I bought an Instant Pot on Black Friday – do I regret it two years later?
I panic-bought an Instant Pot air fryer in a Black Friday rush. Do I regret it two years down the line? Here's my honest opinion
I test products for a living, but even the pros can get caught up in the madness of Black Friday. Two Novembers ago we were pulling early mornings, late nights, and long, long shifts to cover deals live as they happened. I knew I wanted an air fryer/multicooker, and I knew all of our top models, but when it came down to it, I was tired and had been looking at kitchen appliance bargains for hours. When I took a quick 5-minute break, I quite frankly couldn't be bothered; I just hit checkout on the first five-star product I remembered from our tests.
I had bought an Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, and when it arrived I wasn't convinced. It's more like a multicooker than an air fryer, so I initially thought I'd ordered the wrong model.
However, two years on, this appliance has totally transformed how I cook. It's replaced my old slow cooker as well as introducing air frying to our kitchen. It offers a good range of different cooking functions and in some cases has made our usual recipes much, much tastier.
This isn't a puff piece, and this best Instant Pot multicooker definitely has its drawbacks. In fact, I actually suggest that you buy a different model. However, if you're after a kitchen appliance that can do it all, you can't go wrong.
This is the multicooker model I use at home. It's great for fast frozen food as well as more technical pressure cooking.
What I love
The Instant Pot Duo + Air Fryer is a mix of the iconic Instant Pot and some handy air fryer functions. Full disclosure: I was an air fryer skeptic. Before I got used to them, I couldn't see the point. If you have an oven, surely you'd just bake with that?
However, I was wrong. The best air fryers are much, much faster. We cook a lot of meat substitutes that need to be cooked in an oven, and the cooking time halves in an air fryer. I've started making some pretty full-on breakfasts in this air fryer function. Every weekend I can do hash browns, bacon, and sausages in twelve minutes, all in one air fryer basket, all at the touch of a button.
It also costs less to run than an oven. Unlike a traditional gas or electric oven, you're only heating a few cubic inches of air rather than a couple of cubic feet, so your bills are cheaper. It's not a life-changing saving, but a few dollars off a month is always nice to have.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
The capacity of this thing is unbelievable. We have a family recipe for veggie chili that used to fill up our old slow cooker, and it barely makes it to the halfway mark on this multicooker. There are double servings for a family of four plus at least three frozen portions.
But don't just take my word for it. This is just what I've found using the product in my day-to-day. We've also tested this multicooker. In her full Instant Pot Duo Plus review, our home economics expert Helen found similar results. She pressure-cooked an amazing daal with none of the usual fuss of releasing steam, as this pot will do it for you automatically.
She slow-cooked a beef bourguignon and ran some errands while it was cooking, but ended up getting back home late. Rather than switching off, this multicooker automatically adjusted to 'keep warm' mode - nothing was burnt or overcooked, but had perfect results even when things overran.
What I don't like
The single biggest drawback with this appliance is the two different lids. There's an air fryer lid and a pressure cooking lid. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't matter much, but I'm yet to find an easy way of storing these. The air fryer lid is a very large, awkward shape that doesn't fit in any of my cabinets, so if I'm slow cooking or pressure cooking it has to sit on my countertops or the dining room table. You can sit the pressure cooker lid on top of the air fryer lid to make storage a little easier, but it doesn't look great out on the countertop. My biggest regret with this purchase is that I didn't go for the Instant Pot Ultimate Lid model, available at Amazon, which has one lid and is much easier to store.
This is one of the best multicookers you can buy, replacing a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, and even yogurt maker in a single appliance. Even better, it's now at one of the best prices we've seen.
Another drawback is that the capacity is a little misleading. An 8-quart capacity is amazing for more liquid meals like curries, chilis, and soups, but the air fryer capacity is nowhere near this big. The air fryer basket has a 7" diameter, so you can make a pretty decent portion of fries, but other air fryers can make far more. This is especially apparent compared to two-drawer air fryers. We use these all the time when we're in the test kitchen to make a quick lunch. It's not the most nutritious, but the double capacity means we can turn out chicken nuggets and fries in 15 minutes. It's a fast meal for four, and this Instant Pot simply can't do it.
It's true for all air fryers, but I'm also incredibly skeptical about the number of functions. Air fry, roast, bake, and broil are all really the same function. All of these functions just use the heating element in the lid, so there's not actually any difference - the air fryer just sets the temperature automatically. While these are certainly all different functions, it's no more multifunctional than an oven.
Is an Instant Pot worth having?
Overall, I do think the Instant Pot is worth buying. Air frying is so much faster, cheaper, and takes much less oil than a normal oven. It's totally changed my mind about air fryers. It has a great slow cooker function and timer that would be worth buying in itself, let alone the included air fryer functions.
However, I actually think you'd be better off with the Ultimate Lid model, and Helen agreed in her full review. It has all of the same performance without the hassle of storing an extra lid. However, outside of sales periods this lid will set you back an extra $100, so it might not be worth it.
As Head of eCommerce, Alex makes sure our readers find the right information to help them make the best purchase. After graduating from Cambridge University, Alex got his start in reviewing at the iconic Good Housekeeping Institute, testing a wide range of household products and appliances. He then moved to BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine, assessing gardening tools, machinery, and wildlife products. Helping people find true quality and genuine value is a real passion.
-
Do you put off housework? 6 expert tips to help you banish procrastination and conquer clutter, chaos and dreaded chores
From starting small to getting accountable – pro advice to stop putting off and start putting things right
By Andy van Terheyden Published
-
How to protect avocado trees in winter – expert advice to keep these fruiting trees safe from the cold
Winterizing avocado trees is crucial as they do not like frost, snow or cold
By Thomas Rutter Published
-
Now that it's December, I'm nesting for the holidays – that's why I'm upgrading my bedroom with these cozy buys from Pottery Barn
Cuddle up in the winter weather with these festive sheet sets, cozy quilts, and fuzzy blankets − you might even save some money in the Pottery Barn sales
By Emilia Hitching Published
-
The best air fryer we've ever tested is STILL massively discounted after Cyber Monday – but the price is starting to rise
The Instant Vortex Plus has been out favorite air fryer for years, and now it's at one of the lowest prices we've ever seen. This is all you need to know
By Alex David Published
-
I'm making the most of the final day of deals by shopping these big impact buys to update my home for the holidays in the Crate & Barrel sale
With just one day left to save, these Cyber Monday discounts are not to be missed
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
I gifted this beautiful Philips air fryer to my mom – she loves it, but I regret not buying it with the rare discount
There's still $70 off in the December sales
By Lydia Hayman Published
-
The trending Ninja Woodfire pizza oven is on sale, but all is not as it seems – I think there are 3 much better deals
The Ninja Woodfire pizza oven is pretty good, but pretty good doesn't cut it. I think you can do better for cheaper
By Alex David Published
-
I swear by these affordable accessories to quickly make my coffee table look more expensive – and right now you can replicate the look for even less
These stylish home decor details are like magnets for compliments
By Charlotte Olby Published
-
I'm hunting for the best Dyson Cyber Monday deals LIVE – these are the vacuums I'd personally buy as a pro tester before the sales end
The top-of-the-line products from Dyson's range are all on sale this Cyber Monday – I'm tracking every retailer for the lowest prices available
By Dan Fauzi Last updated
-
I’ve just replaced my $900 coffee machine with this non-toxic alternative that’s $29 in the sales – here’s why
My new simple routine is actually better for my health
By Lydia Hayman Published