An Instant Pot Review: Pressure Cooking Magic+

I had a birthday not too long ago, I didn't NEED anything.   Well, at least that is what I thought, but now after using my Instant Pot DUO-60 7-in-1 for the last few weeks, I don't remember what life was like before my Instant Pot life.  I mean, I barely remember, it's like a bad dream; foggy, grey and fear inducing, always searching for something to eat.  I am so thankful Raj didn't listen to my homemade gift request, because pressure cooking has changed my life.  After working all day, I can get home and make a gourmet meal in less than an hour; using one pot.

*Contest is now closed.

I recently mentioned reading “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing” and have been organizing my home room by room.  The last thing I wanted was another appliance cluttering up my kitchen. I was a little skeptical at first, but Raj sent me a link to Nom Nom Paleo, citing how much she loved her Instant Pot, and had kept it after also doing the KonMari method of organizing, (she refers to it as a “cult”.  I can get behind that).  I already have a minimal amount of counter space, no toaster (who eats bread?); and no microwave (for multiple reasons, put on your tinfoil hat, one day I might tell you about).  After some practice I can give away my slow-cooker and rice maker, this dream machine is a perfect fit for my new less-is-more, and “only what I love” life.

First I had some questions.  What does a pressure cooker do?  How does it work?  Because it's so hot will I lose all the nutrients while cooking my veggies?  I knew pressure cooking was like a steam room for my food, and that the pressure accumulated by trapping water vapor made it super charged, and other science-y stuff.  These are the basics: the trapped vapor increases the heat, shortening the cooking time, while the food retains moisture, and joy of joys, it's valuable nutrients.  You don't get the discoloration of those colored veggies like you would with regular boiling or even steaming.  It keeps your veggies with their true Technicolor hues; and along with the color, the nutrients.

There are still things I haven't had a chance to try in the Instant Pot (who has become a big enough part of my every day life to warrant a name.  Any suggestions?  It has to be powerful and sexy; maybe a womans' name since it is SO amazing at doing it all?).  Coconut yogurt is on my agenda, and the timer/slow cooker functions have still been unused; why wait when things could be ready now?  I find I need to do more eating just to try out all the recipes I want to.  Who wants to come for dinner??

Pressure cooking can be intimidating; when you think of the old days, a pressure cooking mishap would result in an entire kitchen covered with skin melting hot liquid.  There is no reason to be intimidated by the Instant Pot.  With safety features such as: a locking lid, pressure release handle, and a read out display.  You can now rest easy if your kids walk thru the kitchen while the pressure cooker does it's magic.  The Instant Pot keeps you informed and even sings you a little song when dinner is done!

How is the Instant Pot different from other electric pressure cookers?  Um… a good friend has another brand of electric
pressure cooker, but it doesn't have a yogurt function, and I like the handle on the steam release valve better on the IP.  Having never owned another electric pressure cooker I can't point out individual differences, but where the Instant Pot shines is with outstanding customer support.

Instant pot comes with an easy to use manual, but the Facebook group is second to none.  With more than 15,900 members (and growing); I have never been in an open Facebook group that is so positive and helpful!  As I scroll thru my news feed I am engaged by pictures of mouth-watering foods, and Instant Pot “hacks” or helpful tips.  It also reveals threads of people who may be having problems with IP.  From what I can tell: customer support, and standing behind a quality product are of the utmost importance to this Canadian company.  They have done a great job of moderating a sea of people, so that the support to answer questions world-wide, is just an SOS Facebook call away.  It makes you feel like you are part of a very loving and supportive family!

As my Instant Pot is pretty new, I haven't experienced any major problems yet.  I had a small problem with the pot not pressurizing, after a glance at the manual, it turned out to be an operator error.  After cleaning I hadn't seated the pressure release valve correctly in the lid; a quick adjust and we were back in business!  I have used the Instant Pot at least once per day, every day since my October birthday.  I have bought a second liner and back up seals because: every day use.  If I had a family I might have been able to justify another whole Instant Pot, but I'll have to just borrow Raj's for the multi course Instant Pot meals I have planned.

We have started a Pinterest board all about pressure cooking, not all the recipes are paleo, but they are on our radar to make them grain-, sugar-, and dairy-free!  Nom Nom Paleo has her 10 fave pressure cooking recipes here, and those are paleo!

We are  incredibly excited to offer a $50 discount for The Primal Desire tribe, and a give-away in time for New Years resolutions (enter at the bottom of the page)!

I feel like this may be one of the best gifts I have ever received, and I'm really not sure I can match it for Raj's up coming birthday, he may have to settle for my un-dying appreciation.  THAT is the gift that keeps on giving (sorry Raj).  I find myself talking about my Instant Pot at parties, at work, to strangers at the grocery store.  I brag to my friends about 7 minute chicken breasts, and gourmet dinners in less than an hour.  It would take more time to get into my car and drive to pick up fast food than making something clean and nutritious at home!  If you are going to invest in just one kitchen appliance I would hands down suggest the Instant Pot DUO-60.  Enter to win, or don't wait, order one today, and then try out Raj's Pressure Cooker Butter Chicken recipe (complete with video of his first run with the Instant Pot).

Quick note from Raj:

My favorite quote from Holley about the Instant Pot so far is “This braised cabbage will only take 4 minutes in the Instant Pot, so…  I'm gonna have a nap!”

What function are you most excited about?  Post it in the comments below!  And don't forget to enter!

Check out Instant Pot on Facebook (and the Facebook Community mentioned above) and Twitter.  Instant Pot is “now available on both Amazon.com, and on Walmart.com with an in-store pick-up option”, but you can get the best price as mentioned earlier, using The Primal Desire's $50 off coupon code.

*Contest is open to legal residents of the continental US and Canada who are 18 or older.

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**Please note that Instant Pot provided us with a IP-DUO60 unit to do this review, but that all opinions provided above are our own – and that we were already members of the Instant Pot cult community prior to speaking with the company.  In our experience they truly are a one-in-a-million business and a pleasure to deal with.