What’s the best BIFL electric pressure cooker?
I mostly need something that’ll cook beans fast (with pressure). I want something electric with lots of (pressure-related) safety features. I figured if I got a multicooker, then I could also make yogurt; specifically I want the ability to set the temperature myself (not just “high, med, or low” – but the specific granular number of degrees in Celsius, including low temps down in the 30s)
I’ve read good things about Instant Pot, but I’ve also read some people say they broke after some years. That’s expected for some percent of devices, but the big red flag was that I couldn’t find any place on their site to buy replacement parts. They had a video describing the different components, but it was 40 seconds of trash – no info on how to replace the PCB or troubleshoot other common hardware issues to actually repair this thing. So it didn’t seem very BIFL…
I’m wondering if there’s any commercial-grade alternatives to Instant Pot, which really are BIFL. Something in the thousands of dollars, not hundreds (I’d also be willing to pay more for one that has better sensors for cooking rice – and elimination of stupid fads like radio-control-by-app). Something where they offer very few models and lots of standardized parts – where those parts are clearly purchasable on their website, and they have comprehensive guides on how to fix and replace parts that fail after 10 years.
What’s the best commercial-grade BIFL electric multi cooker?
Is there a reason to go for something like that rather than a pan you can stick on any cooker? Far less to go wrong.
we use instantpots as autoclaves in my lab. 7 years daily use. no issues.
IMO the only bifl pressure cooker is a stovetop one. As long as you get a somewhat decent brand so you can buy replacement seals in a decade it’ll basically last forever
They can hit higher pressures too.
As others said, only a stovetop pressure cooker will be BIFL. All the self-powered ones have far too many points of failure - electronic controls, electrical power, mechanical parts, the silicone gaskets. You can eliminate half of that with a stovetop one.
Some induction cooktops can go down to 40 C for melting chocolate, I don’t know if that’s good enough for yogurt. Bread proofing settings on ovens are usually around 30C.
For cooking beans, rye groats and other hours-long jobs I’ve found Heat Retention Cooking (sometimes tautologically called “Thermal Cooking”) works well - get what you are cooking up to a high temperature, then turn the power off and put the whole pot inside a larger, insulated one to retain the heat until it is done. A system like the Wonderbag can be DIYed by wrapping your inner pot with a couple of silicone baking mats then putting it in an insulating box/bag.
Instant pot isn’t bifl. I’ve owned one for about 5 years and it broke under warranty.
The issue is that you’re expecting a lot of features. A manual pressure cooker is bifl, and as long as it has a safety release valve it should be fine.
what broke? was the replacement part available to repair it?
The electronics within the lid. Yes it was under warranty.
I have an instant pot, and I regret it. Its been 6 years and the thing won’t die! I want to switch to a traditional stovetop with an induction burner, but I refuse to do so until this thing is dead. I haven’t even had to perform maintenance on it. My parents have had the same one for over a decade and it shows no sign of stopping. I’m worried it may be perfect…
which model?
Not sure. Costco, 6 quart. But genuinely, I would much rather have gotten a traditional cooker and an induction burner.
The only commercial grade pressure cookers I’ve heard of that are BIFL are the all American brand, and their electric sterilizer is very pricey but nice (came across it when I had a hyperfixation for growing mushrooms a while ago). But honestly, if you’re just using it for cooking a used instant pot or even a ninja pressure cooker will be fine. I’m partial to instant pot, because I’ve had a couple (upgraded to bigger sizes), and some of the old ones are clearly made to last a surprising amount of time (and have in my experience).
I had an all American and now I have a presto. The all American is bifnuclearwinter but it fucking weighed a ton was a pain to close (several wing nuts). The Presto has worked just as well. I’ve had to replace the gasket but that’s pretty much ask there is to it.
Edit: I just saw the electric part. I have no experience there, sorry for being semi literate
Are you suggesting the old Instant Pots are more durable than the new ones? If so, should I try to buy a used one? If so, from before what year?
I’d say they probably are, the later versions were redesigned with added complexity. Mine is the old Duo-60 (no airfry/sousvide function) bought 11 years ago, I use it several times a week and have never had a problem.The InstantPot Wikipedia page has a list of models. I’d avoid the ones with airfryer lids. iFixit has a handful of guides for disassembly and repair of a few multi-cooker models including the IP.
Link to iFixit guide directory for Instant Pot Duo:
Probably, yeah. It seems like the newer they got the more points of failure they had. Not really sure about a year range just noticed that stuff like how the power cords used to be standard replaceable ones changed to hardwired ones. My opinion is to get one used more to save money, because if you’re just using it to cook beans or the like there isn’t too much of a benefit to getting a commercial one. If you’re really worried about making it last decades (I wouldn’t personally), then getting a non electric one probably would be preferable. I’ve seen old sears pressure canners still in use, but they do need newer seals every now and again. They just aren’t as easy to break out if you’re just making a quick meal though.
beans
Fucking hell thought this was Lemmy Shitpost at first.
I bought a ninja multicooker from Costco… Used it for years and then gave it to my son who’s been using it for a year.
Do they sell replacement parts?
Not just the silicone ring, but also replacement sensors, PCBs, heating elements, etc?
I wouldn’t call any of them bifl that are electric. That being said my 10 year old instant pot is still doing just fine. I replace the seals every so often.
None of them are really built to be repairable. The components are small and kind of hard to get to. The electronics are fairly cheap. I would find whatever has decent reviews and a good warranty.
Like I said above, I’ve had no issue with my instant pot but I’ve also never used any other pressure cooker. I’ve heard other people have issues and if theyre under Warranty it seems like they’ve been replaced.
