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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: calendria on November 10, 2019, 10:57:36 am

Title: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: calendria on November 10, 2019, 10:57:36 am
 :cat:

 ???

I have and use pressure cookers/canners and was looking at this new "Instant Pot" for combined
cooking etc.  Does anyone use this for canning?  Water bath or pressure canning?
 Recipes must be converted from traditional canners to this new one, right?  Any recipes for The Instant Pot that are tried and true?



You can use the new Instant Pot Max for pressure canning—but should you?

The main reason is that a pressure gauge doesn't tell you what the temperature is, and if there is air trapped inside or you're at altitude the 15 PSI setting may not reach the necessary temperatures to work. Because the Instant Pot doesn't have an internal thermometer (that we know of), it's just not possible to tell exactly how hot it is inside and when your food will be safe...
In the meantime, you can still use your Instant Pot for nearly everything else, including boiling water canning—just make sure you follow all the appropriate guidelines and use acidic foods to makes sure what you're serving is safe to eat.

But because pressure canners can get up to 15PSI, the steam inside will reach over 240°F, the temperature required to kill the bacteria that causes botulism. (Boiling water canners top out at 212°F)
The new Instant Pot Max claims it can reach 15 PSI consistently, but that isn't enough to guarantee your food is being heated to the point where it will be safe. CNET recently dug into the issue as well, and found that Instant Pot's own website claims that its models shouldn't be used for pressure canning.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: gtdoss on November 10, 2019, 04:17:26 pm
I have never heard of using an instant pot for canning until now. I'd be curious as to if it would work really well. We've been using ours for cheesecake, to stew meat, rice, potatoes, quite a few things, and it does an amazing job. I mean, you could use your stove top or oven to do these things, but the instant pot doesn't produce the heat into the kitchen like they do (we live in Georgia, hot and humid!) I hope you find the answers you need for canning in an instant pot. That would be great!  :peace:
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: bretay on November 10, 2019, 05:07:58 pm
i have a pressure cooker but never used it for canning...that and my air fryer are my main cooking items
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: tjshorty on November 10, 2019, 07:19:48 pm
I am new to canning.  I was told that you can use them but best bet is not too.  I can't remember why but I also think that they don't hold as many jars at one time.  I would probably test it myself just to find out for myself.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: nannycoe1 on November 11, 2019, 05:10:21 am
I have never used a instant pot and was wondering if they are really worth the price.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: ktheodos on November 11, 2019, 05:12:43 am
Thanks for the information - I haven't used one but it's good to know.....
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: ccandpam on November 11, 2019, 05:51:58 am
I have never used an Instant Pot, but we use a pressure Cooker. I really wonder too if the Instant Pot is really worth the price.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: alice44 on November 11, 2019, 06:27:27 am
 I have seen these advertised and they look interesting.  I will be interested in what kind of responses you get.  :D
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: UGetPaid on November 11, 2019, 06:57:45 am
I have never used an Instant Pot, but we use a pressure Cooker. I really wonder too if the Instant Pot is really worth the price.


I do not use it myself (other than one time) so I cannot speak directly from the preparation perspective. But my wife uses one in spurts. I can tell you that the meals that she has prepared in it (not even considering the canning aspect, which she has also done) have been beyond fabulous and she has been able to prepare them in a fraction of the time.


I think it is definitely worth the price if you can afford it in the first place.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: bremer51 on November 11, 2019, 07:43:13 am
I was wondering about canning too.  Now I know. Thanks.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: BATISTAGIRL663 on November 11, 2019, 11:27:07 am
i have been wanting to buy one for a while now thanks for the info !!!
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: ancmetro on November 11, 2019, 12:00:08 pm

   I do not like them...and I will not use one of them.
   Here is why? Many, many years ago, someone was
   trying to make some coffee at home using a "pressurized
   stove top coffee maker" after few minutes it exploded in
   the kitchen sending coffee grounds all over the walls,
   ceiling and floor. It was a coincidence no one was in the
   kitchen at that time. Now the company makes this coffee
   makers with a "safety valve" to release extra air and steam.
   They are supposedly "not to explode". Check "the safety record"                                                                       
   before buying it. II just makes sense!
                                                                                                                                                                   
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: sfreeman8 on November 12, 2019, 11:26:14 am
You do know they make special pressure canners, don't you? They're made specifically for canning foods and come in a couple different sizes. I bought one right before I had my bout with the knee sarcoma and haven't been able to garden since or stand too long to prep any foods so haven't used it.

As for pressure cookers, I was always afraid of pressure cookers. Mom had one, a real heavy pot with the petcock (I think that's what it's called) on top that she had to release steam every so often or else....and one day she was busy and the "or else" happened with food all over the ceiling and stove. I was always afraid of them so never bought one until now.

About 2 months ago, they were having a big half price sale on the Instant Pot and I bought one. It's still in the box. What I'm really eyeing up is the combo toaster/convection/air fryer table top ovens but they're out of my price range. I have an air fryer that my one son gave me for Christmas last year. I've tried different foods in it but the only thing it makes great is wings and fries. I don't have room on my counter for it so it stays in its box on the floor and it's heavy, so lifting it is a pain.  It's too big to go on one of the under counter cabinets because I have pull out shelves, 2 each cabinet. Instant Pot also came out with the airfryer/Instant Pot/Crisper. That sounds neat but I'd rather the oven.

I have a Wolfgang Puck Bistro convection oven and I really liked it. It combined rotisserie, broiler, and convection oven. I used it mainly for baking because my regular oven burns everything on the bottom (can't figure out why).
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: gaylasue on November 14, 2019, 03:48:38 am
My husband uses ours all the time to cook meals in.  He hasn't tried canning anything in it yet.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: teresa3200 on November 14, 2019, 07:49:56 am
I don't have an insta pot, but would love to get one.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: oldbuddy on November 14, 2019, 03:08:23 pm
We have had an InstaPot for a year or more, but hardly use it now that we got an Air Fryer. It's faster to cook and clean up that the Pot, in fact we sometimes go three of four uses before it needs any cleaning.

As far as canning, not even a chance. I can't imagine my wife doing the 100 pounds of apples she just finished without a much larger cooker.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: jkhanson on November 14, 2019, 03:44:32 pm
My daughter has an air fryer and used it to make frozen fish squares.  I unexpectedly surprised by how well the fish turned out.  The fish was crisp and tasty.

Now I am on the look for one...need to do my homework to find one for my family size...just two of us and very little counter space.

What brand do you have oldbuddy?
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: oldbuddy on November 14, 2019, 08:11:32 pm
My daughter has an air fryer and used it to make frozen fish squares.  I unexpectedly surprised by how well the fish turned out.  The fish was crisp and tasty.

Now I am on the look for one...need to do my homework to find one for my family size...just two of us and very little counter space.

What brand do you have oldbuddy?
We have a Bella TXG-DS14 and it's just right for the two of us in the space we have. Fish sticks in tacos are great.
Title: Re: The "Instant Pot" use
Post by: timvolley on November 14, 2019, 08:55:12 pm
i dont really cook that often so i dont know that i would ever use on but it does sound interesting