I bought my Instant Pot in the summer of 2016 and it quickly became one of my favorite appliances. It had the power to turn out flawless batches of beans, braises, stocks, and batches of rice and didn’t need to be tended the way that a stove top pressure cooker did.
However, I often found myself wishing that the IP had come with a really great manual that would unlock more of its secrets. Sadly, as any IP user knows, its accompanying instruction booklet leaves a great deal to be desired.
Happily, Daniel Shumski, author of Will It Waffle and Will It Skillet, has leaped into the void that the IP manufacturers left and has written a book that I believe will become the defacto user’s guide to this valuable little appliance. It’s called How to Instant Pot and has already vastly expanded my Instant Pot horizons.
The book opens with a chapter designed to demystify the machine itself. You’ll discover what all the buttons do (I’ll confess that up until the moment I opened this book, I had only ever ventured to used the yogurt, manual, and cancel buttons), how to set it up, the best ways to clean the devise, and even how to convert your favorite recipes to use the IP.
From there, the book is broken down by device functions. Instant Pots are designed to pressure cook, slow cook, make rice, make yogurt, and steam. Dan addresses each one of those functions, teaches you how to use that setting, and then serves up a bevy of tasty recipes that utilize that IP feature. (He even makes blueberry jam in the IP, using the slow cook setting. I will definitely be trying that.)
From the Fragrant Lamb and Chickpea Stew (page 47) to the Parmesan Bread Pudding with Bacon and Broccoli (page 190), there is so much in this book that I want to try. It has opened up a world of IP possibilities and I can’t wait to dig in.
Thanks to Dan and Workman Publishing, I have a copy of this handy book to give away this week. Use the widget below to enter!
Disclosure: Workman Publishing provided the copy you see pictured here and the copy I’m giving away, both at no cost to me. No additional compensation was provided. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Nothing better the real fast food!
I’ve never used it. We aren’t big meat eaters so I’ve been slow to start using gadgets like this but it’s cool that you can use it to make yogurt and beans! I’d definitely give it a shot.
I would lvoe to make yogurt in it!!!
I love making short ribs in my instapot.
I don’t have an Instant Pot, but I am intriqued by them. Would love to have one. Experimenting in the kitchen is always fun.
I’ve had an IP for almost a year and used it about 4 times :/ I’d love more guidance and I think I’d love it!
I have a friend that started a blog, and designed a vinyl emblem for her instant pot use.
I have an Instant Pot, but so far have been a little afraid to use it. A cookbook would definitely help!
I take a frozen chicken breast……with bones or without…..and in 30 minutes its done and ready to become what ever…..salad, soup….etc.
I’ve always wanted to try one of these! Is it useful for a lot more than just meat though? Spouse is a vegetarian.
I don’t have one but am moving soon to a place that has a larger kitchen so I hope to get one then.
Instant Pot is great for quick stews.
We just got an instant pot and have yet to use it… I don’t really know what to do! This book would be a great help.
Oooh! Insta-pot is currently on my Christmas wish-list and having this book as a manual will be a great resource!
I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but I bought one a year ago and still haven’t used it. This book sounds great to help push me into exploring it!
Don’t be ashamed! I heard that from soooo many people while I was writing this book. So. Many. People. It’s a big part of why the book exists.
I don’t have one but I’ve used my daughters to make yogurt! Loved it
I got one this summer and love it! Guess what my son and daughter-in-law are getting for Christmas!!! Did you know you can do a “New England Stuffed Pumpkin” in your Instant Pot??
I have had my Instant Pot for about 18 months now, and I really like it. I do not use it nearly enough though! I have really liked using it for making stock, making chili (I love the saute feature before going into slow cooker mode), and also for making beef stew. I know that there are more recipes I could try, perhaps this book will inspire me!
Oh, I need this book. I got an InstantPot last xmas and have used it, but finding recipes online is tedious and the book that came with it is practically useless. Chili in the instantpot is divine! Also, I eat polenta far more often now than I used to. It’s so easy. I just need more recipes.
Even though I almost exclusively use my Instant Pot for yogurt, rice and pork carnitas, I still think the instant pot is a worthwhile appliance. My boyfriend even recently decided it deserved a permanent spot on the counter so we had to shuffle a few things around. He complained that he wished it was a little smaller, so I clued him into the 3 quart size, which I think would we perfect for what I use it for. Maybe Christmas?
I haven’t gotten one yet, but maybe I will for Christmas.
I love my InstantPot and am always looking for new recipes!
Love it for yogurt!
I haven’t gotten one yet but am waffling (pun totally intended) between the instant pot and replacing my stovetop pc that I recently cooked dry and ruined the inside finish (apparently needed a new gasket but now need a new pan-Sigh).
I like pressure cooking beans, hard cooking eggs, love the way the flavors are already married in soups, and think pc cheesecake is phenomenal but the appeal of the instant pot is that it would replace more than my pressure cooker. If I used all its features…
Is this a pressure cooker? A slow cooker/crock pot? Or a cross between both?
Let me guess. Rice cooker too?
This book will be perfect for Christmas gifts to go with Instant Pots we are giving!
Easiest way to make a dozen hard cooked eggs that easily peel, as well as fast stew or chili!!
I haven’t yet gotten one, but my best friend has one she is scared to use! I would love to win this for her so she/we can figure it out and decide if one needs to come live at my house 🙂
We use ours pretty regularly just for making stock, yogurt, or beans – but I’d love to learn how to do more! This looks like a great book.
I have finally made hardboiled eggs that come out perfectly every time, and of course it’s a game changer in the bean cooking department. Can’t wait to learn more useful recipes and tips!
Great little appliance. My two favorite items so far are the New York Times recipe for Pho broth (super fast and delicious) and no fuss, no muss polenta that takes under half an hour which includes heat up and de-pressure time.
I love the instant pot. My two favorite items so far are the New York Times recipe for Pho broth (super fast and delicious) and no fuss, no muss polenta that takes under half an hour which includes heat up and de-pressure time.
I LOVE my instant pot! The basics are what make me happy – hard boiled eggs, rice, stock, beans, etc. Thanks for the giveaway!
I love my Instant Pot!
My IP is my new go-to appliance! I’ve enjoyed the Beef Barley Stew, Beef Stroganoff and Turkey Loaf made in it.. Talk about delicious and easy!
It is my only pressure cooker. I love cooking Spaghetti Squash.
I just got one, and so far I love making yogurt!
Still trying to figure out how to use my instant pot for my picky eaters… Hoping this book might help!
I haven’t used one yet, but I have an old-style pressure cooker and a couple of slow cookers, so I have the general idea. A multi-use electric cooker sounds great!
Love the InstaPot!!
I would love this. The rice instructions are non-existent, and other steps have been a slow learning curve so far. I’ve made AMAZING chicken & turkey stock, however!
I have an instant pot and I love it for cooking beans and rice. I would love to use it to make more meals, especially recipes for weeknight dinners.
I do not have an Instant Pot, but I was thinking about getting one because I am having trouble cooking rice on my stove. I just moved, and adjusting to the stove change is no fun.
I own one but have not gotten around to learning it yet. I could use a manual like this!
slowly learning….. real slow….!!! from what i read before, i thought there was a button just for slow cooking and a button for pressure cooking. trial and error.. be nice to have soups, stews for fall eating with a loaf of crusty bread….
I’m on the fence about the instant pot… I have two stove top pressure cookers that I love. I do miss the plug it in and forget it convenient aspects of my slow cookers (lasted almost forever, but the one I tried replacing with twice smelled of melting plastic – so I gave up earlier this year). My husband actually wants the InstantPot more than me. Since it’s on his Christmas list, he’s getting it and this book!
I haven’t got one of these yet, but it looks like it would be so useful. so a book explaining how to use it well would be a great asset.
No…but I’m dying to learn more and this cookbook looks like just the thing to do it!!
Still waiting to get one. Mainly due to it being impossible/extremely expensive to get in Norway
I didn’t have a pressure cooker before, so my IP has finally allowed me to make good beans, especially chick peas! Rice, root veggies, iced tea, and a few others have become staples, but I’d love to do more!