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For years, the Instant Pot has been a staple in many kitchens, earning its place thanks to its time-saving capabilities in making soups, stews, and many more dishes that previously required a slow cooker.
Now, the latest and most advanced model from Instant Brands, the Instant Pot Pro Plus, brings even more features to the table. Priced at $196. 99 on amazon at the time of posting this article, this upgraded model offers sous vide functionality and mobile app connectivity, ushering in a new level of convenience for home cooks.
Despite these exciting additions, the mobile app may not necessarily revolutionize the overall cooking experience, making the $169.99 on amazon at the time of this post, Instant Pot Pro a comparable option for those who don’t require smartphone control.
The Instant Pot Pro Plus allows home chefs to keep their sous vide equipment stored away while still enjoying that precise cooking method. Additionally, the mobile app integration offers access to a wide range of recipes, though the impact on the cooking process itself may be limited.
Ultimately, choosing between the Instant Pot Pro Plus and the Instant Pot Pro may come down to personal preference and the value placed on smartphone connectivity.
Key Takeaways
- The Instant Pot Pro Plus adds sous vide functionality and mobile app connectivity to its list of features.
- The mobile app offers a library of recipes but may not significantly enhance the actual cooking experience.
- The Instant Pot Pro, without app connectivity, remains a strong and more affordable option for home chefs.
A Spacious Instant Pot Overview
The Instant Pot Pro Plus has dimensions of 12.7 by 13.0 by 13.2 inches (HWD), featuring a broad black cylinder with a control panel on the front, side handles, and a large lid with an additional handle on top.
A small Wi-Fi symbol in the control panel’s corner gives away its app connectivity.
Once the pot is plugged in, the silver 5.7-by-5.5-inch control panel displays backlit touch buttons. A central four-digit display shows the remaining cooking time, while indicators above it show the current stage of the cooking process (Preheating, Cooking, or Keep Warm).
Four buttons underneath the display allow users to select between three pressure settings, three temperature settings, and three venting settings. Also available is the Nutriboost feature, a pulse steam function that breaks down starches.
Four cooking mode buttons flank this central area, offering options like Canning, Pressure Cook, Rice, Sauté, Slow Cook, Sous Vide, Steam, and Yogurt. A large physical dial at the panel’s bottom center adjusts cooking times, with Cancel, Delay Start, Keep Warm, and Start buttons surrounding it.
The appliance’s internal chamber houses a removable six-quart steel pot that sits on a heating element for easy cleaning. This steel pot includes side handles that fit into the exterior handles, making it much simpler to grip and move compared to other models with no handles.
The sizeable, sturdy lid is crucial to the Instant Pot, enabling pressure cooking and controlled venting processes. A detachable silicone ring (two included in the package) mounts onto the lid’s underside to create a seal.
The lid’s top features a primary vent under a removable plastic dome, with a smaller, secondary vent next to it. The primary vent releases hot air in natural venting mode or expels it forcefully with a loud hiss in quick and pulse venting modes.
Cook With Your Phone
The Instant Pot Pro Plus allows you to control it not only through its front panel but also via its wireless and app connectivity. It is compatible with the Instant Brands Connect app, available for both Android and iOS devices. By connecting your Instant Pot to Wi-Fi, you can effortlessly control it with your smartphone.
Although the app is user-friendly, it doesn’t provide extensive cooking controls. Instead, it offers a wide variety of step-by-step recipes specifically designed for the Instant Pot. Users can simply select a recipe, click “Start Cooking,” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Conveniently, the app allows users to send cooking presets directly to the Instant Pot when needed. Additionally, users can bookmark their favorite recipes or add them to custom collections.
For those who prefer not to use pre-set recipes, the app provides an option to manually select the desired cooking mode.
However, adjusting settings like cooking time, pressure levels, temperature, and venting can be a bit cumbersome, as users must tap an icon next to the cooking mode and enter the required details. A more intuitive option would be to allow adjustments upfront for each cooking mode.
As the Instant Pot cooks your selected dishes, you can check the cooking progress with the app by referring to a small bar at the bottom of the screen. This bar displays the current cooking phase (Preheating, Cooking, Venting, or Keeping Warm) and any timer associated with that phase. Unfortunately, the app doesn’t offer a full-screen display of the pot’s status, which may be disappointing to some, considering the appliance’s control panel has large, bright information icons.
Drool-Worthy Results
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is a versatile kitchen appliance with various cooking modes such as pressure cooking, sautéing, and sous vide, among others.
One user discovered the delicious potential of this appliance by trying three different recipes: beef stew, chili, and sous vide turkey legs.
In their first attempt, the user cooked a hearty beef stew using ingredients such as baby carrots, onions, mushrooms, beef shin, spices, beef broth, and dark lager.
They set the Instant Pot Pro Plus to high pressure for 90 minutes, after which it vented the pressure in loud bursts. The stew turned out perfectly cooked, with tender meat and flavorful vegetables.
Next, they cooked chili by combining diced beef, ground turkey, a diced onion, red beans, crushed tomatoes, dark chili powder, and other spices.
They started by using the sauté function to sweat the onions and brown the meat, then mixed in the beans and tomatoes.
After setting the pot to pressure cook for another 90 minutes, they allowed it to vent naturally. The chili turned out just as delicious as the stew, rivaling the results achieved with a non-smart Instant Pot or a slow cooker.
Finally, they used the sous vide function to cook turkey legs. They set the water bath to 160 degrees, seasoned the turkey, and sealed it in a plastic bag, then immersed it in the heated water.
After six hours, the turkey legs came out fully cooked and moist. It was concluded that the sous vide function worked well, and even better results could be achieved by tweaking the temperature and cooking time.
These tasty experiments showcased the capabilities of the Instant Pot Pro Plus, proving that it can be a reliable and useful addition to any home kitchen. As it offers multiple cooking functions, it is suitable for a range of recipes and culinary preferences, making it a valuable companion for both beginners and experienced cooks.
Effortless Usage Regardless of App Involvement
The Instant Pot Pro Plus excels at various cooking techniques, such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, and sous vide, making it a versatile and convenient tool for any kitchen. It’s not only simple to operate but also consistently produces delectable meals.
Although it comes with an app to assist with step-by-step recipes, the appliance doesn’t require the app to perform effectively, as the app offers limited functionality in terms of operation.
With a plethora of cooking modes available, the Instant Pot Pro Plus ensures your food turns out just as anticipated, making it easy for anyone to use. However, its value for money may be called into question due to the minimal functionality added by the app.
In this regard, the more affordable Instant Pot Pro offers a better deal, with sous vide mode and all essential cooking features at a $40 lower price point.
Pros:
- Wide range of cooking modes
- Dependable, delicious outcomes
- User-friendly
Cons:
- App provides little additional functionality
- Higher price compared to non-connected version
In conclusion, the Instant Pot Pro Plus is a fantastic appliance offering eight distinct cooking methods, ranging from pressure cooking to sous vide.
However, the mobile app integration contributes little to enhancing the overall experience, making it a worthwhile consideration for those who appreciate a friendly, third-person point of view in their kitchen gadgets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Air Fryer Lid function with the Instant Pot Pro Plus?
The Air Fryer Lid works in conjunction with the Instant Pot Pro Plus to enable air frying capabilities. Simply attach the lid to the top of the Instant Pot, and it circulates hot air around the food, creating a crispy and delicious result similar to traditional deep-frying.
Where can one locate the Instant Pot Pro Plus user guide?
The Instant Pot Pro Plus manual can be found on the official Instant Pot website. The manual provides detailed information on the various cooking functions, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
What exactly is the NutriBoost feature?
The NutriBoost feature in the Instant Pot Pro Plus is a specially designed program that uses a stirring motion during the cooking process to break down the food and release essential nutrients. This results in more flavorful and nutrient-dense dishes.
Which accessories are suitable for use with the Instant Pot Pro Plus?
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is compatible with a variety of accessories, including but not limited to:
- Steamer baskets
- Trivets
- Silicone accessories (oven mitts, pot holders)
- Inner pots of various sizes
Remember to check for compatibility before purchasing any accessories for your Instant Pot Pro Plus.
Can the Instant Pot Pro Plus be utilized for baking purposes?
Yes, the Instant Pot Pro Plus has a baking function that allows you to prepare a range of baked goods, such as cakes, bread, and casseroles. Simply choose the baking program on the control panel and follow the instructions provided in the manual for temperature and time settings.
Is it worthwhile to invest in the Instant Pot Pro Plus?
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is considered a versatile and efficient kitchen appliance. It offers multiple cooking functions, such as pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, and air frying. For those seeking to save time and space in the kitchen, the Instant Pot Pro Plus could be a valuable investment. However, individual needs and preferences will ultimately determine if it is the right choice for you.
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