Tips: 1. buy a second interior pot that is non stick and this works well for saute as well as other foods that might stick otherwise. 2. If you are more prone to cook small meals every day rather than big meals to refrigerate get the smaller Instant Pot. Less power, easier to clean. 3. Do not get the latest model Instant Pot that has the round knob instead of button presets. Reviews say it tends to burn food. The one in the video is the Duo and that is by far the preferred model. Also the one we have. 4. If you like corned beef buy the “gourmet” version in the meat section of the grocery store and cook it in the Instant Pot. Incredible! 5. Veggies cook FAST. It takes longer to get the pot up to pressure temp than the cook time! It’s quick, therefore power draw is not as bad as you may think.
I use a 3 quart Instapot. I am a single minivan dweller with a solenoid charger, 100 watts of portable solar, 100 amp flooded lead acid battery and a 1000 watt inverter. I also have a Dometic CF18 fridge. Start up my minivan For ten minutes to get the instapot up to pressure, shut off my minivan since the instapot drops down to about 3 amps and cooks away for up to an hour. Extremely efficient appliance! Put a little butter or oil then fry away using the sauté mode. Perfect grilled cheese, burgers, etc. The instapot is a game changer in my opinion.
Terry Baldwin .....I was a kid when my dad brought home a new product called the microwave. Now that’s a game changer. I’m like Bob; when I go full time I expect to use the heck out of one. If you qualify for food banks, they usually have tons of canned (already cooked) beans, for free. Food banks are cool to me because it’s stuff people donated or were going to throw away. So people that utilize them are doing everyone a favor.
Solar takes over to charge the battery after instapot has come up to pressure and no longer draws as much power. Said differently, the battery is being charged by both the car battery and solar while car is running then solar only after I shut off the car. I recently added another 100 watts of solar to my Renogy solar suitcase to hopefully avoid starting the car at all but haven’t tested the instapot appliance. Kudos to Bob and crew for teaching me a lot of what I’ve learned over the last year beginning at the 2019 RTR. Minivans rock especially for us lower income folks! Thanks Bob! You also rock!! 🚐
I often cook at rest stops, parks, where ever there is a plug in. I hang out till it's done 10- 45 minutes top for what I cook. I done have solar. Just plan out meals.
As an Electrical Engineer, who specializing on power (distribution, storage and generation), I totally concur with your "Layman's" explanation of how Amp-Hours work. It's not as scary as people think. Just a few, simple (5th grade algebra) equations for the DC end and a tad bit more for the AC, but nothing a high school grad with a few TH-cam videos should not be able to figure out. Wiring? That's a bit more involved. I'd suggest asking a reputable electrician. Also a PSA - Do NOT throw plain old water on an electrical fire!! Use an approved Fire Extinguisher.
12 volt wiring is a doddle. You have positive, you have negative, make sure you connect those right, and have some fuses. A couple of hours of reading and anyone can do it, which is why it's not illegal. 220 volt (or that 110 volt strangeness Americans use) AC is more regulated because that stuff can and will kill you if you don't know what you're doing. It's just as easy to wire a wan AC up, but the stakes are higher and it's not legally allowed (most places) if you're not certified, so getting qualified help for that makes a lot of sense.
Stan Augustyniewicz - I about choked on my iced tea when he said that little pot draws 73 amps but then I figured he must be talking about the DC side. I was calculating in my head when he went on to say 800 watts so I knew I was thinking right.
An instapot PSA: let the steam release naturally or take the instapot outside of your rig to release. The steam is very HOT and can be MESSY if released inside and you can get burned. Thanks for the great video!
I have the instant pot that pressure cans. I can 3-4 pints of beef stew. The canner cooks the stew. I like to add a little flour and simmer to thicken when I’m ready to re-heat & eat. I’ll never make beef stew without canning it again. Leftovers are already in a sealed jar and no refrigeration is needed.
My favorite Instant Pot meal is low country boil. I saute chicken legs and sausage and then add a little water and corn on the cob, red skins and whatever I have/want and pressure cook it. At the end I add shrimp and cook a short time.
@@lindabarker7142 I’ve got the small Suaoki so I pretty well know that’s not going to work. I only have the 100 watt Renogy suitcase. Guess I’ll just keep using the propane stove.
Pro tip.. bring to boil on fire with the inside pan. Then replace into machine. Start the pressure cooker. Saves a ton of wattage. It uses most power getting to temperature then it turns off and on as needed.
For a grilled sandwich, steak, etc, all you need is a tongs to reach to the bottom of the pot. There are many accessories for inside the "liner". Everything can be cooked in the liner just as though it is a skillet. Want fried eggs? Use a long handled spatula or a large serving spoon to lift it out of the liner. The Instant Pot is extremely versatile. You don't need water for everything when you use the liner like a skillet to saute or fry. Yes, there are all sizes of stackable metal pans for inside the liner. You can cook multiple veggies, rice, meat, all in stackable metal pans made to be used in the liner, easily purchased on Amazon.... and then you would use liquid to steam the food.
An important thing concerning power consumption regarding the Instant Pot missed in this video is that it only uses full power ( 73A for this old version and about 60A for the latest 700 watt version Instant pot), it only uses full power for the first 10 minutes while boiling water and pressurizing. After that, it will only intermittently turn on with a thermostat to maintain cooking temp as needed, so any cookin time past the initial 10 min is only going to use a fraction of the power and be minimal power consumption. The Instant pot is very efficient.
The good thing about Pressure Cooking is that you can buy the cheaper roasts/meats and they still come out as tender as anything of higher quality cuts. You can make gravy out of the juices that cook out in the same pot.
Boiling (or actually, steaming) eggs in the Instant Pot is the biggest treat for me... simply because it allows them to be peeled afterward so easily. The shell is almost entirely separated from the egg inside, so the shell slides off with almost no effort. The trick is, using very little water (about 1/2 cup), putting the slotted platform inside the Instant Pot, and piling as many eggs as you want... I've done as many as a dozen, and all 12 come out identically perfect. Set the top knob for pressure, set the timer for 5 minutes, and after the 5 minutes cooking time, let it naturally depressurize for about 5 minutes. Then, twist the top knob to "steam", to release the pressure quickly. Remove the lid after pressure is released, and with tongs ('cause those eggs will burn the FIRE outa your fingers) put the eggs into a sink full of ice water for 5 minutes. Then... be amazed at how those eggs practically shell themselves. 🥚🥚🥚
Hard boiled eggs in the IP are flat out *amazing*! I have to say that I really didn't quite believe people about how easy they are to peel until I tried it for myself. I am completely and totally sold. Not only are they incredibly easy to peel, but all you have to do is just put them in there with the water, set the thing, and walk away. There's no waiting for the water to boil. It's just set it and forget it.
@@vantino1096 The ice water is really optional. It just makes the whole process faster. But the Instant Pot basically steaming the eggs is what makes them so easy to shell almost in one piece.
I love my Instant Pot! The reason you have to put water (besides avoiding scorching) is that the pressure that builds up is due to water vapor. No water, not enough pressure to do the job. Things I've cooked in my instant pot: egg custards, hard boiled eggs (really steamed), whole chickens, roasts (beef and pork), bone broth, cheese cake, egg bites (like the Starbucks ones... I have a silicone molds), frittatas, hot wings (they don't get crisp though, but pack of wings, some Frank's Hot Wing Sauce...), chili, pork ribs, cabbage rolls, stews and soups. Tried brownies, but they came out soggy... more experimentation needed!
At truck stop (Flying J., Pilot. T.A. etc.) they sell 12-volt (cigarette lighter plug) small Instant Pots, that will use solar, or driving down the road! Truckers use them all the time!
Oh if you want to get even more power and run any thing you want, I have 2 600 watt solar panels and equipment and then a 6000 watt power inverter all of it was around $200. From temu and iv been running a lot of stuff on them with no problems at all, I have my refrigerator and microwave oven on it at the same time and when the power went out I was able to stay warm and had good hot food with no problems, I am going to be making a few videos this next summer, keep an eye out.
The pot/liner doesn't get too hot at the too so you can lift it out while cooking a sandwich and flip like a pancake. Could use hot pad if you're worried about the heat at the top. but you wont use them the 2nd time. Works also for stir fry technique...toss the vegetables outside the main unit for a few seconds and put the liner back in.
They are really awesome. Buying dried beans is the cheapest way to get protein & fiber. They store at no cost. With the instant pot they are super easy to cook too. I love his ideas about reheating & will try that. Thank you both.
I always soaked my dried beans overnight even when using a pressure cooker. I don't mess with dried red beans anymore. I buy Blue Runner Creole Cream Style canned red beans a 15oz can and rice served with ham or sausage is enough for 2 meals. They are a 102 year old Louisiana company whose headquarters are located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. You know La is famous for our red beans and rice
I don't do canned beans any more. Less than an hour dried are soft. One recipe recommended. Leave in the morning hit 40 mins with beans in come home, kept warm and ready to go. Obviously Not somthing to do on 12v system
@thizizliz. Hi Liz!! When I was a kid (pre-microwave) my mom reheated leftovers on a dinner plate covered in foil and placed over a pan of a hot water. Easy clean up too. I still use my old fashioned pressure cooker to cook a chuck roast for my famous New Orleans poboy
@@jcrefasi1 I'm not an rv guy. I'm a tiny sailboat guy and weight is a real thing. But I will try it thanks. By the way you rv. guys have a great community and great 12v ideas. Same thing different conveyance
Bob...to cook a grilled cheese sandwich in the instant pot..just turn it over using tongs. Same with hamburger patties. And in case you prefer to use a spatula...they do make flexible ones.
Wow! I'm seriously impressed. This is such a great idea. Always keep a back-up propane cooktop though in case of solar failure and have a mini rocket stove to cook outside your rig in case your propane runs out in an emergency. ("Two is one and one is none.") I wish I understood solar and electric better. It's something I'm still learning. Thanks Brad! Thanks Bob! :)
Fresh chicken soup in 15 minutes. Tastes wonderful. All the flavors of carrots and celery come through. Instant Pot cuts down on time and everything comes on flavorful and meat is tender. Chicken is moist and tender with great flavor. Just add chicken breast celery carrots onions salt & pepper broth green onion My Chili comes out wonderful as well. I do make roast now in it. It comes out wonderful and tender. 45 min. About 3 hours less time than my oven. Steak in hurry does come out well too. My kids like Swiss Steak. Just steak, onions, olive oil and 2 cans of mushroom soup. You can add celery.
Warming up left overs is not covered on other channels. Really good to know. Good information on the Instant Pot. We just bought a 3qt Mini for our Boondocking RV. Thanks for great info.
I have an electric pressure cooker with a crisper lid you can make anything in them really I baked a birthday cake for my husband while we were on the road you don't need to always have water unless you are pressure cooking because it also becomes a slow cooker an air fryer with a crisper lid it steams sautes they replace 11 kitchen appliances. Seriously are a game changer if you have the power to run one
I’m very late to the party, and this may be mentioned already, but I love my IP for making meals with multiple items. For example, I’ll put a bowl with some chicken and topping (BBQ, spices, whatever) on the bottom, and then on a higher trivet, a second bowl, with maybe a small potato and a serving a green beans. Most things won’t overcook, so cooking for the required time for meat usually makes everything come out perfectly.
Some InstaPots have a canning option. So instead of cooking something and then freezing it, you could can it and the food would be shelf stable for up to 2 years saving a lot of room in the fridge. It would require more amps but good planning might make it work.
I am sure you could do a great grilled cheese in it, and certainly you could do hamburgers, using the saute function in both cases! About to fry some bacon it it for the first time! When browning meat you can use butter or olive oil, or other oil. No water at this point - that comes later after you brown it. If you are cooking a roast, you remove the meat after browning it and put the little rack in the bottom of the pot. Then you add the water in the bottom of the pot, and put the meat back in on top of the rack. It is so good! I have done this several times in the few months that I have owned my Instant Pot.
I was thinking this paired with a small (8") electric skillet would handle almost every eventuality. The small electric skillets are also 800w. Not as efficient as a pressure cooker, but a lot more convenient for burgers, pancakes, or grilled cheese - and you don't usually use it that long for these items.
@@harrygibus You are probably right. Since I don't do wheat or other grains, pancakes are less important to me now than at any other point in my life. ; - ) But when I was still eating rice, the IP was the best rice cooker.
I make a wicked grilled cheese in our instant pot! Also steak and hamburgers. Just by a metal handle spatula, or two, and bend it at an angle to better flip. You can also use tongs.
This is the some of the info I've been searching for. In your calculations, you can allow for the highest load being when the i-pot is coming up to pressure. Once it has achieved pressurization the load drops to a level that maintains the pressure until the timer comes to the limit that you set. I'd be very interested to watch more in-depth coverage on the solar system that can support i-pot cooking.
Make your grilled cheese in the pot using tongs. First, you butter one side of each bread slice. Grill each slice separately, until the greesed side is golden, then put cheese between the slices and heat until the cheese melts and remove the entire thing with the tongs.
I love my Instant Pot! I never use my stove any more. There is now an air fryer lid option, you can air fry most everything ! There is a trivet whereby you can place a pan up higher near the air fryer head and make a grilled cheese. I also use an electric 2 burner size griddle that I cook everything else on.
That pond looks like the opening scene from the Andy Griffith show where Sheriff Taylor and Opie walk to the pond with their fishing poles and Opie skips a rock....Beautiful location!
Grilled cheese or scrambled eggs or burger, place aluminum foil sheet on the bottom with two sides going up the sides, fry away and lift the product up by the foil sides. :)
I love my instant pot! Great to know I can use it on solar! Favorite recipe - shredded taco chicken- 2-3 chicken breasts, can of diced tomatoes, packet of taco seasoning and a bag of frozen peppers n onions. High pressure for 15 mins, 10 min release. Shred chicken, use for tacos or over rice.
Pro health tip: replace rice, which is high glycemic index & also often has the carcinogenic arsenic in it... with pearled barley. Takes longer to cook but in an instant pot, it's no problem.
There's an opportunity here for another accessory to be made for the instant pot. Basically a flat pan with a handle that is tall enough to come out the top for the cook to reach. One could theoretically be fashioned from an inner pot for the instant pot, cutting away the sides except for one bit to leave standing up. This would let someone put something flat to sear cooking in the pot and then pull it up to get a spatula to come in from the side to flip it and then setting it back down in.
The next size up you can buy a special lid & it works as a air fryer. One of my favorite recipes is 5 can soup. I use 1 can Progresso minestone soup, 1 can your choice and of tomatoes or sauce, I use a can of Progresso creamy tomato basil soup. 1 can mixed vegetables, 1 can corn. Don't drain. Put it all in. 1 can of beans your choice, rinsed & drained. Heat & eat. I always get lots of compliments every time. Could add pre cooked meat if you like. Quick, and say & so good.
I've tested my InstaPot on a Kill-a-Watt power meter. My 3 quart Insta Pot is rated at 700 watts. It is only hitting those 700 watts while the cooker is being brought up to pressure. After it reaches the proper pressure, the number of watts is very small. It will "blip" up to 500 to 700 watts for a second or so to hold the temp/pressure. When the cooking time is over, it is basically off while the pressure "releases." (I did not measure the wattage of the "keep warm" function.) So, when I made rice or a chicken dish, etc, and the cooker used about 5-8 minutes to come to pressure, it was using 58 amps per hour. Measured by the minute, that is "about" 1 or 2 amps per minute (given the efficiency of the inverter and the Peukert effect, etc.) So, anywhere from 10 to 16 amps. I've done this successfully on my basic 100 amp hour panel linked to a basic 70 ah battery, and it has worked just fine. You just have to know how much you are using and the state of charge of your battery.
you do not need to add water to brown the meat, just a little oil or butter, then deglaze the pot with liquid after the meat is done. be sure to scrape bottom while liquid is in there then add the rest of your ingredients. i love my instant pot.
You can get smaller pressure cookers. His is the large one. I love mine. One point is food is cooked way faster than ovens. For example: you can cook chili beans in 1 1/2 hrs. with dry beans. So, you don't have to soak the beans over night.
A nice presentation... I insert those small soft aluminum pans, and line the pans with foil (Pam, too). It makes for easy access, and clean-up. You can even make cookies.
@@manfrummt -- One brand is called, "EZ Foil Loaf Pans." They're in the kitchenware area of WalMart. ...a lot of shapes and sizes. Those are also nice to use inserted into regular Pots 'n Pans.
I like to watch the guy with the beard he goes to a lot of places and talks to a lot of people and I learn a lot from this guy he's cool thanks god bless
I have had my Instant Pot fior over a year and almost never use it. I had thought of giving it away. After watching your video and reading the comments I will try again. I am not a van dweller but have learned so much from your channel about living my life to the fullest. Thanks,
Rice cookers can cook the same things but for longer and lower amps so I am not sure if it works out evenly for electricity or not. But they are a lot cheaper.
I like your new friend. I’m so glad he is there to help you. You have been blessed with many good friends which isn’t surprising to me because of your generous heart. Merry Christmas Bob!!
Love my instant pot currently at home. Great for cooking whole foods to make stew, steam veggies, make home made chili, rice, beans, even cake, though I haven’t tried that yet. I also love my Mealthy air Crisp lid to make oil free fries, brussel sprouts, etc.
One big advantage of using a pressure cooker is that it is a sealed cooking chamber. It won't steam up your living space or spread as much food smells.
I do almost all my sautéing in the Instant Pot rather than the stovetop, because it contains all the splatter within the deep sides. No more splatter to clean up off the stovetop or walls. Use tongs to turn or stir-fry as needed. Also, silicon cookware can be used for heating small portions of leftovers or a silicon basket for easy removal of vegetables or hard-boiled eggs.
I have the 3qt InstaPot, 700 watts. It will make a roast to fall apart tenderness in 38 minutes. I get these results with liquid up to 3/4 level on the roast. I have resealed the InstaPot, and reheated that meat entree the next day - no problem. However, I have no experience in a hot climate.
Good video I just bought one a month ago . It saves me lots of time in the prep of my meal and I made a big pot to feed my Dog rest go in frig then a few seconds in microwave he loves it . May put little dry dog food in.it now and then too . I going to have go up North next year simple and easy for the weekend now I know it works with the right set up on solar . Thanks for the information
The way to make a grilled chz: When you want to flip it turn the pot upside down the & put the uncooked side in the pot again. Where there's a will....💥
Thanks, Brad, for this information. I enjoy cooking on my one burner propane stove since it is super fast and economical for things like boiling water for tea or frying eggs, etc. I can see using the instapot for cooking foods that need longer times on a stove. Best of both worlds as I always have a backup if I don't have enough sunshine. Cheers.
One way to use less electric power is to heat the water for the instant pot on your propane stove, that transfers most of the energy used to the propane. The instant pot then only has to maintain the boiling temperature to get the pressure up instead of heating all that water from room temperature... (Only 1/2 cup of water in the three quart, but hey power is power)
G'day. I live off grid on an 24 ft sailing boat in New South Wales Australia. The two items i find most usfull is an 12v 240 v rice cooker and my magic chef 700 watt indution hotplate. I use them for cooking on and i have an 12v car kettle for boiling water.allso an 1200 wat pizza pan. all of witc run on my eco river 600 with xboost power station.. Charged up by an 200 watt solar panel and an 200 watt wind turbine. I have set my boat up so do not needto plug in to mains power at all. Seems to be working. will be doing an vlog when i get the time. part time studying. Gerard.
Have a merry and happy Christmas you all out there! I have an Instant Pot- I don’t use it enough really- but in still in an apartment- it’s six quart that was a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. if I ever get on the road I’m going to have to figure out all the ins and outs of power. Anyway- I make Ricotta Cheese which is phenomenal- and if I strain it more you can it’s like a farmers cheese, you can make yogurt, strain it for Greek yogurt, strain it more for Lebnah. Also makes a dozen hard boiled eggs that just slip out of the shell when you peel them. One thing that is a little misleading about pressure cooking is the time thing. Yes, you cook something for 7 minutes but you also have to come up to pressure first and then let the pressure subside- so seven minutes can double- easily. Still great to see someone using it on the road. I never even thought about just heating something up in it. Thanks!
Tips: 1. buy a second interior pot that is non stick and this works well for saute as well as other foods that might stick otherwise.
2. If you are more prone to cook small meals every day rather than big meals to refrigerate get the smaller Instant Pot. Less power, easier to clean.
3. Do not get the latest model Instant Pot that has the round knob instead of button presets. Reviews say it tends to burn food. The one in the video is the Duo and that is by far the preferred model. Also the one we have.
4. If you like corned beef buy the “gourmet” version in the meat section of the grocery store and cook it in the Instant Pot. Incredible!
5. Veggies cook FAST. It takes longer to get the pot up to pressure temp than the cook time! It’s quick, therefore power draw is not as bad as you may think.
Thanks!
Those Instapots are awesome. We love ours.
I use a 3 quart Instapot. I am a single minivan dweller with a solenoid charger, 100 watts of portable solar, 100 amp flooded lead acid battery and a 1000 watt inverter. I also have a Dometic CF18 fridge.
Start up my minivan For ten minutes to get the instapot up to pressure, shut off my minivan since the instapot drops down to about 3 amps and cooks away for up to an hour. Extremely efficient appliance!
Put a little butter or oil then fry away using the sauté mode. Perfect grilled cheese, burgers, etc.
The instapot is a game changer in my opinion.
That's a good review, Terry. Thanks for a real life application.
Terry Baldwin, thank you for your review. It makes me realize I can use the solar I have with a smaller instapot. That is helpful. Thank you!
Terry Baldwin .....I was a kid when my dad brought home a new product called the microwave. Now that’s a game changer. I’m like Bob; when I go full time I expect to use the heck out of one. If you qualify for food banks, they usually have tons of canned (already cooked) beans, for free. Food banks are cool to me because it’s stuff people donated or were going to throw away. So people that utilize them are doing everyone a favor.
Solar takes over to charge the battery after instapot has come up to pressure and no longer draws as much power.
Said differently, the battery is being charged by both the car battery and solar while car is running then solar only after I shut off the car.
I recently added another 100 watts of solar to my Renogy solar suitcase to hopefully avoid starting the car at all but haven’t tested the instapot appliance.
Kudos to Bob and crew for teaching me a lot of what I’ve learned over the last year beginning at the 2019 RTR. Minivans rock especially for us lower income folks!
Thanks Bob! You also rock!! 🚐
Great info with details...thanks
I often cook at rest stops, parks, where ever there is a plug in. I hang out till it's done 10- 45 minutes top for what I cook. I done have solar. Just plan out meals.
I also think that I am going to try this. Tfs
yep, hung out outside the bathroom while it was cooking ribs.
Use a solar gen. Stop torturing yourself.
I do ribs, grilled chicken, steaks, all of that in my 6 qt instant pot. I even bought the accessory to start baking in it.
As an Electrical Engineer, who specializing on power (distribution, storage and generation), I totally concur with your "Layman's" explanation of how Amp-Hours work. It's not as scary as people think. Just a few, simple (5th grade algebra) equations for the DC end and a tad bit more for the AC, but nothing a high school grad with a few TH-cam videos should not be able to figure out. Wiring? That's a bit more involved. I'd suggest asking a reputable electrician.
Also a PSA - Do NOT throw plain old water on an electrical fire!! Use an approved Fire Extinguisher.
12 volt wiring is a doddle. You have positive, you have negative, make sure you connect those right, and have some fuses. A couple of hours of reading and anyone can do it, which is why it's not illegal. 220 volt (or that 110 volt strangeness Americans use) AC is more regulated because that stuff can and will kill you if you don't know what you're doing. It's just as easy to wire a wan AC up, but the stakes are higher and it's not legally allowed (most places) if you're not certified, so getting qualified help for that makes a lot of sense.
Stan Augustyniewicz Algebra was the only class I ever flunked sonI guess I will have to watch the TH-cam videos!
Stan Augustyniewicz - I about choked on my iced tea when he said that little pot draws 73 amps but then I figured he must be talking about the DC side. I was calculating in my head when he went on to say 800 watts so I knew I was thinking right.
@@cr0ft-2k Up to 48v is legal for anyone to do here in Norway :)
@@rogermccaslin6750 I think they meant 7.3 amps , because 73 would melt his wire
An instapot PSA: let the steam release naturally or take the instapot outside of your rig to release. The steam is very HOT and can be MESSY if released inside and you can get burned. Thanks for the great video!
Let alone the humidity released inside your camper! Great tip!
Can you put a kitchen towell over the top to catch the steam?
@@dona62851 great question
@@dona62851 it's not recommended due to a greater chance of clogging the steam release valve.
@@flowerchild777 look at above reply to Dona. 👍
I have the instant pot that pressure cans. I can 3-4 pints of beef stew. The canner cooks the stew. I like to add a little flour and simmer to thicken when I’m ready to re-heat & eat. I’ll never make beef stew without canning it again. Leftovers are already in a sealed jar and no refrigeration is needed.
We've been running our instant pot on solar for years, once it's up to temp it uses very little power...
My favorite Instant Pot meal is low country boil. I saute chicken legs and sausage and then add a little water and corn on the cob, red skins and whatever I have/want and pressure cook it. At the end I add shrimp and cook a short time.
Sounds delicious. Do you have the 6-qt? Do you use it with solar?
@@LaCatLady I'd like to use my Jackery, but it's not powerful enough. I have to use shore power. I have a 3 quart Instant Pot.
@@lindabarker7142 Thank you. I was concerned about that.
@@LaCatLady I have a 240 Jackery, but I think a 500 would work.
@@lindabarker7142 I’ve got the small Suaoki so I pretty well know that’s not going to work. I only have the 100 watt Renogy suitcase. Guess I’ll just keep using the propane stove.
I am dying for a nomad to start a playlist on how to cook with an instant mini using a battery!
Pro tip.. bring to boil on fire with the inside pan. Then replace into machine. Start the pressure cooker. Saves a ton of wattage. It uses most power getting to temperature then it turns off and on as needed.
Grill Cheese is easy. I just use my tongs to turn it.
Of make it in two halves so easy to flip over.
And how do you flip when reaching to the bottom of the pot
@@richlaue Use tongs or spatula.
😲 i just said 🤣
@@richlaue TONGS
For a grilled sandwich, steak, etc, all you need is a tongs to reach to the bottom of the pot.
There are many accessories for inside the "liner".
Everything can be cooked in the liner just as though it is a skillet.
Want fried eggs? Use a long handled spatula or a large serving spoon to lift it out of the liner.
The Instant Pot is extremely versatile.
You don't need water for everything when you use the liner like a skillet to saute or fry.
Yes, there are all sizes of stackable metal pans for inside the liner. You can cook multiple veggies, rice, meat, all in stackable metal pans made to be used in the liner, easily purchased on Amazon.... and then you would use liquid to steam the food.
An important thing concerning power consumption regarding the Instant Pot missed in this video is that it only uses full power ( 73A for this old version and about 60A for the latest 700 watt version Instant pot), it only uses full power for the first 10 minutes while boiling water and pressurizing. After that, it will only intermittently turn on with a thermostat to maintain cooking temp as needed, so any cookin time past the initial 10 min is only going to use a fraction of the power and be minimal power consumption. The Instant pot is very efficient.
Thank you for the explanation. I have had one for over 5 years but always ran it at the house. I bet I can power this on my eco flow….time to test lol
The good thing about Pressure Cooking is that you can buy the cheaper roasts/meats and they still come out as tender as anything of higher quality cuts. You can make gravy out of the juices that cook out in the same pot.
Boiling (or actually, steaming) eggs in the Instant Pot is the biggest treat for me... simply because it allows them to be peeled afterward so easily. The shell is almost entirely separated from the egg inside, so the shell slides off with almost no effort. The trick is, using very little water (about 1/2 cup), putting the slotted platform inside the Instant Pot, and piling as many eggs as you want... I've done as many as a dozen, and all 12 come out identically perfect. Set the top knob for pressure, set the timer for 5 minutes, and after the 5 minutes cooking time, let it naturally depressurize for about 5 minutes. Then, twist the top knob to "steam", to release the pressure quickly. Remove the lid after pressure is released, and with tongs ('cause those eggs will burn the FIRE outa your fingers) put the eggs into a sink full of ice water for 5 minutes. Then... be amazed at how those eggs practically shell themselves. 🥚🥚🥚
I only boil eggs in the IP now. They peel like a dream.
Hard boiled eggs in the IP are flat out *amazing*! I have to say that I really didn't quite believe people about how easy they are to peel until I tried it for myself. I am completely and totally sold.
Not only are they incredibly easy to peel, but all you have to do is just put them in there with the water, set the thing, and walk away. There's no waiting for the water to boil. It's just set it and forget it.
Thanks for sharing this tip. But where do you get the iced water from, when you are on the road?
@@vantino1096 The ice water is really optional. It just makes the whole process faster. But the Instant Pot basically steaming the eggs is what makes them so easy to shell almost in one piece.
@@lego65100 thank you
I love my Instant Pot! The reason you have to put water (besides avoiding scorching) is that the pressure that builds up is due to water vapor. No water, not enough pressure to do the job. Things I've cooked in my instant pot: egg custards, hard boiled eggs (really steamed), whole chickens, roasts (beef and pork), bone broth, cheese cake, egg bites (like the Starbucks ones... I have a silicone molds), frittatas, hot wings (they don't get crisp though, but pack of wings, some Frank's Hot Wing Sauce...), chili, pork ribs, cabbage rolls, stews and soups. Tried brownies, but they came out soggy... more experimentation needed!
At truck stop (Flying J., Pilot. T.A. etc.) they sell 12-volt (cigarette lighter plug) small Instant Pots, that will use solar, or driving down the road! Truckers use them all the time!
I like the 3 qt. instant pot. It uses less power. I use it almost every day. I do have a 6 qt. that I use for group meals.
You can make cheesecake in it. 30 minutes, love it.
I was going to ask about baking! Hmm - bread?
I have a Thermos passive shuttle cooker I keep meaning to use - not electric, not pressurised /sealed
Yes, I’ve made bread. It won’t be crusty, but it works. You can make yogurt, too.
Would you do a video on plugging your 30 amp rv into the Bluetti AC200 max? Things to know and/or avoid doing.
Oh if you want to get even more power and run any thing you want, I have 2 600 watt solar panels and equipment and then a 6000 watt power inverter all of it was around $200. From temu and iv been running a lot of stuff on them with no problems at all, I have my refrigerator and microwave oven on it at the same time and when the power went out I was able to stay warm and had good hot food with no problems,
I am going to be making a few videos this next summer, keep an eye out.
The pot/liner doesn't get too hot at the too so you can lift it out while cooking a sandwich and flip like a pancake. Could use hot pad if you're worried about the heat at the top. but you wont use them the 2nd time.
Works also for stir fry technique...toss the vegetables outside the main unit for a few seconds and put the liner back in.
They are really awesome. Buying dried beans is the cheapest way to get protein & fiber. They store at no cost. With the instant pot they are super easy to cook too. I love his ideas about reheating & will try that. Thank you both.
I always soaked my dried beans overnight even when using a pressure cooker. I don't mess with dried red beans anymore. I buy Blue Runner Creole Cream Style canned red beans a 15oz can and rice served with ham or sausage is enough for 2 meals. They are a 102 year old Louisiana company whose headquarters are located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. You know La is famous for our red beans and rice
I don't do canned beans any more. Less than an hour dried are soft. One recipe recommended. Leave in the morning hit 40 mins with beans in come home, kept warm and ready to go. Obviously Not somthing to do on 12v system
@@scott.wallace8625 if you tried Blue Runner canned red beans I bet you would change your mind!
@thizizliz. Hi Liz!!
When I was a kid (pre-microwave) my mom reheated leftovers on a dinner plate covered in foil and placed over a pan of a hot water. Easy clean up too. I still use my old fashioned pressure cooker to cook a chuck roast for my famous New Orleans poboy
@@jcrefasi1 I'm not an rv guy. I'm a tiny sailboat guy and weight is a real thing. But I will try it thanks. By the way you rv. guys have a great community and great 12v ideas. Same thing different conveyance
When you leave the veggies to natural release you get so much more flavor that got locked in instead of going up in steam.
Bob...to cook a grilled cheese sandwich in the instant pot..just turn it over using tongs. Same with hamburger patties. And in case you prefer to use a spatula...they do make flexible ones.
You can put a flatter pan on top of the Instapot and grill all the cheese you want by letting the steam below heat the pan.
Cheaper tougher cuts if meats are great cooked in pressure cooker
There are also instapots for truckers that plug directly to 12V and also lunchbox ovens that plug into 12V.
as a new full time car dweller, your videos really inspire me to do more for myself everyday. I love watching your shows!
Older videos still very relevant!! Thanks Bob! (2021)
Bob the instant pot comes in a rectangle shape now so you can use a spatula to get a grilled cheese or a hamburger out very easy.
Wow! I'm seriously impressed. This is such a great idea. Always keep a back-up propane cooktop though in case of solar failure and have a mini rocket stove to cook outside your rig in case your propane runs out in an emergency. ("Two is one and one is none.") I wish I understood solar and electric better. It's something I'm still learning. Thanks Brad! Thanks Bob! :)
See my quote above or maybe it's below!!! ha! ha!
I had no clue. Very versatile
Fresh chicken soup in 15 minutes. Tastes wonderful. All the flavors of carrots and celery come through. Instant Pot cuts down on time and everything comes on flavorful and meat is tender. Chicken is moist and tender with great flavor.
Just add chicken breast
celery
carrots
onions
salt & pepper
broth
green onion
My Chili comes out wonderful as well.
I do make roast now in it. It comes out wonderful and tender. 45 min.
About 3 hours less time than my oven.
Steak in hurry does come out well too.
My kids like Swiss Steak. Just steak, onions, olive oil and 2 cans of mushroom soup. You can add celery.
Warming up left overs is not covered on other channels. Really good to know. Good information on the Instant Pot. We just bought a 3qt Mini for our Boondocking RV. Thanks for great info.
I have an electric pressure cooker with a crisper lid you can make anything in them really I baked a birthday cake for my husband while we were on the road you don't need to always have water unless you are pressure cooking because it also becomes a slow cooker an air fryer with a crisper lid it steams sautes they replace 11 kitchen appliances. Seriously are a game changer if you have the power to run one
Don't forget you can steam or saute (with a tiny bit of oil) fresh vegetables, as well.
I’m very late to the party, and this may be mentioned already, but I love my IP for making meals with multiple items. For example, I’ll put a bowl with some chicken and topping (BBQ, spices, whatever) on the bottom, and then on a higher trivet, a second bowl, with maybe a small potato and a serving a green beans. Most things won’t overcook, so cooking for the required time for meat usually makes everything come out perfectly.
My Instant Pot guru are Amy+Jacky b/c I learned from them how to use Instant pot for the best most tender poached hen.
Some InstaPots have a canning option. So instead of cooking something and then freezing it, you could can it and the food would be shelf stable for up to 2 years saving a lot of room in the fridge. It would require more amps but good planning might make it work.
I am sure you could do a great grilled cheese in it, and certainly you could do hamburgers, using the saute function in both cases! About to fry some bacon it it for the first time! When browning meat you can use butter or olive oil, or other oil. No water at this point - that comes later after you brown it. If you are cooking a roast, you remove the meat after browning it and put the little rack in the bottom of the pot. Then you add the water in the bottom of the pot, and put the meat back in on top of the rack. It is so good! I have done this several times in the few months that I have owned my Instant Pot.
How did the bacon come out?
I was thinking this paired with a small (8") electric skillet would handle almost every eventuality. The small electric skillets are also 800w. Not as efficient as a pressure cooker, but a lot more convenient for burgers, pancakes, or grilled cheese - and you don't usually use it that long for these items.
@@danmanx2 - I got interrupted and didn't get to do it! Will try again tomorrow morning and try to remember to post the results here!
@@harrygibus You are probably right. Since I don't do wheat or other grains, pancakes are less important to me now than at any other point in my life. ; - ) But when I was still eating rice, the IP was the best rice cooker.
Honestly a George Forman would be better for grilled cheese and burgers. Saute mode is just a hot plate really.
I make a wicked grilled cheese in our instant pot! Also steak and hamburgers. Just by a metal handle spatula, or two, and bend it at an angle to better flip. You can also use tongs.
This is the some of the info I've been searching for. In your calculations, you can allow for the highest load being when the i-pot is coming up to pressure. Once it has achieved pressurization the load drops to a level that maintains the pressure until the timer comes to the limit that you set. I'd be very interested to watch more in-depth coverage on the solar system that can support i-pot cooking.
Make your grilled cheese in the pot using tongs. First, you butter one side of each bread slice. Grill each slice separately, until the greesed side is golden, then put cheese between the slices and heat until the cheese melts and remove the entire thing with the tongs.
I had a instant pot, air fryer,George Forman, counter top convection oven, and crockpot. Got rid of all of them for the Ninja Foodi.
Interested in Foodi but cannot get past the huge hinged lid.
Deb Bush the lid wasn’t a problem. It was the weight. But I got used to it pretty quick.
I love my Instant Pot! I never use my stove any more. There is now an air fryer lid option, you can air fry most everything ! There is a trivet whereby you can place a pan up higher near the air fryer head and make a grilled cheese. I also use an electric 2 burner size griddle that I cook everything else on.
This is very helpful. I love my Instapot. I love that I can continue to use it in my van. A big thank to this young man for sharing this.
That pond looks like the opening scene from the Andy Griffith show where Sheriff Taylor and Opie walk to the pond with their fishing poles and Opie skips a rock....Beautiful location!
Commando602 i keep watching for an alligator to come out of that pond. It’s because I’m in Florida.
What camera do they have? It’s such a clear picture!
Using a ceramic bowl on the trivet , you can prepare most meals without having to clean the larger SS bowl. Rice is a quick prep.
Grilled cheese or scrambled eggs or burger, place aluminum foil sheet on the bottom with two sides going up the sides, fry away and lift the product up by the foil sides. :)
The smaller sized 3 quart (or mini) works great for me. It's big enough for plenty of leftovers. I love it!
Love that the Instant Pot doesn't heat up the kitchen as much as using the oven or stove in the summertime!
I love my instant pot! Great to know I can use it on solar! Favorite recipe - shredded taco chicken- 2-3 chicken breasts, can of diced tomatoes, packet of taco seasoning and a bag of frozen peppers n onions. High pressure for 15 mins, 10 min release. Shred chicken, use for tacos or over rice.
Pro health tip: replace rice, which is high glycemic index & also often has the carcinogenic arsenic in it... with pearled barley. Takes longer to cook but in an instant pot, it's no problem.
There's an opportunity here for another accessory to be made for the instant pot. Basically a flat pan with a handle that is tall enough to come out the top for the cook to reach. One could theoretically be fashioned from an inner pot for the instant pot, cutting away the sides except for one bit to leave standing up. This would let someone put something flat to sear cooking in the pot and then pull it up to get a spatula to come in from the side to flip it and then setting it back down in.
The next size up you can buy a special lid & it works as a air fryer. One of my favorite recipes is 5 can soup. I use 1 can Progresso minestone soup, 1 can your choice and of tomatoes or sauce, I use a can of Progresso creamy tomato basil soup. 1 can mixed vegetables, 1 can corn. Don't drain. Put it all in. 1 can of beans your choice, rinsed & drained. Heat & eat. I always get lots of compliments every time. Could add pre cooked meat if you like. Quick, and say & so good.
I bought an instantpot just for Rv'ing :) but I'm glad to hear what solar is needed for it!
i hope that one day i can live this life in europe
I've tested my InstaPot on a Kill-a-Watt power meter. My 3 quart Insta Pot is rated at 700 watts. It is only hitting those 700 watts while the cooker is being brought up to pressure. After it reaches the proper pressure, the number of watts is very small. It will "blip" up to 500 to 700 watts for a second or so to hold the temp/pressure. When the cooking time is over, it is basically off while the pressure "releases." (I did not measure the wattage of the "keep warm" function.) So, when I made rice or a chicken dish, etc, and the cooker used about 5-8 minutes to come to pressure, it was using 58 amps per hour. Measured by the minute, that is "about" 1 or 2 amps per minute (given the efficiency of the inverter and the Peukert effect, etc.) So, anywhere from 10 to 16 amps. I've done this successfully on my basic 100 amp hour panel linked to a basic 70 ah battery, and it has worked just fine. You just have to know how much you are using and the state of charge of your battery.
Thanks for the tamale tip and heating left overs. Still waiting for van build solar install video.
Between an Instant Pot and a single burner induction cook top, you could cook just about anything!
This is great for only 1000w, get a 1000w air fryer as well and you're set👍🙂
I have a rubber trivet with high handles so I can lift the bowl without digging my hands into the pot.
you do not need to add water to brown the meat, just a little oil or butter, then deglaze the pot with liquid after the meat is done. be sure to scrape bottom while liquid is in there then add the rest of your ingredients. i love my instant pot.
I'd love some cooking demonstrations please 😊
You could put baking paper underneath with the paper longer to easily lift the grilled cheese out once cooked
You can get smaller pressure cookers. His is the large one. I love mine. One point is food is cooked way faster than ovens. For example: you can cook chili beans in 1 1/2 hrs. with dry beans. So, you don't have to soak the beans over night.
At high elevations, the pressure really helps.
A nice presentation... I insert those small soft aluminum pans, and line the pans with foil (Pam, too). It makes for easy access, and clean-up. You can even make cookies.
Cookies? Wow!
Which small soft aluminum pans?
@@manfrummt -- One brand is called, "EZ Foil Loaf Pans." They're in the kitchenware area of WalMart. ...a lot of shapes and sizes. Those are also nice to use inserted into regular Pots 'n Pans.
How does Pam feel about being lined with foil? 😁
@@manfrummt if you have a Dollar Tree near by they have tons of foil pans in every shape and size.
I like to watch the guy with the beard he goes to a lot of places and talks to a lot of people and I learn a lot from this guy he's cool thanks god bless
Use the IP five or six days a week
I cook meats, poultry, pineapple upside down cake. Love it
I don’t have an RV or Van but I love watching your videos. It’s very interesting watching how you and others are able to make things work.
I am so happy that I found this because I have been wondering if keeping my instapot would be available ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I have had my Instant Pot fior over a year and almost never use it. I had thought of giving it away. After watching your video and reading the comments I will try again. I am not a van dweller but have learned so much from your channel about living my life to the fullest. Thanks,
I have one too, and I also use an induction cooktop.
I have an Instpot with 480 w of power..Now, I can use my pot!! Thank you!! Mine is 6 qts.
Rice cookers can cook the same things but for longer and lower amps so I am not sure if it works out evenly for electricity or not. But they are a lot cheaper.
I like your new friend. I’m so glad he is there to help you. You have been blessed with many good friends which isn’t surprising to me because of your generous heart. Merry Christmas Bob!!
Makes perfect Steel Cut Oats in10 min. Add fresh fruit & maple syrup~yummmm.
This is heaven! I would love to have this life! And so wonderful to have this option!
You can make just about any meal in an instapot. I absolutely love mine.
Those pressure cookers are AWESOME, you can make anything you want, from sautéing to roasting to baking! I’ve used that for years!
Maybe add a induction hotplate for cooking frypans etc...
Very power efficient.
Forgot to wish Bob, Suanne and everyone else behind the scenes a Merry Christmas and the BEST New Year ahead.👍😊❤️
Happy holidays. I love watching your videos. I hope to meet all of you at WRTR and RTR.
Oh, gosh, thank goodness you didn't know what 2020 held. But I guess rv living is a good way to stay safe.
Love my instant pot currently at home. Great for cooking whole foods to make stew, steam veggies, make home made chili, rice, beans, even cake, though I haven’t tried that yet. I also love my Mealthy air Crisp lid to make oil free fries, brussel sprouts, etc.
Do you know if the crisp lid will work on solar?
Second Act no I have to add that to my list above. It probably sucks a lot of energy. I’ll have to research how much juice these all take.
One big advantage of using a pressure cooker is that it is a sealed cooking chamber. It won't steam up your living space or spread as much food smells.
Until it needs to be vented.
I bought the glass lid accessory for my IP plus the steamer basket with handle. Great for steaming veggies or reheating food.
I do almost all my sautéing in the Instant Pot rather than the stovetop, because it contains all the splatter within the deep sides. No more splatter to clean up off the stovetop or walls. Use tongs to turn or stir-fry as needed. Also, silicon cookware can be used for heating small portions of leftovers or a silicon basket for easy removal of vegetables or hard-boiled eggs.
Great show, Bob. One of your best.
You could use a spatula to flip over a grilled cheese sandwich or a burger.
I have the 3qt InstaPot, 700 watts.
It will make a roast to fall apart tenderness in 38 minutes.
I get these results with liquid up to 3/4 level on the roast.
I have resealed the InstaPot, and reheated that meat entree the next day - no problem.
However, I have no experience in a hot climate.
Good video I just bought one a month ago . It saves me lots of time in the prep of my meal and I made a big pot to feed my Dog rest go in frig then a few seconds in microwave he loves it . May put little dry dog food in.it now and then too .
I going to have go up North next year simple and easy for the weekend now I know it works with the right set up on solar .
Thanks for the information
I use a 3qt mini for my camping have the 8qt at home.
The way to make a grilled chz: When you want to flip it turn the pot upside down the & put the uncooked side in the pot again. Where there's a will....💥
Thanks, Brad, for this information. I enjoy cooking on my one burner propane stove since it is super fast and economical for things like boiling water for tea or frying eggs, etc. I can see using the instapot for cooking foods that need longer times on a stove. Best of both worlds as I always have a backup if I don't have enough sunshine. Cheers.
One way to use less electric power is to heat the water for the instant pot on your propane stove, that transfers most of the energy used to the propane. The instant pot then only has to maintain the boiling temperature to get the pressure up instead of heating all that water from room temperature... (Only 1/2 cup of water in the three quart, but hey power is power)
G'day. I live off grid on an 24 ft sailing boat in New South Wales Australia. The two items i find most usfull is an 12v 240 v rice cooker and my magic chef 700 watt indution hotplate. I use them for cooking on and i have an 12v car kettle for boiling water.allso an 1200 wat pizza pan. all of witc run on my eco river 600 with xboost power station..
Charged up by an 200 watt solar panel and an 200 watt wind turbine. I have set my boat up so do not needto plug in to mains power at all.
Seems to be working.
will be doing an vlog when i get the time. part time studying.
Gerard.
Have a merry and happy Christmas you all out there!
I have an Instant Pot- I don’t use it enough really- but in still in an apartment- it’s six quart that was a Christmas gift a couple of years ago. if I ever get on the road I’m going to have to figure out all the ins and outs of power.
Anyway- I make Ricotta Cheese which is phenomenal- and if I strain it more you can it’s like a farmers cheese, you can make yogurt, strain it for Greek yogurt, strain it more for Lebnah. Also makes a dozen hard boiled eggs that just slip out of the shell when you peel them.
One thing that is a little misleading about pressure cooking is the time thing. Yes, you cook something for 7 minutes but you also have to come up to pressure first and then let the pressure subside- so seven minutes can double- easily.
Still great to see someone using it on the road. I never even thought about just heating something up in it. Thanks!