Instant Pot Review (Why You Need an Instant Pot!) – Fit Foodie Finds

Thinking about getting an Instant Pot? We love our Instant Pot but wish there were things we would have known when we bought it. Here is our Instant Pot Review on how to use an Instant Pot and why we love our Instant Pot!

We purchased a 6-quart Instant Pot from Amazon for $99.95 for the Fit Foodie Finds kitchen almost two years ago and we have never looked back. Well, maybe we looked back a little when we first bought it, because and Instant Pot can be pretty intimidating if you’ve never worked with a pressure cooker before.

My experience with pressure cookers before the Instant Pot was when someone needed to cook beans really fast in the mountains (because…you know, elevation). Otherwise, I just remember horror stories of stove top pressure cookers going wrong. The Instant Pot came along and now it’s said to be the best electric pressure cooker on the market. For us, it’s the only pressure cooker we’ve ever used, but we love every second of it.

Why does Fit Foodie Finds use an Instant Pot?

We started using the Instant Pot because we heard we could make some of our favorite meals in half the time. That turned out to be true. Here at Fit Foodie Finds we’re always striving to share healthy recipes that are accessible and easy. Our goal when using the Instant Pot remained the same. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got recipe testing. There are many different ways to use the Instant Pot because it has so many different settings. From sauteeing to steaming to baking, you can do it all! You can make steel cut oats in 10-minutes AND homemade mac and cheese in 5-minutes!

• Sear/Saute
• Steam
• High-Pressure Cook
• Yogurt
• Steam
• Low-Pressure Cook

^^ that’s just to name a few!

So far in our relationship with the Instant Pot, our goal has been to cook things faster than we could in a slow cooker or in the oven, but without sacrificing flavor and/or quality. We generally use the manual + high function and try our best to develop recipes that use the quick release function rather than the natural release. Why? Because sometimes the natural release can take 15-20 minutes, in addition, to cook time whereas the quick release takes less than one minute.

Commonly Asked Questions about the Instant Pot

Here are some FAQ’s and answers about the Instant Pot. 

Is the Instant Pot an electric pressure cooker?

Yes! There is no stove involved. All you have to do is plug it in and start your recipe!

What is the best Instant Pot?

We have two Instant Pots in the Fit Foodie kitchen. They are both 6 Quart Instant Pot Duos (one is the older version and one is the newest version).  We have not had any problems with our older Instant Pot. It is consistent, reliable, and all of our recipes turn out the same. However, we have had a couple issues with our newer Instant Pot. We receive the ‘burn’ warning multiple times with our newer Instant Pot. We still use it but have to take extra care during recipes.

This has been a common problem with newer Instant Pots. The ‘burn’ warning is usually your Instant Pot overheating. We find that if we do have a ‘burn’ warning, adding more liquid to the Instant Pot helps. Some recipes call for a “pre-heat” of the Instant Pot before cooking a recipe. They ask you to do this so that your Instant Pot is warm and then cook time is lower. If you do have a newer Instant Pot that is having the ‘burn’ issue, avoid pre-heating your Instant Pot.

How much does an Instant Pot Cost?

The Instant Pot prices vary depending on what version and size you purchase. Please see different models of the Instant Pot below.

Is the Instant Pot Safe?

YES! With any kitchen gadget, READ THE DIRECTIONS. Don’t try to just intuitively use the Instant Pot. Things will go wrong if you do that. Follow the directions on how to clean your Instant Pot for the first time, then do trial and error. Try steaming vegetables, practice using different settings, and do some research. It may make some loud noises, but it will not blow up. 🙂

What size Instant Pot should I get?

It all depends on what you plan to do with it and how many people you need to feed. We like the 6 qt. because it is the perfect size to cook and meal-prep for 2-8 people!

How do I clean my Instant Pot?

You can wipe the outside of your Instant Pot with a wet rag or some vinegar. Feel free to run the lid under hot water. If you would like to clean the inside of your Instant Pot, pour 1 cup of water, 1/2 cup of vinegar, and some lemon or lime slices into your Instant Pot. Turn on steam function for 2 minutes and you have a brand new Instant Pot!

What does it mean when my Instant Pot says ‘burn’?

It means your Instant Pot is overheating or that there may be residue on the bottom of your Instant Pot Pot. We have this issue with our newer Instant Pot. Here are a few things for you to try:

• If the liquid is evaporating too quickly because of overheating, try to add more liquid. With our newer Instant Pot, we add more liquid than the recipe calls for.
• We make sure to run one cup of water through my new Instant Pot before using it.
• Make sure to wash the outside of the pot and wipe down the inside of your Instant Pot.

One of these options should do the trick!

Can I use accessories in my Instant Pot?

Yes! Please see all the fun options below!

The Best Instant Pot Recipes

• 42 Healthy Instant Pot Recipes
• Instant Pot Moroccan Chicken Bowls
• Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
• 10 Minute Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
• Instant Pot Korean Beef Bowls
• Instant Pot Chicken Breast
• How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Potato Salad

Disclaimer: This Instant Pot review is based on our personal experience thus far using the 6-Quart Instant Pot that we purchased over 2 years ago on Amazon. This post contains affiliate links meaning that if you click on a link and purchase something, we may receive a monetary kickback.