What is the Best Instant Pot in 2021?

Pressure cookers are typically used on a stovetop and operate at approximately 15 pounds per square inch. Most of the Instant Pot models do not offer such high pressure (exception being the Max). This means that, depending on which model you use, the cook times on an Instant Pot may be higher than the cook times on a traditional pressure cooker.

However, most modern pressure cookers operate solely as that device. A pressure cooker is one of the six or more features that the company placed into one device. The Instant Pot can also do things such as slow-cook and warm food, bake bread and cakes, cook rice, saute vegetables, and make yogurt. A pressure cooker cannot do any of these. It can only cook foods using steam, just as an Instant Pot can.

Almost anything! Customers have cooked various types of rice, meats, vegetables, fish, and even deserts in their Instant Pot.

There are thousands of Instant Pot recipes available online using different ingredients. We feel that the opportunities are endless. Additionally, you could potentially purchase accessories that increase the number of foods that you can cook in your unit.

For instance, many customers buy an accessory that allows them to cook eggs in the device.

They do this even though their unit does not have the “Egg Making” feature. The trick to using an Instapot is determining the cook times for various products. There are a few products that you’ll want to avoid, although the list is small.

First and foremost, you won’t want to put noodles in the device. An Instant Pot will not cook pasta. Doing so can produce too much pressure, making the unit dangerous.

Secondly, you can’t cook cookies in an Instant Pot. An oven will work best for this, and the multipurpose device is not a viable substitute. The same goes for bread. Although the “Cake Maker” option could allow you to make certain types of bread, the product is not a substitute for a toaster. Lastly, there are two foods that you’ll want to avoid for the sake of your taste buds.

Fried foods will not work in an Instant Pot. You cannot fry fresh foods in the device, as the product doesn’t serve as an air fryer. More importantly, if you try to cook fried frozen foods like buffalo wings, they’ll come out soggy instead of crispy.

You should also avoid creamy sauces. The cream in the sauce will likely curdle, ruining your dinner and resulting in a miserable clean-up session.

Yes! This is one of the primary benefits of the device. If you forget to thaw meat in the freezer, no longer will you have to scramble searching for an alternative. The Instapot allows you to cook frozen foods without a problem.

However, you’ll want to make sure that you add additional cook time when doing so. The more frozen the meat is, the longer it will take to cook.

One thing that we recommend is cutting larger meats into smaller pieces before freezing. For instance, if you have a pork loin, don’t freeze the meat whole. Instead, slice it into six-ounce sections before putting it in your freezer.

You’ll find that it’s easier to fit the sliced meat into your Instant Pot and that you’ll cut down on cooking times as a result.

When Instant Pots first came to market, there were reports “exploding” or failing to function correctly, leading many to believe the products were not safe.

The company has taken considerable efforts to combat these issues, ensuring that each one of its devices now contains at least ten safety features. Higher-end models offer up to 13 safety features.

Customers should read all guides and manuals included with the product and seek out Instant Pot Customer Service if there are any issues. This article from CNET also offers users with a few safety tips to consider when using their Instant Pot device.

Depending on which Instapot you purchase, you may find that it comes with accessories. Additionally, you’ll likely see that there are dozens of third-party accessories available online. Ultimately, you’ll find that you don’t NEED any Instant Pot accessories besides the ones included with the product.

However, purchasing accessories could enhance your experience and allow you to get more out of your product.

One of the accessories we would suggest is an extra silicone ring. We frequently saw reviews from customers who said that the silicone ring was a magnet for smells. You can only keep your silicone ring clean for so long. If you’re cooking foods with a potent aroma, like fish or curry, consider swapping out silicone rings. You’ll find that future meals taste better as a result.