Instant Pot/electric pressure cooker

[RobsAKnob]

I've already posted this in Chat but have realised that it's probably in the wrong place so I'm afraid that this is a duplicate post...

I'm thinking of buying an Instant Pot - they look ideal for what I need (pressure/slow cooking, occasional rice, but I don't need the yogurt facility). There are cheaper similar machines available - is it worth the extra money for an Instant Pot or do you think that something else would do me just as well?

Instant Pot

Pressure King or Lakeland for example.

I hope that I could start it off when I get back from work, walk the dogs/do something else and then get back to a lovely casserole or chilli. Is this unrealistic?

Or should I just get the cheap one that's on offer in Aldi and see how I get on with it (and not leave the house while it's on!)? Any advice gratefully received!

[everythingstaken123]

I have an instant pot (two actually) and you can definitely put your food in and then go out and walk the dog and come back to a fab casserole. I don't use the slow cook function as much as I use the pressure cooking function and i've read on the internet some people think it's not as good as a classic slow cooker. I personally think it's better because it doesn't leak smells all day as the lid is sealed. I like the quality of the instant pot. I feel like the money was worth the product. Amazon always do them at a good price on Prime day if you can wait. They are pretty big though although they are bringing out a mini one soon. Sorry i can't help more!

[everythingstaken123]

That lakeland one is quite small. If you want to batch cook it might be a bit annoying. Pressure king also only 5L. You won't be able to fill to full capacity so probably will only be able to cook to 4L or less.

[everythingstaken123]

Is that Lakeland one even a pressure cooker?

[RobsAKnob]

Good point (and well spotted - thank you!). Maybe it isn't. The manual says an hour for a stew so I assumed it was, but having read your comment I reread the manual and it talks about opening and stirring every ten minutes so on reflection I don't think it can be.

Good idea to wait for a deal on Amazon.

Thank you everyone.

[HappylandToysEverywhere]

I want an Instant Pot too! In USA, they have brought out a newer version that's all futuristic. Is released here in October I think. If that's out of your reach, that one coming out, may drop the price of the current one.... x

[BrassicaBabe]

Bought one after getting carried away in a thread on here. Not keen to be honest. The food comes out all tasting the same. I prefer a long slow cook in the oven. Sorry if not very helpful 😄

[StatueInTheSky]

I love mine...not used it so much through the summer, but really love it for bean, stews, and potatoes.

The risotto is also fab

the yogurt is very nice


I had to stop making the cheesecakes.....they are too nice!

[Oncewaswho]

I've got a 6L Instant Pot (from Black Friday on Amazon last year). I love it, make yogurt in it, joints of meat (from raw to falling off the bone in under an hour), soups, stews, rice, steaming fish and veg. I like that it completely contains cooking smells unlike my old slowcooker and keeps food warm when it's finished. I will say there's a bit of a knack to it though, needs a bit of practice. There is a very helpful UK FB group too.

[IDoDaChaCha]

DM bought one for me as a present. Because it doesn't brown food everything looks sort of insipid... It really put me off! She ended up using it herself and giving me some money instead...

[Oncewaswho]

The Instant Pot does brown things (it has a sauté function which is also useful at the end of cooking to thicken up for a few minutes).

[ASDismynormality]

I love mine, even took it on holiday with me this year!

[IDoDaChaCha]

Oncewas it doesn't brown like in a pan. Wasn't for me unfortunately.

[MagdalenLaundry]

I love my instant pot. I did well. Got it off a FB selling group for £30 unused and still in wrapping
I would definitely buy another but I would look on black Friday or when sales are on
I use the yogurt function
I don't like slow cooker, hated mine and gave it away
I would much rather use pressure then let it sit
The saute function is fab
I love curries in it. It makes food taste like it's been cooking for hours in just 20 mins. Real depth of flavour
The FB group is good.

[Oncewaswho]

Oh, I find it does brown like in a pan, I sear joints, brown mince, soften onions in mine, that's one of the things I really like about it.

[IDoDaChaCha]

Oncewas maybe it was the recipe I used. DM loves it. I still prefer my slow cooker.

[RobsAKnob]

Sorry everyone - I haven't checked back for a few days. Really appreciate all your comments, and am very tempted. I've never much liked slow cooker casseroles because of the unsatisfactory choice between browning things in the morning before cooking or having a monotone sludge (maybe that's just me though). Think I'll wait for a sale though!

[ClaireWilliams3]

Sorry, I know this thread is a bit old, does anyone know if I can do my Christmas pudding in a instant pot? Is there a cheaper one that would do it or is it worth the money? I do make stews etc, can't see me making yoghurt or pale chicken!

[everythingstaken123]

OP the instant pot is on sale in Costco from Monday at £71 which is about as good as you'll get it.

Yes, you can do your Christmas pudding in it.

[Munchkin08]

Hi, I've not used an instant pot but have the pressure cooker from Costco, was just over £50 and I love it, although have to be in when your using it. I do spaghetti boll in about 15 min and stew in 45 - can't see the point of my slow cooker now

[RobsAKnob]

Thank you - will have a look in Costco.

[Weedsnseeds1]

I got one for Christmas and it's been fantastic ( especially as my oven packed up in February)!
It's great for braised meats e.g. beef short ribs, ox cheeks.
I make stock in it. The yogurt function is great, in fact I made yoghurt overnight and I currently have some bread dough, made from the whey after straining, prooving away in it at the moment.
I don't use the slow cooker as the pressure cooker is so fast. It also has a timer function so it can come on while you are out.

[Wondermoomin]

I've just bought an Instant Pot Duo at Costco while they've got a deal on it :)

Just trying to find some recipes to try - what is the UK FB group that you recommend? A lot of the recipes I've seen so far seem a bit American...

I love Asian food and curries, but would also like some thing like stews/casseroles/pot roast sort of thing that my young kids would eat too.