An Honest Review of the 5 Best Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

There were electric pressure cookers long before the Instant Pot…

…but its name and marketing strategy made it almost as common…

…as your grandmother’s slow cooker.

An Instant Pot pressure cooker reduces cooking time, so tough meats…

…dried beans, and vegetables can be part of a quick weeknight meal.

Since pressure cookers are popular, there are many recipes for them…

…including cheesecakes, lasagna, easy-peel hard boiled eggs…

…soup stock, and perfect rice.

Cooking pots are typically made from stainless steel…

…which many users prefer over pots with nonstick coatings.

Replacement nonstick-coated pots are available for those who prefer them.

From a single pressure cooker to several products in different sizes…

…the Instant Pot pressure cooker product line has evolved.

Whether you prefer preprogrammed functions…

…or you prefer to set your own time and pressure for recipes…

…there is something for everyone. 

As we move into the next section, let’s listen to Steve’s story…

As of last night, I think my appreciation for the giant Instant Pot reaches its peak.

Two racks of BBQ pork back ribs were cooked.

I thought about just taking the meat to my dad’s and letting him cook it in the smoker.

Then it would have taken like 10 hours!

In fact, I could have tried sous vide,

but that would have meant I would have had to cut up the ribs into ziploc-size portions,

find a cooler big enough to hold the meat together,

and then cook it all for several hours to get a smooth texture. 

However, with this Instant Pot, it’s a whole different story. 

A tasty, perfect barbecue rib dish cooked in just about one hour —

enough to feed at least eight people.

This is definitely something I would recommend to my friends.

Here is a list of the top Instant Pots available…

Our Top Picks for Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Let’s go through the instant pot pressure cooker one by one…

Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Featured with some of the most popular presets…

…such as pressure, slow cooking, sauté, soup, broth…

…cake, rice, bean, grain, porridge, oatmeal, sterilize, yogurt, and sous vide…

…this makes it simple to prepare all your favorite recipes.

Besides the progress bar, the display gives information on the pressure…

…and temperature of the cooking process.

Using the manual function is easy, too…

…with clearly marked buttons for all the settings.

While the 6-quart size is great for families or singles, it’s not too large for storing.

The sous vide feature lets you cook chicken breasts…

…or steaks at precisely the right temperature…

…and it also works well for cooking soups and stews.

Pros:

• Precise temperatures for sous vide
• Simple to operate
• Sterilize setting

Cons:

• Older exterior design
• Cooking pot is not nonstick

Keep reading for more instant pot pressure cooker…

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

One feature of the Duo line of pressure cookers is the yogurt button…

…which many users are enchanted with.

It is fairly straightforward to make yogurt without a special appliance…

…but the Instant Pot makes the process even easier…

…since it automatically maintains the proper temperature…

…for incubation without any user intervention.

Our tester was convinced after testing this feature several times.

This cooker features programs for soup and broth, meat and stew…

…beans and chili, poultry, sauté, steam, rice, porridge…

…multigrain, slow cook, keep warm, and yogurt.

When using the manual method…

…you can choose two levels of pressure, three sauté temperatures…

…or three slow cooking temperatures.

Unlike manual cooking, which can be set for up to 2 hours…

…delayed cooking can be delayed for up to 24 hours.

Pros:

• Saves previous settings
• Three temperature levels
• Accurate temperature control

Cons:

• Comes with minimal accessories
• Difficult to see the pressure valve

  “The device has its temperature and pressure sensors dialed in, resulting in precise results when cooking.” 

Danielle Centoni — Food Writer, Editor, and Cookbook Author

Go on for the next instant pot pressure cooker…

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

The new Instant Pot model, the Pro, offers features that experienced cooks will love.

It has the typical cooking presets, but it also has five programmable presets…

…where cooks can input their own favorite settings for recipes they make often.

It is equipped with familiar buttons for pressure cook, rice / grain, steam…

…sauté, slow cook, sous vide, yogurt, and bake.

Additionally, it has 28 customizable programs for things like chicken and pasta.

With a black exterior and black and white display…

…the hardware is different from previous models.

The steam release is diffused to reduce noise and splatter.

The pot has side handles that make it easy to remove, carry…

…and drain, and it is stovetop safe.

The quick-cool tray can be purchased separately to speed cooling…

…and reduce pressure faster, allowing the pot to be opened more quickly.

In addition to the 6-quart size, the larger 8-quart model…

…allows for more water circulation around the food during sous vide cooking.

Pros:

• 8-quart size for larger batches
• Five customizable presets
• Precise temperature control

Cons:

• Pricey
• May be learning curve for settings

More instant pot pressure cooker…

Instant Pot Ultra 10-In-1 Pressure Cooker

While the 6-quart Instant Pots are certainly popular…

…sometimes a larger pot is the better option for families that are hungry…

…or for those who plan to freeze large quantities of food.

You can set this for pressure cooker, soup / broth, meat / stew…

…beans / chili, steam, slow cooker, sauté, warm, rice, porridge…

…multigrain, egg, cake, sterilize, yogurt…

…and the “ultra” setting for complete customization.

It is easy to use the large start and cancel buttons.

When replacing the lid, there is no need to triple-check the vent…

…since it automatically returns to pressure when the lid is replaced.

It has a more user-friendly vent button than older styles…

…and the sterilize setting isn’t just for bottles.

It can also be used to pasteurize dairy products, according to the brand.

As a result of the large LCD screen, it’s easy to see the selected setting…

…and the cooking progress at any time.

Pros:

• 8-quart size for bigger batches
• See cooking stats and progress at a glance
• Altitude adjustment

Cons:

• Expensive
• May be a learning curve for new buttons

Last instant pot pressure cooker…

Instant Pot Smart WiFi 8-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker

Wireless control is not essential, but it’s a nice feature to have.

Furthermore, let’s admit it: it’s very convenient to be able to glance…

…at an app to see when the food is finishing cooking…

…while we’re trying to figure out if the lawn needs mowing before it’s ready.

The app that controls this Instant Pot has over 1,100 recipes…

…including vegan and vegetarian options.

Moreover, the pot is compatible with Alexa devices…

…so you can ask Alexa how long it has left to cook. 

With 13 smart programs for soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/ chili…

…cake, slow cook, sauté, rice, multigrain, porridge, steam…

…yogurt, pressure cook, and warm, it allows you…

…to make all your favorite pressure cooker recipes.

It’s a 6-quart pressure cooker, so it’s a convenient size for most home cooks.

Pros:

• Compatible with Alexa
• Linked app has more than 1,100 recipes
• Lets you monitor cooking remotely

Cons:

• Some have had issues connecting to wifi

You may also need this…

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Accessories

Steamer Basket

The firs instant pot pressure cooker accessories you may need…

The One Steamer to Rule Them All can handle everything…

…from broccoli to tamales to beets. For years, I’ve used…

…an old-school foldable metal steamer, similar to the one my mother had…

…except mine came from Goodwill. It worked nicely…

…but it was difficult to get out of the pot. But I’m now a believer…

…in the Hadrigo steamer. It’s enormous, optimizing the cooking…

…surface area so you can steam up to 10 eggs without stacking them…

…on top of each other. It has a handle for simple lifting and storage…

…and it’s far more compact than some floppy silicone thing.

Next instant pot pressure cooker accessories…

Instant Pot Mini Mitts

Reaching into the Instant Pot exposes your hands to searing hot steam…

…placing potholders at risk of getting wet. And while a pair of tongs…

…can get jars, pans, steamers, or even halved acorn squash out of the pot…

…they’re all too easily mishandled. They’re thick enough…

…to protect your hands from the steam produced by a pressure cooker…

…but not so thick that they’re unwieldy (a problem I’ve had…

…with many other silicone mitts). I frequently remove hot inserts…

…or steamer baskets from my cooker, and this made it a lot easier.

7″ Springform Pan

I used to steam cakes and custards in an 8″ aluminum…

…cake pan that fit just inside my Instant Pot for years.

That is no longer the case!

Because it’s much more user-friendly, I used the 7″ springform pan….

It’s small but not mini, and it makes lovely cakes that a smaller family…

….can eat before they become stale.

Desserts cooked in the Instant Pot are a revelation!

Try one of our recipes, or Laurel Randolph’s Instant Pot Desserts…

…(the flourless chocolate cake is amazing) for plenty of ways…

…to make the most of this cookware.

Instant Pot Silicone Egg Bites Pan

Next instant pot pressure cooker you may need…

True, this is a one-time use item, but it makes the finest egg bits…

This mold accommodates seven egg bits and includes a cover…

…so you won’t have to fight with foil to avoid condensation…

…from pouring on the cooked bites.

However, I would only recommend this if you enjoy egg bites….

If you truly like them, acquire two so you can steam twice as much….

I tried to come up with another purpose for these delectable…

…little custards little Boston brown bread, but nothing came to mind.

But I couldn’t think of anything. We’d love to hear if…

…you have one of these and how you utilize it in other recipes.

Last instant pot pressure cooker for you!

Instant Pot Glass Lid

This was my favorite new toy out of all the wonderful new gadgets….

Is there a lid? What is it about a glass lid that is so appealing?

This lid will only come in handy if you frequently use your Instant Pot…

…for things other than pressure cooking (you can’t pressure cook…

…without the unit’s bulky lid).

Making yogurt and utilizing the slow cooker function are the…

…two main pressure-free options. The glass lid allows for considerably…

…faster access (no locking and unlocking)…

…as well as much less condensation trickling down.

I tried using a lid from another pot as a faux glass lid…

…but it didn’t fit nearly as well, so this specialized…

…one is well worth the money.

Maintenance

Dishwasher-safe sealing ring, lid…

…and steam rack are among the Instant Pot’s major advantages.

Prior to cleaning your Instant Pot…

…make sure it is unplugged and completely cooled down.

By wiping the exterior of the pot with a warm, damp towel, you can keep it clean.

When bits of caked-on food accumulate around the lid…

…you can use a toothbrush to loosen them.

If the stainless steel pot has any stains or is dull…

…you can soak it in white vinegar and then rinse it off.

A good way to prevent lingering odors is to place the lid upside down on the pot…

…until it has completely dried.

Pots are probably most difficult to clean when the seal ring is attached.

We recommend washing the dish with warm, soapy water…

…or placing it in the dishwasher.

The rings should last you 18-24 months-they can crack, acquire odors…

…or discolor, so don’t expect to keep them forever.

Have two pots if you plan to cook savory and sweet food in it…

…(a sealing ring for each is a good idea).

Having a leaky sealing ring will disrupt the pressure cooking process…

…so it’s vital to check it after cleaning it to ensure that it’s still in good condition.

Sum Up!

There is no shortage of choices when it comes to picking out the Instant Pot…

…that’s right for you. Before choosing a model…

…be sure to consider the capabilities of your appliance.

How many people you plan to cook for and what features…

…you intend to use will influence your decision to purchase.

If you’re new to pressure cooking, you might be better off starting…

…with a simpler model that’s less expensive;

…however, if you’re an experienced user, upgrading to a more complex model…

…could be a good addition to your home kitchen.

Conclusion

Our top pick is the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker:

…It’s easy to use and allows precise temperatures.

Also, the display shows a progress bar…

…so you can see how the cooking is progressing.

Try the Instant Pot Pro 10-In-1 Pressure Cooker if you need a sous vide cooker.

 Even though it’s more expensive…

…the larger 8-quart model offers more space for water to circulate around food.

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