OT: Instant Pot?

[Debinmi]

How do you know your IP isn't working as it should & needs to be replaced? I've had mine for 7+ years. We make yogurt, pulled pork, beef, chicken, bone broth, stews & soups with ours. It gets used 1-3 times a month.

I've made yogurt for over 40 years, and the IP let's me make a gallon at a time (condensed to 2 quarts of Greek yogurt - yum). I've never had a problem, until this week. It would not culture... I tried twice, checked the temp at the 2 critical times & used 2 different starter cultures - no yogurt, just hot milk. I'm now wondering if the IP was too hot during incubation. I plan on using the IP for chili this weekend & since it does heat, I don't expect an issue. But for yogurt ... I'm not sure I want to waste another gallon of milk. How do you know when your IP needs to be replaced?

Thanks for sharing your experience & ideas.

 

[Lannette]

How do you know your IP isn't working as it should & needs to be replaced? I've had mine for 7+ years. We make yogurt, pulled pork, beef, chicken, bone broth, stews & soups with ours. It gets used 1-3 times a month.

I've made yogurt for over 40 years, and the IP let's me make a gallon at a time (condensed to 2 quarts of Greek yogurt - yum). I've never had a problem, until this week. It would not culture... I tried twice, checked the temp at the 2 critical times & used 2 different starter cultures - no yogurt, just hot milk. I'm now wondering if the IP was too hot during incubation. I plan on using the IP for chili this weekend & since it does heat, I don't expect an issue. But for yogurt ... I'm not sure I want to waste another gallon of milk. How do you know when your IP needs to be replaced?

Thanks for sharing your experience & ideas.

We have two instant pots that see constant use. We also have one of the originals we keep as a backup and for holiday use. We make keto yogurt in ours. 16 jars at a time - so convenient!

I suggest that you run the water test. You can find a description HERE.

Does your IP have a yogurt setting? The only other thing I can think of would be to set it for yogurt and once it starts to count down cancel the yogurt and check the temperature of the water in the IP.

 

[Debinmi]

Thanks Lannette! I watched the water test video.

My IP does have a yogurt setting. (I make low-carb yogurt, usually incubating ~12 hours, overnight). I'm going to try the yogurt settings with water & check the temp during the incubation process. Hmmm. maybe I'll get a half-hallon or just a quart of good 'ol grocery milk to experiment with.

I pressure-cooked chicken in the IP today - no issues. I'm perplexed. I read the average lifespan of an IP is 3-5 years. If that's true, then mine has served me well! Even tho it works fine for pressure cooking, I really like that yogurt feature. I see some newer models also come with air-fryer top.

Thanks for the suggestions - you have me off & experimenting

 

[Lannette]

You’re welcome. I just checked. Our oldest IP is 11 years old and still works perfectly. It saw very hard use.

 

[Debinmi]

Good to know! I thought 3-5 years was on the low side.

 

[Lannette]

Ok, this is completely off topic but what brand of washer and dryer do you both have? We’re replacing ours and I’m polling everybody I know.

 

[Debinmi]

Kenmore from the out-of-business Sears. Can't recommend them, but wouldn't dissuade anyone from them either. They're OK, energy efficient, but nothing special. They were inexpensive and met our needs. The washer is 12 years old, the dryer 4.

 

[lisa_la_machina]

Ok, this is completely off topic but what brand of washer and dryer do you both have? We’re replacing ours and I’m polling everybody I know.

We have an LG washer (front load) and dryer from Costco. Our second set of LGs and they have served us well. We are a large family and run lots of loads of laundry.