Best Instant Pots

A: The popularity of these kitchen tools led to a number of knock offs appearing on the market. Even General Electric, which makes larger appliances like stoves and refrigerators, now makes one. These models function more as electric pressure cookers though, which will limit how you can use it. Buying one of the best Instant Pot original models allows you to make dishes like soups and yogurt in addition to doing pressure cooking.

A: One of the most important things that you should consider is the size that you need. These models now come with a three-quart capacity all the way up to a nine-quart capacity. Smaller models are better for couples and individuals who cook for one or two people. You can use one to make a dip before a Super Bowl party or to whip up an appetizer for guests. Larger capacity models are better for those who need to cook for a group. Some of these can feed up to six people or even more from a single pot.

You may want to think about the circuit breaker or fuse box in your home too. Three-quart models need only 700 watts of power, but the larger models need more than 1,000 watts to run. You may find that using one at the same time that you use any other appliances or electronics will trip your circuit breaker or blow one of your fuses.

The size also tells you how long it will take for the product to produce the steam needed to cook. The three-quart and smaller models take longer to produce this steam because the products do not have as much power. It takes larger models less time to produce steam, which reduces your overall cooking time.

A: You probably want to know how long it will really take to cook in one of these pots, but the answer is that it really depends on what you want to make. Pressure cookers are popular with professional chefs because these models cook dishes faster. They can make ribs or another rough cut of meat in an hour or less. Using a traditional pot will take several hours to produce the same results. Though you probably won’t make a soup or stew from scratch instantly, you can get dinner on the table in an hour or less.

Another benefit of using one of these products is that you can use the timer to cook in advance. These pots allow you to set a timer up to 24 hours ahead of time. When it reaches the time that you set, it will automatically come on and use all the settings you selected. These products also have a keep warm setting that allows the pots to stop cooking but keep foods warm for up to 10 full hours.

In addition to letting you use a specific setting, the best Instant Pots 2018 models also allow you to set a cook time. Once you decide what you want to make and add all the ingredients in the pot, look for the plus (+) and minus (-) buttons on the front. Using the plus button lets you add more minutes to the total cooking time, while pressing the minus button reduces the cooking time. This helps you make rice that is a little fluffier, cook meats to a rarer level and cook other dishes to the preferences of your family.

A common worry that some users have is how to clean one of these pots. They worry because they cannot run one through the dishwasher. Though smaller models will fit in a dishwasher, larger ones will not It’s important that you do some basic cleaning and some deep cleaning to keep your pot in good shape. This also keeps bacteria from sticking to the liner and carrying over into your food.

You can use a damp cloth to wipe off the inside of the machine. The liner is completely removable too, which allows you to clean it in your sink. This is a big advantage to choosing one of these models over an electric pressure cooker because electric pressure cookers often have a liner that does not come out. After rinsing off the inside of the liner, dry the inside and outside with a cloth or let dry overnight. Any moisture still clinging to the liner when you use it can damage the electronics inside the machine.

Make sure that you clean both the sealing ring and the lid too. This ring pops out and is safe to clean in your dishwasher or sink. Check the ring each time you clean it to look for any cracks, which indicate that you need to replace it. You can use a damp towel to clean the inside and outside of the lid. Now is a good time to clean off any liquids or ingredients sticking to the outside of the pot before those stains burn in place.

You’ll also want to opt for a deep cleaning every two to three months. Deep clean the machine every two months or so if you use it more often. Use a damp towel and a little dish soap to clean the lid and the outside of the machine. Run a damp cloth dipped in plain water across those surfaces to remove any soap residue. Take the time to check the machine for any damaged parts while deep cleaning it too.

Most of these models come with a steaming rack, but you’ll find that those on the smaller models lack the handles found on the larger models. This is simply because the smaller capacity does not have enough space to accommodate the handles. The steaming rack allows you to make rice without using the rice setting and to steam fresh or frozen vegetables.

The best way to use this rack is with a heatproof bowl or dish. Add the liquid that you want to use for steaming in the base of the Instant Pot. While you may want to use plain water, you can also opt for chicken broth or a liquid with some more flavor. Place the steaming rack directly in the base of the unit. You can then put the dish or bowl with your ingredients on top. Once the machine finishes cooking, use oven mitts to carefully lift the dish out. Though you can remove the steaming rack after cooking, you can also leave it inside to cool down before removing it.

When you remove your pot from the box and read through the instructions, you’ll find information about the water test. This is something that the manufacturer recommends to ensure that the pot works properly. You only need to do this test the first time that you turn on the pot, but you’ll need to do it before cooking a single thing.

Look at the valve located on the top of the lid. It should face of the machine and be in a downward position. Once it reaches its temperature, this valve will open to release steam. Check the sealing ring on the inside of the lid to make sure that it’s in place too. You will then want to check underneath the lid to ensure that you have the metal lid in place.

After doing all these steps, use the included measuring cup to measure out two cups of water. Set the water inside, close the lid and plug the machine into an outlet. When you press on the manual button on the front, the digital display will ask you to input a time. Select five minutes before sitting back and taking a break. Once the machine finishes its countdown, it will release the valve on the top and automatically turn off. This test ensures that you have a working machine and serves as an introduction on how to use it.

Instant Pot reviews make it seem like you can cook anything in one of these machines, and thanks to all the settings on these models, you really can. Think about the settings and buttons as mere suggestions from which you can draw inspiration to make all your family’s favorite dishes. Those buttons help you saute and cook vegetables and meats before making a soup or stew, but you can use chicken bones and other ingredients to make your own broth. Using one of these machines also allows you to make a holiday dinner faster too.

These products also allow you to cook multiple ingredients at the same time to make a pulled together meal. The steaming rack holds your meat or protein on the top and provides space beneath for vegetables, rice or other grains that you want to serve as a side dish. You’ll also want to add a little liquid to create the steam that flavors those ingredients, and you can add some herbs to produce a richer flavor. 

The best Instant Pots also allow you to make individual servings of your favorite desserts or an entire cake. When making individual servings, use a heatproof dish inside the machine. It can take up to 45 minutes to completely bake the dish all the way through, which is why some prefer making larger cakes instead. The included recipe book features some basic dessert recipes that you can customize with flavorings and ingredients of your own. The more you experiment with your new toy, the more ways you’ll find to use it.