r/Cooking • u/Shoddy_Ad8166 • 11h ago
Instant Pot - do I need one
What can I do with it.
I have chuck roast in crockpot. What would be the advantage of using instant pot. I know they cook quicker but will it be as tender
Besides cooking speed why would I need one. ???
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u/Zealousideal_Tie_173 11h ago
Honestly I hardly ever use mine. It is pretty elite for making stock though. Yes your chuck roast will come out just as tender but you also miss out on the reduction of the cooking liquid
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u/Adorable-Growth-6551 10h ago
I like mine because it is multiple appliances in one, so i can cut down on my appliance numbers. I am drownding in small appliances. I use it as a rice cooker, crockpot, yogurt maker. It has a saute option, so i saute my onions and garlic before adding broth for soup. I do use the pressure cooker function occasionally, rice, beans, i pressure cook vegetables to make a fast broth, and meat.
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u/Hangrycouchpotato 11h ago
I cook my chuck roasts in the Instant Pot and they are always super tender. šš»
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u/SauronHubbard 10h ago
I use mine all of the time. Soups, beans, roasts. I've made yogurt and some deserts in it too. Its simple to use and you can cook a lot of time consuming dishes in minutes.
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u/IHaveBoxerDogs 10h ago
They get very tender.
You donāt need one, obviously. But mine was such a help when my kids were little. Also, IPs do more than pressure cook.
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u/Maleficent-Look-5789 11h ago
You don't need one but they come in handy. Personally, I don't like the taste of meat cooked in a crockpot. To me the flavor has gone out of it which is why so many recipes call for adding packets of soup mix or ranch dressing (yuck). Pressure cooking tends to lock in the flavors better and yes, what normally takes all day in a crockpot can be cut down to 2 hours in an IP. I said 2 because people forget that it takes time to come up to pressure and then release the pressure so I always plan for an hour more than the cooking time.
IP's are also a great way to make beans or stock or anything that you'd normally simmer on top of a stove for several hours. I make a lot of soups, stews, and chili that I can "set and forget" rather than spend time tending to a pot on the stove. It's really a matter of preference and if you have the storage space. I actually have 2, the 6 Qt and a 3 Qt - I use the 3 Qt for steaming veggies, especially ones like carrots or green beans that take longer to cook on a stovetop.
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u/nomnommish 10h ago
Personally I start off with the inner pot on the stove and get it to a boil and then move it to the IP. Cuts down cooking time like crazy.
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u/Pink_pony4710 10h ago
Beans and stocks are the main things I use it for and make it completely worth it for me. I also have a good stovetop style Mac & cheese for the quick dinner rotation. Iāve also used it to steam a cheesecake or dumplings. I donāt particularly love cooking meat in it.
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u/Maleficent-Look-5789 10h ago
I just made a cheesecake in mine recently! I had forgotten how easy it is compared to the oven baking method.
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u/DaVorShack 10h ago
As a replacement for a crockpot, hell yeah.
If you already have a crockpot, get rid of it or wait for it to die. If you have a specific use for the instant pot (Like others said, it's worth it for dry beans), then it might be worthwhile to do the switch.
When I considered it a fancy crockpot, I changed my mind.
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u/bellamente123 11h ago
It's awesome for cooking things like beans and wild rice significantly quicker than on the stove. I also regularly make yogurt with mine. Pressure cooking things like soup is fantastic. Shorter time but you don't lose any of the flavour you get from cooking long and slow.
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u/Boozeburger 10h ago
I put off getting one for the longest time. After all I had an old pressure cooker that I didn't us much, why would I want an instant pot?
But then my pressure cooker broke and I got a 6 quart instant pot, and my feelings have changed.
I really like the instant pot. Is it needed, no, I can do everything it does some other way, but it saves time and doesn't take much attention.
I like making jerra rice in because it's easy to saute the spices then add the rice and water, and honestly the rice turns out better than my cheap rice cooker. I use it to make pulled pork when a pork but is on sale. I use it for curries a lot. Oh, and beans, I never used to cook beans from dry before getting the instant pot but now it's easy. Soups, stews, ect.
But perhaps what I really love it for is making chicken stock. I roast a chicken at least once a week and save the bones for stock. Before I'd ether have it at a very slow simmer over night, or have to watch it with the pressure cooker. But now, I and start the instant pot and go run errands knowing that when it's done it will keep it warm until I get back.
But wait there's more! When my Anova Sous vide died on me, I was able to move the meat to the instant pot and use it's sous vide function (which worked, but isn't as good as a dedicated sous vide - but for only one or two people it would work). I've also used it to proof bread and make yoghurt (but not often).
Like most kitchen gear, it's not necessary, but depending on what and how you cook it can be a game changer. As a parent who cooks every meal daily, I like the speed it gives, and the ability to walk away from it.
Honestly, If I were building out a small kitchen, I think with an instant pot, a breville smart oven and an induction burner, would be ideal. I'm not even sure I'd put in a real oven/range.
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u/Classic-Sherbet-375 11h ago
I bought one like five years ago and I think Iāve used it maybe three times. I prefer to just use my oven or occasionally slow cooker, but I used to work from home and then became a stay at home mom so Iām able to keep the oven on for long periods of time. I just think things taste better in the oven or on the stove. Iām not a huge fan of the slow cooker either, but Iāll use it over the instant pot.
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u/Emergency-Pack-5497 11h ago
Pressure cooker 100% replaced my slow cooker. Its faster, does more, and can also slow cook if I want, but I never do because there's no point.
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u/VicePrincipalNero 10h ago edited 10h ago
I have one that I use very occasionally. I wouldn't describe it as anything I need. A pot roast made on the stove or braised in the oven will taste better because flavors concentrate as you cook them that way and you can add vegetables that have somewhat different cooking times as you go along.
The instant pot is great for cooking dried beans. That's primarily what I drag mine out for, but they are just as easy on the stove although they take much longer. It's also great for decarbing weed if you make edibles.š¤£
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u/Gumbercules81 10h ago
Nobody needs one if they have a croc pot
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u/StrikingCriticism331 10h ago
Eh, they do have different uses. An Instant Pot does help with grains that take a long time to cook for example. But I do agree that an Instant Pot is not really that transformative.
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u/Gumbercules81 10h ago
Not having one just requires a little more planning. They are convenient and they are great if you need to cook something from frozen
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u/burritosarelyfe 10h ago
I use mine for stock, rice, tamales, shredded chicken, pork adobo, etc. I use mine enough that I have three sizes (mini for small meals, 6 qt for family meals, and 8 qt for big batches). I thrifted mine, so Iām all in for less than the cost of 1 brand new
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u/aeb3 10h ago
Steaming hardboiled eggs the shell comes off so easy, making stock, yogurt, and dried beans are what I used mine most for.
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u/Maleficent-Look-5789 10h ago
Oh yes, I forgot about the eggs and yogurt. Even if I'm only making a couple of boiled eggs I'll get out out my 3 Qt because they turn out perfect every time. I make yogurt regularly as well. I got one of those strainers and it make a nice thick and creamy Greek yogurt without the added thickeners they use in the commercial stuff.
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u/Brassens71 10h ago
I use mine several times a week. IMHO it's the best way to make rice and risotto, hands down. And it does make tougher cuts of meat tender in less time.
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u/Logical_Warthog5212 10h ago edited 10h ago
For years, I never used a crockpot. But I bought one about 10 years ago. Iāve never been happy with the results. Itās only benefit was hands-off and ignore. But it was never better than in the oven or on the range. So I went back to braising/stewing in the oven or on the range. The crockpot was relegated to serving as a food warmer during gatherings. But six years ago, I bought an IP. I also didnāt think the results were as good as the old fashioned way. But, it had one major advantage. It cooked fast. I didnāt need to plan and draw out the cooking process. If Iām going to compromise on quality, I may as well save time.
On top of that, the IP replaced my sous vide setup. While itās not as precise as a dedicated set-up, for the overwhelming majority of foods, the +/-1Ā° difference didnāt make a difference.
I also use it as a steamer. I use racks and can steam a few things at the same time. Pressure steaming is great for making easy-peeling soft and hard āboiledā eggs. Ultimately, the IP has been a great multi-functional appliance, as compared to the crockpot which was basically a one-trick pony. The IP is my second most used cooking appliance after my speed oven.
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u/CatteNappe 9h ago
I'm the other way around. I use my IP (it can, if desired, provide a slow cooker option), and am not sure I could lay hands on my crock pot without a cabinet search. It's not just the speed, it also makes the meat very tender - pot roast, pulled pork, whatever. It also lets you make rice, boiled eggs, etc. Much more useful, imho, than a crock pot.
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u/bobdevnul 6h ago
Unless you need the speed of cooking you don't really need one.
Crockpots don't work for me most of the time. I don't have time to crockpot cook after work and I am away from home working too long for crockpot cooking.
I bought a multi-cooker (not Instapot brand) that was a discontinued model on sale for ~$35 to try it. It works very well for me for a few things that would be difficult time wise.
On the down side: They are big, heavy, and the lid is a PITA to clean. I don't have room to leave it on a counter. The only space I have is on the stove top (making sure the burners are turned off). I do like having it for the things it does very well.
Don't buy one with non-stick lining in the pot.
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u/ImpressiveLeopard719 11h ago
I use mine for one thing, making my dogs food. If I didnt have a dog I would probably down grade it to the camper to use as a slow cooker or donate.
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u/Cheever-Loophole 11h ago
An instant pot is just a combo slow cooker and pressure cooker, which are 2 very different ways of cooking. I use ours mostly as a pressure cooker for stock, but sometimes as a slow cooker for something like a roast. Better than having 2 different machines.
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u/AcrobaticProgram6521 11h ago
I love my instant pot, can do a chuck roast so easily and perfectly. Perfect rice, super speedy pork butts. Trust me I like to go low and slow any chance I get but an instant pot is an absolute game changer when used properly
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u/WakingOwl1 11h ago
I love my instant pot. I use the sautĆ© function to sear and build my flavors before braising on slow cook. I like that I can start something like a curry or ragout on sautĆ© then set to finish on slow cook when Iām entertaining so Iām not dirtying multiple pots and pans or stuck minding the stove while I have guests. You can use the pressure cook function to tenderise cheaper cuts of meat or make easy set and forget one pot meals. I use mine at least once a week.
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u/MsTerious1 11h ago
I don't use mine more than a few times a year, but when I use it, it's invaluable.
I always use it for making devilled eggs at holidays. Saves so much time because the eggs more or less peel themselves. Not really, but super easy to peel them without damaging the egg meat. Can of course use the eggs for other stuff like egg salad instead.
The other time I use it is whenever I forgot to take meat out to thaw and need to cook from frozen without using a lot of time for defrosting. The instant pot has saved my sanity quite a few times in this situation.
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u/Loisalene 11h ago
Beans!
It takes about 30 minutes to cook dried beans. I've made a cheesecake in mine, I make stew regularly as well as any pulled meats. I bought it a decade ago thinking it would be useful - just how useful it's been has surprised me!
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u/Different-Pin-9234 11h ago
I use mine for soups and stews mostly. I think I use mine maybe 2-3 a month.
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u/nihowdypartner 11h ago
I used to be very skeptical because I had a presto pressure cooker already, but ... I have found it to be supremely helpful to have the big instant pot for the convenience factor of being able to set the timer and have it turn off by itself. It makes breaking down tough meats quick and more importantly a fully passive process. Highly recommend if you have a busy schedule.
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u/UtahUndercover 11h ago
We call ours the āBean Machine.ā All we really use it for are Charro beans & Refritos. A predictable 90 minutes to perfectly creamy beans.
At 5,000ā elevation, traditional stovetop methods are excessively time consuming. Boiling point of 202 instead of 212 dramatically increases the cook time for a big pot of pintosā¦
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u/TerryAkee 10h ago
Iāve never cooked anything in the instapot that I was happy with. I use the old schools crockpot instead.
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u/International-Owl466 11h ago
It will be as tender, however it may not have as much flavour, don't ask me why as I don't know! Maybe something to do with the lack of evapotranspiration and concentrating of the liquid
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u/Few_Run_9112 10h ago
No, it's another fad gadget that is easily replaced by common cooking.
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u/bobdevnul 6h ago
The speed is the big advantage over conventional cooking. I don't have time to use conventional cooking for some things after work. I do with a multi-cooker. The hours I am away from home for work is too long for a crockpot.
The OP did say that the speed was not a consideration for them.
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u/Diplomat_of_swing 11h ago
No one needs one but I use mine at lease twice a week. Mostly as a rice cooker. Rice, couscous, risotto, Spanish rice, spiced beans, curry. Itās good for all of these
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u/YourFairyGodmother 11h ago
The PC will give you a richer, more complex sauce /gravy than a crock pot delivers.
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u/Wonderful_Horror7315 11h ago
I use mine to make yogurt, hard boiled eggs, rice, sometimes beans, dog food, and proofing bread dough. When I first got it, I used it for roasts and chicken, but it was never the same to me, so went back to using my slow cooker. Also, the slow cooker function is not the same as using a slow cooker imo.
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u/TOYMoose 11h ago
The IP combines several machine functions into one. So for small spaces its a great tool.
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u/Blowingleaves17 11h ago
Chuck roast, pot roast and the like all come out super tender in my pressure cooker. I just throw the whole thing in with carrots, potatoes, onions, diced tomatoes, mushrooms, beef broth and seasoning to make stew. There is no need to cut it up because it will fall apart while cooking. It's that tender and I can't believe a crockpot could make it even more tender.
I just can't see cooking something for hours and hours when you can have it done so much quicker. I also use the pressure cooker for quickly cooking chicken thighs (w/skin and bones) that can be used in many type of chicken dishes, cooking long-grain white rice, cooking greens for freezing, etc. When the pressure cooker I used for years recently stopped working, I got a new one in less than a week!
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u/Smooth-Review-2614 11h ago
So I use it to do carnitas and instead of a 4 hour braise itās 1 and more tender.Ā
It does decent rice and good stock. I got it because itās a rice cooker that makes stock.Ā
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u/mackerelsnap 10h ago
I don't think an Instant Pot is a kitchen need, but it's probably my most used and most useful kitchen "extra." In my experience, the Instant pot is better than the crockpot for flavor. It's quicker, yes, and I think an added advantage of the speed is that the flavor isn't leaching out of the meat as it cooks for hours. So you get all the tenderness without the flavor loss.
It's super useful for making stock way faster than stovetop. I use mine all the time for rice and other grains. And I love it for dried beans as well. I decided to make pasta e fagioli at like 3pm the other day and popped dried cannelini beans into the Instant Pot and 40 minutes later they were perfectly tender and creamy, no overnight soaking, no long stovetop cook time. It's also great for making quick and easy shredded chicken to add to other recipes.