Instant pot v cheap alternative

[Kaz2200]

Not sure if this the the right place, but asking advice from all you expert Instant Pot owners. I have an electric pressure cooker, bought off ebay a few years ago, lost the instructions, but do use it for cooking braising steak etc. Would I benefit from trading up to an Instant Pot, especially so I could get some recipes, or is there not much difference. Also looking at the Tefal version if anyone has that?

I don't have any experience of other ones but I love my instant pot.

(Probably not a very helpful reply)

I more wanted to know if I should upgrade or not.

I don’t really use the other setting other than pressure cook and sauté. The keep warm function is handy and I do like the Daley timer as well. The slow cooker option isn’t that good (but pressure cook is just as useful, just a different way of getting same result). I would imagine that pretty much all IP pressure cook recipe could be adapted for your pressure cooker. So I’d not rush to replace it. I do really like mine - it great for prepping stuff so dinner time is much faster. And the honey sesame chicken recipe (with frozen chicken thighs) is life changing

On and the IP supplied cook book is RUBBISH. I mostly use online recipes. I just google the recipe and add “instant pot” to the end of the google search!

Don't be dazzled by all the buttons on the Instant Pot. The porridge button does not suit the oats we buy in the UK. I never use the rice button, just cook rice using the normal pressure. The slow cooker function is nearly useless.
The simple pressure cooking is great though, and the saute function useful and powerful, especially when thickening sauces. (I still fry in a large wok, as I like having more room to stir the food). Keep warm is handy, but a slow cooker setting is much the same.
If your electric pressure cooker can do those things, you don't need an IP.

And yes, the IP recipe leaflet is hopeless. Madhur Jaffrey is bringing out an IP book next month. We can do with more UK publications, certainly.

Thanks everyone, I have to admit I'm a sucker for a kitchen gadget and would love a shiny new instant pot. However I will stick to my old one for know. I cooking a small gammon joint today, anyone know how long I cook for.

Well, if you really want one, you are in a great position to wait for a price drop and then buy. I know they go for £80ish at times, but I paid around £110 for mine. Still worth every penny!