Oh, that kind of pot lol. I thought you were wanting experiences from some of the new laws that passed.

LOL.. feel free to share, Justerrilynn. I won't judge ;)

It's almost midnight and I am babysitting a huge pot of split pea soup. Maybe I need an instant pot too!

I tend to use my for various bean recipes as it really cuts down the prep time. I had less success with a recent meat recipe, but that probably was the recipe. Bone broth is forthcoming.

I may take my mother's present back and get the Instant Pot. Thanks

If you're interested, there is a very active Facebook group that shares recipes and experiences with their Instant Pots. I don't have one yet, but I've been looking at this group to see if it's something I want to try.

Thank you all for your thoughts and experiences.

I am still on the fence. I really think I'd prefer an 8 qt staub pot -- granted, it costs much more but I think I'd use it much more also.

A few years ago I got DH a Black and Decker rice cooker. It makes great rice, and also steams vegetables and more, but I don't like the icky steam that vents out the release hole on top. It really scatters and is a pain to clean! Does the Instant Pot release steam in the same way?

Isn't the Instant Pot a pressure cooker? Much different than a rice cooker.

bpathome, the Instant Pot does release steam out the top. Mine never makes a mess, though--it's just steam that goes upward, there is no water or residue on my counter that I've ever noticed.

terriks, the IP is a pressure cooker that can also be used as a slow cooker and a rice cooker.

I've had one for a year now and I use it multiple times per week. It is great for soups, cooking dried beans without presoaking, making mashed potatoes and hardboiling eggs so they are very easy to peel. I love that I can make soup really fast after I come home from work and I can steam a whole sweet potato for the baby in under 15 minutes.

I feel like the IP does save time but for me the primary advantage is that it takes no supervision. I put the soup ingredients in and close the lid, set it for 15 minutes and walk away. Since I am often multi-tasking while I cook, it has saved me time in not having to go back to check if the soup is simmering, adjust the temps, adjust the lid, stir, etc.

I've also made mac and cheese in it but did not feel it was any easier or tastier than the traditional way--it was the same and took the same amount of time. We do not cook meat but I can only assume that it comes in very handy for meat dishes, too.

Here are the down sides: 1) the steam does vent straight up. If you don't have an island, I think the steam frequently venting under/in front of your cabinets might not be the best thing for them. If you are standing there when it vents you can divert it, but that negates the "no supervision" benefit. 2) It is big-ish and heavy-ish; unless you leave it on the countertop, you will be lifting it. My favorite large soup pot is a Le Creuset, so it's not a lightweight option, either, but if you have carpal tunnel or something, you might want to consider the weight and where you will store your IP.

Bought one for my mom from Amazon...the stinkers! Late last night the model I wanted (best seller, 7in1) was $79 but out of stock). So I spent the day in the city looking in all the Walmarts and even Target :( No one had any. When I get home, I go back to Amazon to order it from them and surprise!...they're available and $20 MORE :o How RUDE! And yes, I bought.

We tried. It failed our preferences. We prefer browned meats. I know you can saute in the pot, but that's a long process, especially if you're fixing 12 pork chops, one at a time. A cast iron skillet is best for that.

We prefer slow cooked stews, soups, roasts, etc. A crock cooker serves us well.

We use the Aroma cooker for rice. Perfect rice every time and it keeps it warm until dinner time.

The venting of steam is a big concern. It won't take long to degrade cabinets if it's cooking on a counter with cabinets. Over time, the steam will also degrade the ceiling finish.

Mom's Instant Pot showed up today. Wasn't supposed to be here till tomorrow. The two white Amazon Echo Dots that were purchased on the 17th with Prime shipping were supposed to be here on the 20th. They STILL aren't here :(

I opted to skip the Instant Pot. I prefer a big soup pot on the stove.. and I really didn't want to give my sister an appliance. I have made her 8 qts of soup in the last few days. That will hold her for a bit!

Monica, I am so sorry you didn't get your echo dots yet!! I got mine the next day after I ordered them. Hopefully they arrive tonight yet-- I did get all but one of my last minute gifts this evening. The other will arrive tomorrow (hopefully before the festivities start at 5pm!)

They are all multi cookers, yes they all cook rice but they do so so much more. Not all have a pressure cooker setting. I have no use for a pressure cooker but I do have a use for the many other settings including the slow cooker, sauté and simmer, Steamer, soup, and definitely rice. It is great to have one device on my shelf to do all of those things rather than several. Right now I have it set on slow cooker with a beef Stew with vegetables cooking for dinner. You can make cakes in them, oatmeal, steam eggs for perfect easy to peel "Boiled" eggs. I would be upset if it was taken away.

As for the steam I either put it on the counter that has no cabinet above it or the island or like now it is on the center griddle plate in my stove with the vent on above, of course no burners are on . I have never had a problem with steam. Maybe the pressure cooker puts out more steam but the above options would work.

Mine are Aroma brand .

Brushworks, I have the same concerns about the venting of steam, and I use even my slow cooker in the garage.

Well, mom has asked me to send her Instant Pot back to Amazon. She said it's going to be too difficult to learn how to operate it AND it's too heavy for her. Darn!

Oh my ~ As much as i love my blue tooth items..Why would I ever need a blue tooth Insta-Pot ?

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Bluetooth-Enabled-Multifunctional-Stainless/dp/B01M8HNN8A?th=1

I do not like the steam venting issue and try to protect my cabinets from it. I do worry it will ruin them.

That being said, I used my IP a lot for my family for meat/poultry. (I'm a vegetarian.) They really liked the pressure-cooked meals. However, I bought it during the Black Friday Sale and it already broke! It took over a week to get CS back to me and they want me to to do a lot of documenting to prove that it's broken. The thing is, the panel lights up but the pot no longer heats, so it's hard to prove this in a photo. Frustrating.

Is there a similar product that vents differently?