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Post by brownrexx on Mar 27, 2019 17:18:04 GMT -5
Lately I have decided that I might like to try an Instant Pot. At first I didn't want to own a new appliance but I am seeing good recipes and the prices on the Instant Pot's are not bad. Maybe I could use this in place of my crock pot.
I know that some of you have these.
What size do I need? I am just cooking for 2 but would like to sometimes make a pot roast of 2-3 lbs with potatoes and carrots.
I don't need a lot of bells and whistles do I for just cooking a few meals or some dry beans? I don't want to make yogurt or use it as a crock pot.
How is clean up?
All advice is welcome.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Mar 27, 2019 18:07:53 GMT -5
I use my IP all the time, mostly for dishes with the grains and beans, and sometimes to just cook the grains or beans. I got rid of my crock pot, rice cooker, and one pressure cooker (kept the one 8 qt one that is induction capable, but have only used it a few times). The 6 qt serves most of my needs. I can cook just 1 cup of rice and other grains, but usually cook more, to have leftovers. The crock pot mode has 3 levels - a very low, for keeping things warm (around 160-170°), the regular crock pot level (a very low simmer), and a high level, like some crock pots have (a fairly strong simmer). I got a glass lid to use when using the crock pot mode - I can see what it's doing, plus removing the lid to test things, like lentils, or when steaming things, is much easier than removing and replacing the regular lid.
Though I don't use it very often, the yogurt mode makes great yogurt.
The sauté mode is good for starting dishes by cooking some onions, and the like, but the bottom is so small that browning meats for a dish would be better done on the stove top.
Cleanup is easy. I often put it in the DW, if it will fill up the DW, and I'll wash it right then - same with the glass lid. Otherwise, I wash it by hand. The lid is hand washed, and easy to wash. Sometimes the pot has that haze left on it - I can't feel anything on it, but this and other SS pots often have this left in the DW. Barkeeper's Friend takes it off easily.
As for cleaning up the unit, there is a gap around where the lid sets into, and locks into place, which can be a pain to clean, but it doesn't get much in it, and a wet rag will get it clean.
I use this frequently in the summer (along with that induction burner) , to avoid adding all of that heat into the kitchen.
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Post by pondgardener on Mar 27, 2019 18:16:23 GMT -5
6 qt would be ideal, as most of the posted recipes are using the 6 qt. I got mine last summer during one of Amazon's sales and I really use it a lot. Besides the 2-3# roast you mentioned, beef stew is great, as well as some seasoned chicken recipes. Hardboiled eggs come out perfect using the 5-5-5 method and I have used it to make soup stock from a turkey carcass. Another winner.
Generally cleanup is fairly simple, as the lid and inner pot can go in the dishwasher. I clean the silicone ring separately and some people recommend getting extra rings, if you are sensitive about odors transferring from one type of food to another. I purchased a separate steamer basket which comes in handy for vegetables and eggs, as well as a lid to cover the inner pot when you saute meat with oil.
And some recipes involve a lot of steam that needs to be released before you can release the lid. If I don't want the steam being released in the house, I will take the pot outside to do so. The amount of heat generated by the InstantPot is far less than turning on the oven, so that is a plus in the summer.
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Post by daylilydude on Mar 29, 2019 18:36:54 GMT -5
I have 2 of these, but not the "Instant Pot" brand name. Mine are a 6qt. Crock Pot brand and the other which is the 8qt. Farberware brand and just love them both! The 6 qt. stays on the counter as we use it a bunch and both of mine have the ceramic coated pots... so easy to clean. As for cleaning up the unit, there is a gap around where the lid sets into, and locks into place, which can be a pain to clean, but it doesn't get much in it, and a wet rag will get it clean. I use those foam paint brushes to clean that part... and I also wash the silicone ring separately. Hardboiled eggs come out perfect using the 5-5-5 method and no joke you can peel them with 1 hand...
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Post by bluelacedredhead on Mar 29, 2019 20:19:28 GMT -5
I have two. One is a 5 qt "knock off" brand. We used it a lot at home and then decided to take it on the road with us camping, even though we were also packing a propane campstove.I have to admit that I didn't want one originally but my husband saw so many positive reviews of them on camping/RVing sites that he thought we should give it a try. I'm glad we did. I planned our menu for the week for the pressure cooker. We liked it so much that when I saw a 3 qt Duo Instant Pot on half price, I snapped one of those up. The large one didn't fit under the bed in the van, but the small one slides underneath perfectly. We never leave home without it anymore when we are going to be away even just overnight. Best use is by far cooking of dried beans without soaking them overnight. I also like it for small boneless dinner hams and for whole chicken in BBQ sauce and one pot Spaghetti with the sauce infused into the noodles ! Funny you should mention the Induction burner pepperhead212 . I also have a portable induction cooker which I originally bought to try before deciding to buy an induction range. We take it, the small IP and a propane campstove away with us. We seldom use the campstove anymore except if we can't get an electric site.
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Post by september on Mar 29, 2019 22:18:01 GMT -5
It looks like I'm the exception. I have had mine for over two years and only used it once to make a pork roast. It was ok, but I was not that impressed. I just don't have room to leave it on my counter, and too cumbersome to lift it up and down to my storage cupboard. I'd rather just use a pan or my old crockpot. But you all know by now that I am not an enthusiastic cook.
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Post by pepperhead212 on Mar 29, 2019 22:26:29 GMT -5
september Putting things like this, or rice cookers, into cabinets definitely would reduce the use of them. I always tell people thinking of getting one to be sure that they have a place for it on the counter. Otherwise, it is forgotten, for the most part.
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Post by september on Mar 30, 2019 9:20:46 GMT -5
september Putting things like this, or rice cookers, into cabinets definitely would reduce the use of them. I always tell people thinking of getting one to be sure that they have a place for it on the counter. Otherwise, it is forgotten, for the most part. Right on!
My kitchen is small with very limited counter space, no center island of course.
The other objection I have with the instant pot, is that it really doesn't save actual time, because though the cooking time may be shorter, you still have the wait time for cool down to take into account, so your meal won't get on the table that much faster. The other thing for a beginning user like me, is figuring out how much water or liquid to add. I followed instructions, but still the roast broth had all boiled away and I had very burnt residue left. I'm sure frequent users get a feel for it and can avoid that. I'll probably use it a few more times if I get motivated.
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Post by Hensaplenty on Mar 30, 2019 15:10:18 GMT -5
I have the 6 quart and love it. Make lots of soups/stews in it, and you would love the ease of making a pot of dried beans. Go for it! Clean up is not hard at all.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 1, 2019 8:10:46 GMT -5
You guys have convinced me. I need to have one of these and am going to Bed, Bath and Beyond to buy one using my 20% off coupon today.
I am not mainly interested in saving time by using it but I have heard that some foods taste better using it and I also think that cooking dry beans or rice in it will be fun.
I like cooking and this seems like a fun new thing to try.
I don't really like having appliances on my counter top but before we built the house 20 years ago I had seen a pantry closet at an open house and I loved it so when we built our house I had a small closet built across from the kitchen. It has vinyl covered wire shelves inside and I can easily store things like my crock pot, salad spinner and other large items in there in addition to all of my canned and dry goods and canning jars. It's wonderful. I could never fit all of this stuff in my kitchen cabinets and it's easy to get appliances out since they are on the lower shelves.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 1, 2019 17:04:19 GMT -5
OK, I did it.
I went out and picked up an Instant Pot today. I got the Instant Pot brand 6qt duo plus which is also called the 9 in 1
It even makes cake which sounds weird to me but I will definitely be trying that!
Right now it is sitting on the counter and I will start reading the manual and cookbook tonight because I do not have the slightest idea of how to use it.
I have some beef cubes in the freezer so I am thinking that beef stew may the first thing that I try.
I also picked up the newest Instant Pot with 6 ingredients or less cookbook at the library on my way home so I have lots to read.
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Post by pondgardener on Apr 1, 2019 19:16:09 GMT -5
If you use it to make a cake, you'll need a springform pan or a oven rated Pyrex type dish that fits inside the Instant Pot without exceeding the recommended height. And if you don't already have a recipe for beef stew, the one linked below is a favorite of both my wife and daughter. I skip making the gravy at the end and add some canned green beans, frozen peas and corn to the pot after everything has cooked. The contents are usually hot enough to warm up the late additions. And since you can print out just the recipe from the link, I create a pdf file for every recipe that I find to be enclosed in a folder on my laptop, to reference easier later or to print out to share. Beef Stew
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 2, 2019 7:34:05 GMT -5
Thank you so much pondgardener , I was sitting on the couch reading my instruction booklet and also the cookbook for the Instant Pot last evening. The included cookbook did not have a beef stew recipe, just pot roast. I was feeling overwhelmed by this thing and all of the options and then I looked at my phone and saw your posting. I immediately felt better. So many people love this pot and I am sure that I will too but first I have to figure out how to use it. I have an appointment this morning and then I am going to fire up the pot and do the test run that they recommend with plain water. Beef stew tomorrow. I also save recipes on my computer and print them out or forward to others as needed.
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Post by pondgardener on Apr 2, 2019 8:11:02 GMT -5
brownrexx, a couple of other tips... if you do sauté/brown the beef in the InstantPot, make sure that you use a wooden spoon to scrape free the brown bits from the bottom of the pot as suggested. And add the ingredients in the suggested order and DO NOT STIR! Stirring some recipes or having a burnt bottom can trigger the BURN message and bring things to a halt. You can stir things up at the end when the pressure has been released and add the cornstarch mixture and/or other vegetables.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 2, 2019 17:00:50 GMT -5
OK, I am an idiot today. It is such a good thing that the Instant Pot manual suggests trying it with just water to familiarize you with the pot. It says to set the pot to steam and set the timer for 2 minutes. Instead of setting the timer for 00:02 I set it for 02:00 thinking that it reads in minutes and seconds like my microwave. Wrong. I thought that the timer was not counting down when it only said 1:40 after so minutes. Duh. Then I thought that the float was not rising during pressure since it did not come up above the top of the lid. I expected it to be sticking up not be LEVEL with the lid. Wrong again. I grabbed my phone and called customer support and got "Joan" who was nice but had such a heavy accent that I could hardly understand her. After 25 minutes on the phone I discovered that all of my problems were caused by USER error and that the pot works perfectly. I am now ready to make beef stew tomorrow from your recipe pondgardener, Thank you for the tips. I would have definitely stirred it before cooking.
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Post by pondgardener on Apr 2, 2019 20:03:55 GMT -5
brownrexx , I didn't even do the water test, so I can't be much help there. The pot can take a long time to come to pressure depending on the volume that is inside, so don't be surprised that the pressure valve takes a while to come up level with the lid. When it does come up, the lid will be locked until pressure is released, so you can't accidentally open it. And when you set the timer, say for 00:35, it will start to count down only when the pressure valve is triggered. Then the timer counts down to 00:00, beeps a few times to let you know that the time is done, and then starts to count the natural release cycle. But it won't alert you when the recommended time has been reached, so you have to watch that yourself or do a quick release which would affect the overall cooking time. And if you read any of the comments at the end of the recipe, you will find that people tend to add or change various ingredients but what you don't want to do is adjust the recommended amount of liquid. Anyway, good luck and it will turn out great.
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Post by september on Apr 2, 2019 23:51:53 GMT -5
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 3, 2019 17:36:45 GMT -5
I made my first meal in the IP tonight. It was beef stew from the recipe that pondgardener , attached above and it was really good. It turned out a little thinner than I expected even though I thickened it with cornstarch so the next time I would add a little less liquid but it tasted really good and the meat was unbelievably tender. I have made beef stew in the crockpot years ago and I have to say that this tasted better and the meat was more tender. I am anxious to try the IP with a chicken dish since we like chicken better than beef. The fruit in the white bowl is pear slices from our pears that I froze in a light sugar syrup last Fall.
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Post by mgulfcoastguy on Apr 3, 2019 21:19:11 GMT -5
You can find instant pot cook books in the close out sections of any major bookstore.
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Post by hairymooseknuckles on Apr 3, 2019 21:35:49 GMT -5
You Tube as well. They are popular with the RVing community
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 4, 2019 7:07:11 GMT -5
You can find instant pot cook books in the close out sections of any major bookstore. Thanks. There are also a ton of recipes online as well as an app for my phone with recipes. I added the app and just looked through it last night. I printed out recipes for home made applesauce and chicken cacciatore so these may be my next experiments. I like the idea of applesauce so I will probably try that first. pepperhead212 , pondgardener , pondgardener , daylilydude , bluelacedredhead , Hensaplenty , One of the reasons that I bought this pot is that I thought that I could cook dry beans in it and freeze them in jars for individual use. I currently do this in my crockpot. Do you cook dry beans in your IP? I had originally heard that I could use unsoaked beans but the manual recommends using soaked beans to avoid cracked or burst skins on the beans. How do you do it? Second question is about rice. There are only 2 of us and I don't want large quantities of rice. Do you use a smaller pot inside of the IP for small quantities? I saw a video that said to use a flat bottomed stainless steel bowl or pan and I have a snall SS mixing bowl. Has anyone ever tried this?
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Post by pepperhead212 on Apr 4, 2019 7:39:01 GMT -5
brownrexx You can cook just one cup of rice in the IP, or, like I did last night, a half cup each of barley and brown rice. Cooked up perfectly. In the rice mode, it is on a medium pressure, and automatically goes to 12 min, once the pressure gets up there, which is for white rice, so I set it on manual for 15 min, when cooking brown rice, and that works well for just a cup. Usually, but not always, I cook more, just to have extra. I cook dried beans in the IP, and rarely soak them, except for chick peas, esp. black ones, which are the hardest beans I've cooked! But I have to plan in advance, which I only occasionally do. lol I think that cooking in the crock pot mode doesn't really need soaking, to reduce the cracking, which happens more in the pressure cooker. It's hard to get the time just right, when pressure cooking - it's often not quite done, or they are very soft, and breaking apart. Sometimes, if I don't want this, I'll pressure cook them for less time than usual, then cook the rest of the time in the crock pot mode. This is where that glass lid is good - easy to lift off, and check them until just where you want them.
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Post by Hensaplenty on Apr 4, 2019 8:02:09 GMT -5
brownrexx, I prefer pre-soaking the beans, but try both ways and see what you think. I have only cooked rice in mine once. It was very good, but I stopped eating all grains and haven't used that function again. It's very versatile. SOOO many recipes now.
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Post by ladymarmalade on Apr 4, 2019 10:18:17 GMT -5
I followed this blogger the first few times I did rice. I absolutely love rice cooked in my IP. greenhealthycooking.com/instant-pot-rice/I cook beans all the time in my IP without soaking. I love the recipe for Black Bean Soup that's in the little IP recipe booklet that came with my cooker. It's delicious as a bean soup, but it also works great to use those beans for something else. If I think about it and plan ahead, I might soak my beans in advance, but if I don't (which is most of the time), I add 2 minutes to my cook time and I don't have any issues with the beans not cooking through.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 4, 2019 11:10:58 GMT -5
I don't have any issues with the beans not cooking through. I will have to try it both ways. They claim that beans that are not soaked have more issues with the skins splitting. Do you find this to be true? It may also have to do with the age of the dry beans because they get drier and harder as they age. I use my home grown dry beans and they are never more than 2 years old so that may make a difference and allow me to cook them unsoaked without splitting.
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Post by ladymarmalade on Apr 4, 2019 12:49:29 GMT -5
I haven't noticed any issues with skin splitting or not splitting. I think that with your fresh beans it won't be an issue for you at all.
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Post by daylilydude on Apr 5, 2019 4:24:59 GMT -5
I have read that soaking the beans takes a little of the gassy part out of the bean also. but I don't soak mine either, but you can do what's called a quick soak in your EPC.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 5, 2019 16:40:19 GMT -5
I made applesauce in the Instant Pot tonight and although it worked really well I will make a few changes in the future. My recipe called for 1 tsp of cinnamon and I think that it could have used less.
I decided that I didn't want to peel the apples so I bought 3 lbs of organic ones and it cost me $10. After cooking and running through the food mill I ended up with 2 small bowls of applesauce for dinner and about the same amount to save for later. Definitely not $10 worth of applesauce but that is not the fault of the IP.
The IP worked perfectly, I just need to use cheaper apples and peel them first the next time.
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Post by brownrexx on Apr 6, 2019 16:53:35 GMT -5
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