Instant Pot Quick Introduction

The Instant Pot just might be one of the best kitchen gadgets ever invented.

Truly. The Instant Pot can pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide (yes, you read that right!), saute, steam, make yogurt, cook rice and more! You can cook an entire chicken in about 45 minutes from start to finish! Cook dry beans in 30 minutes! Amazing!

For all it’s glory, I know friends that have bought the Instant Pot and it still sits in the box, untouched. They are afraid to use it, don’t have time to learn how to use it and so….it sits.

Well, I am here to help you get familiar with the Instant Pot so that you can pull it out of the cabinet, dust it off and put it to good use! And if you haven’t bought one yet, read on and then order one (you won’t regret it)! 🙂

Do not be afraid of this pressure cooker! It has loads of safety features!

One important note: The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker but CANNOT be used as a pressure canner. These are two very different things so please do not try to use your Instant Pot to can anything.

What can I cook?

The answer to this depends on what model you get, but the short answer is: basically anything. Instant Pot created a comparison chart of all the various models so you can find what will fit your needs.

Here is an incomplete list to give you an idea:

• Quickly cook meat (ribs are AMAZING in the pot)
• Delicious, healthy broth and stock (any kind!)
• Yogurt (certain models)
• Cook perfect rice (get rid of your rice cooker!)
• Steam vegetables (or anything else)
• Quickly cook dry beans (no soaking needed!)
• Beef stew, chili, and soups in no time
• Bread
• Meat, potato, and vegetables together
• Mac and cheese (it’s SO good!!)
• Oatmeal
• Homemade dog food (if you have a dog on a special homemade diet you will be excited!)
• Cheesecake and other fantastic desserts
• Applesauce
• Popcorn
• You can sterilize in your pot as well (baby bottles, utensils, etc) if you have that setting (Sterilize Smart Program)
• Probably 15 more things I’m forgetting or don’t even know about yet

Shall I keep going? I think you get the idea. There really is no limit. One of the best parts is that it doesn’t release much heat. So, in the summertime, you aren’t heating up your house when you feel like soup or chili or a yummy roasted chicken dinner! You can also bring your Instant Pot with you places like parties or camping! I got some serious grief from my husband when I brought my pot camping but he didn’t complain about the food!

How much space will it take up?

It is a rather large appliance so you have to plan for that. It could replace a couple other appliances though that you may already have like a rice cooker and slow cooker.

You can find the exact dimensions for all the various models on the Instant Pot website.

My Instant Pot is the “Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1” 8-quart model, purchased in 2017. They have since come out with several new models. The dimensions for mine are 14.8″L x 13.2″W x 14″H. You also need to take into account storing any accessories you get. Most of mine (steamer basket, fit right into the pot which is nice.

Tips if you are buying a new Instant Pot

• Think about what size pot you will want. I recommend going for the largest size you can because you may want to do batch cooking and it comes in handy for parties and holidays. You do have to store it though so keep that in mind.
• Read the features of each and decide what’s important to you. You may never try sous vide in your life! Maybe you never eat yogurt. There are so many options, it makes it easy to pick the right model for your family.
• Purchase at least one extra sealing ring. Keep one for savory dishes and one for sweet (dessert, yogurt, etc). The sealing ring will absorb the smells of whatever you are cooking. You don’t want your cheesecake tasting like beef stew.
• Instant Pot recommends replacing your sealing ring every 18-24 months. They will stretch over time with normal use.
• They do make specialty colors and patterns you can choose from to match your style.
• The Instant Pot Smart WiFi model can be connected to your smartphone so you always know what’s going on and can control your pot remotely. Even Alexa has an instant pot skill (though there are mixed reviews on this feature and I can’t see how it would be useful).
• Remember to check the comparison chart to help you decide which model will be best.

Tips when using your Instant Pot

• Always add at least 1 cup of clear liquid (water, broth, etc). This is very important. The liquid is what creates steam and without steam, it won’t come to pressure. This amount may vary slightly based on your updated model – refer to your manual to see the recommendation.
• The handles double as a holder for the lid!
• Make sure you know how to properly place the sealing ring, the condensation catcher and other parts. This is critical to the proper function of your pot.
• If a recipe calls for a quick release I will let it release naturally for about 5 minutes before releasing. This helps with the sputtering of liquids that can come out of the vent.
• Position your Instant Pot steam release valve away from cabinets if possible. The steam will damage the finish of your cabinets over time. I place mine on the stovetop when I am pressure cooking but be careful with this! There have been stories where an Instant Pot met it’s demise because someone turned the wrong burner on. I just don’t have any counter space where there are no cabinets above.
• Store your Instant Pot with the lid upside down and the gasket off. This avoids moisture that can lead to mold. Everything should be very dry before you store the IP.

I’m sure that all this information gave you a lot to think about! The Instant Pot is an affordable appliance that won’t let you down. The safety features give you peace of mind and quick cooking is a must for busy moms.

As always, please reach out with any questions or comments! I love hearing from you and I am happy to help!