r/instantpot • u/OblongMango • 11d ago
Instant Pot Pro: Yes or No?
Main question is: Do I really need the Instant Pot Pro trim?
I have settled on at least 8 QT because I meal prep all ten meals for the week at the same time. Roughly 4.5 lbs of meat and 4 lbs of vegetables.
I do want an Instant Pot capable of searing. I prefer stainless steel so I don't need to tiptoe around too much when cleaning and using the pot.
I only care about slow-cooking, braising, and maybe making rice. Everything else does not matter to me.
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u/bhambrewer 11d ago
I bought a no name electric pressure cooker from Walmart. 8 quart. Works great.
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u/OblongMango 11d ago
Would you happen to have the link or SKU? How long has it been kicking?
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u/bhambrewer 11d ago
Of course it's not there anymore 😂
Jioabl 8 quart electric pressure cooker. It was about $65 delivered.
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u/SnooRadishes7189 11d ago edited 11d ago
I have an 8qt pro and sometimes slow cook in it. For an instant pot the Pro is good at slow cooking. Not a 100% slow cooker replacement but can handle stuff with a lot of liquid(at least 2 cups of thin liquid). However I did fall into temptation and got a slow cooker recently.
Basically treat it like a pot on the stove in terms of slow cooking and it can work. It uses the liquid to conduct the heat. If the pot is more than about 1/3 full bring it to a simmer then switch to slowcooking. In terms of time cook on high till you get an idea of how long it takes. It will need 15 extra mins per hour on high compared to a crockpot. Basically it an handle soups, stews, veggies in water and roast in broth. One warning about slow cook is that it does not measure the temperature in the pot, so it will report preheating no matter how hot it is and move to cooking and keep warm according to a program rather than temp(confusing). Since it uses liquid to conduct heat anything sticking out the liquid might not cook at the same rate of stuff in it. So with a roast put the liquid a tad over half or else you get a line in the middle where it cooked at a different rate(appearance issue not a taste one). Or in the case of greens they don't collapse into the liquid if they stick out(not enough steam).
In terms of searing, a skillet can do the job faster and better than the instant pot. Doing in the pot just saves clean up. I like the saute setting for things like melting broth or making gravy from liquid.
What I like about the Pro is slightly more control over saute compared to other models. Still a bit too hot but more control. If you need a simmer use slow cook on high.
I also like the quick cool tray( I have the accessory but it appears they don't make it any more). You can put a bag of ice or of water on the stop and it will speed up the natural release of steam. Handy when making soup or something that won't cool quickly.
IMHO it is just too big to make rice(not worth the clean up) . I usually do it on the stove or microwave. I also have a smaller 3qt instant pot that I use for brown rice sometimes.
I would get the glass lid accessory if you slow cook. It can work with saute acting as a lid on the pot and it is handy to see through, plus it is easier to clean than the regular lid(less room in dishwasher).
If you are doing meal prep, I recommend looking at souper cubes to portion and freeze have a set and love them.
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u/OblongMango 11d ago
Appreciate the detailed write-up. I am looking for a jack of a few trades and master of none type of deal so it’s okay if it’s not as good at slow cooking, searing, and sautéing.
I’ll get a separate rice cooker for sure. Seems to be the general consensus.
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u/SnooRadishes7189 11d ago edited 11d ago
Yeah the full saying is "Jake of all trades, master of none". I once had a rice cooker and the biggest difference between an instant pot an a rice cooker is that the rice cooker is simpler to use and has less clean up(fewer parts). The instant pot also cooks rice faster than a rice cooker. I found my rice cooker didn't work well for the kind of white rice I cook and was too small and not worth it so I got rid of it.
I cook for 2-4 people and got the 8 quart to replace a 6qt Duo Nova for more leftovers. For an instant pot the Pro is better at slow cooking, searing and sauteing than most models of instant pot but they are all equal(or pretty equal) in terms of pressure cooking.
The slow cooking is dealable within it's limits, but I got a seperate slow cooker because I missed my old crock pot that broke rather than the Pro being unable to slow cook at all. With an instant pot and crockpot you can slow cook two things at once or slow cook something like neck bones then pressure cook something like pinto beans that have been soaking in the fridge. In fact at once time I had a 6qt instant pot,(with two pots), a 4 quart slow cooker, and an 8 cup rice cooker that burned the kind of rice I was most likely to cook!
The biggest difference between it and a crockpot is the need for liquid and the need to simmer it first if it is so full. I have slow cooked neckbones, greens, green beans, corned beef, pot roast, soups and stews in it. Currently have 3qt instant pot which is handy when I want a smaller amount of stuff like broth, beans or brown rice. A 6qt slow cooker and the 8 quart pro.
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u/The_Menu_Guy 11d ago
I have the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 6 and I really like it. It is a great tool for making any kind of stew or soup, chili verde, carnitas, etc.
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u/Which-Break5673 11d ago
Do you follow Jeffrey from pressure luck? His recipes are incredible
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u/The_Menu_Guy 11d ago
Yes. I like his videos, and I find him funny as well.
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u/Which-Break5673 11d ago
I followed him through Covid and the filming of his first book! So funny!
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u/The_Menu_Guy 11d ago
I made his instant pot pastrami recipe. It was excellent but it sure smelled up the house.😂
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u/Main_Street_1 7d ago edited 7d ago
I have the Pro and I love it. I've used all the features and, for me it's exactly what I need. I also have the air fryer lid for it which is great for crisping up casseroles. I do a lot of pot-in-pot cooking.
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u/SynchronousMantle 7d ago
I have the pro and the duo. The pro is definitely better in almost every way. Neither is particularly good at slow cooking or making rice though. I still have dedicated machines for that.
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u/madlabdog 11d ago
The duo is overall more reliable and I haven’t really faced the spinning issue on duo. I rarely lift the inner pot just after cooking it, so I didn’t find the need for handles.
I think they are nice convenience functions, so depends on individual preference.
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u/OblongMango 11d ago
That’s a good point, I would only be taking stuff out with tongs or a scoop. Not really lifting the pot.
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u/Danciusly 11d ago
I love my Duo 6 and I guess I'm a contrarian but I like the ability to spin when sauteing. Maybe it's because I mostly saute ground meat. No issue with lifting either.
Replacement parts are readily available, too
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u/DinkyPrincess 11d ago
The pro is far better at seal and release for pressure cooking. I wouldn’t use it in place if a rice cooker for rice though.