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Contemplating an Electric Pressure Cooker   Go to last post Go to last unread
#23 Posted : Friday, February 15, 2019 4:53:49 PM(UTC)
kaliedra;9491 wrote:
<p>You'll love the IP, I've had one for a bit over a year and it will do so much. &nbsp;It also makes the most amazing hard/soft "boiled" eggs. &nbsp;Perfect and easy to peel. &nbsp;I now even save all my veggie scraps and bones to make the best stock which is done in about 2 hours :D Now i need to go check out the books above, I cook mostly from Cooking under Pressure from America's test kitchen and Pressure Cooking today online &nbsp;</p>


I am late to the party on this instant pot craze, but after a recent disaster w hard cooked eggs that a) weren’t cooked and b) couldn’t be peeled, I’m seriously considering one. I see myself using one for eggs and for stock, and hopefully for other meals also. I searched for highest rated types and am confused, do I go for the Duo, Duo plus, etc etc. Any recommendations?
#42 Posted : Friday, February 15, 2019 9:31:13 PM(UTC)
I highly recommend getting an electric pressure cooker. I purchased a small 3 qt instant pot and divested 4 appliances! I got rid of a rice cooker, stove top pressure cooker, yogurt maker, and a slow cooker.
From beans to carnitas to pot roasts and hard boiled eggs, I cannot say enough about this work horse in my kitchen. I finally got a 6 qt on Black Friday as I found the larger capacity would be handy.
#43 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 5:16:58 AM(UTC)

PQPantry;17301 wrote:
I highly recommend getting an electric pressure cooker. I purchased a small 3 qt instant pot and divested 4 appliances! I got rid of a rice cooker, stove top pressure cooker, yogurt maker, and a slow cooker. From beans to carnitas to pot roasts and hard boiled eggs, I cannot say enough about this work horse in my kitchen. I finally got a 6 qt on Black Friday as I found the larger capacity would be handy.


I have a six quart IP which I enjoy but I still prefer my rice cooker and egg cooker. My model is less satisfactory as a slow cooker as the sides lack direct heat. I like it as a pressure cooker and a steamer. I've watched an IP group on Facebook and find that many people fall in love with it to do everything. I am not one of them.

#44 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 12:13:51 PM(UTC)
i am like mjes and pull out IP Duo maybe once a month or two. I do not care for the saute or slow cooker functions. I have tried rice, but much prefer my Japanese rice in my Zojirushi rice cooker. I do use IP to make steel cut oatmeal instead of stovetop for ease. Pressurized beans seems ok. Some seem a little too cooked ie bursting.

For making perfect boiled eggs without fuss, slip off shell, and perfect skin: Lightly tap the thicker end of eggs with spoon so there is light fissure of cracked line. Dont tap too hard - just gently. Boil the water and when boiling, gently slip in the eggs. For ramen style eggs with runnier yolks, about 6 to 7 min. For firmer yolk, about 8-9 min. When time is up, place the eggs in cold water and gently tap all arond and leave in water for about 5 min. The shell and skin just peels off every time.
#45 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 1:04:54 PM(UTC)
Rinshin;17303 wrote:
i am like mjes and pull out IP Duo maybe once a month or two. I do not care for the saute or slow cooker functions. I have tried rice, but much prefer my Japanese rice in my Zojirushi rice cooker. I do use IP to make steel cut oatmeal instead of stovetop for ease. Pressurized beans seems ok. Some seem a little too cooked ie bursting.

For making perfect boiled eggs without fuss, slip off shell, and perfect skin: Lightly tap the thicker end of eggs with spoon so there is light fissure of cracked line. Dont tap too hard - just gently. Boil the water and when boiling, gently slip in the eggs. For ramen style eggs with runnier yolks, about 6 to 7 min. For firmer yolk, about 8-9 min. When time is up, place the eggs in cold water and gently tap all arond and leave in water for about 5 min. The shell and skin just peels off every time.


I have never seen advice to crack the shell before placing the eggs in the water- maybe I will try that before running out to get an IP. It may have been a bum recipe for the eggs- I’ve not been so disappointed in the past, just minor divots with peeling perhaps from impatience and not allowing them to cool sufficiently. OTOH as far as the IP, I make stock from bones and veg scraps very frequently but it is often a multi-day project as I like to simmer for many hours, then strain, then reduce to freeze as cubes. If I used the IP for nothing else, it might still be worth it. As far as appliances it might replace- I have a hohum rice cooker from the Korean market, but no slow cooker, pressure cooker, egg maker, yogurt maker... only a sous vide that I only used once so I could tell my brother, the gifter.
*sigh* guess I will continue to debate the purchase
#46 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 4:50:02 PM(UTC)
Just tap lightly only for hairline fissure. Tap on rounded end. I make half dozen boiled eggs like this every few weeks to make ramen eggs and Japanese style egg sandwiches and it is a snap to pull out silky eggs. I learned this trick in Japan and have been keeping it as my own, but since I am getting older, I need to share. :))
#47 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 6:07:51 PM(UTC)
Rinshin;17306 wrote:
Just tap lightly only for hairline fissure. Tap on rounded end. I make half dozen boiled eggs like this every few weeks to make ramen eggs and Japanese style egg sandwiches and it is a snap to pull out silky eggs. I learned this trick in Japan and have been keeping it as my own, but since I am getting older, I need to share. :))


Thanks Rinshin,I will try this before I drop $100+ on something that may end up just taking up space (although I’m not thrilled w my rice maker...). I’m not inclined to get the Wifi enabled version but does anyone have the ‘advanced cook’ Instant Pot Ultra vs Instant Pot Duo or Duo Plus? I’m thinking the display may be better for my failing eyes lol
#49 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 6:13:15 PM(UTC)
I might also consider pressure canning if that really is safe in this contraption- so far I only do hot water bath canning.
#48 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 8:11:04 PM(UTC)

Barb_N;17307 wrote:
Thanks Rinshin,I will try this before I drop $100+ on something that may end up just taking up space (although I’m not thrilled w my rice maker...). I’m not inclined to get the Wifi enabled version but does anyone have the ‘advanced cook’ Instant Pot Ultra vs Instant Pot Duo or Duo Plus? I’m thinking the display may be better for my failing eyes lol


I have the DUO60. I like the display on it, and when getting a second one (yeah, I have more than one) steered away from the more advanced display on the Plus based on photos in the reviews and on the IP site. I think the more advanced display is too busy for older eyes, at least for my eyes. Make sure you at least get the DUO, not the Lux. The Lux can't do yogurt, but most important, it doesn't have side lid holders, which are so very handy - it would drive me nuts if I had to find a place to put the lid on the counter while cooking.


I have used the slow cooker function on my Duo, and it works just as well as my slow cooker did for chili and such. I make sure I heat up the contents using the sauté function before switching to slow cook mode, and that makes all the difference (and knowing that the low, med and high settings are one lower than most slow cookers: IP Low = Keep warm). I have not used the rice function, but I have an expensive Zo that does an awesome job on grains that pre-dates my IP.  I have used all the other features, including yogurt and sauté and it does a great job on all of them. I wouldn't trade my big sauté pan for it, but it sautés small quantities just fine.

#51 Posted : Saturday, February 16, 2019 8:37:32 PM(UTC)

My old stove top scanpan pressure cooker blew up on me a few weeks ago .. stock all over the kitchen (never had that issue with trusty old  prestige pressure cooker!), but I succumbed to instant pot mania and purchsed a Breville 3 qt Fast/SLow cooker.. used it for brown rice .. never again; however just used it for stock and it did brilliantly, although it does seem to lose a lot of liquid in the 2 hours I gave it at medium pressure. Not tried it for anything else yet and so still have the other gadgets its supposed to replace!

#52 Posted : Tuesday, February 19, 2019 6:39:42 PM(UTC)
Chiming in the hard boiled egg issue: I steam them. Heat the water underneath to boiling, place the eggs on the rack over the water, cover. 12 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover and let cool to room temp. Never had a problem since.
#53 Posted : Friday, February 22, 2019 3:29:32 AM(UTC)
Nothing really much to add to the discussion but I have to say I’m utterly perplexed at the adulation that electric pressure cookers are getting at the moment. They appear rather expensive add a huge amount of complexity* and lack the finesse and control of a manual pressure cooker for maybe mediocre at best benefits.

Anyway..... ;)

* I’m guessing if the electronics fail you throw the pot away.


#54 Posted : Friday, February 22, 2019 4:08:42 PM(UTC)

Indio32;17319 wrote:
Nothing really much to add to the discussion but I have to say I’m utterly perplexed at the adulation that electric pressure cookers are getting at the moment. They appear rather expensive add a huge amount of complexity* and lack the finesse and control of a manual pressure cooker for maybe mediocre at best benefits. Anyway..... ;) * I’m guessing if the electronics fail you throw the pot away.


OK...I've had a stovetop pressure cooker for AGES.  I have a pressure canner.  I now have a 6qt. Instant Pot, and a 3qt. Instant Pot.  I am single, older (see "stovetop PC"), cook mainly for myself.  I also have slow cookers in 2 sizes. 


*This is why I love my IP.  I cook all my pet food for 4 Corgis.  Meat, pork and chicken or turkey mostly, is purchased on sale and pressure-cooked, usually for 12 to 20 minutes, shredded, and frozen in 9 oz. ziplocs for the dogs, packaged in chunks etc. for my own People-food recipes.  I also prepare pumpkin (bought day after Halloween), green beans, cabbage (St. Patrick's Day), carrots from off-size 25lb. bags suggested as "juicers", etc.  for pet food or me-food. I buy whole-body chickens on sale to cut up and IP them for people food (12 mins.) or more, if I am looking for chicken broth.  Broth absolutely does not need pressure cooking for 2 hours or more.  I buy Rancho Gordo Heirloom Beans regularly, but do not IP them unless I'm really pressed for time.  Possible, but I like the old-time method results more (note: IP results even on these expensive fresh dried beans is definitely not "mediocre"...just that I like the other way better). 


I'm pretty busy running a small ranch, so appreciate being able to either punch buttons to get a whole meal going in the IP while I do other things in the kitchen, or cook the potatoes for mashing by popping them into the silent, automatic IP on the counter while I prepare other dinner parts.   I could do all this with the stove-top model, but would have to monitor it for pressure, timing, etc. much more carefully than the IP doing all by itself.  I use the Mini-IP to cook for me...lots of soups, casseroles, many slow-cook options that can also be quickly pressured.  


As to "complexity", I am on several IP forums and have NEVER heard of a technical problem that was not fixed immediately by the excellent Instant Pot company customer service.  Also available as 3rd-party items are many accessories.  I only use these appliances for pressure, as I have a rice cooker, slow cooker, etc. already.  I do use the IP for making excellent reliable yogurt, Greek and regular.  The Instant Pots were purchased on sale for $60 and $100. Yes, I do have a lot of storage space...and an inclination to buy probably more "stuff" than I need, like cookbooks. 

#55 Posted : Saturday, March 2, 2019 4:22:22 PM(UTC)
I did buy the Instant Pot Ultra 6 qt- for the egg function. I’ve had it 5 days and have made Hainanese chicken (no easier than the stove top) & had to cook the rice and bok choy in separate rice cooker. I think the broth was a bit more concentrated than the stovetop. (+/-) I made ricotta and had to recook it on the stove top to make it curdle. (-) THEN I made hard cooked eggs- they really do peel like a dream and make the entire purchase worthwhile. (+++) A friend at work agreed- she said she now jumps at the chance to bring devilled eggs to events.
#56 Posted : Sunday, March 3, 2019 9:05:00 AM(UTC)

I am enjoying my Instant Pot but haven't tried the HB eggs. Guess I should make them!

#57 Posted : Friday, April 19, 2019 11:37:51 AM(UTC)
I was given the 8-quart as a gift...then I gave the 3-quart as a gift to my mom. I use mine all the time, for almost everything. My oven/stove was out of commission recently, and we survived with the instant pot, toaster oven and electric griddle without a problem.
The 6-quart size would have been ideal, but at some point I'll pick up the 3-quart as well.
Regarding eggs, the best thing I ever used it for was a potato salad, where the cut up potatoes are cooked with the raw eggs on top (in shells, obvs). Everything was cooked perfectly, and at the same time. And such an easy cleanup.
I have various accessories, such as a steam basket, and cheesecake pans that fit (and it is so great for cheesecake). But I never use the slowcook function. I prefer my crockpots for that.
I consider the Instant Pot a necessity in my kitchen, not a luxury!
#58 Posted : Friday, April 19, 2019 12:10:13 PM(UTC)

CindyinOttawa;17461 wrote:
I was given the 8-quart as a gift...then I gave the 3-quart as a gift to my mom. I use mine all the time, for almost everything. My oven/stove was out of commission recently, and we survived with the instant pot, toaster oven and electric griddle without a problem.


Yes! My oven is currently out of commision, has been for a few months actually. It's just the two of us in the house right now and I have been doing fine with my Instant Pots, stove top and Breville convection toaster oven. The only tricky time I had was Christmas, and call me a heathen, but my spiral cut Christmas ham came out quite dandy cooked in my 8 qt IP. :)

#50 Posted : Friday, April 19, 2019 1:25:22 PM(UTC)

Barb_N;17308 wrote:
I might also consider pressure canning if that really is safe in this contraption- so far I only do hot water bath canning.


You'll need a certain amount of preasure for preasure canning, which electric pressure cookers don't generally meet. You will want to research the pressure and what is safe before doing this. I have an electric pressure cooker, but plan on buying a pressure canner at some point. My mom used the stove top pressure cooker for her canning.

#59 Posted : Wednesday, May 1, 2019 2:51:18 PM(UTC)

Making bone broth in the IP has changed my kitchen life -- it's so incredibly easy, and much less muss and fuss than dealing with a big 16-quart pot of bubbling stock on the stove for 2+ days. If you're into serious bone broth, you'll know what I mean. I recently upgraded to the 8-quart size of the IP and can now crank out 4 quart jars of rich chicken or beef broth in 4 hours flat. 


Recipe: Throw a whole chicken into the pot with carrots, onion and celery, a dash of vinegar and your choice of spices (no salting until it's done). Fill to the max line with water and then pressure cook for 4 full hours (240 minutes). It comes out richer and deeper in flavor than even the 2-3 day stuff on stovetop. Highly recommended for broth lovers...and the cleanup is so much easier. I'm filling up my freezer with what one friend calls 'Nectar of the Gods.' 

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