Performance and Durability: (4.5 of 5 stars)
Results were satisfactory for our pressure cooking tests of steamed rice (using the manual setting with our standard timing and ratios), risotto, flan, potatoes and soup. However, more complex pressure cooking techniques (that bring the pressure cooker liquid content to the brink) like pasta in tomato sauce did not fare very well resulting with a scorched base. We did not test the cooking programs or cooking delay function.
Saute’
Instant Pot lets the cook choose one of three saute temperatures using the “Adjust” button to brown the food directly in the cooker. They are “Less” 275~302°F (135~150°C), “Normal”320~349°F (160~176°C), and “More” 347~410°F (175~210°C). As expected, the saute’ button only works when the lid is not in place. So it can be used both for saute as well as to reduce liquids once pressure cooking has completed.
Pressure Cooking
To pressure cook, the cook needs to move the valve of the lid to “sealing”. This is a bit tricky because the valve does not feel solid and, on occasion, we have placed it incorrectly. Next, the cook selects a cooking program or “Manual Mode” (where the cook chooses the time). Each key beeps as it is pressed. For each program, the cook can quickly push the “adjust” button for more or less recommended time or heat (depending on the program) – this button only works for a short time – then, adjustments can only be made by cancelling the program and re-selecting it.
Once the “manual” pressure cooking mode is selected, the cook is shown 30 minute pressure cooking time – which can be adjusted by pushing the + or – buttons. Once the desired program and time are chosen, the LED display then shows “On” to signify the element is in the process of reaching the desired temperature.
In about 8 minutes, a mechanical clicking sound alerts the cook that the lid locking mechanism is activated. Though, nearly invisible, a round hollow metal pin raises 1/8″ of an inch and can be seen in the hole behind the valve.
Once pressure is reached, the display changes to begin counting down the remaining cooking time. When the time is completed the cooker beeps and the display automatically changes to “Keep Warm” mode, and the timer begins counting up showing the minutes with the letter “L” for low temperature.
Releasing Pressure
To open Instant Pot the cook can choose to open it via Normal Release -by moving the valve on the lid from “sealing” to “venting”; Natural Release – by pressing “cancel” and unplugging the unit. Or to keep the food warm at 145~165°F (62~74°C) for up to 10 hours.
Removing the lid is a bit tricky. Common to most electric pressure cookers: the lid and the inner pot are connected – like a suction cup – via the gasket. So lifting the lid also lifts the inner pot. To break the seal, lightly tilt the lid at an angle.
The next difficulty, common to electric pressure cookers of this body type, is a little dangerous to anyone standing nearby when the cooker is being opened. Some of the condensation, which is still super-hot, seems to hide in the nooks and crannies of the lid and could come dribbling out on any nearby hand, pet, or child – always handle the lid with caution. Once the cooker is open, turn it upside-down over the cooker (so any hot liquid goes back in the cooker) and place the on the counter inner-side up.
Comparison
We generally compare the pressure cooker being reviewed with ones in the same class. Since the Instant Pot is the first digital pressure cooker we’ve had for in-house testing, we roped-in the knowledgeable Barbara Schieving, of Barbara Bakes fame, who just launched a new pressure cooking blog. She followed the same testing procedure and gave us comparative data for her 1000Watt Cuisinart EPC-1200 pressure cooker to use in this review.
Though both Instant Pot and Cusinart reached pressure at around the 11 minute mark, our tests had some surprising revelations. Instant Pot only had an average 2% evaporation during ten minutes of pressure cooking (compared to Cuisinart 4% and most stove top pressure cookers 3.5%) !
Durability
We used the Instant Pot several times a week for five months and have not experienced anything breaking or not working correctly during that time, nor have we received any direct reports of problems with this pressure cooker.
More Instant Pot IP-LUX Introduction, please visit: http://en.huarenstore.com/electric-pressure-cooker.html
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