If Time Is Not An Issue.....Do I Want An Insta Pot?

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

I am still on the fence with Insta Pots. Being retired, although, I work, fixing dinner is not an issue. I have 2 large crock pots and for things that take a long time, I use a lamp timer to start it cooking. We grill ribs so that won't be a plus for me at all.

In addition, in the back of my mind, I remember the cooks in my family talking about cooking under pressure. They felt that pressure cooking couldn't stand up to the development of cooking the traditional way. Also, I don'tn want all roasts to be immersed in liquid.

There are SO many traditional cooks on here, including @house_cat , I would appreciate your opinion.

Many thanks.

hopi · ‎03-09-2010

@ECBG

Love cooking and use to do it up really big including outdoor grilling and smoker. Every new gadget that comes out still interests me. I have a crock pot, nuwave, stove-broiler. Also a huge set of 18/10 SS pots and utensils. I add little goofy stuff here and there(ex: spurtles). That being said an InstaPot would be totally useless for the way I like food to taste.

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

@hopi wrote:
@ECBG

Love cooking and use to do it up really big including outdoor grilling and smoker. Every new gadget that comes out still interests me. I have a crock pot, nuwave, stove-broiler. Also a huge set of 18/10 SS pots and utensils. I add little goofy stuff here and there(ex: spurtles). That being said an InstaPot would be totally useless for the way I like food to taste.

@hopi There just seems to be such an interest in this product, I wondered about it. Thank you for your answer.

OutofMadison · ‎03-25-2010

Well I had a clone insta pot (which I rarely used) so I decided if I got a real Insta pot I would use it more (more functions). Wrong - I avoid it like the plague - everytime I think about using it I go back to my crockpot or my little Presto Options pot that I can brown in. I think my main turn off for the Insta Pot is the clean up - the lid, the pressure valve, etc. I can't remember the last thing I tried to cook in it but I know I have had more misses than hits for me.

froggy · ‎03-10-2010

There are many, many cooks who use a pressure cooker all the time and love it. I am not one of them. We just don't eat the kind of meats that require a pressure cooker. I much prefer roasted chicken in the oven - chickens are tender already and don't require pressure cooking. We like beef roasts medium rare, not falling apart. I prefer soups and stews either on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. But, then, time is not an issue foe me.

That being said I do own the Ninja Foodi just in case I need to pressure cook someting and it is also a slow cooker and has a browning feature.

Skyegirl21 · ‎03-20-2010

I got one about 3 months ago, when the Q had them as TSV. It takes a while to learn it, and honestly the manual That came with it was SO POOR and not helpful. I HAD to buy a basic book to understand the thing. But once you understand it, it's easy to use-

Everything I've made has been delicious! The pressure does infuse flavor, and the meats are always tender.
But it is FAR from instant. It takes about 15 minutes to come to pressure, + cook time, then 20 minutes to release pressure (if natural release).
I like it and I'll continue to use it, but it's not for everyone....

fthunt · ‎12-24-2010

Reading your post - since cooking time is no issue - I'd say you really don't need an I-Pot nor want one. It's not for everyone.

However, I feel the same but yesterday after hitting the grocery store and bringing home many many meat selections.................In the afternoon I did 3 pre-cooked dishes for the freezer & fresh meals.. 1) Italian beef cooked 20 mins 2) beef tender tips another 20 mins as they were small and............3) two big chicken breast in mush soup + sour cream (will add noodles later) 45 mins to cook. Started at 2:00 - done around 4:30 and kitchen cleaned.

When weather improves I can work outside and just pull a meal from the freezer = ready to eat after cocktail hour!

GenXmuse · ‎05-15-2016

I retired my instapot to the basement. I never thought it gave as good of results as a crockpot and regular cooking methods though I enjoy cooking and don't have time constraints usually.

Hoovermom · ‎03-19-2010

@ECBG: I am no cook, but I got an IP. I remember getting a pressure cooker, 44 years ago, for a wedding present. That thing scared me to death and I gave it to my MIL. Again, I admit I am no cook, but I have already given it for donation last month. Just could not get it right and always so much water. DDIL loves her, go figure.

LoveMyBaby · ‎03-09-2010

@ECBG

Hi, I never got into the Insta-pot, but honestly I don't think you'd get much use of of it. My favorite kitchen appliance and recommendation is the Breville counter oven. I bake, roast, toast, and you name it - its the BEST thing I've ever purchased. Also a fan of Le Creuset small dutch ovens that I purchased from the Q, the 2.75 capacity size (that fit in my Breville oven too). Those are also great cooking vessels. I make jasmine rice that turns out perfect, no separate rice cooker needed.
That oven makes me turn out delicious meals and I appear to be a fabulous cook - which I'm not, lol!

Breville oven turns out beautiful baked goods, bundt cakes are our favorite.

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