bettyC

I strongly advise you to watch a youtube video on using an instant pot before using it the first time. I believe that will be very helpful.

Sassylass

This senior finally bit the bullet and purchased a 6qt instant pot....and I LOVE IT!!! I am sure in the summer when it is way to hot for the oven the roasts, chicken or whatever will taste great instead of heating the house up. I have yet to try yogurt but that is next on my trials. I will tell you, you don't need a knife to cut even the toughest cuts of meat! A new learning curve, yes, but as others have stated look on utube, pintrest has a lot of great recipes too...…..above all just enjoy it !!

DonnaC

Hi again ladies! And thank you for being such an awesome bunch!

Wow madamekelly, that is quite a story. Sorry you had a fall but glad you were so prepared. bettyc, I did find a really super video on YouTube for the absolute beginner (Me!) and it was extremely helpful. She demonstrated everything very concisely, great close-up video of all that she did, and without doing a lot of yapping (too many of the demos on YT are just talking, talking, talking and bad camera work!).

I'm picking up a book tonight from Barnes & Noble called "The Instant Pot Bible". It was one of the few books I found that addresses all different sizes of the pot. Most recipes are written for the 6-quart but this book tells you which ones can easily be made in a 3-quart or doubled for an 8-quart, and it has a lot of good tips and tricks too (did the "look inside" on Amazon before I ordered it). I will also check out the other cookbooks mentioned here. I think I already have the Laurel Randolph book sitting in my Amazon cart but I will look at the keto one too.

Have to make time to head out to the supermarket too, and buy some ingredients (and NO CEREAL).

Jordan

I received an instapot last year for Christmas and sold it on Craig's list. I have no intentions of learning a new way to cook-I am set in my ways and too old to learn something new!!!! Return it if you can and if you don't want it.

klswift

Donna - this is often the case when we find that we are no longer cooking for a crowd. A trick is to have a 'cooking and baking' day every couple of weeks. Do your shopping, come home and prep meals. You can make a lasagna or casserole and put it in several smaller containers and freeze it. Cut up veggies, blanch and put in baggies in freezer. Buy a bag of rolls and separate into baggies by 2s. Then, whenever you want a meal, you can pop the meal in the microwave and have a good homecooked meal. I make breakfast burritos and freeze them and they are great for on the run mornings. After you have done it a couple of times, you will actually look forward to the different things you can make ahead and freeze. Extra bonuses - better food, much cheaper, stuff you like and so much healthier!

FoxyLady

I don't have an Instant Pot, but I do have an electric Cuisinart pressure cooker and love it. If you decide to keep it, just google these words: Instant Pot Recipes +3 quart. You will find all kinds of links for recipes. Hope this helps you make a decision. (BTW, I cook for one and freeze meals, also.)

feffertim

I really love my instant pot. I like the fact that you can sauté in it, so you can brown things (like bacon or onions) before you use the pressure cycles. I found many videos on youtube that have been really helpful, especially the ones by six sisters. I am getting ready to use her method for making ribs today, she makes it look so easy. I would definitely keep it, its a fun addition to my kitchen

leighway

First thing....take it back and get a 6 qt...you'll find it more useful...and then just google instant pot recipes..you've heard of all the uses written in the post. Personally, I use mine at least 3 times a week...spaghetti squash-10 min., pork loin with balsamic vinegar, apple and honey sauce-3 min, risotto-snap of your fingers...you'll want the 6 qt to make soups and freeze half for later. Oatmeal-wonderful. Hard boiled eggs 5 min.
The safety devices on these things are phenomenal and an electric pressure cooker cooks at a slightly lower temp with takes away some of the intensity...Trust me and all the others here who have given you advise...get the 6 qt and just begin...You tube has thousands of videos on this...just do it! you'll never look back.

nightquilter

I LOVE MINE... Keep it and start using it. If you are afraid of it just place your meats or whatever in it, turn it on to desired setting and slide that thing under your upper cabinets. This will fix the what ifs.... the lid comes off, the pot blows up all the fears some moms caused us to have. I fix steak and gravy, white bean and ham soup, chicken and dumplings, fresh green beans, stew and potatoes anything I want. So… atta girl open that box.

DonnaC

klswift, funny that you mentioned meal prepping because I just started doing that about a month ago. I found a chef on YouTube that is really great, and she had a 7-day healthy meal prep series with 7 breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I jumped right in and tried it and her recipes were terrific. Many things I had not ever done before, but all was quick and fairly simple and now I have a bunch of already-prepared meals in my freezer.... can't argue with the convenience of that! And that is one of the reasons I wanted the Instant Pot, so I could have things ready to eat and not be resorting to "grazing" on whatever is around the house.