Instant Pot ‎140-3031-01-UK Air Fryer - Review

The Instant Pot Air Fryer is a popular kitchen appliance that promises to deliver quick and easy air frying for homemade fried foods with less oil. This multi-use air fryer by Instant Pot aims to provide a healthy cooking alternative to deep frying, allowing you to enjoy crispy fries, chicken wings, and more with up to 95% less oil.

The Instant Pot Air Fryer uses rapid air circulation technology to surround food with hot air to produce a crispy, fried finish using little to no oil. With its digital touchscreen and 8 built-in smart programs, this air fryer is designed to be user-friendly while delivering consistent results.

In this review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the features, performance, ease of use, and other key factors to consider with the Instant Pot Air Fryer to help you determine if it’s the right air fryer for your kitchen.

Design

The Air Fryer Instant Pot 140-3031-01-UK has a sleek and modern design that will look great on any kitchen counter. It has a rounded rectangular shape with a black exterior and stainless steel front panel. The control panel is simple and intuitive with just a few buttons and a large LED display.

At 14.5 x 11.5 x 14.5 inches, it has a medium footprint that doesn't take up too much counter space. The black and stainless steel color scheme gives it an elegant, high-end look. The matte black finish resists fingerprints and smudges.

There is a transparent window on the front lid that allows you to view food while it's cooking without having to open the basket. The stainless steel basket has a non-stick coating for easy food release and cleanup. Overall, the design is visually appealing yet functional for an air fryer.

Features

The Air Fryer Instant Pot 140-3031-01-UK comes with a range of useful features that make it a versatile addition to any kitchen.

• The 7-in-1 functionality allows you to air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, dehydrate, and keep food warm. This replaces the need for multiple appliances like an oven or deep fryer.

• It has a 6 liter cooking capacity, which is large enough to cook meals for up to 6 people. The square shape maximizes cooking space.

• The touch screen control panel lets you easily select cooking presets and adjust time and temperature. It's very intuitive to use.

• It heats up to 204°C in just a few minutes for quick cooking without preheating. The rapid air technology circulates hot air around food for quick, crispy, golden finishes.

• The removable crisping tray and multi-level air fry basket allow you to cook ingredients on different levels for customized cooking.

• The integrated air frying lid has a cool touch handle and viewing window so you can monitor cooking progress.

• Other accessories include a rotisserie spit, rotisserie fetch tool, oven rack, drip pan, and protective pad. These provide even more cooking options.

• The non-stick and PFOA-free inner pot and accessories make cooking and clean-up very easy.

Performance

The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer performs very well at air frying, roasting, broiling, baking, reheating and dehydrating. It uses rapid 360 degree air circulation and convection heating to cook food quickly and evenly.

For air frying, it produces deliciously crispy results similar to deep frying but using little to no oil. French fries come out with a satisfying crunch on the outside and a fluffy interior. Chicken wings and drumsticks get beautifully browned and juicy. Even typically tricky foods like fish fillets and Brussels sprouts air fry up nicely.

The air fryer does an excellent job at roasting small portions of meat and vegetables. Whole chickens cook evenly and have moist meat and crisp skin. The convection baking feature makes cakes, cookies and other baked goods come out light and fluffy. Breads and pizzas bake up with a nice crusty exterior. It also reheats leftovers very well.

Dehydrating is simple and effective in the Vortex Plus. Fruits like apples and bananas dry quickly into healthy snacks. Herbs and jerky can be made with customized settings. Overall the air fryer delivers consistently delicious results across its various functions. The combination of powerful heating and rapid air circulation leads to fast, even cooking.

Ease of Use

The Air Fryer Instant Pot is extremely user-friendly and easy to operate, even for beginners. There is virtually no learning curve thanks to the simple touchscreen interface and preset programs.

To start cooking, you simply need to select the desired cooking function such as air fry, roast, bake, reheat, or dehydrate, adjust the temperature if needed, set the timer, and press start. The touchscreen clearly displays the cooking settings and countdown time remaining.

The built-in preset smart programs make cooking even easier by automatically setting the time and temperature for various foods like chicken, fries, vegetables, steak, shrimp, and more. You just choose the preset for the item you are cooking and the pressure cooker does the rest.

The appliance comes with a detailed user manual that provides guidance for getting started and using all the functions. But the intuitive interface is so straightforward that you likely won't need to reference the manual much after the first few uses. Everything is clearly labeled and simple to operate.

Cleaning up after use is also a breeze thanks to the nonstick cooking pot and dishwasher safe parts. Overall, the Air Fryer Instant Pot couldn't be much easier to use even for someone who has never used a multi-cooker appliance before. The learning curve is almost non-existent.

Cleaning

The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer is quick and easy to clean. The fryer basket and tray are dishwasher safe which makes cleanup a breeze. Simply remove the basket and tray and place them in the dishwasher after use.

If handwashing, hot soapy water is effective at removing any oil residue. A soft sponge can gently scrub the basket and tray clean. Avoid using abrasive scouring pads as they may damage the non-stick coating.

One handy feature is the inclusion of a storage lid. After cleaning, the lid can be placed on top of the fryer which helps contain odors and prevents dust from collecting inside when not in use.

The exterior of the fryer just needs a simple wipe down with a damp cloth to keep it looking clean. There are no tricky corners or crevices, so cleaning the overall unit is quick and straightforward.

One tip is to line the basket with parchment paper before cooking particularly messy foods like wings or fries. This protects the basket from greasy build up and makes cleanup much easier. The paper can simply be discarded after use.

Overall, the Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer is one of the easiest to clean air fryers thanks to the dishwasher safe parts and smooth, streamlined design. Just a few minutes of effort keeps the fryer looking like new.

Noise Level

The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer is reasonably quiet during operation. The fan and motor do produce some noise as hot air circulates to cook the food, but it's not overly loud or distracting.

On the low fan setting, there is just a gentle hum. On higher settings as the air circulation ramps up, the noise increases but is comparable to a countertop convection oven. It's louder than a microwave but quieter than many other air fryers which can sound like a jet engine when on high power.

The noise level ranges from around 55-65 decibels depending on the fan speed. This allows you to carry on a conversation and watch TV without cranking up the volume too much. The noise is contained within the unit so you won't hear much once you close the door and start cooking.

Some buyers are impressed with how quietly this model operates compared to other air fryers they've owned. The fan and motor have a smooth, relatively subtle sound signature. While not silent, the Instant Vortex Plus won't drown out your surroundings with excessive noise during use.

Safety Features

The Instant Vortex Plus Air Fryer has several important safety features to prevent accidents and damage.

• Auto Shut Off: This air fryer will automatically shut off after 12 hours of continuous operation. This prevents overheating and potential fires if you accidentally leave the machine running.

• Overheating Protection: There are built-in overheating sensors that will automatically turn the fryer off if the internal temperature gets too high. This prevents damage to the heating elements and potential fires.

• Cool Touch Exterior: The outside of the fryer remains cool to the touch even during operation. This prevents accidental burns if you touch the machine while cooking.

• Non-Slip Feet: The bottom of the fryer has rubberized feet to prevent slipping on countertops. This adds stability and reduces the risk of the appliance falling and causing injury.

Overall, Instant Pot designed this air fryer with multiple safeguards to provide peace of mind during use. The automatic shut off and overheating protection give an added layer of safety compared to traditional deep fryers.

Price

The Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer costs around £140, which puts it in the mid to upper price range for air fryers. However, given the brand reputation and popularity of Instant Pot products, many find it worthwhile paying a bit more for this model.

When considering value for money, the Vortex Plus has a lot going for it. With a 7 quart capacity, it's a good size for most families and can cook meals for 3-4 people. The rectangular shape means you get more internal cooking space than round air fryers. It also has 10 smart programs and the ability to roast, broil, bake, reheat and dehydrate. So you're essentially getting an air fryer, oven and dehydrator all in one appliance. This adds to the value proposition.

The build quality is excellent and it has a modern, sleek design in black or white that would suit most kitchens. Instant Pot is known for making appliances that last, so while the upfront cost is higher, you can expect this air fryer to provide many years of service.

Overall, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus represents very good value for money for a multi-functional air fryer with large capacity from a top brand like Instant Pot. The price may be out of reach for some budgets, but it's a worthwhile investment if you have the means.

Summary

The Instant Vortex Plus 7-in-1 Air Fryer is a versatile and convenient addition to any kitchen. It combines 7 appliances - air fryer, roast, broil, dehydrate, bake, reheat and grill - into one compact device.

Some key pros of this air fryer are:

• Produces crispy and delicious air fried foods using little to no oil
• Large 6 liter capacity fits a whole chicken or large batches of fries
• Easy to use presets for air frying, roasting, baking etc
• Simple touchscreen controls and display
• Dishwasher safe removable parts for easy cleaning
• Compact size great for small kitchens

A couple potential drawbacks to consider:

• High price point compared to basic air fryers
• Exterior can get hot during cooking
• No internal light to view cooking progress

Overall, the Instant Vortex Plus is a high-performing air fryer packed with features that make cooking quick and convenient. Its versatility and large capacity justify the higher price for most users. It's a great choice for anyone looking to replace several appliances with one multi-cooker.