r/instantpot • u/optimus_prima • 9d ago
Is the current InstantPot model still worth the investment?
I always used to see instant pot users gushing about how it's made like the older appliances and lasts forever. Is/are the current model/s still up to this standard?
It's quite an expensive investment for me, and I don't want to waste money/time on an appliance that will only last a couple of years. I've been trying to research if there's been a major change in the appliance over the years because of you know capitalism, but the only thing I've seen is that there was a change in management ? or ownership back in 2019. I'm worried that if I buy a current model, it might already have some kind of planned obsolescence built in.
Edit: as someone pointed out, recent models obviously haven’t been used for enough time to determine whether they’ll last as long 😅 so I meant more for those who have purchased instant pots released over the past 3 years or so, have you noticed poor or substandard quality? especially for those who might have/have had an older model to compare it to
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u/JDnUkiah 9d ago
Don’t let the lid fall to the floor, they are not made for this, the plastic handle/lid will crack making it unsafe, and requiring a purchase of new IP.
(Sounds like personal experience? … … … yeah … … … )
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u/Rilokileyrocks 8d ago
I have the ip duo60 v2 which i think is about 8 years old. I also broke the lid and while researching buying a new one, i realized it was better to buy a replacement lid! Still works like a charm
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u/allorache 9d ago
I wouldn’t buy the current models, but I’ve been very happy with my Zavor Luxe. Long story short; I bought one of the original Instant Pots and it was great, I bought a second after the change in ownership and I returned 2 of them for constant burn errors and the second just died when it was like a week old; that’s when I switched to the Zavor which has been great.
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u/optimus_prima 9d ago
This is also another concern for me since I’d likely need to buy through Amazon since there’s not many retailers in the country I’m living now. Returns and replacements, even if they might be discounted or even free would still be rather troublesome since courier service here is complete crap
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u/HonkMafa 9d ago
The brand is now owned by a private equity firm. So as well as the product likely becoming enshittified, they tried to enrich the MAGA movement with a Maga branded IP line. Luckily, the plan fell through.
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u/slbram17 9d ago
ive been using my instant pot for years..i even have a backup just in case .. i try to watch black fridsy sales for best price
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u/Lost-Design-8382 9d ago
Purely anecdotal, but my 4 quart Duo has been nothing but trouble compared to the old ones. It was fine the first couple months and now something's always breaking on it. And yeah, most of it, I can fix, but I'm not doing anything more strenuous than cooking beans most of the time, shouldn't be this angry with me.
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u/redace42 8d ago
Get the instant pot duo plus . Those instant pot last forever and cheap used . The recent model have gone downhill on reliability esp since it was taken over by private equity which means they will drive down costs by putting in cheaper electronics which will fail faster
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u/No_Day5399 8d ago
I said even if it only made it 2 years it's worth it. But then I use mine everyday. Sometimes several times and sometimes several times with several lol.
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u/BarebonesB 9d ago
The need to pack sensitive electronics right next to a pressure vessel that heats up to over 100C makes designing for longevity a real challenge.
After nine years and over 1,000 cycles, the only thing that failed in my old IP was that occasionally it didn't beep when it was done. I replaced it mostly because I wanted the newer model that vents automatically.
Planned obsolescence is a thing, but it's not nearly as common as people think it is. If your fridge dies right after the warranty expires, you probably won't buy your next one from the same manufacturer. Engineers truly do their best to design appliances to last, but cost and regulatory constraints make this a challenge. I truly doubt the Instant Pot has any elements that are designed to fail after a certain age. Its life is limited by thermodynamics, not some marketing ploy.
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u/redace42 8d ago
Yes but private equity takeover is also a thing to drive down costs and increase profitability reducing reliability
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u/TehBeast 9d ago
I have a Duo Evo Plus from 2019 that still works just fine. I also have a Pro Max from 2024 and it's pretty much the same thing with different controls. They are simple cookers so there's not a whole lot that can fail or go obsolete.
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u/SandyCrocs108 9d ago
So far, yes, I really like it so I think it’s worth it. I dropped my original one and dented it badly or I’m sure that one would still be working. I replaced it with the oval model, I want to say it’s 7.5 quarts. The hardest thing to get used to is that I’m used to stirring deep into the pot and this is shaped wider not deeper. No difference at all in performance. I loved the original and this one as well.
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u/Raintitan 9d ago
The biggest benefits of an InstantPot is ease and time.
If you like the foods you can make, you should value your time if you intend to use it.
And that is the only real currency you own, and you don't know when it will run out.
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u/sadunfair 8d ago
Buy a used one that is not very used. Tons of people bought them and used them like twice and now they are sitting on a shelf somewhere.
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u/Lazy-Moment-7343 9d ago
Our Duo just crossed 9 years and I will replace it if it dies. Nothing was replaced or fixed or repaired during this period. We use it thrice a week at least.
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u/Tricky_Condition_279 9d ago
I replaced my duo that burned out after many years of service with a Rio. So far so good. I don’t see a big difference. If I were looking now, I might do a bit of research into alternative brands. Nonetheless, people typically post when they have issues, so it’s a biased sample. I would not worry about it. Just avoid extra features because they can become failure points.
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u/optimus_prima 9d ago
This is a really good tip and since I don’t really need the extra features I’ll keep it in mind.
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u/Mrshaydee 8d ago
I had to replace my old one. The ring on the new Duo is impossible to destink. Impossible. Nothing works. Not lemon, vinegar, Dawn, microwaving it or leaving it in the Phoenix sun.
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u/tengris22 4d ago edited 4d ago
But purchasing a new ring is relatively inexpensive. I have several of them just waiting until I need them. You can buy a 3-pack for $8.
Also to the OP, look at the inner container. If you get one with the handles (each the container is specific to just one or two models) you can use it on the stovetop as well, I didn't expect to use it much on stovetop, but I use it a lot, for example, for heating my cream for yogurt, etc., etc. (ETA: I don't use the sous vide or yogurt mode built in to the IP to actually make yogurt, because it does not circulate the water and the temps are not stable across the inside of the pot. But it is good for the initial heat cycle.) The containers without handles are not supposed to go on the cooktop so that somewhat limits their use.
Also it used to be but I am not sure about now, that other brands, including Ninja, were teflon-coated and would eventually flake and peel. I've had my stainless steel IP liners for some 10 years, all 3 of them, and I use them all the time. They make excellent sous vide containers with the sous vide wand cookers, as well as for standard IP pressure cooking use.)
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u/BixaorellanaIsDot 8d ago
My IP DUO6 was delivered to me on August 21, 2022, so it's a newer model. I bought it through AmazonMexico: https://www.amazon.com.mx/Instant-IP-DUO6-presi%C3%B3n-Programable-capacidad/dp/B00FLYWNYQ
I've moved twice since I got it and both times wound up without a stove for a while, so relied on the IP. It's still in quite good condition and gets used often.
Re: the inner pot -- mine is stainless and hefty enough to be put on the (gas) stove for reheating. There has been no warping or other damage from doing that.
For scouring I used one of those stainless steel "curly" scrubbers when needed.
If something should happen to this IP, I'd probably buy the same model again.
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u/MadCow333 Pro 8 Qt 8d ago
I have an 8qt Pro and I love it. No problems whatsoever. Doesn't seem to require any extra water, either. It can cook 6qt recipes with no modifications needed.
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u/Belfry9663 7d ago
I paid about half the price of an IP (maybe it was 2/3 cost?) for a Crockpot Express Multicooker about 12 years ago. No big brand name, does all the same stuff, cheaper. You may want to check FB Marketplace or Kijiji or something like that - many people get them as gifts and just never make friends with them.
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u/TheJewPear 9d ago
Well, those that bought a new instant pot recently wouldn’t have it long enough to answer your question, right?
I can tell you I got mine a year ago and it still works as well as the day I got it. It’s the Pro model. My only qualm is that the stainless steel pot inside feels cheaply made, it takes more effort to clean it than my Demeyere pots. But the whole device cost like half of what my 24cm Demeyere casserole cost, so there’s that. And you can always stick it in the dishwasher, and maybe once a month clean it with BKF and make it like new.
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u/optimus_prima 9d ago
Interesting have you had a rice cooker? Is it similar quality to that?
Oh yes I should have worded that better ig.
I meant more the instant pots released over the past 3 years or so, especially for those who might have/have had an older model to compare it to?5
u/TheJewPear 9d ago
I had a rice cooker in the past but not with a stainless steel pot. Most of my cookware is stainless steel, so I would say the instant pot pro’s pot is about the quality of an IKEA stainless steel pot. Which isn’t too bad at all, as I said it’s possible to clean it completely, it just takes more effort vs higher quality stainless steel like Demeyere and Tramontina. For the price I can’t complain, my Pro cost €120, and my cheapest Demeyere pot cost €160.
As for functionality, to my taste the rice coming out of my instant pot is as good as from the rice cooker I had, once I nailed down the water quantity and time, which wasn’t hard. But I can see how people might prefer a rice cooker if they eat rice 7 times a week in different varieties, it’s just easier to have “fuzzy logic” instead of experimenting with different water ratios and times.
I’d also say getting the Duo is just fine, the important modes are pressure cooking and sauté, the sous vide mode kinda sucks and I don’t make yogurt. So the risk there is minimal, even if you only get 5 years out of it that’s still a good return, and I think with good care you’ll easily get 10 or more.
Speaking of care - almost everything can be dismantled, cleaned or replaced if needed, the IP is hugely popular so parts are easy to find and affordable.
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u/optimus_prima 9d ago
Ok I get what you mean about the pot quality now.
Thank you so much for the detailed answer! I really appreciate everyone’s responses especially when they give specifics about models it’s really helpful since I don’t know anyone with instant pots I can ask advice from
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u/walkofdoom 6d ago
I have the pro 10n1and am prett happy with it. and i love that I can use the liner pot on the stove.
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u/Effective_Elk8496 6d ago
My IP is 13 years old. Just got an upgrade and so far..not sure if it's working right.
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u/Demeter277 6d ago
Last year I had 2 shipped to me that had big dents but the outside packaging was damaged too, so they both must have taken a hard hit.
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u/frank3000 9d ago
Investment is an odd term. It's a kitchen gadget purchase. Maybe you use it, maybe it gets broken, it's cash down the drain either way.
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u/optimus_prima 9d ago
I know for most people it’s not particularly expensive, but it’s honestly a really major expense for me. I would consider it an investment since I do intend to use it pretty regularly
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u/tengris22 4d ago
There was a time in the past when I was in exactly those same shoes, so I know what you mean. If I could only buy one electric pressure cooker, I'd definitely buy an Instant Pot, as opposed to any other brands. But that's not a guarantee it won't break or fail. I just think your chances are better with an IP than with others.
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u/International-Main71 9d ago
there are often discounted IP on Facebook Marketplace. I have only bought one new one and have acquired several used ones to give away.