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Comment by baby | Hacker News Reader

Instant pot. This thing is magical, everything taste so fucking good in it. I bought a crockpot and never used it, but the instant pot was a game changer for me: ramen, couscous, stews, etc. The meat tastes so good when cooked there, vegetables are the same.

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Hard disagree. I was recently gifted an instant pot and it's a glorified rice cooker at best. Everything else I've tried in it, from steaming vegetables to various meats have been of significantly inferior quality (if admittedly faster cooking) than their non-instant pot variants.

Interestingly, I’ve Never used it for steaming or doing rice. I guess you need to like stews to enjoy an instant pot.

My partner got an Instant pot but I don't like the meat that is made in it. Maybe it's overcooked? Tomato-based ground meat (e.g. ground lamb) sauces are tolerable.

I generally prefer my meat fried (seared) in a cast iron pan and finished in an oven (if necessary, e.g. a big piece of beef).

The thing about pressure cookers is that they are basically a time saving device; what you get out of them is similar [1] result to what a long, slow cook in the oven would have been. They cook at higher heat without boiling.

You aren't going to roast in them, or anything like it. But a stew that would have taken 3+ hours can be done in less than 1. Typically you should be using different cuts of meat for these applications.

[1] the big caveat is you don't lose moisture, so liquid amounts all need to be adjusted

^ this. Throw some bony meat and some bones and you’ll get an amazing soup, I also did a lot of: 15-min vegetable and chicken.

Pork shoulder, garlic, cumin, onion, thyme, oregano, olive oil, 1C water, salt, pepper.

Close the lid, seal the vent.

Press meat. Wait for the beep.

I personally add fresh seasoning (including salt and paper) and olive oil at the end, this way you maximize the taste of the seasoning and olive oil. Same for garlic.

(Season to taste)

Try an air-fryer.

Steaks or hamburgers are surprisingly amazing.

Yes! I couldn't get into the instant pot either but the air fryer changed my life. I eat so much meat and vegetables now.

If it had been called a "high-speed toaster oven" or maybe a "digital grill" I probably would have bought one sooner.

Check witecutter’s video on it. They basically say to use a convection oven instead.

Look up/try 'reverse sear': slow/low cook in oven. Finish in cast iron. I don't eat meat but I've had a few friends rave about it.

I'd only recommend the Instant Pot for fatty, braise-friendly meats. It can be difficult to get lean meats/fishes right because of how intensely it's cooking.

Yes! It’s also brilliant for stocks. You can make a deep rich chicken stock or beef bone broth in 2 - 3 hours instead of all day, and using lots less energy.

They are awesome for cooking rice too! Use the Bain Marie method so it doesn't stick to the bottom:

https://www.copymethat.com/r/xCCh2x0Bi/pip-pressure-cooker-s...

How do you do ramen? We use it a lot for stews, never tried it for lighter broths.

I just put the seasoning and meaty bone in there. Cook all the rest separately.

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