Instant Pot: What you need to know
Trimarni
The Instant Pot has been termed the ultimate multi-functional kitchen appliance. It's a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice maker, steamer, yogurt maker and warmer and it can be used for sauteing and browning. Although the Instant Pot has been around for a long time, it's been gaining a lot of recent popularity. Before you purchase one, here's what you need to know.
What is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker and crock pot. For the at-home-cook, this all-in-one appliance can help expedite the cooking process of any meal/recipe. For the not-so-good chef, you can set it and forget about it - just throw the ingredients in the pot and let it cook throughout the day. In addition to these funtions, it can also cook rice, steam and sautee and keep foods warm.
Different types
Sizes range from 3-quart to 8-quart. The 3-quart is ideal for small familes, the 6-quart is ideal for families of 4-6 and then 8-quart is ideal for large families (or when preparing for a large group). Every Instant Pot is cylindriclly shapped and can be stainless steel coated with a black base and black and stainless steel lid. Some pots include a non-stick, aluminum pot for easy clean-up. The inner pot is made of durable, stainless steel. Some pots include small side handles for easy carrying.
To release pressure after cooking, there's a quick release feature or natural release. Most recipes indicate which release is used. For example, the natural release lets steam out over time and is ideal for stews and other foods that won't overcook. The quick release removes steam from the pot very quickly (1-2 minutes) and is ideal for pasta dishes or those that are at risk for overcooking. It's recommended to use tongs (instead of your hands) when using the quick release.
The Instant Pot Smart is even bluetooth friendly and wirelessly connected to your phone.
Is it safe?
There are many safety mechanisms built into each pot. Each pot comes with a lid and the silicone gasket prevents steam from escaping, to help regulate pressure. If the gasket is damaged or ruined, it should be immediately replaced. The pots also include a floating valve that pops up and automatically locks when it's unsafe to open the lid when cooking food because it's at a pressure level that could be dangerous. The warm setting can keep your food out of the "danger zone" which prevents bacteria from rapidly multiplying to prevent a food borne related health issue.
Duo vs. Lux
The Instant Pot will monitor pressure and temperature, making adjustmeents based on how much food is in the pot. The major difference between the Duo and Lux is that the Duo is a 7-in-1 cooker with 14 cooking programs and then Lux is a 6-in-1 cooker with 12 cooking programs. The major difference is that the Duo features a yogurt maker. The Lux only has high pressure settings whereas the Duo has low and high pressure settings.
Cost
The most popular versions costs around $100 but the price varies.
Do your research
While this information may be helpful in your decision whether or not to purchase an Instant Pot, be sure to do your research to find the best version for your needs. Here's a helpful link.
In the next blog, I'll be sharing a delicious Instant Pot Minestrone Soup prepared by my wonderful friend Joey.