The mini Instant Pot has been here a week or so and I’m loving it. I put the big one away for now and am keeping the mini on the counter. It’s probably all in my head but I made yogurt in it and it’s the best yogurt I’ve made. It’s very creamy and it didn’t seem like there was as much whey as I usually end up with. I made the same amount that I had been making in the big pot – started with 1/2 gallon of milk.
One day last week I made baked beans. I used one pound of beans and followed the recipe.
Baked Beans
You can barely see the “Max” line. I was a bit nervous about that. I didn’t go over the line but dang .. it was close. I wondered if I should make a “tent” to put over the cooker so that if it blew, I wouldn’t have to clean and repaint the ceiling. Then I thought . . I can take this outside and do it on the porch but in the end, I decided to bury my head in the sand and not worry about it. It was fine – no disasters and the beans turned out great.
I also made the Sweet BBQ Meatballs one evening. We mostly snack in the evenings so I made broccoli slaw and meatballs. That was a nice and quick little evening snack.
Several months ago, I ordered this steamer for the big Instant Pot and was happy that it fits in the mini. The trivet that comes with the pots is good but for things like broccoli or boiled eggs, or the meatballs, it’s so much easier to put things in the steamer, then grab the handle and take it all out at once instead of trying to reach in and scoop things out.
I’m glad I have the full size Instant Pots but I think the mini is going to be the one that sees most of the action in the future.
patti says
a mini holds THAT much? yougurt starting with one gallon? the beans recip in that amount? i’ve been thinking of getting one for my daughter who has been wanting one, but the regular size. if a mini can hold those quantities pethaps that might be the way to go. we’re heading for a visit in the spring, maybe i should start looking when i go in to town. thanx for the nudge.
Judy Laquidara says
Patti, I wrote “1/2 gallon”. It may well hold one gallon but I make one/half gallon at a time. Yes, the bean recipe fit perfectly. It was level full to the “max” line but it worked just fine.
patti says
my bad… writing from memory — old brain!
Sandy says
The time my mother’s stovetop pressure cooker blew made such an impression on my that I’ve never owned a pressure cooker! I don’t remember what she had in it, but I can still picture the mess it made—stove, wall, ceiling—everywhere! I think I was in junior high at the time.
Sandy says
Correction: impression on “me” not “my”!
Judy Laquidara says
The older pressure cookers didn’t have as many safety features as do the newer ones. I think the electric pressure cookers are amazingly safe. I cooked on a stovetop pressure cooker for 30+ years . . all.the.time . . and never had a problem. My mom and grandma did the same thing. I’m sure you’re making it just fine without using one but if you ever want to try it, I think you’d be happy with it.
Liz says
I remember the noise of the old fashioned pressure cookers and that held me back from buying. I finally got one last year (the larger one) and then recently purchased the mini pot. Now I am on the lookout for the extras (rings, glass top, extra insert). They were actually sold out on the Instant Pot website.
I agree that the mini will be used more and will stay on the counter. The larger one will be close by for when I am cooking a larger pot roast.or want to make a large pot of soup.
I found an article about using the slow cooker function of the instant pot to make ghee….
https://thisoldgal.com/pressure-slow-cooker-simple-ghee/
Tee says
I knew you would love it! The big one looks so big now. I am so glad I never got the biggest one. I just don’t cook in large amounts anymore. I haven’t tried yogurt in my little one. I will have to and see if it tastes differently. I have been eating homemade yogurt for so long now that I can’t eat store bought. First, it is too sweet and secondly, it gives me a stomach ache. Not sure why.
Verna A. says
I’ve been on the fence about buying the mini, but this was all I needed to hear! I went to Target today and bought the last one they had. I already have two electric pressure cookers (and one is an Instant Pot), but who’s counting? Sort of like sewing machines–don’t ask how many we have!
Katherine says
I’m wondering why you have to heat the milk up and then let it cool before adding the culture to make yogurt. My mom used to make yogurt in little cups and my recollection was she would heat the milk to the proper temp, then stir in the culture. Then she could pour it into the cups and start the machine.
Aileen Kline says
Hi Judy. I purchased the medium size one for my daughter. She burn spaghetti with sauce in it and got scared off. She wants to give it back to me. I use a Crock-pot a lot. I think I would use it if I can get use to it. I had a stove pressure cooker for years then gave it away after not using it for about 7 years.
Now that I retired and am feeling better, I started cooking again. My husband is thrilled. I can freeze leftovers.
I may try the big one and if I get use to it, buy the small one.
Can you recommend any good recipe books or websites for the Insta-Pot?
BTW my Uncle cooked spaghetti in a stove pressure cooker and the lid exploded, denting the wall and spaghetti hit the ceiling….AHHH starch from pasta, its lethal! LOL.
I read you every night since finding your blog. I consider it my nightcap which puts a smile on my face.
Aileen in FL
Dar in MO says
Judy, on the meatball recipe — did you really start with frozen meatballs from the store? Or some that you made and froze?
Judy Laquidara says
Oh . . you know me too well. I have meatballs in the freezer that I made.
ImaQuilter says
Just purchased the mini. Do you have any suggestions of sites for recipes (or cookbooks)? Your food aways sounds so good. Just two of us and I don’t cook much. Just trying to improve our diets.