To us, the big advantages over a crock pot are speed with the same results and being able to cook meat from frozen.
Yes, we have used it a few times a week since getting it right before the holidays.
Although, we are starting to have some issues getting it to seal lately and can’t figure out why. Seems as if I have to push down on the lid (after it is locked in place) for a moment. This caused a problem when I tried to do chicken and noodles. After finally getting it to seal, I kept getting “burn” messages. I found out it cooked the shit out of the bottom but wasn’t getting a seal to cook the rest.
We’re loving a “salt mine potato” recipe that is unbelievably easy and delicious: 6 cups of water, 1cup of salt, and 3 pounds of bite size potatoes. High pressure for 5 minutes with a slow release.
To us, the big advantages over a crock pot are speed with the same results and being able to cook meat from frozen.
#110
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
#111
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
My wife uses both of hers quite often. She's a member of a plant-based diet site (she went vegan about 5 years ago) and they recommended Instant Pots. Wife uses them for recipes she gets there.
She's thinking about getting a new larger sized version (8 qts, I think) that came out not long ago, but she's waiting for reviews from other members. I think a larger size has been around for a while, but it doesn't do yogurt for some reason. If the new larger one gets good reviews and does yogurt, she intends to get one then take one of the 6 qt units to leave at the "vacation" house back east.
Here's how much my wife regards her Instant Pots. She's the type who hardly (meaning almost never) ever pays full price for anything and did get hers at a nice discount (if I remember correctly, she waited until they were on sale at Amazon for less than $90) during the holidays a couple of years ago. She's willing to pay full price for the newer large size.
As an aside to Abob, did you check the rubber (vinyl?) seals on the lids to see if they are properly set in place. Wife had a similar problem with getting hers to seal early on. This was shortly after they had been cleaned the first time. Couldn't figure out what the problem was. Finally decided to check everything against the manual and realized the seals hadn't been reinserted properly.
She's thinking about getting a new larger sized version (8 qts, I think) that came out not long ago, but she's waiting for reviews from other members. I think a larger size has been around for a while, but it doesn't do yogurt for some reason. If the new larger one gets good reviews and does yogurt, she intends to get one then take one of the 6 qt units to leave at the "vacation" house back east.
Here's how much my wife regards her Instant Pots. She's the type who hardly (meaning almost never) ever pays full price for anything and did get hers at a nice discount (if I remember correctly, she waited until they were on sale at Amazon for less than $90) during the holidays a couple of years ago. She's willing to pay full price for the newer large size.
As an aside to Abob, did you check the rubber (vinyl?) seals on the lids to see if they are properly set in place. Wife had a similar problem with getting hers to seal early on. This was shortly after they had been cleaned the first time. Couldn't figure out what the problem was. Finally decided to check everything against the manual and realized the seals hadn't been reinserted properly.
Last edited by Jon2; 01-12-18 at 12:09 AM.
#112
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Crock pots cook at temperatures less than boiling water, so they take MUCH longer than simmering on the stove.
If you have 12 hours to cook a three hour stew, use a crock pot. If you have 1 hour, use an instant pot.
Disadvantages: It takes time to build up pressure or safely reduce it. You can't peek. It is inconvenient to stop cooking, release pressure to add ingredient, resume cooking. Due to time to build and release pressure, it doesn't really save time on things that cook quickly in boiling water, but it is "set and forget." The big time payoff is things that cook for hours in boiling water.
Advantages: The Instant Pot has a "saute" mode (top off) for browning meat, onions, etc, before starting to pressure cook. It also has a zero pressure mode where it functions as a crock pot. It has built in timer, keep warm mode, etc.
#113
DVD Talk God
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
The 6 Qt model on Amazon is $120...am I seeing/looking at the wrong one? Better deal?
https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-P...nt+pot+6+quart
https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-P...nt+pot+6+quart
#114
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Looks like the 8 Qt is hard to come by (ie: not on amazon or best buy or target or wherever), so I'll probably go with the 6 Qt.
$120 seems like an okay price, but if it does usually get lower, I can wait it out. Also, Thanks TheBigDave for that recipe. I'll try it out! On the first page, some folks mentioned making beans. I definitely have to try that, too.
$120 seems like an okay price, but if it does usually get lower, I can wait it out. Also, Thanks TheBigDave for that recipe. I'll try it out! On the first page, some folks mentioned making beans. I definitely have to try that, too.
#115
Moderator
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I made two racks of baby back ribs with a Dr. Pepper bath, then broiled with BBQ sauce afterward. It's pretty much my kids favorite meal now.
#116
Moderator
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I use the Saute function a lot when I cook with beef and/or onions. I'll brown them before adding the other ingredients.
Also, when I slow cook chicken, it always turns out mushy. That doesn't happen with the instant pot. Even though it falls off the bone, the meat is still firm. And if you want, you can brown the outside before cooking.
#117
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I have one that is dented on the side. "regular" cooking worked on it, but is it still safe to pressure cook with given the dent in the outer metal 'shell'?
#118
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
If making a chef salad and want boiled eggs, you can just crack the eggs into a glass bowl (don't mix) and put it in the cooker. Then you just need to cut up the eggs, instead of having to shell them after.
#121
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I'm making chicken broth in a dented one right now. I can't vouch for yours, but my husband looked at mine and said the damage (from cramming it in the car during a move) was cosmetic. I didn't fully trust that, but he ran a trial batch of beans while I was gone and it's worked for a year without blowing up.
#122
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
I'm making chicken broth in a dented one right now. I can't vouch for yours, but my husband looked at mine and said the damage (from cramming it in the car during a move) was cosmetic. I didn't fully trust that, but he ran a trial batch of beans while I was gone and it's worked for a year without blowing up.
#123
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Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
As an aside to Abob, did you check the rubber (vinyl?) seals on the lids to see if they are properly set in place. Wife had a similar problem with getting hers to seal early on. This was shortly after they had been cleaned the first time. Couldn't figure out what the problem was. Finally decided to check everything against the manual and realized the seals hadn't been reinserted properly.
(Quietly slinks over to find the manual.)
#124
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
Wow! I just made hard boiled eggs in mine, and they came out amazing because they're so easy to peel! This is revolutionary. Really. No more having to buy a ton of eggs a month early for Easter (and having to hide or mark them so no one cooks them "before their time.") As this is the same time that I have an entire beef brisket corning in the fridge for St. Patrick's day, it will be a real space saver.
#125
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Re: Anyone use an Instant Pot?
^ Thats the advantage to eggs. It takes about the same amount of time as boiling them (by the time the pressure builds and releases), but the shells just slide right off.