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Are you thinking about adding an instant pot to your kitchen? These multi-function gadgets have taken the kitchen world by storm, with sales increasing during the ongoing pandemic. However, is it worth hopping on the bandwagon just because sales are booming?
Nobody likes spending money on a kitchen appliance that they will never use. Most home cooks have at some point invested in kitchen equipment that ended up collecting dust in a cupboard. You might think instant pots fall into this category, but it seems that most instant pot owners rave about their all-in-one digital cooker. So what’s all the fuss about, and does it justify the price tag?
What can instant pots do?
An instant pot (also known as a multicooker) is able to do the same tasks as multiple kitchen appliances. Its versatility is one of the reasons it has grown in popularity. Instead of spending a fortune on rice cookers, slow cookers, electric pressure cookers, steamers, and saute pans, all you need is an instant pot. Not only will it help you save money, but most instant pots are small in size, so you won’t need much space in your kitchen to store them.
Not every instant pot does the same thing. Some have more features and functions than others, so it’s worth reading customer reviews online about the different devices out there. Some instant pots have only a handful of functions, while others have more than ten. Think about exactly what you’re buying the product for and read the manufacturer’s description of the device before you make a decision.
If space is tight in your kitchen, bear in mind also that instant pots are available in different sizes. You might want to measure the amount of free space you have on your counter, to make sure you have enough room for an instant pot. Having to take it in and out of storage every time you need to use it is an option, but this can get frustrating after a while.
Can an instant pot help you save time on cooking?
If time isn’t on your side, you might struggle to cook a meal with conventional cooking methods. It’s simple to cook with an instant pot, because all you have to do is prepare your ingredients, drop them into the device, and press a few buttons; the machine will do all the cooking for you. You can cook food for the entire family in less than an hour, without having to watch over a stove. You can also set the timer and start cooking your ingredients whenever you want. This feature is perfect for busy weekdays, when you can add the ingredients before you go to work, set the timer, and come home to a warm tasty meal.
It’s worth pointing out that just because the appliance is called an “instant pot”, it doesn’t mean you can cook dinner in an instant. It can take a while for the pot to heat up, which adds to cooking time, and once the food is cooked you need to release the pressure that has built up, which also takes a few minutes. The name is slightly misleading, but instant pots do cook food faster than most other cooking appliances.
Do I need to buy instant pot cookbooks?
Although cooking with an instant pot is easy, there are several websites dedicated to instant pot recipes, like Corrie cooks. You can also find social media groups and pages that allow instant pot users to share their tasty recipes and tips – one Facebook group has over two million members, and there are lots of Instagram accounts dedicated to instant pots too. There are millions of instant pot users worldwide, and many of them post recipes online, so you don’t necessarily need to spend money on new cookbooks.
Save cash with an instant pot
As we mentioned earlier, an instant pot allows you to make a wide range of different dishes, so you won’t need to buy separate cooking appliances. There are also other reasons why an instant pot can help you save some cash.
- You can buy cheaper cuts of meat. Instant pots are great for making moist and tender dishes, especially when it comes to cooking meat. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on expensive cuts of meat because the device will help get the best out of cheap cuts.
- Instant pots are energy-efficient. You might be surprised to learn that instant pots don’t consume a lot of energy. In fact, they are one of the greenest kitchen appliances available in today’s market.
- Love your leftovers. You can use your instant pot to heat up leftovers, which will help you reduce the amount of food you waste.
- Instant pots aren’t expensive to buy. Although you can spend upwards of £150, there are models available for less than £75.
Instant pots make cooking easy
Cooking complex food can be challenging and time consuming. In contrast, instant pots are so easy to use, and even those who don’t fancy themselves as a home cook should be able to produce a range of tasty meals. During the pandemic, many of us have been forced to cook for ourselves more, and instant pots have been a lifesaver for lots of people who are reluctant to spend time cooking.
However, some people do love hands-on cooking. An instant pot can make cooking almost effortless, and for enthusiastic cooks this might take the pleasure and fun out of preparing a nice meal. Having said that, even if you love cooking you might not want to be tied to the kitchen every day. An instant pot could prove extremely useful here.
One small niggle you might find with instant pots is that they don’t allow you to check on your food while it’s cooking. If you want to monitor your food during the cooking process, you will have to get used to delays while the pressure subsides and then rebuilds.
Conclusion
Even if you think you have every kitchen appliance available apart from an instant pot, it doesn’t mean you won’t use one. In our fast-paced world, having a convenient cooking appliance like an instant pot will always come in handy. Some people use their instant pots to cook almost every meal, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself using yours more than you expected!
Do you have an instant pot? Or do you think adding one to your kitchen equipment could be a real game-changer? Let me know in the comments.
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