In theory, you could pick up the inner pot using oven mitts, and then shake the food that way, but this was both impractical and awkward. With three options for automatic pressure release, this Instant Pot takes the thinking out of pressure cooking. The duo crisp with ultimate lid is pretty similar in design and function to previous models in the duo crisp range.

I’m curious if it’s possible to do a controlled quick release where you release the pressure in spurts. If we are unable to resolve the problem, you may be asked to send your appliance to the Service Department for quality inspection. Our slow-cooker chicken korma recipe worked very well in this multi-cooker, simmering for three hours on a high heat. Chicken Wings Test: We air-fried two pounds of chicken wings for 20 minutes at 360°F, turning the chicken halfway. Unfortunately, we found the cakes to be very dark in color on the exterior and a little dry on the inside.Note that after several seconds without pressing Start, your unit will revert to reading "Ready" and you'll need to repeat all of the steps. The Instant Pot completely takes care of the process, so you don’t need to worry about it, making this model a great choice for those who are nervous of pressure cooking.

times less energy required than in the oven, saving energy and costs,* giving you even more reason to use it for every meal. However, these pot dimensions make it impossible to use a 3-quart inner pot inside for pot-in-pot cooking, like you can with other Instant Pot models. The control panel on the front has all the “wet” cooking functions in a column on one side, and the “dry” cooking functions on the other. Our go-to recipe – sweet-potato fries – was ready in 15 minutes instead of the usual 20, and they cooked evenly all the way through.When it switches to the release, the matrix display will read “natural release” and then a counter counts UP from 0:00. Instant has designed this latest version to be as unobtrusive as possible, though there’s no getting away from the size and weight of the multi cooker.

That said, it has become our new favorite Instant Pot, so if you’re looking for a multi-functional countertop cooker, it’s worth the investment.So, we decided to test the Instant Pot Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid, focusing on its air fryer functionality (as we already recommend the Instant Pot Duo’s pressure-cooking functions and don’t recommend using one as a slow-cooker or for sous vide).

Since most Instant Pot recipes are developed for these more common, traditional models, in rare occasions the higher heat will trigger the Burn Notice. Admittedly, most people won’t use most functions – we mainly use sauté, pressure cook, air fry and grill – but the choice is there when you need it. However, there are safety concerns with a lid with an exposed heating element, and we didn’t find it as convenient to use as a standalone air fryer or Instant Pot. Condensation on the inner lid flows down into the condensation cup when you open the lid, so you need to wash it every time.Eva (she/her) is a reviews analyst in the Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she tests kitchen gear, home appliances and culinary innovations. While on the pricier end of the cookers we've tested, it's user-friendly design and range of presets make it a solid staple for mealtimes, and it's certainly the kind of gadget you'll get ample use from. Simply line up the notch with the bottom of the housing so that the steam release valve can tuck up into the lid housing itself.