This post on Review of Instant Pot in India will clear ALL your doubts about using an Instant Pot to make Indian dishes- whether you are in India or else where!
You can also read my Indian IP series where I explain everything about using instant pot in an Indian kitchen making Indian Food.
Part 1: Instant Pot for Indian Cooking
Part 2: Which Instant Pot Model to buy
Part 3: Making Indian Food in Instant Pot
Part 4: Instant Pot Frequently Asked Questions
Let me just confess first.I bought an instant pot, because my best friends raved and ranted over and over about it..So I caved and made my dad haul one all the way from USA to India.Literally peer pressure!Sigh..
Great NEWS!!Instant Pot is now available in India! on Amazon!
What does an Instant Pot do?
Instant pot - for all purposes is an electric pressure multi cooker where you can set the time, amount of pressure & temperature.It can also be used to saute, steam, keep food warm and make yogurt.You can delay the start by 24 hours, keep your food warm for 10 hours and slow cook.
It's a controlled way of cooking, which means that you can measure and set the exact time and type of heat over and over and expect the same results- consistency is according to me its greatest selling point.
It comes in various sizes- 3 Qt ,6 Qt and 8 Qt.I bought the Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker.
You can find out what SIZE and Type of instant pot will work for you in this post- Which instant pot to Buy.
Do you know what I am most excited about? Making Yogurt,Slow cooked Meat,Slow cooked black dal,Boiled Eggs and Ghee.
Can you use the Instant Pot in India?On Indian Voltage?
Great NEWS!!Instant Pot is now available in India! on Amazon!
Here is a direct link to Instant Pot on Amazon India.
The biggest challenge in using a instant pot in India, used to be the voltage .Yes it's science jibber jabber which you can skip if you are using the instant pot in USA(or UK) or you bought one in India from Amazon.
My instant pot was bought from USA which meant that it can ONLY work on their Voltage specs- 110 V, 6 Hz and 1000 W which meant that I couldn't just plug it in and go to town with it.
Using Instant Pot from USA in India
To be able to use the instant pot from USA in India, I had to buy an additional device- called the transformer which converted the down from 220V to 110 V and could potentially handle more than 1000W. A good transformer costed me around 8k which really burnt a hole in my pocket but i was determined!
So, if you are making your relatives haul this all the way from USA , be prepared to spend extra on buying the transformer.
The good news though is that if you get the Instant Pot in India now!!
Another great indian option is Mealthy.
You do not have to resort to buying a convertor etc and it has very similar features as an Instant Pot.
What's Awesome about Instant Pot?
Instant pot is an instant hit because of several reasons
- Predictability & Consistency- The cooking is very predictable and repeatable.If you put in Xgms of food for YMinutes for pressure cooking, it will yield the exact same result every single time!
- Safety - It's obviously safer than traditional pressure cookers.Also I can leave the house with it on, knowing there won't be an accident and I will have delicious food waiting for me when I come back
- No noise pressure cooking- This for me personally is the biggest advantage.I have a small baby at home and we Indians pressure cook a lottt!! My son was mortally scared of the pressure cooker sound for the first 12 months of his life.He cried every single time he heard it.So this has been a relief!!
- It's easy to clean-especially because the cooking pot is made of steel.
- The cooking is faster than a normal traditional pressure cooker.
Instant Pot vs Indian Pressure Cooker
You could use a normal pressure cooker but this one is calibrated- which means you can get the same results again and again with the same setting.
It's a controlled way of cooking, which means that you can measure and set the exact time and type of heat over and over and expect the same results- consistency is according to me its greatest selling point.
No counting whistles and expecting a pulav and getting a khicadi instead.No fear of any accidents.It's very beginner friendly and because the measurements and heat is exact, the recipes are easier to follow.
What Indian dishes can I make in it?
When I bought the instant pot, I frankly didn't think I will use it as much.Now its almost always ON.
If you are just starting out with the instant pot- then you should make Instant Pot Jeera Rice
Instant Pot Dal khichadi
Instant Pot Dal Palak
Instant Pot Langarwali dal
Instant Pot Toor Dal
Instant Pot Channa
Instant Pot Rajma
Instant Pot Ghee Rice
Instant Pot Pav Bhaji
Instant Pot is also great for special occasions too! Try making
Chicken Biryani
Vegetable Biryani
Chicken Korma
Tamil Pepper Chicken
Dal Makhani
Ghee Rice
Prawn Pulav
I have also made Saag in it! It's so so simple to make!I followed this recipe of sarson ka Saag recipe and adapted it for my instant pot.
I have made Tamil Chicken and Laal Maas from scratch in this.My daily yogurt is also made in the instant pot.I frankly now understand the obsession with it.It's not only convenient but it's swift.
Also read my Indian IP series where I explain everything about using instant pot in an indian kitchen.
Part 1: Instant Pot for Indian Cooking
Part 2: Which Instant Pot Model to buy
Part 3: Making Indian Food in Instant Pot
Part 4: Instant Pot Frequently Asked Questions
Final Verdict of Review of Instant Pot in India
This is a 80/100 WIN, especially for an Indian kitchen where we do extensive amount of pressure cooking!
Additional FAQs of Instant Pot
Where can I Buy Instant Pot In India
You can buy instant pot on Amazon.in Now.
What other brands of Instant Pot can I buy in india
Preethi and Mealthy are other multi pressure cooker brands available in India.
Is instant Pot useful in India
Absolutely.Indian recipes use a lot of pressure cooking.Infact an average family of 4 pressure cooks atleast 6 times a day.It is a product literally made for Indian market!
Do you have any other questions about the INSTANT POT? Leave me a comment below and i will help you out!
You can also join my Instant Pot Facebook Group to share your recipes,ask questions and learn new thins here - Instant Pot Dishes.
Kvg Krishna Murty says
If any repair comes, is there any agency to repair it in India?
T C Jaganathan says
Could you repair the instant pot . If so please share service centre details to me @ jagantc2306@gmail.com or 919094703229 . I am jaganathan from chennai India. Thanks
chhavi says
Hey Jaganathan,
I haven't had that problem yet.
But if I find someone, I will let you know
thanks