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Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,032,639 times
Reputation: 28903
Okay, boys and girls, all this talk (I'm looking at you, my friend yLisa7 ) about pressure cooking and things taking like 4 seconds (fine... MINUTES... whatever!) to make, and you can actually brown and sautee in it (what the WHAT?!?), and, and, and, la la la la la, made me look at this:
I currently have a small rice cooker and a too-small slow cooker (I bought the smallest one for some stupid reason, even though I used to have a LARGE one when I was married). I use them both fairly often, I have enough room for both of them, but I want to get a larger slow cooker anyway. Then I, well, I HEARD YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT THIS INSTANT POT and, um, well, I HATE BEING LEFT OUT OF ALL THE FUN AND GAMES!
So I'm thinking: I'm moving soon. Do I really want to bring a tiny rice cooker and a too-tiny slow cooker that I want to replace anyway to my new home? No.
Which got me thinking this way: I should ditch them both and get that Instant Pot! Yay!
But I'm also thinking: A few years ago when there was PRESSURE COOKER TALK on this forum, I intimated that maybe, perhaps I'd consider getting one. Some of you know me better than others and, um, gently suggested that I should not. (Thank you for caring about my safety.) But, but, but this Instant Pot -- from what I've read -- seems pretty idiot-proof (i.e. I'm not going to lose an eye, or a hand, or a wall). Is that true? Is it harm-free? I know nothing is (I could drop a cast iron pan on my foot, but that's why I don't have anything cast iron) so let me put it this way: Is the Instant Pot 92.7% (totally made-up number, but higher than 90% is my threshold) safer than an old-fashioned traditional pressure cooker that you refused to let me buy?
Okay, boys and girls, all this talk (I'm looking at you, my friend yLisa7 ) about pressure cooking and things taking like 4 seconds (fine... MINUTES... whatever!) to make, and you can actually brown and sautee in it (what the WHAT?!?), and, and, and, la la la la la, made me look at this:
I currently have a small rice cooker and a too-small slow cooker (I bought the smallest one for some stupid reason, even though I used to have a LARGE one when I was married). I use them both fairly often, I have enough room for both of them, but I want to get a larger slow cooker anyway. Then I, well, I HEARD YOU ALL TALKING ABOUT THIS INSTANT POT and, um, well, I HATE BEING LEFT OUT OF ALL THE FUN AND GAMES!
So I'm thinking: I'm moving soon. Do I really want to bring a tiny rice cooker and a too-tiny slow cooker that I want to replace anyway to my new home? No.
Which got me thinking this way: I should ditch them both and get that Instant Pot! Yay!
But I'm also thinking: A few years ago when there was PRESSURE COOKER TALK on this forum, I intimated that maybe, perhaps I'd consider getting one. Some of you know me better than others and, um, gently suggested that I should not. (Thank you for caring about my safety.) But, but, but this Instant Pot -- from what I've read -- seems pretty idiot-proof (i.e. I'm not going to lose an eye, or a hand, or a wall). Is that true? Is it harm-free? I know nothing is (I could drop a cast iron pan on my foot, but that's why I don't have anything cast iron) so let me put it this way: Is the Instant Pot 92.7% (totally made-up number, but higher than 90% is my threshold) safer than an old-fashioned traditional pressure cooker that you refused to let me buy?
I haven't used a regular pressure cooker, but the insta pot is about 15% more complicated than using a rice cooker. It makes a closing noise when properly closed, so the only thing you have to worry about is moving over the pressure valve to closed to turn it on. And pressure will release automatically, or you can move the valve on your own manually. The first time I did the manual method was a little intimidating - like popping a bottle of bubbly. Once you do it a time or two it is easy. And its is push button config.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,032,639 times
Reputation: 28903
Quote:
Originally Posted by jade408
I haven't used a regular pressure cooker, but the insta pot is about 15% more complicated than using a rice cooker. It makes a closing noise when properly closed, so the only thing you have to worry about is moving over the pressure valve to closed to turn it on. And pressure will release automatically, or you can move the valve on your own manually. The first time I did the manual method was a little intimidating - like popping a bottle of bubbly. Once you do it a time or two it is easy. And its is push button config.
Hahahaha! Thank you for using the percentage humor!
You've made it sound as fool-proof (and injury-proof) as I've read. I guess people who have been injured no longer have fingers with which to type or eyes to see what they've typed? Ha! No.
Thank you for easing my mind. I'm 72% sure that I'm going to buy one.
I got mine on Friday from Amazon & used it for the first time today! I know absolutely nothing about pressure cookers. I decided I must learn.
I started with 6 boiled (steamed?) eggs. I made 6. Omg they were so perfect, I made 6 more. So then I did a whole chicken.
From what I could glean online, the formula is 6 minutes per pound, plus 2. So my chicken was 6 pounds, and I figured that should come out to 38 minutes.
What's with all these sixes? I didn't realize it until I saw it typed out!
Anyway, the chicken was delicious. It seemed like it could have cooked a little less, but I'll keep on exploring & cooking! . Funny that this thread came back up today!
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,032,639 times
Reputation: 28903
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellpaso
I got mine on Friday from Amazon & used it for the first time today! I know absolutely nothing about pressure cookers. I decided I must learn.
I started with 6 boiled (steamed?) eggs. I made 6. Omg they were so perfect, I made 6 more. So then I did a whole chicken.
From what I could glean online, the formula is 6 minutes per pound, plus 2. So my chicken was 6 pounds, and I figured that should come out to 38 minutes.
What's with all these sixes? I didn't realize it until I saw it typed out!
Anyway, the chicken was delicious. It seemed like it could have cooked a little less, but I'll keep on exploring & cooking! . Funny that this thread came back up today!
Any and all tips appreciated!
Okay, I haven't even gotten to "76% [I threw in another "6" for you! ] sure I'll buy it" yet and I already have a question: So, unlike a rice cooker, which tells you that the rice is ready; and unlike a slow cooker, which you could leave for an extra hour and have the food no worse for wear; are you saying that this machine requires you to time whatever you're making? That's not a problem -- of course we all do that when we cook in the oven or on the stove -- but I guess that I just assumed (!!) that the machine did all that math. So, "yes" to must be timed?
Okay, I haven't even gotten to "76% [I threw in another "6" for you! ] sure I'll buy it" yet and I already have a question: So, unlike a rice cooker, which tells you that the rice is ready; and unlike a slow cooker, which you could leave for an extra hour and have the food no worse for wear; are you saying that this machine requires you to time whatever you're making? That's not a problem -- of course we all do that when we cook in the oven or on the stove -- but I guess that I just assumed (!!) that the machine did all that math. So, "yes" to must be timed?
I would say yes and no. There are preset buttons on the front for common items. But I find taking a "normal" recipe means you may need to calibrate. There is a manual timer setting for the amount of pressure. But like a slow cooker, it can just sit in the pot for longer.
But if you add too much pressure, it is sort of like slow cooking too long. Like beans may split if overcooked.
Okay, I haven't even gotten to "76% [I threw in another "6" for you! ] sure I'll buy it" yet and I already have a question: So, unlike a rice cooker, which tells you that the rice is ready; and unlike a slow cooker, which you could leave for an extra hour and have the food no worse for wear; are you saying that this machine requires you to time whatever you're making? That's not a problem -- of course we all do that when we cook in the oven or on the stove -- but I guess that I just assumed (!!) that the machine did all that math. So, "yes" to must be timed?
Once it's done, it goes into a "keep warm" mode that can last for hours. I'm just going to have to look up how long to cook most things, though.
Location: Montreal -> CT -> MA -> Montreal -> Ottawa
17,330 posts, read 33,032,639 times
Reputation: 28903
Quote:
Originally Posted by jade408
I would say yes and no. There are preset buttons on the front for common items. But I find taking a "normal" recipe means you may need to calibrate. There is a manual timer setting for the amount of pressure. But like a slow cooker, it can just sit in the pot for longer.
But if you add too much pressure, it is sort of like slow cooking too long. Like beans may split if overcooked.
Great! I can live with that. I'm 79% on my way to buying one.
Quote:
Originally Posted by hellpaso
Once it's done, it goes into a "keep warm" mode that can last for hours. I'm just going to have to look up how long to cook most things, though.
That's perfect! 82% and counting.
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) about pressure cooking and things taking like 4 seconds (fine... MINUTES... whatever!) to make, and you can actually brown and sautee in it (what the WHAT?!?), and, and, and, la la la la la, made me look at this:
(Thank you for caring about my safety.) But, but, but this Instant Pot -- from what I've read -- seems pretty idiot-proof (i.e. I'm not going to lose an eye, or a hand, or a wall). Is that true? Is it harm-free? I know nothing is (I could drop a cast iron pan on my foot, but that's why I don't have anything cast iron) so let me put it this way: Is the Instant Pot 92.7% (totally made-up number, but higher than 90% is my threshold) safer than an old-fashioned traditional pressure cooker that you refused to let me buy?
. Funny that this thread came back up today! 
