How the Instant Pot has Changed my Cooking (an honest review)

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The Instant Pot has become a game changer in my everyday cooking. While not a miracle kitchen gadget as some might say, I have fallen in love with it's versatility and ease of use. This Instant Pot review outlines the advantages and disadvantages of owning and cooking with an Instant Pot.

You guys know I am all about doing anything I can to make cooking quick and easy without sacrificing flavor.

Which is why I'm posting this Instant Pot review to share with you my experience.

I used to be a big fan of using my slow cooker for those "set it and forget it" type meals. However, even though the cook time was not labor intensive, it still did take a lot of time.

Enter the Instant Pot. With this wonderful piece of equipment, I'm now able to cook something that may have taken 4-5 hours in the slow cooker in less than an hour.

And I am all about that.

This review is for the 6 quart Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multiple Use Programmable Pressure Cooker. It's the one I use and fell in love with.

What is an Instant Pot?

If you've been living under a rock for the past year, you're probably wondering exactly what is an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is basically a pressure cooker on steroids. The Duo Plus 9-in-1 includes a cake, egg and sterilize function, on top of the already existing pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute, steam and yogurt maker.

You may ask, "how is this really any different than my pressure cooker?" Well, in addition to pressure cooking, you can saute your meats and veggies right in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking, perfect for browning that meat before pressure cooking it. It also has the slow cooker and steamer function, which a regular pressure cooker typically doesn't have. And the option to sterilize is awesome, especially if you're into preserving and canning food.

I'm all about reducing the number of kitchen gadgets I have to store.

However, I'm not going to say the Instant Pot is perfect. There are some disadvantages to it as well. Below I list out both the advantages and disadvantages so you can decide if the Instant Pot is for you.

Advantages

1. You can typically cook meats in less than an hour to get that fork tender goodness.
2. It's made of stainless steel, which is safer than some other kitchen gadgets, and super easy to clean. Just pop the insert out and wash it. You can even toss it in the dishwasher.
3. You don't have to stand there and watch it cook like a pot on the stove. Once you pop that lid on and set the time, you can walk away.
4. If you forgot to thaw that package of meat, no worries, you can cook frozen meat in the Instant Pot.
5. If you're headed to work for the day, just set the delayed start and dinner can be ready in just a few moments after getting home. Pretty sweet.
6. And my favorite - you can brown your meat right in the pot before cooking. One less dish you have to wash! HOWEVER, I find this works best for red meats. Chicken, especially chicken with skin, tends to stick to the bottom. I actually usually brown my chicken is a cast iron skillet before placing it i the Instant Pot.

Disadvantages

1. It's not the cheapest kitchen gadget, with a price tag of $130 if you buy it through the Instant Pot website. You can also buy it on Amazon here (Amazon affiliate link - I receive a small commission if you buy through this link), for typically a little cheaper than the Instant Pot website, depending on the day.
2. It's not a fast as it is sometimes advertised. You typically cannot get a meal done in less than 10 minutes. The pressure takes time to build in the Instant Pot, and this time seems to be left out of recipes. So you're not going to get a magic 10 minute meal.
3. I also do not love to use it for steaming vegetables. It is just as easy on the stove, and I feel as though I have more control. The veggies in the Instant Pot tend to come out overdone. Perhaps it's operator error, but I just stick to the stove top for steaming veggies.
4.  

What can I make with an Instant Pot?

Using an Instant Pot will really add some game to your everyday cooking. Never made braised short ribs because of all the time it takes? No worries, you can now get fork tender, melt-in-your-mouth short ribs ready and on the table in an hour.

What about that oh-so-delicious sought after Vietnamese Pho? Instead of spending hours simmering on the stove, you've got a delicious broth in an hour! Learn how to make Vietnamese Pho in the Instant Pot here.

And that homemade broth. You can totally make that delicious bone broth right in the Instant Pot for a fraction of the time it takes using a slow cooker or the stove top.

The possibilities really are endless. Plus, with the popularity of this gadget, there are more recipes than you could ever imagine out there. Like this Instant Pot cookbook (Amazon affiliate link - I earn a small commission to keep this site going if you buy through this link - guys, I NEED coffee!):

Where can i find an instant pot?

Well, like I said, I have the 6 quart 9-in-1 version which is plenty for my small family of 2. I imagine it would also work well for a family of 4. Anything larger I would recommend the 8 quart.

Buy the 6 quart here

Buy the 8 quart here

Interested in some other versions? You can check them out and/or purchase them below (Amazon affiliate links - I earn a small commission to get making awesome recipes for this site!):

Instant Pot DUO60 8 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use

Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use

If this sounds like something you'd be interested in, you can buy your Instant Pot right now!

Not sure yet? Check out some of these super awesome recipes to see if the Instant Pot is for you:

Caramelized Pork Ramen
Vietnamese Beef Pho
Spicy Creamed Corn
Vietnamese Fish Sauce Pork
Corned Beef
Corned Beef and Cabbage Stew

Did you buy an Instant Pot? Did my Instant Pot review help you make the decision? If you bought it, how has it changed your cooking game? Leave a comment below and let me know!