MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Jul 27, 2016 22:32:16 GMT
Is this just an electric pressure cooker or does it do more? Ignore this one. 2 seconds. Just 2 seconds and I had that answer. Duh! Read, MsKnit.
Why is it so great?
What size are you using? Do you need the glass lid?
Enable me. I think.
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scrappinspidey2
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,511
Location: In the Parlor with the Fly
Mar 18, 2015 19:19:37 GMT
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Post by scrappinspidey2 on Jul 27, 2016 23:25:43 GMT
For me its fantastic because of the vast differences in eating habits between my daughter and I. I am a vegetarian and she is not. Meal times were horrid because she never remembers to thaw out her meat for the dinner or prepare it ahead of time. So dinner would have to be backed up a few hours so she could do that. It was frustrating. Now she has a chicken breast cooked in about 20 minutes. from the freezer. Its amazing  She is showing more interest in cooking different things and eating different things, which has been hard to get her to do her entire life  I have a feeling when she moves out, this will go with her. I should have purchased a second one I have a 6qt. I thought at first it might be too big for 1-2 people but its a good size to hold larger objects, boil more eggs (I eat a lot of boiled eggs) etc. I do not have the glass lid, but I would recommend a second set of seals for the lid and the tongs to lift the pot. My cheesecake pan hasn't arrived yet so I can't say for sure that its awesome  |
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Post by dualmaestra on Jul 28, 2016 14:50:30 GMT
I got one on Prime Day on Amazon. Have used it several times since I got it 2 weeks ago today!. I am amazed how fast it cooks. The Instant Pot is a 7 in one machine. It is supposed to take the place of 7 gadgets. So far I have only used it as a pressure cooker. I know it can be a rice cooker, slow cooker (the reason some get the glass lid), steamer, you can saute, keep things warm (not sure of the others) I really enjoy using it and have been having fun looking for recipes and trying out recommendations on the Pressure Cooker thread. Have steamed corn on the cob in 3 minutes (plus time to get it to pressure). It is delicious, no butter needed. I highly recommend it. I got a steamer basket and tongs to remove the pot. I have used both many times. My next purchase will include an extra pot (won't have to wait till I empty the one I'm using and wash it out) and extra sealers. I am also looking at the cheesecake pans, but not sure when and if I will make cheesecake. Again, I highly recommend it  |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 28, 2016 14:57:43 GMT
I do NOT like to cook, but have used my Instant Cooker probably, more than 7 times since I received it (purchased on Prime day). The sauté feature is nice; my BF likes that since the sides of the pot are tall you can sauté with less chance of a mess on the stovetop (he is the one who cleans it, lol). I have never heard so many compliments on my cooking as in the last couple weeks... and like I said, I don't really even LIKE cooking. The last thing I made in it was pork carnitas, in 90 freakin' minutes!!! I don't use my slow cooker very often because I don't want to leave it unattended during the day, but 90 minutes to make something from scratch?? something that would take the slow cooker 6 hours?? I will definitely be doing a LOT of that. (and I have to say, the Mexican black bean recipe that elaine has is awesome!!! Again, I can't remember my boyfriend ever giving MY cooking that many compliments before.) |
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Post by deshacrafts on Jul 28, 2016 16:33:36 GMT
I asked a similar question before Prime day. Here is the thread: I live under a RockLot's of great advice and information! |
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Post by peajays on Jul 28, 2016 18:09:27 GMT
I've had an electric 8 qt PC for a few years and used it often. It didn't have anything fancy just on/off and no sounds to indicate the cycles. So when I saw the IP 7 in 1 as the prime deal, I signed up and ordered it. I am over the moon happy with it! Last night I made my first batch of yogurt and I had it with blueberries and a bit of agave...so yummy! This one also sounds a beeper when it reaches pressure AND when it's finished, as well as times the natural release.  |
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,996
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jul 28, 2016 18:40:51 GMT
Ditto everyone else..but I say you don't need to buy any extra accessories at all. You don't need a clear lid, and you may even have one already in your stash of pots and pans that might fit. Even if you don't..I don't get the need for one. If you are slow cooking something the glass lid always fogs up so you can't see through it anyway. Just use the lid it comes with, only you don't need to turn the knob to pressurize. As for the other things..I already had a bamboo steamer that works fine. I did buy an extra silicon ring because I heard so many comments about it getting smelly, but mine hasn't really, and I cook with lots of garlic and cuimn all the time. I just store it uncovered so it's aired out all the time. I bought a pan to make cheesecakes, but so far I haven't bothered to make on yet. I kinda am scared to get on that train, I definitely don't need the calories! I say, get the IP because it's a wonderful useful kitchen tool that's fun to use. Wait on any accessories till you've had it a while and see if you really even need to spend any extra money, and have to store more stuff. |
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 28, 2016 19:05:30 GMT
I ditto Yvonne about the accessories (except for the handle; I do like the handle!)...
I was even going to buy a new steamer with a longer handle (mine is an 'old-school' one with just a ring in the center) so that I could load up the basket with more food and still remove it easily, but my BF said "I can make you something that will work" like out of wire, or something. I ended up making my own DIY 'handle' for the steamer basket from twisted aluminum foil, lol! I just rinse it off in between uses, because the steam doesn't do anything to it.
I also like having a second pot, so I can switch from one thing to another without having to empty the pot out and wash it in between making different recipes but that's not really necessary. But those two things are the only accessories I bought (so far). I didn't buy an extra ring either-- didn't read anywhere that I might need one-- and even though the ring gets a slight hint of odor to it, the odor doesn't seem to transfer to the food.
I may get a pan for cheesecake or brownies but then again, I just lost a whole bunch of weight- I don't want to give myself a reason to start eating baked goods again!
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MorningPerson
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,505 
Location: Central Pennsylvania
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Post by MorningPerson on Jul 28, 2016 19:17:09 GMT
I have a question that I haven't been able to find the answer to - is it ok to immerse the entire lid in water to clean it? I know that I can't put it in the dishwasher, but I'd like to give it a good soapy cleaning. Is that ok?
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Post by crimsoncat05 on Jul 28, 2016 19:25:51 GMT
I *think* it's okay to do that; there's nothing electronic about the lid at all, just mechanical.
The most I've done is washed the inside of the lid in the sink and make sure to remove / wash the seal but I personally don't see any reason to NOT immerse the entire lid...
I let the lid and seal air dry to make sure they're REALLY dry before using it again (in case that might affect how it seals, I guess??) but that might not make all that much of a difference.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,996
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Jul 28, 2016 20:03:17 GMT
Yes, immerse the entire thing (ed to clarify the LID only) in water to wash it out.
To be sure it's really clean, take off the pressure knob on top, and rinse that out, and then underneath the lid, that little rectangle shaped hood/venty looking thing, that snaps off too. Take that out and rinse that off as well. I read that that MAY be the source of some complaints about cheesecakes tasting like garlic (!?). Some people speculated that that was never cleaned and might have old garlicy water residue that dripped down on the cheesecake. I don't know for sure about that, but I always take it off and rinse it out separately.
MAKE SURE you are careful and keep track of the two pieces. I've read of them slipping into garbage disposals on accident..so take care with them. I usually set them out on a drying towel on the counter, and then toss them down into the liner when I'm putting it all away. I just assemble it again when I'm ready to cook.
Another caveat while I'm at it...watch out that you don't dump your food into the pot without the liner in! So many people do that on the Facebook group, it's like daily someone does that. That and of course, DON'T SET IT ON THE STOVE TOP to cook on. Again, I can't tell you how many people have turned on their burners and melted the IP, along with damaging their stoves at the same time. No idea how that happens, but it's happened often enough so I never set mine on the stove!
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Jul 28, 2016 20:49:51 GMT
Thank you for the input!
I've been perusing the linked thread. Discovered that the rice cooker that mom bought me years ago does some of this. I never even took the thing out of the box before today. I'll be trying oatmeal in the am.
ETA: Mom has the one that was linked from QVC on the other thread. She offered to get one for me a couple of months ago, because she likes her so much. I declined. LOL!
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She is showing more interest in cooking different things and eating different things, which has been hard to get her to do her entire life 
I have a feeling when she moves out, this will go with her. I should have purchased a second one 
