topic Re: New Instant Pot for me!!! in Kitchen

New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:13:19 GMT

I have a 3qt IP now, that I use alot----it is very small----but there is only me and my DD to cook for-----I did have a 6qt a few years back that I ended haing to sell as I was moving and didn't have the space to store it. BUT-------I miss being able to cook bigger things, like a whole chicken or a big turkey breast--a bigger pot roast-----so I bought a new 6 qt from AMZ---got the 9 in 1 Duo Plus---only I decided to buy a returned one for 1/2 the price at $62+. I can still return it---- it has all the same guarantees as a new one---was thinking I'd made a mistake----but happily it came yesterday --the box was a little dinged up but the machine itself was in pristine condition--all the original paperwork included, was sealed up and the accessories/cord in the original wrap and sealed--no one had used it all, no scratches or finger prints. I think it was merely opened and then returned. So am very happy and can't wait to use it--has a lot of different features on it too, like a sou vide, am excited about that one and one for making yogurt, have used that before, and I can wash the top in the dishwasher too. will use my little one--in fact made polenta in it last night---delicious!!

Now--where to store it????

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

loriqvc — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 01:26:27 GMT

@wagirl - Congratulations—and enjoy! I love those "like new" deals on Amazon; I've gotten some amazing bargains over the years...

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

SaveTheTurtles — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 01:50:27 GMT

I never had luck with my instant pot. Most likely operator error so I pawned it off on my son and his gf. Good luck with your new one.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

AuntMame — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 04:26:25 GMT

Congrats on the new Instant Pot! Sounds like you will get a lot of use out of it.

I have a 3 qt. one which I use all the time. There's just DH and me to cook for. I'd love a 6 qt. but don't have the room for it. I'd like to cook larger items. And cheesecake. It's really tough making little cheesecakes in the 3 qt. without getting soggy crusts.

I make yogurt in the Instant Pot all the time and love it.

Sounds like you got a great deal too. Enjoy!

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:26:46 GMT

@SaveTheTurtles ---I learned to cook using the old time Presto stove top pressure cooker--when I was in 5th grade or so--my mom went back to work then so she got me going on it--used it almost every night back then. so I have lots of experience with it--but hands down, these electric ones are the best!! I hated to have to find my other 6qt a new home---there is a learning curve tho---

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:31:09 GMT

@AuntMame --I have made yougrt in mine too as well as cooking eggs and taters for a spud salad---haven't baked anything yet for some reason--cheese cake intrigues me tho. Rice turns out great as does risotto.This new one has a few new buttons my other one didn't have--sou vide is one I will try with salmon I think---theres a sterilize function too--not sure what that is----and it has a cake button too---

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

Razzy 7 — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:49:32 GMT

Perhaps a learning curve but there's LOTS of helpful info on the Internet on using an Instant Pot and folks who will be happy to answer any questions you have. A favorite resource I've found is Barbara Schieving's Pressure Cooking Today website. Her recipes are excellent and Barbara is also great about answering everyone's questions.

I absolutely LOVE my Instant Pots - they have truly changed the way I cook. When I decide I want to make a certain dish, I Google the name of it and the word "pressure" to see if there's a pressure cooker version of the dish. Often there is one or several. I look at seveeral of them and choose the one I find most appealing. I bought two Instant Pots so I could perhaps make a pot roast in the 6 qt. and potatoes for mashed potatoes in the 3 quart.

If you don't already own an Instant Pot, I encourage you to purchase one. My 6 qt. is an Instant Pot Pro but there are less expensive models. I also love books and own about 100 Instant Pot cookbooks - not necessary of course but they bring me lots of pleasure and of course I've found some excellent recipes.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

Lilysmom1 — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:01:54 GMT

@wagirl So is instant pot a pressure cooker? What do you do most? I have heard many rave about the so am curious.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

AuntMame — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:09:49 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@AuntMame --I have made yougrt in mine too as well as cooking eggs and taters for a spud salad---haven't baked anything yet for some reason--cheese cake intrigues me tho. Rice turns out great as does risotto.This new one has a few new buttons my other one didn't have--sou vide is one I will try with salmon I think---theres a sterilize function too--not sure what that is----and it has a cake button too---

I haven't tried cooking eggs in my Instant Pot. I'll have to try that.

DO experiment with making cheesecakes. Although they require as much time to cook in the Instant Pot as in an oven--an hour, they turn out so much creamier and fluffier. Definitely fun to try. Especially if you like giving little cheesecakes as gifts.

That "cake button" certainly sounds interesting! Have fun!

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

AuntMame — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 09:12:10 GMT

@Lilysmom1 wrote:
@wagirl So is instant pot a pressure cooker? What do you do most? I have heard many rave about the so am curious.

The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker like no other. You can cook so many things in it to perfection. And in an instant. Rice. Pot roasts. Squash. Beans. Even cheesecake.

I was skeptical when I bought it, but I love it.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:32:52 GMT

@Lilysmom1 ---yes it is a pressure cooker--- altho have heard many call it a multi cooker too. It does cook multiple things but they are all under pressure. It has a crock pot feature, sou vide, yogurt, sterilize, and saute--all which do not require pressure. I use it to cook rice, potatoes, fresh corn and fresh beans- which is amazing- I have made soups and oatmeal, hard boiled eggs, chicken pieces, turkey pieces, yogurt, risotto, mac n cheese. I use the general pressure cook button which is just setting my own time and temp to cook and the saute feature which just sautes--. I will start doing more with cooking beans--you don't have to do any soaking either. Cooking tough cuts of meats, like stew meat is really great--I love beef stews but DD does not---so I haven't done that as much yet. I will try putting butternut squash in it to cook--we love butternut soup and am going to cook beets in it today for pickled beets. Also applesauce is on my to do list. Like I said in a previous post, I have had alot of experience with pressure cookers so for me, it is a neccessary tool.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 15:35:35 GMT

@AuntMame --I will absolutely try doing a cheese cake as that makes me very curious. Yes, the cake button does pique my interest--need to read up on that one.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

AuntMame — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 03:51:14 GMT

@wagirl wrote:
@AuntMame --I will absolutely try doing a cheese cake as that makes me very curious. Yes, the cake button does pique my interest--need to read up on that one.

Do try making cheesecake in an Instant Pot. Cheesecake takes about the same time to cook in an Instant Pot as it does in an oven--an hour--but it comes out so very creamy and fluffy it's worth the effort.

You can buy little Instant Pot-sized springform pans and steaming racks on Amazon. The mini-cheesecakes make great gifts.

You can use your favorite cheesecake recipe. You don't need an Instant Pot-specific recipe.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

Lilysmom1 — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 10:53:00 GMT

@wagirl Thanks for the explanation. Last time I used a pressure cooker it had the wobbly top. Remember? I am sure they have come a long way since then.

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

wagirl — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 15:41:08 GMT

@Lilysmom1 ---OH yes!! that is the type I learned to cook with---a Presto brand----cooked fearlessly when I was around 10 or so---My mom went back to work so I started dinner for her. Yes they are so far superior and less scary!!!

Re: New Instant Pot for me!!!

MKR14 — Fri, 01 Mar 2024 21:29:41 GMT

Awesome book I bought on Amazon. Great recipes also.

The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: 100 Simple Recipes for Spectacular Results -- with Photographs of Every Step (Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbooks)