Instant Pot Gourmet Pro 6 Quart Electric Multi-Cooker

The Instant Pot Gourmet Pro is a 6 quart next generation multi-cooker designed to make meal times quicker and easier with it’s 10-in-1 functions. You can make meals for up to six people with the Gourmet Pro. It also includes new features and accessories that offer convenience in the kitchen. The model I’m reviewing in this post is black & sleek and a Costco exclusive that can also be found at other retailers.

More on that shortly, but first…

WHY INSTANT POT?

I’ve been wanting an Instant Pot for a really, really long time because Instant Pot (IP) is the original multi-cooker trusted and known to be a family’s best friend in the kitchen. When it comes to multi-cookers, brand matters and you want to make sure you’re choosing a trusted brand that will last and work as they should.

Let’s take a look at some of the functions and features the Gourmet Pro offers.

FUNCTIONS & FEATURES

With the Instant Pot Gourmet Pro, you can:

• Cook from frozen
• Quietly pressure cook
• Saute and pressure in 1 pot in minutes vs hours
• Slow cook
• Sous vide
• Sterilize 
• Make yogurt
• Warm food
• Bake a cake
• Steam 
• Use the pot on a stovetop 
• Simplify your kitchen appliances
• Set your faves for quicker start times

I was sold when I realized it makes meals faster because as a working mom of two, I don’t have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen. I struggle with forgetting to thaw things in time which adds stress when I’m trying to make dinner for the fam at the end of a workday.

Honestly, I use my Instant Pot on a weekly basis and it truly was a really good purchase. Before I share different ways I’ve used my IP and how to choose the right IP for you, there are some other features that need their moment to shine.

Other features & accessories include:

• Automatic smart features (saves your previous cooking settings)
• 28 pre-set cooking programs
• Stainless steel pot
• An extra sealing ring
• Stainless-steel steamer rack with handles
• French display card
• Limited IP warranty
• Costco guarantee 

With all these features I mentioned, The Instant Pot is sure to be helpful for whatever your needs are in the kitchen. 

So, how do you choose the right one when there’s so many models available for purchase?

CHOOSING THE RIGHT INSTANT POT

Before deciding which model to get, I couldn’t decide which size would be best for a family of four AND what price was right for an item like this. I watched so many IP reviews before adding it to my buy list. Plus the prices I’ve seen range from around $100-$200 which makes it even harder to decide.

I was so confident that Costco would have one of the latest models for the best price and I knew that’s what I wanted. Eventually, I was right!

📍 Check out one of my latest shops that featured this IP which I immediately added to my basket and started to test it out at home.

Here’s the thing, Costco stopped carrying the older models that were once on the shelves in the warehouse. In fact, for over a year they were pulled from the shelves indefinitely. 

COSTCO INSIDER EXCLUSIVE

When products are pulled from the shelves it usually means there isn’t a high demand for those types of products. In order for Costco’s purchasing team to buy products in bulk, they have to be confident their consumers are going to find value from the product and that the product will sell well on the shelves. 

The last thing Costco wants is to have to markdown a product that doesn’t perform or have it sit on the shelves with low sales for months. Obviously, that’s bad business and Costco is trying to avoid that.

Fast forward to November 2022, Costco finally welcomed the Gourmet Pro in the warehouse and gave it priority placement at the entryway. That says a lot about their relationship with Instant Brands (the parent company for Instant Pot).

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

When I saw the Instant Pot, I looked at the price and my first thought was… “Wow $169.99 is kinda pricey!” So, I went on Amazon to check if it was available for a better price. To my surprise, it was retailing for $223.48. I then compared the price at Walmart which was $179.99 and it doesn’t come with accessories and I wouldn’t get any rewards back from buying at Walmart vs Costco. 

I was worried that if something went wrong, other retailers would give me a hard time to get my money back. I also wanted to have the freedom to use Costco’s return policy without the hassle or possibility of being stuck with an appliance that doesn’t work after only a month or so. In the end, Costco definitely won for best value and best return policy! 

I call that happy shopping!

After one week of being on the shelves at Costco, the Instant Pot  went on sale for $99.99 making it a hot item for holiday gifting and officially blowing the competitors out of the water. This is a great price! I made sure to go in Costco and get a price adjustment ensuring I got the best deal possible! Plus, I’d have a little FOMO if I missed out on this amazing price. 

USING THE INSTANT POT

Now that I purchased my IP and checked out the reviews I’m ready to use it with some ingredients and recipes I have on hand. I’ve had my IP for over a month now and I’ve used it to make several things including:

1. Beef pot roast
2. Oxtail
3. Basmati rice
4. Soup
5. Saute veggies

📍 For my beef pot roast, I was able to have that ready in the IP in 1 hour vs 8 in my slow cooker. I filmed a cook with me for that recipe, check it out here.

I noticed that not only was my pot roast done in record timing, the process was so quiet that I wasn’t sure if I even turned on the Instant Pot. That was a game changer for me because I’m used to the old-fashioned noisy pressure cookers that honestly give me so much anxiety. I’ve always been scared to burn myself with the steam when the pressure is released.

I’m happy to report I didn’t have that fear when using it to make my pot roast!

After making my pot roast, I wanted to test how well it pressure cooked one of the Jamaican dishes I make that rely on my pressure cooker. Of course, the IP did an amazing job with my oxtail recipe and after that test I donated my old pressure cooker because it just would never compare to the Instant Pot and I didnt need a pot that I won’t use. 

KITCHEN DECLUTTER TIP

I try to let go of appliances whenever I find one that takes it’s place to avoid clutter in the kitchen. This is one of the perks to having a small kitchen, you only have space for what you use and need. 

When I was researching Instant Pot reviews, I noticed it was well known for making rice in minutes. So, I put that to the test too with some basmati rice. In the end, I had perfectly cooked rice in 6mins.

INSTANT POT RICE

To make Instant Pot rice in 6 mins, it’s really easy. For a family of 4, measure and rinse 2 cups fo rice. Then follow these simple instructions. 

• Add rinsed rice to IP
• Add 3 cups of water for 2 cups of rice
• Add 1 teaspoon of oil
• Mix & cover
• Set IP to rice on HIGH heat
• Set timing for 6 mins
• Press start 

When the rice is done, release the pressure so the rice doesn’t overcook and get mushy with the natural release. Fluff with a fork and then serve. You’ll notice the rice will not burn and there will be less waste when making rice this way. You’ll see my beef-fried rice recipe later this month which features my IP rice.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Since having my Instant Pot, I’ve gained back control in my kitchen. I no longer stress about having frozen items that won’t be thawed in time for dinner. I no longer rely on my prepping slow cooker meals the day before to ensure I have enough time to cook the next day. 

After testing this IP with soup and sauteed veggies I can confidently say this truly is a game changer in the kitchen and can easily eliminate the need for many pots. You can do so much in just this one pot! 

In my opinion, every Canadian family needs to have an Instant Pot in their kitchen. The bottom line is, your future self will thank you and you’re definitely going to put this to use.

INSTANT POT PROS AND CONS

If you’re still undecided about whether or not the Instant Pot is right for you, consider some of these pros and cons. 

Stay tuned for more reviews like this one. Looking for more Costco shopping? Head over to my YouTube channel where I share the latest deals available at Costco Canada weekly plus my hauls featured some must-buy finds. If you love recipes check out the recipe section here on the blog for more family approved meals you’ll love.

Happy shopping!