To be scared of an instant pot?

[ferriswheel]

I really, really, really want one. But im intimidated by how many instructions ill have to follow so that i actually make good use of it. And, i dont understand why its better than a crock pot. Also, is it not just a displacement of food prep time, rather than helpful?

It's not scary and its very easy to use. It's much better than a crock pot.
There are some threads in the food section.

Thought you were going to be talking about a pot noodle
As you were...

They're incredible

On the whole i just press things until it works and it's always come good!

No instructions at all really. It's amazing for meat, risotto, rice pudding, stew, bolognaise. I make brilliant lasagne in mine too. Soups are almost instant and retain so much more flavour. I do jacket potato in mine then crisp them up on the outside in my halogen oven. The cheesecakes you can make are fab. I use mine to make yogurt overnight too on the yogurt setting. 2ltrs of fullfat UHT becomes a ton of plain yogurt overnight at the push of a button (with some natural starter) and lasts me 2 weeks, I have it for breakfast and in curries and sauces.

What is this Instant Pot? And will it make me regret buying a slow cooker?

Nothing will make me regret buying my slow cooker.

With allowing extra time to heat up and depressurise, is it really any quicker than regular cooking?

Dam it. I was successfully resisting a pot noodle until I read this.

With allowing extra time to heat up and depressurise, is it really any quicker than regular cooking?

Yes.

So what makes it different from a slow cooker? And, what does the pressure cooker part do? Also, does it have the same mush problem that slow cookers do?

My DM has one and absolutely swears by it. And she is not at all the type to embrace complicated new technology if it doesn't actually work for her.

If all you would ever use it for was a crock pot, I'm not sure it is better than whatever crock pot you already might already have, but part of the point is that it's also a rice cooker, pressure cooker, yogurt maker, etc.

I can say from visiting my DM that, while I wasn't familiar with the interface, I think it's probably simpler to use than my standard pressure cooker.

I've had mine for over six months and haven't used it yet because I'm scared of it! Someone's coming over tomorrow and wants a particular meal that would cook well in an instant pot. Will this thread inspire me!

Thank you everyone. Can you cook in different sections at the same time? Could you cook a curry and rice, simultaneously, separately?

Dawn, I totally understand. What part of it intimidates you?

TinyBarista I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought OP meant Pot Noodle, it's why I clicked on the thread

Dh bought one. I won't touch it, it terrifies me! Good job he does most of the cooking!

It's easy. It's a pressure cooker and a slow cooker and a yoghurt maker and I also use it for proving bread.

I got rid of my slow cooker because the IP does so much more.

I clearly like living dangerously, I use mine nearly every day.

Chicken and mushroom
Chow mien
Bombay bad boy

I clicked on this thread in the hope of a terrifying Pot Noodle

I've never tried using a pressure cooker before, they scare me. All the rattling, and threat of exploding.

Can someone link to a good but cheap one?