The Instant Pot has taken the cooking world by storm, and for good reason. This multi-cooker extraordinaire can whip up a mean risotto, tenderize even the toughest of cuts of meat, and make cooking a breeze for even the most culinary-challenged. But, as amazing as it is, there are still some things that this kitchen powerhouse can’t do. In this article, we’ll explore the limitations of the Instant Pot and uncover the few areas where it falls short.
The Cooking Range: Where the Instant Pot Excels and Fails
The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and sauté pan all in one. Its versatility is unmatched, and it can tackle a wide range of cooking tasks with ease. However, there are some cooking techniques and temperatures that it’s simply not designed to handle.
Extreme Temperatures
The Instant Pot’s temperature range spans from 160°F to 240°F (71°C to 115°C), making it perfect for cooking a variety of dishes. However, if you need to cook at extremely high or low temperatures, the Instant Pot may not be the best choice. For example:
- Deep-frying: If you want to deep-fry foods like french fries or doughnuts, the Instant Pot is not the right tool for the job. It can’t reach the high temperatures required for deep-frying, typically between 325°F to 375°F (165°C to 190°C).
- Smoking: Similarly, the Instant Pot can’t reach the low temperatures required for smoking meats, typically between 100°F to 225°F (38°C to 110°C).
Specialized Cooking Techniques
While the Instant Pot can handle a range of cooking tasks, there are some specialized techniques that require specific equipment. For example:
- Sous vide: The Instant Pot can’t maintain the precise, consistent temperatures required for sous vide cooking. You’ll need a dedicated sous vide machine for this technique.
- Grilling: The Instant Pot can’t replicate the high heat and direct flame required for grilling. If you want to achieve those nice grill marks, you’ll need to fire up your outdoor grill or use a grill pan on your stovetop.
Cooking Capacity: Size Matters
The Instant Pot’s cooking capacity is generous, with most models ranging from 5-quart to 8-quart capacity. However, there are some situations where the Instant Pot may not be large enough.
Large Quantities
If you need to cook for a crowd, the Instant Pot might not be the best choice. While it can handle large quantities of food, it’s not designed for commercial-scale cooking. For example:
- Catering: If you’re catering an event and need to cook for dozens or even hundreds of people, the Instant Pot’s capacity may be too small.
- Batch cooking: If you like to cook in bulk and freeze meals for later, the Instant Pot may not be able to handle the volume of food you need to cook.
Food Types: Not All Ingredients Are Created Equal
The Instant Pot can handle a wide variety of ingredients, from tougher cuts of meat to delicate fish and seafood. However, there are some food types that may not fare well in the Instant Pot.
Fragile Ingredients
Some ingredients are too fragile for the Instant Pot’s high pressure and heat. For example:
- Delicate fish: Fish like sole or flounder may break apart or become mushy under the Instant Pot’s pressure.
- Eggs: While the Instant Pot can cook eggs, they may not turn out perfectly. The high pressure can cause eggs to become overcooked or even explode.
Specialized Ingredients
Some ingredients require special handling or equipment that the Instant Pot can’t provide. For example:
- Pasta with cream sauce: The Instant Pot can cook pasta, but it may not be the best choice for creamy sauces, which can stick to the bottom of the pot and create a mess.
- Rice with specific liquid ratios: The Instant Pot’s rice cooking function is designed for specific liquid ratios. If you need to cook rice with a unique liquid ratio, the Instant Pot may not be the best choice.
Additional Features: What’s Missing?
While the Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, there are some additional features that it lacks.
No Dehydrating Function
Unlike some other multi-cookers on the market, the Instant Pot doesn’t have a built-in dehydrating function. If you want to make jerky, fruit leather, or other dehydrated snacks, you’ll need a separate dehydrator.
No Built-In Scale
The Instant Pot doesn’t have a built-in scale, which can be a drawback if you’re cooking with precise ingredient measurements. You’ll need to use a separate kitchen scale to weigh your ingredients.
No Smartphone App Integration
Unlike some other smart kitchen appliances, the Instant Pot doesn’t have a companion smartphone app. If you want to control your Instant Pot remotely or access additional recipe content, you’re out of luck.
The Instant Pot: Not a Replacement for Every Kitchen Appliance
The Instant Pot is an incredibly powerful kitchen appliance, but it’s not a replacement for every appliance in your kitchen. There are some tasks that require specialized equipment, and the Instant Pot can’t do it all.
Stand Mixer and Whisking
The Instant Pot can sauté and brown foods, but it’s not a stand mixer. If you need to whisk eggs, cream butter and sugar, or mix cake batter, you’ll need a separate stand mixer.
Food Processor and Chopping
The Instant Pot can cook and heat food, but it’s not a food processor. If you need to chop, slice, or puree ingredients, you’ll need a separate food processor.
Conclusion
The Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance that can handle a wide range of cooking tasks. However, it’s not a magic wand that can do everything. There are some cooking techniques, temperatures, and ingredients that it’s not designed to handle. By understanding the limitations of the Instant Pot, you can get the most out of this amazing appliance and cook with confidence. Remember, the Instant Pot is a tool, not a substitute for culinary creativity and knowledge. Happy cooking!
Can the Instant Pot make pasta from scratch?
The Instant Pot is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, but making pasta from scratch is not one of its capabilities. While it can cook pasta to perfection, it cannot mix, knead, or shape dough into various pasta shapes. You’ll still need to use a stand mixer or do it by hand to create homemade pasta.
That being said, you can use the Instant Pot to cook pasta, and it does an excellent job of it. Simply add your pasta, water, and any desired seasonings, and let the Instant Pot do the work. It’s a great way to cook pasta quickly and evenly, but it’s not a substitute for a pasta machine or manual labor when it comes to creating pasta from scratch.
Can the Instant Pot be used as a deep fryer?
While the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more, it is not a deep fryer. It’s not designed to heat oil to the high temperatures needed for deep-frying, and attempting to do so could be dangerous. Deep-frying requires a specific type of appliance that can safely heat and maintain hot oil, and the Instant Pot is not that appliance.
That being said, you can use the Instant Pot to make some crispy, fried-like foods, such as crispy chicken or fries, using its sauté function and a small amount of oil. However, these will not be the same as deep-fried foods, and it’s essential to understand the limitations of the Instant Pot in this regard.
Can the Instant Pot make sourdough bread?
While the Instant Pot can be used to proof yeast dough, it’s not the ideal environment for creating sourdough bread. Sourdough bread requires a specific temperature, humidity, and environment to ferment and develop its characteristic flavor and texture, and the Instant Pot is not designed to provide those conditions.
You can, however, use the Instant Pot to create a sourdough starter or to proof sourdough bread dough, but you’ll need to use a separate environment to ferment the dough and create the final product. If you’re interested in making sourdough bread, you’ll need to invest in a proofing basket, a warm environment, and some patience to allow the dough to ferment.
Can the Instant Pot be used to can food?
While the Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, it’s not a canner, and it’s not safe to use it for canning food. Canning requires a specific type of pressure canner that can reach high temperatures and maintain those temperatures for a certain period, ensuring that the food is safely sterilized and sealed. The Instant Pot is not designed for canning and cannot achieve the necessary temperatures or pressures.
That being said, you can use the Instant Pot to prepare food for canning, such as cooking and sterilizing jars and lids. However, you’ll need to use a separate canner or follow safe canning practices to ensure that your food is safely preserved.
Can the Instant Pot make ice cream?
While the Instant Pot can be used to make frozen treats like popsicles or slushy drinks, it’s not an ice cream maker. It doesn’t have the ability to churn or agitate the mixture in the way that’s necessary to create creamy, smooth ice cream.
That being said, you can use the Instant Pot to make some frozen treats, such as frozen yogurt or banana “ice cream,” using its sauté function and a blender or food processor. However, these will not have the same texture or consistency as store-bought ice cream.
Can the Instant Pot make popcorn?
While the Instant Pot can be used to make a variety of foods, making popcorn is not one of its capabilities. It’s not designed to heat kernels to the high temperatures needed to pop them, and attempting to do so could be dangerous.
If you want to make popcorn at home, you’ll need to use a dedicated popcorn maker or a pot on the stovetop. The Instant Pot is better suited to cooking a variety of other foods, such as soups, stews, and grains.
Can the Instant Pot be used to dehydrate food?
While the Instant Pot can be used to make a variety of foods, dehydrating food is not one of its capabilities. It’s not designed to circulate hot air or remove moisture from food in the way that a dehydrator does.
If you want to dehydrate food, you’ll need to use a dedicated dehydrator or your oven on the lowest temperature setting with the door slightly ajar. The Instant Pot is better suited to cooking and pressure cooking a variety of other foods.