How Long Do Instant Pots Last?

When it comes to small kitchen appliances, the Instant Pot has taken the world by storm, so much so that it has even created a cult-like following. Now while the buzz around this counter-top appliance never seems to die down, the real question that many are asking is how long do Instant Pots last for? After all, no one wants to invest into an extremely popular product, only to have it malfunction a month or two later.

So, how long do Instant Pots last according to the official manufacturer? At least a couple of years. Normally, an Instant Pot will have no problem lasting for five years (or more) if you take good care of it.

Combing through the official website isn’t going to offer an exact number beyond that it is good for 100,0000 uses, but what we do know is that it comes with a one-year warranty, so it will minimally last for one year.

Plus, the parts that you can buy for your Instant Pot on the official website are designed to be replaced every few years, ensuring that you are more likely to get at least two to five years out of your Instant Pot.

What Do The People Say About Longevity?

While some individuals say that their pressure cookers died after just a few uses and others never even got the chance to use theirs, the overall consensus is that they should last up to five years of regular use. The trick is to make sure that you are replacing the parts as you need them.

Reading reviews is a double-edged sword as the negative ones always end up getting the most attention. One bad review outweighs 9 good ones, I know, I’ve been browsing for products too – looking for a flawless product with only positive reviews.

I decided to get in contact with people I know who own Instant Pots.

Both on and -offline, I found that most people are pleased with the purchase of their Instant Pot. Yes, some had only used their unit for a couple of cooking cycles before it started malfunctioning, however, they were a minority (less than 3%) and as soon as they got in contact with customer support, their unit was replaced with a brand new one.

Many reported that they had used their Instant Pot for more than five years and only spent about 10$ on replacing the sealing ring.

Others had used their Instant Pot 2-4 times a week for two years with only minor problems that they could fix themselves.

Most of the problems that they had faced with their Instant Pots were caused by not following instructions and guidelines for the cooker.

Has the Company Recalled Any Products?

The only model that has been recalled by the company because it was considered a fire hazard, is the Gem 65 8-in-1 and these batch codes: 1728, 1730, 1731, 1734 and 1746. That’s one of the companies 14 different models The recall was ordered back in 2018.

Are Instant Pots High-Quality Products?

Yes, Instant Pots are considered a high-quality product simply because of the materials used in its manufacturing process. Every Instant Pot uses stainless steel for its construction that comes with a high-grade inner stainless steel pot and a 3-ply bottom.

The inner pot, where you do all of your cooking, has no chemical coatings on it and the Instant Pot itself comes with numerous safety features built into the design. This ensures that any pressure related functions are prevented.

The safety mechanisms that make the Instant Pot a high-quality item include

In so long as you follow the directions, all of these safety features will protect you during the cooking process while delivering excellent results.

Can Instant Pot Parts Be Replaced?

If you have had the unfortunate luck of damaging a part of your Instant Pot or have used it so much that you have worn out a specific piece, you can choose to replace the individual part in question.

Now, just like any other appliance, replacing smaller parts of the Instant Pot are going to be more affordable than others like the condensation collectors, the steam release handles, the detachable power cords, and the float valves. However, when it comes to replacing larger portions of the Instant Pot like the base, lids, and inner pot portion, the price is going to go up significantly.  

Here is a list of the parts that can be replaced through the official Instant Pot website.

• The sealing ring, which will need to be replaced every few years, is the most fragile part of the entire pot as it can easily be worn down or damaged.

• You can replace the inner stainless steel pot, however, this was designed to survive damage so it is unlikely that you will have to unless you lose it.

• You can replace the base and the lid. Both of these are pricier to replace but do end up saving you money versus just buying a whole new Instant Pot. Keep in mind though, that if you damage or lose the lid or base and you are still on the one-year warranty, you cannot get them replaced for free. The only way that you can get these replaced for free through the warranty is if they are faulty.

• You can also replace the float valves, the detachable power cord, the condensation collectors, and the steam release handles.

In terms of a price range for these types of parts, you are looking at anywhere between $10-100 with the lids and bases running at the high-end of the range. Generally, it is cheaper to buy replacement parts if one of the smaller items is damaged, worn down, or lost.

What Can I Do to Make My Instant Pot Last Longer?

• Clean out the stick food particles that get stuck in it after cooking. You can either manually clean out the pressure cooker with warm, soapy water, or you can use a few drops of white vinegar and bring it to a boil.

• Make sure to keep your float valves clean!  If you don’t, you could wear them down faster or cause them to leak.

• Do not use your Instant Pot to fry food. Not only is this dangerous but it will wear out your Instant Pot very quickly.

• Store your Instant Pot only after it has completely dried out. Store it in a clean, dry environment. Consider sprinkling a little baking soda in the inside to discourage bacteria.

• Always store your Instant Pot with the sealing ring inside the lid.

• Do a detailed maintenance inspection every three to six months to make sure all parts are in working harder.

Do Instant Pots Save Money?

Regardless of which way you approach this question, the answer is a resounding yes.

• They can help you stop eating out: While take-out menus are tempting because they provide delicious, quick, meals without any of the cooking work, they can also be expensive when you are routinely using them.

• They do not use a lot of electricity: The Instant Pot doesn’t use up a lot of electricity because it doesn’t require a lot of heat due to the lack of water needed to cook versus traditional methods. Here is how it cuts energy consumption:
  • The Instant Pot is insulated, meaning it doesn’t lose very much energy.
  • It uses less water than traditional methods, requiring less energy to run.
  • The Instant Pot has an internal temperature monitor that can stop continuously adding heat when the right cooking temperature has been reached.
  • It cooks food faster than other appliances, needing less energy to get the job done.

• They reduce household energy consumption: Due to the fact that the Instant Pot doesn’t give off very much heat because of its insulated structure, you don’t need to turn on the air conditioning in the summertime to counteract it. Your kitchen stays nice and cool while it heats up and cooks your food.

• You are able to cook from scratch and reduce your grocery bill: Cooking from scratch will always save you money and when you combine this with the fact that you can buy in bulk and freeze your food, it makes for amazing savings.

• You can buy cheaper cuts of meat: When cooking on the stove or in the oven, you may forego getting tougher cuts of meat because they never come out tender and juicy. This is not a problem with the Instant Pot, which allows you to purchase these cheaper cuts of meat and still make delicious meals like beef stew and chuck roasts.

• Leftovers: Depending on how large your Instant Pot is, you can simply make extra during dinner or lunchtime and refrigerate the leftovers for the next day. Not only does this stop you from eating out but it helps you eat all of your food in your pantry.

Conclusion: How Long Do Instant Pots Last?

Buying an Instant Pot will save time, money, and provide a wide variety of delicious meals with very little effort. Even when used 3-5 times a week, the Instant Pot should be good for at least a couple of years, and even longer if taken care of properly.

Cleaning and replacing parts when needed is important, not only for the Instant Pot’s lifespan but also to ensure that the Pot works properly and safely.

I’ve owned and used my Instant Pot for a long, long time now and I wouldn’t hesitate a second before purchasing a new one if mine stopped working. The Instant Pot has been a valuable appliance for me, and I’ve had no problems when talking to customer support, everything I’ve asked for has been solved smoothly.

Besides, if my all-time favorite stops working, I won’t have to spend a fortune on a new one as they are quite cheap on Amazon.

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