Talk to me about the instant pot...

[Hallomother]

There are a few different ones by the same brand what's the difference?! Do they all cook from frozen?

Are they worth it? Are they a faff to learn how to use ( have a six month old so not much time)

What do you use yours for?

More importantly, do I need one? 😆

I've had a pressure king pro, similar but different brand and loved it, cooked most meals, one pot cooking. Since then I've upgraded to a ninja foodi, it's a pressure cooker and airfrys. What I like is that it's a sealed unit and once to pressure can do other things and deal with the kids. Can cook from frozen too. Check out some Facebook groups as great ideas for recipes

They are great! Versatile and quick! I cook curries, soups, chilli, veges, in 5-15 minutes in them.
Agree with above. Turn on, do other stuff. It turns itself off.

Easy to use, too. (No, I don't work for a pressure cooker company:))

I don't find mine easy to use.

Yes. Worth every penny.

Chicken from frozen in 20 minutes (breast fillets) and so tender it falls apart.

Soup in 6 minutes.

Risotto in 8 minutes and NO STIRRING.

We did a roast chicken in it and it was delicious (and we got an awesome stock out of it too).

Consistent mash potatoes (I always get shit potato mash when I do it on the job, some so cooked they disintegrate and some still rock hard. With the IP they are all cooked the same.

I don't cook many things in it, and don't use it every day like some hard core IP fans do, but it's definitely the most useful kitchen accessory I've bought.

It takes a bit of time to learn how to use it. I’ve had mine for a year and love it. I’d say I use it at least 3 times a week. I cook all sorts in it - curries, bolognese, chilli, pasta and sauce, potatoes, even cheesecake! Once you’ve got a handle on it it’s like normal cooking but faster.

If I was buying one now I’d be looking at the new one with the air fryer lid. I have a 6L pot which is ample for the 3 of us.

I genuinely thought this was going to be a thread about someone asking for advice on pot noodles.

I love mine. I use it most days.

Sunday beef.
New potatoes.
Rice pudding.
Chilli.
Curry.
Rice.
Cheesecake.
Whole chicken.
Bolognese.

Just a few of the day to day things I use it for.

I love mine! My in-laws came round for tea and it was so good my MIL bought one the next day. Join the instant pot UK community. Loads of great recipes (free as well) and helpful tips.
Some of our favourites are:
Risotto
Ribs
Biryani
Honey sesame chicken
I use it every week at least once, sometimes 2/3 times a week. Next on my list to try is a cheese cake.

@fatted no advice needed there - beef and tomato all the way

So what model does everyone have?

Instant Pot Duo 5.7L.

Thanks!

They look a bit complicated to use but I'll do a bit of research

I have a crockpot brand pressure cooker. Bloody love it.
3 Tweens with massive appetites. i also do roast joints (lamb leg, chickens etc) quite often from frozen, then chuck into oven to crisp up.
Best kitchen appliances ever!

Pulses

Anything else either comes out too sloppy (stew) or burns (porridge and rice pudding)

I have a duo. I regularly use it for yogurt. On special occasions I make clotted cream
The rest of the buttons I ignore and just use the manual pressure button. It looks more complicated than it is
If you get one join the FB group for tips and recipes. You just have to follow the rules, especially when making tomato based recipes

The best thing we make in the instant pot is parboiled potatoes for roasting in the oven. They don't get soggy, crisp up beautifully.

Porridge is great, but you do it pot in pot, not straight in the stainless steel bowl.

Whole chickens are great.

Risotto is also nice, but my family won't eat it.

I cook a delicious Cypriot lamb, cumin, tomato and potato dish. It takes hours. Now I can pressure cook the diced lamb shoulder and add it to the potatoes/veg in the oven for 45 minutes. Not quite as good as the long version, but it's doable on a week night.

3 minute beef is amazing
Don't expect it to be ready in 3 minutes. 3 minutes pressure then leave for 50 mins (varies according to the size of the joint) pink and tender

They have just brought out the air fryer version which looks great. I have the standard IP but will be looking in to upgrading. Whats not to love about a pressure cooker and air fryer in one?
Is only available on the Instant Pot website at the moment though

Love mine. Takes a while to get used to liquid quantities and you need to reduce or thicken at the end of most things. I use it probably once or twice a week. Makes fab yoghurt too. I have the 6l duo.

I just have a normal stovetop pressure cooker for stocks and curries. You just put the lid on and it’s done. Much less faff. And £20

My main tip would be, whatever brand you choose, buy one with a steel inner pot. Non stick always peels off in the end and limits the life of the whole thing.

I got mine when I had a small baby, because you don't have to stand and watch it, just put the things in and turn it on. Some recipes you're supposed to fry stuff in it first but you can just shove it in without bothering if you're having a tricky day.

I have the instant pot duo and really like it. I find it takes longer than you think, especially with coming up to pressure but it is ideal for sticking stuff in, turning on and leaving it... it'll turn itself off/keep warm once done and no standing stirring things on the hob with the children running round. You have to be a bit careful with tomato sauces not burning but it's just trial and error. First thing I made was spaghetti and meatballs, whole thing cooked together in the instant pot and was lovely, great for curries, risotto, casseroles, chilli etc. Whole chicken from frozen cooked brilliantly and then made stocks from the bones in the instant pot too. I really rate it and haven't even begun to fully utilise what it can do.

I had one for Xmas, tried to make chilli and it kept coming,up that it was burning.
Put it back in the cupboard where it has languished since. I might make it my mission during the school holidays to actually use it.

I got a pressure king pro - think it was about £40 in Argos. I like it as I can make loads of rice (my kids are obsessed!), slow cook, pressure cook with the same appliance. I tend to use it to make Dahl, brownies, curry - I’ve tried a few pasta dishes with it but I prefer to just bung all the ingredients in and leave it alone