Heading to university soon? As you begin packing and deciding what you’ll be able to squeeze into your residence halls, the latest Instant Pot could be something worth making the room for. The new Instant Pot mini is a compact multi-cooker designed for smaller households, solo cooks and, importantly, kitchens where counter space comes at a premium.
It’s essentially a scaled-down take on the brand’s much-loved Instant Pot, squeezing its most useful features into a smaller design. That makes it particularly appealing for student accommodation, where you might be sharing a kitchen with several other people, as well as anyone who doesn’t need a full-size appliance for every meal.
Despite its smaller size, the Instant Pot mini is still mighty in performance, with multiple cooking modes designed to take the hassle out of dinner. Instant Pot appliances are known for combining hands-off cooking with functions including baking, air frying, slow cooking and pressure cooking.
At less than £80, the mini is also one of the more affordable ways to get to grips with the Instant Pot range. Here’s what you need to know about the new multi-cooker, including where to buy it.
Read more: The best Ninja air fryers for all budgets, tried and tested
Instant Pot classic mini 3.8L multi-cooker
Cooking with the Instant Pot mini is as easy as selecting the function and time, before handing the rest of the dinner duties over to the pot. When it comes to deciding on your dish, there are seven different functions to choose between, including pressure and slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, and even making eggs.
When reviewed as part of our guide to the best slow cookers, writer Rachael Penn said that it is “the best compact multi-functional slow cooker”. During testing, she said she was “amazed” by its size, writing that it still packs all the functions into the small design, adding that “crucially, the slow cooker function works brilliantly.”
She added: “There are three heat settings, and you can set the timer for up to six hours, so whatever you’re cooking can bubble away whilst you get on with your day. The keep warm section comes on automatically once cooking is done, so it’ll stay warm until you’re ready to eat, which is handy if you’re not home when the timer is up.
“The pressure cooker function cooked potatoes very well, and the way it releases steam is much safer than other pressure cookers I've tested – there’s a small button to pull down so you don’t have to touch the valve.”
While it’s compact, the 3.8l pot can make up to four portions, so students and solo diners can meal prep for a busy week. Plus, the inner pot, lid and accessories are dishwasher-safe, so cleaning is as easy as cooking.
When inspiration inevitably wanes, the Instant connect app showcases easy, healthy and tasty meals with step-by-step recipes to try with the Instant Pot mini. Plus, you can save four recipes using the preset buttons, so dinnertime favourites are all at your fingertips. On top of speed, Instant Pot claims to use 80 per cent less energy, so it’s a great kitchen swap for those looking to save on bills this winter.
The new Instant Pot mini multi-cooker is available in three colours – soft blue, sleek black and fresh white – so you can choose a shade that matches your kitchen.
Key specifications
- Capacity: 3.8l
- Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, egg, yogurt and keep warm
- Presets: Four
- Cleaning: Dishwasher-safe stainless steel inner pot, lid and accessories
Buy now £78.99, Amazon.co.uk
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