So, here's what you need to know about me. I'm not a good gift buyer. Nor am I a good gift suggester. At this point in our twenty-seven year marriage, neither one of us "needs" anything, my husband is ridiculous to buy for, and the things I really love, he's either already done for me (fixing up my chicken coop for example), or I like to pick them out myself (plants, books, boots...). So, in desperation, I said, "I might like an Instantpot." I would love to quote what my husband suggested that I get for him, but HE HASN'T SUGGESTED ANYTHING YET! (December 9th, 16 days left until Christmas).
I thought I had better look up what size Instantpot is the best and after a little researching on the interwebs, I figured six quart would be correct.
Today, after we discovered that two of the recently, time-consumingly-put-up-wired-into-place strings of outdoor "warm white" lights decided to stop working and I almost cried because the little decorative tree that sits outside the door also stopped lighting up even though it was also working just fine literally hours ago and then I stomped off outside with a declaration along the lines of, "I'm going out to the chicken coop to see if all the chickens died...", husband gathered up the lights, stuffed them into the remaining two boxes which had already been flattened and put into the recycling container and the receipt long since thrown away, drove into town to the Canadian Tire store where I originally purchased the lights just two weeks ago to try to get our money back. (How's THAT for a run-on sentence??) Whilst there, he checked out the Instantpots and came home later asking for a bit more specificity. Apparently there are a few versions of 6 quart ones.
I have NO idea what to get in terms of an Instantpot, but you, my bloggy friends, probably have the experience. Please let me know if you would recommend it, what model you would recommend, what you like best about it... just please don't tell me it's an awful gift idea because I'm o.k. with it. I am not offended by kitchen items. I am nothing, if not a practical kind of gal, and confident enough in my own world to not feel that a kitchen item is sexist in our world of over sensitivity. I do the cooking because, quite frankly, I'm better at it, and I like my own food better than what husband can make. I'm pretty sure he's o.k. with that, too.
Oh, and for interest sake, Canadian Tire told husband that he could just get two more boxes, which he did. Let's hope these last longer than two weeks.
Now then, let the Instantpot comments begin:
Good luck with the lights and the insta pot. I don't have room for one, so I'm afraid I am no help.
ReplyDeleteI just saw a guy on Youtube using his instapot to make a New York cheesecake. Maybe get one like his? I don't have one yet, but it is on the way!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you feel about links, so I will just say the title is Instant Pot Cheesecake ~ 1st Place Winner !!!
I had to go to Amazon and look up Instant Pot, I had no idea what it was, so I'm no help either.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter has one and I swear it is magic.
ReplyDeleteI've heard people rave about Instapot but alas, I have no further information on this topic.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to google it, I don't know what an Instant Pot is! But I understand exactly how you feel about gifts.
ReplyDeleteWell done Canadian Tyre. That's how to keep customers coming back. Hope they last a little longer.
ReplyDeleteI've only heard about instant pot recently. They seem to be in fashion at the moment. You'll have to tell us about yours...when you get it
I have never heard of Instantpot.
ReplyDeletePresents should be given when needed...any time of the year!
ReplyDeleteWell, this isn't exactly what I was expecting. I guess not as many people have these things after all. It is essentially a pressure cooker, which for some reason must scare people to call it a pressure cooker, so they call it Instantpot, or is it Instapot??? Anyway, it's now touted as the best thing since sliced bread, newest thingamajig on the market... It takes up a ton of space, but I'm willing to give it a go! Maybe, just maybe there is a reader who has one and can give me some advice. I shall wait patiently.
ReplyDeleteJenn if an Instantpot is what you have asked Santa for, then no one should question. There are several being used in my family but I am not an owner of one (just in case, I'll say not an owner yet). I'll ask the others which brand which size & get back to you ... always C.T. for the win. Mary-Lou =^..^=
ReplyDeleteJenn the family vote is in; 3 for get the biggest your storage cupboard will allow; there was not favourite brand, 2 said price was their factor; but all said make sure programmable. The sister who uses the most says don't put in the cupboard keep it out that way it will get used, she said her roast chicken was to die for, I don't eat meat so cannot attest to that ... so now I may have to go shopping for one! =^..^=
DeleteThank you!! This certainly helps the decision making!
DeleteI don't own an instant pot but my friends and family rave about them!
ReplyDeleteI have the 6. We used it a lot at first, not so much now. The slow cook feature is grate. One less thing on the counter. My sis loves hers.
ReplyDeleteI own the Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker. It can be used as a slow cooker and a yogurt maker too but I have only ever used it as a pressure cooker. It does a fantastic job. I can put a roast in it after work and have dinner ready in about 45 minutes. It took me a little bit to get used to operating it but I love it! Its a real timesaver and the insert can go right in the dishwasher!
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking that might be the appeal for me, being able to cook a bigger piece of meat in a shorter amount of time. I wouldn't be all that interested in the yogurt aspect, but husband would be! Thanks for this, Diane!
DeleteI have the 8 Qt - why not - multi-use programmable version and I love it. It is definitely overkill for one person, but I primarily use it for making yogurt and cooking for company or cooking for the week. It is the best method of hard-boiling eggs that I have every tried! I'm with Diane - it's a great gadget! The real benefit, in my mind, is that you can whip up a delicious meal in, relatively, minutes, thanks to the saute, pressure cooking settings. I'm all for practical gifts, myself.
ReplyDeleteThere's a saute setting?? Cool!
DeleteI hate it when the lights go out. Hate it. Especially after ornaments are on. Yes, that happened on my bathroom tree. Fortunately, it's only a 3-footer so no big deal to redo, but aggravating.
ReplyDeleteSorry I can't help in the instapot Q&A -- I have no experience with one!
Did you say bathroom tree?!? Oh, Jeanie!
DeleteFortunately for all of us, I am ignorant.
ReplyDeleteI was afraid of pressure cookers, and for exactly the same reason, I'm afraid of Instapots. Sorry I can't help. good luck! Suckage about the lights1
ReplyDeleteI don't own one....I looked at them a while back and decided I didn't need one. I'll see how you like yours first and what you do with it before I consider getting one again!! Frustrating about the lights, same thing happened to me....grrrrrr!
ReplyDeleteI cannot own another kitchen goodie without tossing out (or giving away) one of my current ones, which I cannot do. I love them all. My next house will be 70% kitchen, 20% bathroom and we'll just have to cram all the other stuff in the remaining 10%..... :D
ReplyDeleteTwo person household, we have the 8 qt. Instant Pot. Bigger than we need most of the time but I like the flexibility of being able to make bigger dishes when we have family over. A very good kitchen appliance, have used it a lot and I’m sure will continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteOh gee, I thought I was set on the six quart. Hmmm...
DeleteI have a 6 quart. I like it, though I am still learning how to best incorporate it into my cooking habits. It replaced my rice cooker as it makes great rice! I've made yogurt with it too...a bit of a process but I can flavor the yogurt, or not, any way I like. It can make the tougher cuts of meat very tender, and much more quickly than the all day slow, low cooking they usually require. I have the InstantPot brand. Bought one for my daughter-in-law and she uses it all the time. You must remember, though, that they are really "instant" as pressure needs to build, and then release after the few minutes of cooking. For those unsure about pressure cookers, Instant Pots are much easier to use than pressure canners. Hope you enjoy your new cooking options!
ReplyDeleteoops! "they really AREN'T "instant"...
ReplyDeleteThanks, all of this information helps! I have a rice cooker but haven't used it in a long time. Kind of like the bread maker.
DeleteLike many others who have already commented, I also don't own one of these. That said I do have a couple of crockpots which were also "all the rage" years ago. The person who said you need to leave an appliance out so it will be seen and used was really right on. The problem with living in an apt with a galley kitchen is that our counter space is so limited and even the crockpot is put away more than it's used. And, yes we also used to have a bread maker, but now I prefer just making my own bread and baking in a a cast iron dutch oven. Please do show and tell when you get your new appliance.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a lovely post, describing how life seems to go from time to time, taking a dip, and then, thank you Canadian Tire and a caring husband, the world coming right again. We are not extravagant present givers, we give small, often silly gifts, always with love.
ReplyDeleteInstantpot - not the foggiest!
I’ll chime in late. 6 qt InstaPots are great. However, there is one version in which you turn only a knob on the front to set the program, timing, etc. It’s the Ultra 60. Don’t get this one. Much harder to do the programming! And there IS a learning curve in using these successfully. As also for a good cookbook, like “Multicooker Perfection” from America’s Test Kitchen or another from a similarly authoritative source. Good luck!
ReplyDelete