Instant pot is it worth it?

Cherryfudge

Topher said:

Is an instant pt JUST a fancy-pants pressure cooker? 

I never use mine as a pressure cooker (just never got comfortable with pressure cooking) but I often use it as a slow cooker. It does the most amazingly succulent chicken (for those who eat chicken) but my favourite thing about it is the yogurt setting. Excellent yogurt, ready overnight.

Rosa_Damascena

CJRyder said:

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!

I have seen at least 3 on separate occasions in the chazzer recently and was intrigued, but not enough to buy. Your post has now persuaded me to invest in one, on the grounds that I will be able to cook dried pulses in them - I have an array that need using up and my iron is chronically low. Am convinced a daily dose of beans will sort this out and provide a non-dairy protein alternative.

My soup-maker has been a godsend as I can soup away to my heart's content without the disproportionate smell that stove-cooking generates - and everyone loves the end results. I am assuming that being a closed system and not generating anywhere near as much steam as a PC, the same applies to the Instant Pot?

Cherryfudge

Rosa_Damascena said:

I am assuming that being a closed system and not generating anywhere near as much steam as a PC, the same applies to the Instant Pot?

No steam at all, that I've ever noticed, until the pressure is released. I don't use the pressure cooker part of mine but when I tried it out I seem to remember lots of steam. You can smell what's cooking, but all that not strongly and it doesn't pervade the house.

If you use it to sauté, however, it would be open so you'd get the same effect as stove-top cooking. I don't know what other people have experienced, but the sauté function on mine is quite fierce!

Rosa_Damascena

Under the direct influence of this thread I invested in this on Sunday: https://drewandcole.com/products/pressure-king-pro-3l/ . (Albeit a low-risk investment, as I bought it from my favourite chaz for £15). I can't wait to start using it!!

purpleivy

I use mine daily, sometimes more, sometimes the little one and big one as well!   But I was always an occasional pressure cooker user, now I'm a frequent one! 

Rosa_Damascena

purpleivy said:

I use mine daily, sometimes more, sometimes the little one and big one as well!   But I was always an occasional pressure cooker user, now I'm a frequent one! 

After a week of eating HM soup I wandered down to the kitchen this morning and wondered whether I should make some store-cupboard / freezer pea and pesto. This is a very strange turn of events for someone who doesn't cook, but the soup-maker takes all the pain out of the process.

The chazzer purchase didn't work out so well as it had parts missing - so I bit the bullet and ordered a BN one at the weekend. Should be arriving very shortly and I can't wait to start using it. These gadgets are like magic: stick your ingredients in and let it do its thing! OTOH it is taking me back to my vegan days, I am strangely hungry and wondering if I am getting enough calories?

Cherryfudge

What a shame about the charity IP, but I hope you have lots of fun with your bang-up-to-date snazzy new one!

Perhaps try adding pasta or dumplings to boost the calories? Or even a scoop of mashed potato? I've not tried it but it would work on the stove top so could be worth a go.

Rosa_Damascena

Quick update - the PKP is working out really well!

After cleaning as per the instruction booklet, my first attempts were conservative: I boiled huge potatoes, then a small portion of plain rice followed by some soaked chickpeas - all were perfect without having to play with the timer too much. This week I made black bean soup (using dried turtle beans that have been hanging round for a decade!) which turned out great once I semi-pulped it with my stick blender. Finally I made a rice and lentil dish in it which was easy peasy too. What doesn't get eaten gets portioned up and frozen. The PKP is just as transformative as my soup maker and I am very happy with it.

The plan going forward is to use it once a week and cook either 2 or 3 dishes in it before it goes back in the cupboard for the rest of the week and I am enjoying looking out for recipes of YouTube. I quite like this site: https://rainbowplantlife.com/mealplans/ 

My fridge is now looking strangely scarce, but for the cooked dishes, cheese, fruits and condiments! And although I am eating health food I am craving a stodgy pudding - think this is more to do with the change of weather than anything else though!

silverwhistle

Rosa_Damascena said:

And although I am eating health food I am craving a stodgy pudding - think this is more to do with the change of weather than anything else though!

Ask any apple tree owner and you should be able to get some fallers this year and then make apple crumble: sorted!

You could also make apple puree for the freezer.

Rosa_Damascena

I am wondering what pulse to soak today ready for the PKP tomorrow - suggestions?