[M_Six]

We just got our new Instant Pot today. I'm surprised at how big it is overall. The interior pot isn't much bigger than our largest stove top pot, so it will work for our chili recipe, etc.

My question is...how hot do the exterior surfaces get? The warning stickers make it seem like you could burn yourself if you touch any metal surface on the thing while it's cooking. Is it really that bad? We had planned on using it to do some slow cooking and not having to keep an eye on it. But our cat will occasionally stroll across the kitchen counter and we're worried she might get burned.

[Our03z4]

I really wouldn't worry if you are just slow cooking, won't be any worse than a crock pot. If you ever do the pressure cooking then I would definitely be concerned. If the cat hits the pressure release on the top...which is just a easy turn...the kitty could get a nasty steam burn. Make sure to always release away from cabinets.

[DETRoadster]

The sides dont really get hot at all. The top gets a little warm. Nothing to worry about. Like others have said it's that steam release vent valve that can be tricky. I flip ours open and then toss a dishrag over it to cover the vent so that it can still vent but doesnt spray little hot steamy droplets. The other thing you can do is simply unplug it once it's done cooking and it will naturally depressurize on its own in about 10 minutes.

Once you use it, you will be amazed you survived without it! Instantpot carnitas are on my dinner list for this week. Sooooo good!

[HFW003]

Call me silly....





What's an instant pot?

[Tommy-G]

I’m a huge animal lover but our cats avoid lit candles and going on the counter where the stove is. They can be a royal paint in the ass at 4am but they are damn smart at the same time.
The dog on the other hand…… wellllllll

[Sara]

Originally Posted by M_Six

We just got our new Instant Pot today. I'm surprised at how big it is overall. The interior pot isn't much bigger than our largest stove top pot, so it will work for our chili recipe, etc.

My question is...how hot do the exterior surfaces get? The warning stickers make it seem like you could burn yourself if you touch any metal surface on the thing while it's cooking. Is it really that bad? We had planned on using it to do some slow cooking and not having to keep an eye on it. But our cat will occasionally stroll across the kitchen counter and we're worried she might get burned.

Place a cucumber next to it

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Call me silly....

What's an instant pot?

They love em here but I am yet to have it explained to me why i'd use one instead of a cast iron dutch oven. Ya gotta braise meat before slow cooking and the big arse cast iron pot does a great job of it.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Call me silly....





What's an instant pot?

Silly

Originally Posted by Sara

Place a cucumber next to it

The visual made me pee

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They love em here but I am yet to have it explained to me why i'd use one instead of a cast iron dutch oven. Ya gotta braise meat before slow cooking and the big arse cast iron pot does a great job of it.

I thought a Dutch oven is when you fart under the covers

[Esteban]

When I read the title of this thread I instantly thought something else.

[M_Six]

Originally Posted by Esteban

When I read the title of this thread I instantly thought something else.

Like quick grow seeds?

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by M_Six

Like quick grow seeds?

That would work for me if I still smoked.

[P1]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They love em here but I am yet to have it explained to me why i'd use one instead of a cast iron dutch oven. Ya gotta braise meat before slow cooking and the big arse cast iron pot does a great job of it.

They are convenient for those in a hurry, but make no mistake about it: the quality of your food and the taste of it will suffer because of it. I personally don't use it any longer.

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

They love em here but I am yet to have it explained to me why i'd use one instead of a cast iron dutch oven. Ya gotta braise meat before slow cooking and the big arse cast iron pot does a great job of it.

Originally Posted by P1

They are convenient for those in a hurry, but make no mistake about it: the quality of your food and the taste of it will suffer because of it. I personally don't use it any longer.

I got one thinking it could replace the crock pot and the rice cooker, and its a pressure cooker.

It is a terrible rice cooker, it is fine as a slow cooker, it does a fine job as pressure cooker but as noted it does not sear very well, it will do it, but it takes a long time, you can't expect too much being plugged into 110, but overall, not impressed.

The only thing I use if for now is to make stock and broth.

[M_Six]

I plan on using it for slow cooking and some pressure cooking. Mostly for Indian style dishes and sauces. If I'm going to do a pot roast, like we did last week, I'll sear it and cook it in our Dutch oven as always.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by KenB925

but as noted it does not sear very well, it will do it, but it takes a long time, you can't expect too much being plugged into 110, but overall, not impressed.

This is where it falls down for me. You MUST sear the meat first or it's effectively boiled in a slow cooker. So by using a large cast iron pot I am only using one pot so a) less clean up and b) my sear retains the "fond", which means the brown bits on the bottom of the pan you seared in where all the damn flavour is. If transferring from searing pan to slow cooker you lose this.

I just don't get it.

[upstatedoc]

Came into this thread to score some weed. Left disappointed.

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

This is where it falls down for me. You MUST sear the meat first or it's effectively boiled in a slow cooker. So by using a large cast iron pot I am only using one pot so a) less clean up and b) my sear retains the "fond", which means the brown bits on the bottom of the pan you seared in where all the damn flavour is. If transferring from searing pan to slow cooker you lose this.

I just don't get it.

Money is better spent on a nice Le Creuset.

[King Rudi]

Unless the cat drives a BMW/is a psychopath, you have no worries. I may get burned once......once.

Also -1 for this thread having nothing to do with pot, let alone instant pot.

[Alfisti]

Originally Posted by KenB925

Money is better spent on a nice Le Creuset.

Meh, way, way over priced. Can get same quality at half the price but yes see your point.

[UncleWede]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Meh, way, way over priced. Can get same quality at half the price but yes see your point.

Outlet Mall!!!! I don't particularly care that it's "last year's color"

[3.0L]

Originally Posted by HFW003

Call me silly....





What's an instant pot?

Originally Posted by Onesie

Mary Joan dispensary.

With a drive-up window.

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by Alfisti

Meh, way, way over priced. Can get same quality at half the price but yes see your point.

I do have a couple of 'off brand' pieces that I use quite a bit, they are not quite as nice but very good.

Originally Posted by UncleWede

Outlet Mall!!!! I don't particularly care that it's "last year's color"

Indeed. I also don't mind spending a little extra for something that will last forever.