This was an interesting experience, given that our french-fry test required more time than the package directions at the recommended temperature. While the jerky’s flavor varies depending on the marinade you use, my top round jerky came out as good as what you can buy in stores and in under 4 hours. Dehydrating is easy to do, even for a first-timer following an online recipe. The crisper plate’s airflow slots trapped debris and needed a firmer scrub. Fortunately, a wash cycle in the dishwasher got the job done, and it only takes up the space of a dinner plate. The rest of the lineup is great, but you just might not care about fancy features such as OdorErase, ClearCook or the progress bar.
The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in 1 Air Fryer with ClearCook and OdorErase comes in a medium-size box that’s well-packed to keep your air fryer safe as it ships. The packaging was not too sustainable, with styrofoam layers at the top and bottom of the fryer that cannot be recycled. The pre-sets are tailored with optimum temperature and time settings – the Bake setting is set at 165°C for 8 mins, for example, while the grill feature is set to 205°C for six minutes.
We’re big fans of the Instant Pot company for its popular line of electric pressure cookers, so our expectations for its air fryer were admittedly high. This multipurpose appliance nonetheless managed to exceed them. It combines the features of a standard air fryer with the functionality instant vortex of a countertop oven, plus a rotating rotisserie. Even better, this air fryer is dishwasher-safe, so you can wash the basket and tray without having to scrub them down by hand. Plus, it’s versatile enough to roast, broil, and reheat with the touch of a button, making dinnertime a breeze.
It weighs around 12 pounds – making it not too heavy to move easily but heavy enough that it’s definitely not going anywhere if you nudge it. This thing may be one of the most expensive air fryer/toaster/countertop ovens out there, but it really can replace all three, which might make the price worth it. It’s even available in seven different colors to match your kitchen decor. Brussels sprouts were tough, fries were soft, and potatoes didn’t brown after cooking in the time and temperature recommended by the Instant Brands app. With almost every recipe I tried—while results worked well for the single-basket Vortex—we had to increase the cooking time in this machine. We didn’t even have to read the manual to learn how to navigate between cooking mode, time, and temperature settings.
There’s still more than enough in here to make the appliance feel high-tech and well considered. Join the Instant Pot UK Community – Share tips, tricks, recipes and more with this active group of over 35,000 Instant Pot users. We think it’s reasonably priced for a premium design with excellent performance.
We really enjoyed using the digital control dial that enabled us to easily experiment with precise temperatures and timings. We also appreciated the simplicity of its design and attractive finish. All of these are just a guideline, however, and can easily be adjusted with a simple turn of the dial. The temperature goes up in 1°C increments too, which is a useful feature if you’re after a specific finish.
Consumer Reports has full test results for the and dozens of other air fryers. The Instant Vortex sounds like three microwaves running all at once, as opposed to the more subtle fridgelike hum of other air fryers we’ve tried. All in all, I have very few complaints about the performance of the Instant Vortex Slim. It’s quiet, averaging just 50dB on my decibel reader (which is comparable to a refrigerator hum, and far quieter than my particularly raucous extractor fan). Plus, it cooks food perfectly every time, offering the right balance of features to make your cooking experience as low-maintenance as possible.
Unlike most pod-style air fryers, you don’t have to open the basket and let heat escape to check if your food is done. On the Instant Vortex Plus, you can just press the light button and look through the window. It combines the visibility of a toaster oven with the efficiency of a pod air fryer. To test the Instant Vortex, I considered factors like portability, versatility, and overall performance. To judge portability, I first assessed the size and weight of the air fryer and the length of the cord (a longer cord will give you more options for where to put a countertop appliance). I looked at how simple and straightforward the machine is to assemble without instructions, and also considered how easy the control panel was to read and use.
With its precise temperature dial, useful reminders and convenient viewing window, we think the Instant Vortex Plus is great value. We used strong flavours when marinating the chicken tenders in garlic, onion and paprika, and could have benefitted from this feature. When it comes to cleaning, we were able to wash the basket with warm soapy water and wipe down the exterior. We buffed it with a dry microfibre cloth to ensure the shiny stainless-steel, black and ClearCook window exterior remained smudge-free. We started off prepping the broccoli and cauliflower by seasoning them with olive oil and sea salt and placed them straight into the deep 5.7 litre drawer.