Instant Pot for Indian Cooking - In this post I hope help you choose the right instant pot for your Indian Cooking -as per Size,Functionality & Budget.
This is part 2 of Indian IP Series
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
Also, if you are in India and are wondering about it's usage here- do read my post on it.
Different Models of Instant Pot
There are a lot of different models of instant pot available in the market.
Also, just to clarify, Instant Pot is the leading brand of electric multi pressure cooker.
The word "instant pot" is often used interchangeably with multi cooker which can be confusing because there are a lot of other great brands of multi cooker in the market too.
How to choose instant pot model best suited for your kitchen?
Functionality
The first important factor is to understand what you want to do with your instant pot.But that's easier said than done.
Most people don't know what they want to use instant pot for before they buy it.That is why is suggest you buy the 6 Qts DUO model which has the most important Instant Pot functions- SAUTE, PRESSURE COOK, STEAM, SLOW COOK, YOGURT, RICE, POULTRY, SOUP & BEANS
if you want the funcitons of EGGS,CAKE and STERALIZE- you should choose
Size
Based on the number of people-
3 Qts- This is ideal for a family of 1-2 people.Though the 3 Qts instant pot doesn't come with some features like Yogurt and Slow Cook.
6 QTS-This is ideal for a family of 4.It's the most common size and a size in which most features are available.
8 QTS- This will work for big families of 5-6 and more.Again, not all features are available in the 8 Qts size.
Usually, A lot of people buy 2 instant pots- a 3 Qts and a 6 Qts. Some also buy extra inner pot so you can use it to store food too.
Kitchen Space
Based on how much space can you spare on the kitchen Counter, you can go for a small 3 Qts to 8 Qts.
Price
The price of Instant pot varies from $79 to $800.
Geography
The brand instant pot is not available everywhere geographically.For example in India, only mealthy is available at this point.To use an instant pot you need a voltage convertor.You can read about it in detail here.
Here is a little brief about each model
LUX($49)
Available in 3 Qts, 5Qts, 6 Qts & 8Qt sizes - with different fun looks.
The Lux model combines the functions of a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, and Warmer.
It doesn't not have the important Yogurt option and so in my opinion- it's not the best for Indian kitchens.
DUO($119.99) & DUO Plus($119.95)
The DUO series is available in 3 Qts,6 Qts & 8Qt sizes.The DUO plus is available in 3Qts,6Qts,8Qts
The DUO models have With Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep-Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize & Pressure Cook.
The DUO Plus models have an additional 3 programs - Cake, Egg, and Sterilize.
6 Qts DUO Plus in my opinion is the best product for Indian Kitchen.This was my first instant pot.
Ultra($109)
Available in 3 Qts,6 Qts & 8Qt sizes.
The Ultra combines the functions of a Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice/Porridge Cooker, Cake Maker, Yogurt Maker, Sauté/Searing, Steamer, Warmer, Sterilizer and the Ultra program.
The main difference between Ultra and DUO(plus) is the Ultra setting and the LCS screen which gives blow by blow detail of the food cooking.
MAX($199.99)
Max is only available in 6 Qts.
It's a Multifunctional and fully programmable this multicooker incorporates the benefits of a Pressure Cooker, Pressure Canner, Sous Vide, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté/Searing pan, Steamer, Yogurt Maker, Food Warmer and much more.
This is the Super Cheffy version of Instant Pot.
Electric Multi Pressure Cooker in India
It would be easy to just get instant pot from USA or Europe and use in India but it's not that simple.You can read about how i use my instant pot from USA in India.
Mealthy 6Qts
Mealthy 6Qts is easily available in india along with accessories and is calibrated to Indian voltage.It has most of the functions needed in an indian kitchen.
Preethi Touch
This is another option in India which has very indian specific presets and is obviously for the Indian voltage.
Smart WIFI & SMART BLUETOOTH
These two are super high tech versions of instant pot.The Smart bluetooth can be operated via instant pot app.
Most used Accessories for Instant Pot
I have been using Instant Pot for years now.There are some accessories that are absolutely required and some that are good to have.Here is my list
Essentials
- Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid
- Extra Inner Pot
- Instant Pot Silicon Starter Set - Mits ,Suction lid & Trivet
- Tall Trivet for Pot in Pot Cooking
- Steam Release Divertor
Good to have
Part 1: Instant Pot for Indian Cooking
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