Here is the question everyone has been wondering. Is an Instant Pot worth buying? To put it simply, yes! Instant pots have been one of the most popular kitchen appliances for the past few years. You have probably heard your friends and family rave over them or seen them in the appliances aisle and been tempted to buy one.
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In fact, if you don’t have one, it should be on your list of must-need appliances. Instant pots are relatively affordable, and they can replace a slow cooker and a pressure cooker.
They are also popular for cooking meals that typically take hours to cook in just a fraction of the time. I mean, you can practically make the meal… instantly.
All you have to put all the ingredients into the Instant Pot and wait to enjoy the tasty meal! Here is everything you need to know about Instant Pots to decide if they are worth it.
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is essentially a slow cooker combined with a pressure cooker. It makes cooking slow-cooked meats and meals much quicker, so you don’t have to plan your meals super far in advance.
Even though many generations of home cooks have used pressure cookers, pressure cookers tend to be intimidating. In fact, stovetop pressure cookers can create serious safety issues.
For example, the lids can be removed before the pressure releases, causing many people to get burned. But Instant Pots make pressure cooking significantly safer.
An Instant Pot is a fully sealed electric slow cooker/pressure cooker with many built-in safety measures.
Instant Pots are controlled using a timer on the digital interface. The pressure builds up and is maintained at a safe level. Once the Instant Pot finishes cooking, the pressure is released before it allows you to open it.
Instant Pots are safe and easy to use, making them an excellent alternative to slow and pressure cookers.
Why Use An Instant Pot
An instant pot is a worthwhile investment if you love making pot roast, pulled pork, soups, stews, and other slow cooker meals.
An instant pot will save time, money, and counter space and is perfect for making weekday meals. This is a BIG reason why an Instant Pot is worth buying.
With an Instant Pot, you no longer wait hours for your meat to tenderize. Your meals will only take 1/3rd the amount of time regular recipes take. This means you can start making many one-pot meals just an hour before you want to eat.
What Can You Make With an Instant Pot?
Instant Pots are practically an all-in-one appliance. It is used for pressure cooking, but you can also use it for baking, boiling eggs, slow cooking meats, cooking rice, making soup, or even using it as a sous vide!
Since Instant Pots are super popular, you can find plenty of interesting Instant Pot recipes.
Check out my favorite Instant Pot recipes, including chicken teriyaki, chicken pho, Hainanese chicken rice, and many more!
More Instant Pot Recipes You Might Like:
- Easy Vietnamese Chicken Curry (Cà Ri Gà)
- The Most Delicious Instant Pot Vegan Chili You’ll Ever Make
- How to Make Silky Chinese Steamed Eggs in the Instant Pot
- Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo
How Much is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot costs anywhere between $50 to $120, depending on the type and model. Each Instant pot has a different size, function, and other design features, so buy the right Instant Pot that best fits your needs.
If you’re unsure what size Instant Pot to get, here is my size recommendation:
- 1 to 2 people, get the Instant Pot Mini 3 Quart
- 2 to 4 people, get the Instant Pot 6 Quart
- More than 4 people, get the Instant Pot 8 Quart
You can buy an Instant Pot on Amazon, Costco, or any kitchen appliance section. Do your research and compare prices at a few locations before purchasing an Instant Pot to get the best price.
You can also wait for large sales such as Amazon Day, Black Friday, or Cyber Monday since significant sales are usually for Instant Pots.
Pros and Cons of an Instant Pot
There are plenty of pros that could impact whether or not an Instant Pot is worth buying. Check out a few pros and cons before deciding if an Instant Pot is for you!
Pros
1. Many Functions
Most Instant Pots have between 6 to 10 functions, making them highly versatile and an easy way to make many meals.
2. Saves Space
Since Instant Pots act as rice cookers, pressure cookers, and slow cookers, you don’t need to keep as many appliances in the home.
This makes it easy to save cabinet space. Instant Pots are also electric, meaning they don’t need to take up a burner, so you can cook other things simultaneously.
3. Safety Features
As mentioned above, Instant Pots have many safety features, such as a locking feature that doesn’t allow you to open the Instant Pot before the pressure has been completely released.
This feature prevents the food from exploding and causing burns.
4. Hands-Off Cooking
When you cook with an Instant Pot, you can simply shut the lid and let it do its thing. You don’t have to constantly check on your meal or do any stirring.
Once the timer is finished, your meal will be done!
5. Faster Cooking Times
Instant Pots can cut cooking times from 4 hours to just 30 minutes. Save time by using Instant Pot recipes for your slow-cooked meals!
Cons
1. Takes Time to Build Up/Release Pressure
Although the cooking time is ‘instantaneous’ compared to slow cooking and pressure cooking, the Instant Pot takes time for the inner pot to heat and build up pressure.
Once the timer is off, the Instant Pot will need 10-15 minutes to release the pressure to be safe to open.
2. Can’t Check on the Cooking
When cooking with an Instant Pot, you won’t be able to open the lid and check to see if everything is going. You will need to trust the process and recipe you are following.
3. It Can Be Bulky
Even though an Instant Pot saves space by reducing the number of appliances needed, it is still bulky.
It will take up a significant amount of space in your kitchen cabinets. Check to see what size best fits your needs before buying an Instant Pot.
The Takeaway
To wrap it up, yes, an Instant Pot is worth buying. Instant Pots make pressure cooking safe, easy, and fast. Not only do they pressure cook, but they also have many other abilities, making them an excellent all-in-one appliance. However, before buying an Instant Pot, please do your research and find the best Instant Pot that will fit your needs.
