The array of cookware in your kitchen may soon become obsolete as the instant pot is here to conquer the hearts and minds of home-makers. It can cut out some clutter from your kitchen and make cleaning of utensils a less cumbersome affair. It can really be a boon for urban kitchens with limited kitchen space.

The instant pot is a multi-utility cooker that can undertake the job of seven different cookware. You can use it as a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, a steamer, a yogurt maker, a sauté pan, as well as a warmer. It is a smart, multi-use pressure cooker that you can program to suit your cooking objective.

Characteristics of an instant pot cooker

Change the parameters, set a program, and get a different cooker

It is a multi-utility cooker that combines the functionalities of seven different types of cookers. It is an electric cooker. You can adjust its specifications to bring about a change in characteristics to match that of a particular cooking appliance.

Convenience

Program it for a particular mode, set it up, light the burner, and walk away. It will take care of your cooking. You have ample time and scope to do other household chores. So it saves time in a big way.

Easy to clean

It comes with different removable parts, the sealing ring, the inner steel pot, the steam rack and the lid which are all detachable. You can just remove the parts and wash all of them in a large tumbler. All the parts of the cooker are safe to wash with a dishwasher, except the external cover – which houses the microprocessor, the heating element, the electronic and electrical connections. Wash each of these components in the dishwasher individually, dry them, and put them together again.

Durable and safe

All the components are made of durable and food-grade material. This makes cooking in this cooker safe. The inner pot is made of high-quality stainless steel, which makes pressure cooking safely. The sealing ring is made of high-quality and heat-resistant silicone, which keeps cooked food safe from contamination. Moreover, the pressure cooker works at a lower maximum pressure in comparison to stovetop pressure cookers. This also makes it safer than stovetop pressure cookers.

Price

The price does not pinch when you put it against the ability of the instant pot to cook at multiple modes. It seems to come at a decent price when you consider the multiple functionalities that this electric pressure cooker can undertake.

Using the pot

Initially, you may be in awe of the array of impressive functionalities. It may also feel a little intimidating to learn how to use it. While using the pressure cooker, you must keep in mind that it may take somewhat more time than a stovetop pressure cooker – since it works at a lower pressure compared to stovetop ones. The cooker comes with a manual as well as a booklet on various recipes. The manual covers all the functionalities of the pot as well as the ratio of ingredients, for proper cooking. It even gives the approximate cooking time for some popular dishes. You can also get the information from the instant pot website. Nevertheless, it would take time to adapt yourself to this new guest in your kitchen. So start with just one or two functionalities like sauteing, pressure cooking and warming. Get used to these functions, perfect the ratios of ingredients, and then proceed to test other functionalities. You can start by cooking in one mode like sauteing, switch off the cooker, add some ingredients, and then transform the cooker into some other mode such as pressure cooker and boil the ingredients to complete the recipe. If there is still some time before you take your dinner, then you can use it as a warmer too.

Cleaning the pot

You must be careful while cleaning the pot, especially the outer casing. This casing contains all the elements that make it a versatile cooker. These are all electrical and electronic arrangements. So you should not ever wash it. If it somehow gets wet, let it dry completely. If it is dirty, take a damp cloth and wipe the external and internal surface carefully. At all times. keep it in mind that the cooker needs to be kept completely dry.