Instant pot is it worth it? 2 September 2022 at 5:54PM in Old style MoneySaving 26 replies 2.6K views

Julie79

Instant pots are half price right now and I'm tempted but also worrying about whether it will be worth the initial outlay to save energy costs when cooking? 
Does anyone have one? 
What types of things do you cook n it? 

sammyjammy

Sorry but whats an instant pot?  I've never heard of it! I thought you were going to ask about instant mash 

elsien

Type of air fryer by the look of it. 

https://www.lakeland.co.uk/62800/instant-pot-duo-crisp-and-air-fryer-multicooker-ip-duo-crisp80?src=gfeed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMInarEkub2-QIVWO3tCh3MUQhZEAQYASABEgJAu_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

bupster

I was looking at an IP that was slow/pressure cooker - they were only £56 on Amazon - but in the end I went for an 'open box' Morphy Richards slow cooker for less than £30; I just wouldn't use the pressure cooker elements of it enough to make the difference in price worthwhile. The slow cooker part on the other hand will save me a fortune now gas prices are so high as I like making casseroles and soups and it is about a third of the cost of the oven (even accounting for leaving it on overnight). 

I think you need to think about how you cook now. Do you use the oven for stuff that could go in an air fryer? Or mostly for casseroles and stews? If the latter, don't bother, stick to a slow cooker. If the former, think about how often you use it - if it's once a week it might not be worth it; if it's every night then definitely consider an air fryer Instant Pot (even though they're more expensive) as you will make the savings. 

Brambling

I don't have a instant pot but a king pro pressure cooker, which I brought 4 or 5 years ago half price and used vouchers when Tesco Direct closed.  I do use the pressure cooker aspect (it doesn't have a AF part) a lot more than I use my slow cooker but it probably does all the same stuff I prefer the taste.  

Some examples are 

a whole chicken approx 25 minutes depending on size
Oxtail, beef cheeks, beef shin, lamb shanks, pork belly etc all around 30 - 40 minutes 
rice pudding 12 minutes
chicken 'biryani' type dish less than 20 minutes
gammon - small 750g joint 18 mins 

These are the pressure timings, depending what you are cooking it will need time to bring up to pressure first.

I don't use it as much as I should and it did cross my mind tonight why was I cooking my bolognese on the hob especially when saw the smart meter tick over!  It does have a sauté function to brown the meat. My kitchen is quite small so I have to swap out the pressure cooker, air fryer (another Tesco direct half price bargain) and slow cooker and that is a pain 

JIL

I had one and gave it to my son, as I didn't find it that useful (it didnt have an airfryer) my son and partner thought it to be really good.
This one


I would advise you to think about what you eat, and decide from there. I have a slow cooker which gets used a few times per month, and an airfryer that is used a few times per week.  I probably use the oven twice per week at the most. 

maisie_cat

I have two multicookers, and use at least one daily. They both have pressure cooking and normal cooking, slow cooking as well as air fryer, sous vide.
I think it really depends on what you cook. I cook mostly from scratch so being able to cook pasta/rice in 3 minutes and a whole chicken in 20 without having to watch a pan is great. Yesterday I made chicken mushroom pasta, the day before I slowcooked a brisket for 4 meals.
I wouldn't be without ours and could certainly manage without an oven now.

PollyWollyDoodle

I’ve got an Instant Pot and I love it, but I already had and used a traditional pressure cooker. The IP can sauté although I find it’s very hot as there’s not much control, and I don’t use the slow cooker function as the pressure cooker is so quick. 

I make bolognaise, curry, stew and the like, usually in 20 minutes or so. It cooks pulses really rapidly and makes great chicken stock. I also use it to hard boil eggs and make yoghurt. As you can tell, I’m a real fan, but it does take up quite a bit of room in the cupboard. If you do decide to get one there’s a very good Facebook group - the recipe book that comes with it isn’t much good. 

maisie_cat

PollyWollyDoodle said:

I’ve got an Instant Pot and I love it, but I already had and used a traditional pressure cooker. The IP can sauté although I find it’s very hot as there’s not much control, and I don’t use the slow cooker function as the pressure cooker is so quick. 

I make bolognaise, curry, stew and the like, usually in 20 minutes or so. It cooks pulses really rapidly and makes great chicken stock. I also use it to hard boil eggs and make yoghurt. As you can tell, I’m a real fan, but it does take up quite a bit of room in the cupboard. If you do decide to get one there’s a very good Facebook group - the recipe book that comes with it isn’t much good. 

Agree about the space, when I made our kitchen cabinets I designed a space just for them and the air fry lid.

CJRyder

I bought an Instant Pot years ago and it has been, categorically, the best kitchen purchase that I have ever made. It's been quite the workhorse for me, from late night "rice and veg" after playing darts to mushy peas from scratch, dried beans in under 30 minutes without soaking, curries, porridge, pot roasts, rice puddings plus anything that requires a slow cooker.

I bought this when the only air fryer on the market was the Tefal Actifry so feel that it's definitely worth the investment. 6 years plus and still going strong!

RobM99

sammyjammy said:

Sorry but whats an instant pot?  I've never heard of it! I thought you were going to ask about instant mash 

It made me wonder(mash)!