Instant Pot Problems?

[Cudedog]

After reading all of the glowing reviews of the Insta Pot posted by several Forum members here over the last several months, I decided to get each of my adult children the smallest Insta-Pot for Christmas.

Now I am having second thoughts, now that the pots are here in my bedroom waiting for the Christmas wrapping paper.

I had an "old-fashioned" aluminum pressure cooker years ago that I paid a lot for, and then used only rarely. Finally, I just put it in a box out in the barn. Why? Although I never had a problem with it, I became afraid of it (yes, I am a worrier).

Question: Do those of you who have one of these things, still like it? Have you had any problems with it? Any safety issues that you know of, or have heard about, or have experieced first-hand? My son-in-law loves to cook (my daughter, not so much) and I worry about the thing failing in some way, leading to injury.

Your opinions and advice, please. Good, bad or indifferent.

Thank you.

Anne

[OregonLuvr]

I LOVE my Instant Pot. Have had it over a year now...no problems at all. It is nothing like the old ones I used to use. I buy much of my meat (chicken, pork, beef etc) in bulk. I then divide it up and use my food saver to freezer it. I can take frozen items out, pop them in the Instant Pot and voila.....dinnah. I have an 8qt and a 3qt. I use the 3qt and the 8qt at home depending on what I am making. I also take the 3qt with me in the RV. I love steaming veggies and rice in it. Make a pot roast, divide it and freeze it for instant meal. Made spaghetti sauce in it. I dont like doing the pasta with the sauce as the pasta seems kind of mushy to me so I do it separate. Made a cheesecake and it was wonderful. Meatloaf is a favorite of mine done in the pot. I then make a glaze (brown sugar/ketchup) for it and pop it in my oven under broil for about 5 minutes or so until it is carmelized.....so good. Okay I could go on and on about how much I like it but I think this answers your question. No safety concerns at all. You just set the time and go about your business It shuts off automatically and also keeps things warm until you cancel it. Set it and forget it is my motto LOL If I was going to be gone for several hours I would opt for the crockpot. I dont like the crockpot function on it, seems to take forever so I still have my NuWave oven and my crockpot.

Hope this helps

[Acadianmom]

I thought I had to have one and have only used it once. My son would boil eggs in it. I thought I would like it because you can brown something and then cook it. I tried a roast. I browned it and was going to cook it like in a slow cooker but must not have set it right because it was not done at the end of the time. It just has too many settings for me. It's probably like anything, you just have to use it a lot to learn to use it.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

Martha mine has quite a few settings on it too but I only use about 4 of them. I use the steam for my veggies frequently. I never brown my roast anymore doesnt seem to make a difference. Then I have always set my own time as at first it was tough. I tend to just cook the heck out of it so I always hit the meat button then the plus button to add about 30 minutes so it equals about an hour, longer if I put it in frozen. Comes out super tender. And always let meat natural release as quick release pulls the moisture out and it becomes dry and tough I think. Then I remove the meat and add the vegetables for about 15 minutes comes out great.

I too have boiled eggs in it too it is awesome I use the 5-5-5 method. 5 minutes pressure, 5 minutes then quick release and 5 minutes in ice water. The shells just jump right off LOL

[Joan]

I have a 3 qt. I use it most to cook steel cut oatmeal. I have tried to hard boil eggs but mine come out over cooked. I need to try again.

[MandysMom]

My 6 qt IP will be 2 years old Christmas day. I use it multiple times a week. Takes practice to figure out tweaking time a little, such as Karen adding time for frozen meat. If its not tender yet, put lid back on and manual set for another ten min or so. In past week, I have made chile verde, hard cooked eggs, and made spaghetti sauce ( yes I cook Chris's noodles in other pan and my miracle no carb noodles in microwave). Recently I've made soups, chili and a pot roast. I Love my IP!
On eggs, I find 5 min too long. I pressure on manual 2 min, let sit for 8 then quick release then cold tap water bath. I drain cold water off, let dry in strainer then store in shells in ziplock bags. In 6 qt I can do 12-14 eggs at a time, always use one of the expandable stainless steamer inserts, so no brown spots from heat where touched pan. Peel so easy often shell comes off in one cracked piece. I eat a lot of eggs! NO they don't raise cholesterol, that's a myth!
Depending on amount of meat I'm using, sometimes I use sauté feature to brown but most of time I brown in cast iron in batches and add to IP as they get ready, then dump in other ingredients and set for cook under pressure or slow cook depending on what I'm doing.
In future I'm going to play with yogurt making, using full fat milk and cream.
If one takes the time to use it, it's a useful, very safe appliance. Anne, I went years without a PC, because my Dad had one blow up half a century ago and I both was afraid of it and hated having to babysit it to keep pressure jiggler at right bounce. IP changed my opinion of pressure cooking. Like Karen indicated, doesn't matter if you are single, it's a great easy way to prepare meals. I'm sure Big Joe would help you eat a roast! Lol
Velda

[Bethers]

I have a different brand and use it all the time. I use only a few of the settings. No worries and love it. One of the best purchases I've made.

[snowball]

my daughter has one....when she uses it she enjoys it. and I think when she got it she planned on using it more than she does...but super picky kids and husbands works odd hours so she doesn't utilize it as much has she could.... but when she does use it she loves it
sheila