Instant Pot - should I get one?

[BeverlyCleary]

Does anyone have one? Would you recommend it? What do you use it for? We don't have a big kitchen - is it worth the space it will occupy? If I get one how big should it be? We're a family of 4. Options are 3l, 5.7l and 8l. Thank you
here

I love mine. I mainly use it as a pressure cooker, steamer or sous-vide, haven't used the slow-cooker function, I think most slow-cooker things are better done under pressure.

Worth getting just so you can cook Butter Chicken - it's heavenly!

I have a crockpot, some are just slow cookers but mine can be used to pressure cook too. It is amazing.

It has so many other functions too that I have yet to use and is less expensive that the instant pot.

Thanks very much everyone

So, looking at Which Reviews:

The Pressure King Pro: 68%
This digital pressure cooker has some user-friendly features, and can create tasty meals quickly, but cleaning up will take a little longer as you’ll have to do it all by hand.
Pros
Simple to use
Lighter weight than others on test
Pre-set programs
Automatic pressure release
Slow cook function
Cons
Pot and lid not dishwasher safe

Instant Pot 69%
This Instant Pot cooks well, but it’s not the fastest to heat up or cool down, and like many other pressure cookers the metallic casing is tricky to keep clean.
Pros
Good cooking results
Easy to use
Simple to program
Cons
No automatic pressure release
Hard to keep clean

Is the lack of an automatic pressure release a big issue? Also, not being able to put the PKP in the dishwasher - is it difficult to clean by hand? Thanks.

I don't know what they mean by no automatic pressure release- when the programme is finished the pressure will release slowly(known as Natural Pressure Release) until the pin drops.

Thanks sue

I have a pressure king pro which is essentially the same thing. I love it. Though next time I will get the instant pot because it's got the stainless steel pot.

I would go for the biggest you can afford. I do whole joints of beef in mine, casseroles, stews even pasta. There are loads of delicious recipes online and on YouTube for "dump and go" freezer meals which make like so much easier and gives variety.

Thanks cookie Great to hear such a glowing review. "dump and go" sounds great. Thinking of going for the 5.7l as we have a small kitchen.

I would avoid the Duo Crisp. It's HUGE and does nothing a decent fan oven can't. I've gone back to my (very) old Instant Pot - which I love!

I have the 5.7l Instant Pot (almost got the Pressure King Pro, but wanted a stainless steel pot as was worried about the non stick one scratching). I also have the Ninja Foodi (which has a non stick pot and has got a bit battered!). I use one or the other pretty much every day.
There are 4 of us (2 adults, a 19yo and 11yo) and the 5.7l is plenty big enough.
Search for Six Sisters Stuff on Youtube for a great selection of 'dump and go' meals.

I love been able to set it and walk away, its a very relaxed way to cook.....I've never made so many cheesecakes!

Thanks one more and Elvis

So far this week I've used it for:

Whole chicken (for sandwiches/salad)
Chicken stock and then soup
Chinese pork shoulders
Spuds for mash
Vegetable daal
Yogurt

My friend at work bought a Ninja just before Christmas and is raving about it. Can cook a lovely crispy rotisserie style whole chicken in about 45 mins apparently. She did one for her Christmas lunch

Stainless steel inner pot was the clincher for me. The lined ones are no good, the teflon comes off and then it can't be used.

So it looks like it's going to be the Instant Pot Thanks everyone for your advice

Love ours, I'm vegetarian but love it for cooking beans without soaking, and pasta mostly-can do macaroni cheese etc in one pot while getting on with something else-amazing! Also soups/curries/stews etc

Sounds great villa [ smile]

at which point it cuts out with a burn message and you have to tip it out, clean the pot, put it back in. Has anyone else ever found this

All that burn means is that it's too hot, it doesn't mean you need to do anything but wait for it to cool down a bit. No need to do anything else.

Thanks sirfred

Enjoy! I wouldn't have been bothered pre-kids - I would have said I like cooking the old-fashioned way and it doesn't always save that much time when you consider reaching pressure and releasing it. BUT - the absolute glory of it as a mum is that it's hands-off, doesn't need tending to. I couldn't be without it now.

I love ours. Great for batch cooking.

Mine was 79.99 so £84 not worth waiting for if you want it right now.

Consider the ninja as it has a built in airfryer and will save a lot of countertop/cupboard space if you are considering an airfryer.

I read the vortex is on offer! I'm just off to see...

I love mine, use it all the time and have never had a ‘burn’ message.

I love doing beef joints in it, and it really comes into its own with risottos and biryanis.

It’s fantastic.