The Best and Worst Way To Use Your Instant Pot | Joe vs. The Test Kitchen

Professional Test Cook Joe Gitter has worked on over 20 cookbooks and performed hundreds of recipe tests. Joe vs. The Test kitchen is an inside look into the mistakes and wins from the recipe testing process, showing the right and wrong ways to cook amazing food. In this episode he breaks down how to properly use a multicooker and makes braised short ribs.
Get our recipe for Multicooker Braised Short Ribs with Fennel and Pickled Grapes: cooks.io/40ynzUI
Buy our Multicooker Perfection Cookbook: cooks.io/47n0W7N
Buy our winning Instant Pot: cooks.io/45LfCwD
Buy our winning tongs: cooks.io/3Bx35Rt
Buy our winning chefs knife: cooks.io/3WZ7Kof
Buy our winning strainer: cooks.io/3QzaDZM
Buy our winning fat separator: cooks.io/3spPvxc
Follow Joe on Instagram: / gitsini
ABOUT US: The mission of America’s Test Kitchen (ATK) is to empower and inspire confidence, community, and creativity in the kitchen. Founded in 1992, the company is the leading multimedia cooking resource serving millions of fans with TV shows (America’s Test Kitchen, Cook's Country, and America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation), magazines (Cook’s Illustrated and Cook’s Country), cookbooks, a podcast (Proof), FAST channels, short-form video series, and the ATK All-Access subscription for digital content. Based in a state-of-the-art 15,000-square-foot test kitchen in Boston’s Seaport District, ATK has earned the trust of home cooks and culinary experts alike thanks to its one-of-a-kind processes and best-in-class techniques. Fifty full-time (admittedly very meticulous) test cooks, editors, and product testers spend their days tweaking every variable to find the very best recipes, equipment, ingredients, and techniques. Learn more at www.americastestkitchen.com/.
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[@CallahanDaniel]

Joe is a total natural on camera, can’t wait for more of these.

[@stephaniebriggs9346]

Right?!

[@FunAtDisney]

I agree! I enjoyed the presentation of this recipe as much as the recipe itself!

[@richardpfefier1171]

Agreed, would enjoy seeing more of Joe

[@jeffreywhitaker5154]

3214664% AGREED!!👍🏾👍🏾💪🏾🙏🏾

[@YiorgosT]

wait isn't this the guy that never talks in the Dan science segments?! he's so good on camera!! more Joe please!

[@user-yi2xb6bz1m]

Super entertaining. Not only is it a great lesson on braising fundamentals, but it's also an excellent introduction for anyone wondering if the InstantPot is right for them. (It is.)

[@craigdowski8043]

Joe certainly is a natural on-camera. I'm surprised he isn't one of the regular on-camera ATK test cooks like Keith Dresser and Dan Souza.

[@webster695]

I love my pressure cooker. It allows me to make all kinds of meals in a manageable amount of time, and I agree that the newer versions are much better than the first few iterations. I upgraded a couple of years ago, and the difference is stark!

[@josephgitter]

I was so surprised at the improvements!

[@wannabe41]

That’s good to know. My current electric pressure cooker is working fine, but I’m tempted to upgrade.

[@webster695]

@@wannabe41 my old one was working okay, but it was like the second generation of the electronic pressure cookers, and I really wanted some of the newer features. Totally worth the upgrade! And I passed the old one on to someone in my Buy Nothing group who wanted to try one to see. There were several people interested when I posted it, so I was happy it would get use.

[@Western_ENT]

Which new version? And improvements on what specifically, could you elaborate?

[@annacuevas9112]

We want more recipes for instapot like this from joe! :)

[@user-cq1tn7ue3x]

The ice trick for depressurization is so cool!! Thanks, joe! Can’t wait for more vids

[@user-nf4xy9ki9u]

Fantastic video! Joe is a terrific cook and delightfully engaging presence onscreen. Really does make me want to dig my Instapot out of the back of the pantry and start using it again. Thanks, Joe and ATC!

[@maryreoneill5166]

Joe knocked it out of the park! He should be a regular because he’s so well spoken and funny!

[@josephgitter]

Thanks Mary!

[@ChrisHow]

Nobody in the world, repeat _nobody_ says "ghasket"

[@ThatsTheCombinationOnMyLudgage]

I’d love more recipes like this with the instapot and others as well. Like coq au vin, chicken in white white sauce, turkey chili, etc. As a working dad that does all the cooking life is hectic. I have to cook for four after a busy day at work it’s nice to be able to get a good healthy dinner on the table in under an hour that tastes great.

[@josephgitter]

Thanks for the idea! I love the IP for getting food out for the family on a work night.

[@SpiritOfTheHeretic]

@10:48 and @14:16 this is not because of the high temperature alone. The boiling point is reduced from the depressurization. With the high temperatures inside, this is flashing the water to steam inside the meat, which will cause the meat to expand to some extent, and then contract when it gets back to atmospheric pressure. So it's not only drying it out, but it is physically mangling the meat fibers.

[@Nocturne22]

Literally nobody asked.

[@jvallas]

@@Nocturne22That doesn't stop other people. What's wrong with sharing knowledge?

[@harblz57]

​@@Nocturne22Stop being a boor.

[@DebaucherySin]

​@@Nocturne22You literally sound like you enjoy being igniri

[@jeffreywhitaker5154]

@@Nocturne22😂😂😂

[@ashleywmoore]

Love this new series!!! Joe is so fun to watch and full of knowledge!

[@morganbolling5869]

Love this! Could listen to Joe talk all day! Really fun video.

[@katieleaird]

I could watch Joe cook ALL DAY!!!! What a delight!

[@user-rm6rr5sc8n]

My goodness - this video just made me want to buy an instant pot and make that recipe!! So clear so engaging so relatable… I will definitely need more videos recipes from Joe to hone my instant pot skills - please!

[@simonsavelyev7399]

So excited for this series! Joe is such a great teacher

[@saramayer6128]

Joe is a fantastic teacher! can't wait to learn more from him

[@magdalenabresson8308]

Joe is such a great teacher! Can't wait to see more of his recipes!

[@erinmcmurrer8509]

Love this! Super educational and comprehensive. Joe is a natural and in his element. More Joe please !!

[@paulasimson4939]

More Joe! This guy is amazing!!! Seriously, he's such a natural on camera. Get him on TV as well.

[@josephgitter]

Thank you! Look out for season 24 of ATKTV - I'm super excited for it!

[@katherinemiddleton2237]

Great video! Would love to see some chicken thigh and drumsticks recipes. Also a classic beef pot roast. I love my multicooker for making chicken broth, but would like to learn more recipes! Thank you for this

[@user-yn3df1yn1j]

Fascinating! I learned a lot. Looks delicious… want to see more Joe videos please!!!

[@user-lv3sp7bi9v]

This looks amazing and Joe is so fun to watch. Looking forward to seeing more of these videos!

[@lindauhley3221]

This lesson is so helpful. I've been too intimidated to use my Instant Pot, but seeing how to use it gives me confidence.

[@josephgitter]

I really hope you do it - you can get such great results in a short time. Thanks for commenting!

[@kimberleeluce7236]

Who knew? Love this inaugural episode and love Joe! We might have to dust off our Instapot and enjoy some short ribs tonight.

[@phil4208]

Fantastic tutorial, time to unpack my instapot

[@lindacoffin5110]

Worth watching twice!

[@JohnCipriano-nl8cp]

This is a new one for me, I have no choice but to make it, It looks SOO GOOD

[@nicolasmith1460]

The best video on multi cookers. Thanks

[@Leguminator]

Love this man! I still re-watch his video on how to steam hard cooked eggs from 5 or so years ago. More Joe, please

[@AmericaCirclingTheDrain]

I need to be watching these vids with a bib. The drooling reflex is STRONG!

[@CCHavens]

This video was super fun and so informative. Fond! I learned a new word. I love Joe’s engaging entertaining style. He makes me want to be more passionate about my food preparation and now I’m feeling more confident about tackling pressure cooking.

[@josephgitter]

Thanks Carol!

[@erikfreitas7045]

Joe is the man! This video is so good! Gotta try this recipe

[@richardg8651]

I'm enjoying your YT videos even more then the PBS TV shows . Very well done. I will probably continue to make this dish in a Dutch oven .

[@engineerncook6138]

Great video. Joe is a natural on camera, bring him back soon.

[@mjr8550]

Love this. More of Joe, please!

[@user-nn5gn9xc2o]

Really informative and very well presented - I can follow this! - can’t wait to try it, thanks Joe 👏

[@josephgitter]

Most welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@johnburger1320]

Another great demo by Joe. I really appreciate that he is constantly providing information, not just describing his actions. He has just upped my Instant Pot cooking ten-fold. Believe it or not, my best use for the IP is hard boiled eggs. Perfectly cooked with shells that come off super easy. Sometimes in just 2 pieces.

[@josephgitter]

It's so satisfying when that happens. Thanks for watching!

[@LMG-sg6vf]

Really enjoying this series!

[@benpuss]

Some excellent information here… thank you! 🎉

[@ohwowoh7281]

Love this guy!

[@lindac7146]

Looks delicious. Wonderful lesson.

[@LarryPeterson-cn1nh]

I don’t enjoy cooking but I really enjoyed watching Joe cook. He’s a natural.

[@Drew-C-]

Great video. Your volume is quieter than most videos I've watched on KZbin. It was almost hard to hear you with non-ear-covering headphones (also not noise cancelling) with moderate background noise. Most KZbin videos would be easier to hear. Don't need it to be blasting, just a tiny bit louder. Just a suggestion for people who are hard of hearing.

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

I have an older instant pot, but ill try this by braising in cast iron then transferring. Mine doesn't have the quick cool ability, but the finished product looks worth the wait.

[@marywatkins5089]

Love the ice trick. And the white board in the test kitchen. Nicely done.

[@drothberg3]

Great info. Another use that I’m interested in is pressure cooking beans.

[@Cathy-xi8cb]

Terrific! Please do more of these kinds of videos!!

[@alimac398]

Immediately wanted to make this dish! Thanks Joe!

[@jimchallender4616]

One more killer video - Kudos! New Cook is excellent - the Excellent ATK Crew is growing!!

[@alyssaburke5186]

Great video!

[@katetrabue]

More Joe! Love the braising instructions.

[@thereaper1112]

Really enjoyed this video. Joe is passionate about his cooking and will have to try this recipe. Enjoyed his humor

[@RefuseBunny]

This is fantastic! Great work from Joe, as always.

[@gitsini]

Thank you!

[@andrewharrisonway110]

YES PLEASE give me more Joe on my screen, sleeper GOAT of the test kitchen

[@alannaarmsby8796]

Lovely recipe Joe. I am going to try it in my sear and serve slow cooker. Will look for more recipes

[@KC-zo4sx]

I have the Emeril Lagasse pressure cooker recommended by ATK years ago and love it! Joe vs the test kitchen is so enjoyable! More please 🎉

[@user-ro2cd8eo6u]

Hi Joe, great presentation, never used an instant pot before but I am now tempted, the food looked so delicious.

[@gitsini]

Thanks so much!

[@monas.6839]

I love everyone at ATK, but there’s something about Joe that not only makes me want to immediately run to my kitchen and cook something, I also have a sudden urge to purchase a third Instant Pot. 😊

[@cshubs]

Omg, I was just making a shopping list -- and short ribs are on it, so this vid is perfectly timed.

[@kevinpang7509]

Joe Gitter: National Treasure

[@DC-gy3wj]

First time I have watched Joe. He is great!!

[@GrandmamaCherylyn]

We need more of Joe

[@nicolehalligan9024]

Joe! You're fantastic! Hope to see more of you and these delicious looking multi cooker recipes!

[@josephgitter]

Thank you so much!

[@rickagerstmann6040]

For some strange reason, after years of using a multi-cooker, I didn't know the ice trick. Fun video, but worth watching for that alone.

[@patriciabulleigh3382]

I would love see more multicooker recipes and uses. Like could you do the pepper roast in it? As the cooker says it can bake.

[@carolinebarry7999]

Joe is so fun to watch!!

[@user-lu9wo3jo3j]

Joe you’re a fantastic cook and communicator!

[@nicoalb72]

Joe!!! Where have you been my whole life????

[@roberttaylor9259]

I missed Joe. I specifically looked for him 2 weeks ago wondering if he still worked there.

[@nadtz]

A friend got me an instant pot a couple of years ago, I was kind of wary at first but I learned to love the set it and forget it nature of making things like broth and it's become something I use weekly. Didn't realize they had upgraded the interior with the newer ones, might have to look into upgrading.

[@lungsfullofwater]

we need more of him!

[@twenty4941]

I love the final comparison to a version of the dish where all ingredients were dumped and cooked without browning, deglaze, natural release, etc. I often wonder when reading/viewing a recipe if various steps make much difference in the end. Here we have a valuable comparison to indicate that there is value in those steps.

[@cynthiasivak5689]

Thanks for all these tips for using our multi cookers!

[@AdamNoya]

I'm hearing that drum and bass between segments.

[@boricua_in_wa]

Nice to see Joe again!

[@gitsini]

😃

[@julianvega2677]

Wow, I really learned a about the science and techniques of using the instant pot. Great presentation! I would love to see more about cooking different foods types of foods recipes and techniques in the instant pot as well as other appliances.

[@evasilvalayton758]

Joe is fantastic ❤

[@SchwarbageTruck]

Glad to see Joe finally getting some screen time. Guy's a natural. Plus, I always feel bad seeing Dan just dumping some sort of viscous liquid on him for some reason.

[@gitsini]

Thank you, it's been a tough ride...😉

[@Joe_Montfort]

I don't have an Instant Pot or pressure cooker, but I still enjoyed watching this. 🙂 (I do love beef short ribs.)

[@bettymahoney8371]

Thank you for sharing 😊

[@gitsini]

Thank you for watching!

[@0111vramj]

Just cooked my entire at Patrick's Day meal in my instant pot yesterday! Meat first... 1 hour, instead of several and the 10 lbs of corned beef was perfect! Potatoes and carrots next in the juice... Cooked to perfection in less than 10 minutes! Cabbage last for 1 minute on low pressure and it was falling apart! The steam from the last cook was pretty much enough. All that and I didn't have to turn on my HOT oven at all!

[@rokonsha]

MORE JOE AND INSTAPOT PLEASE!!!❤

[@allisongorham7389]

Ok..that ice trick is pretty amazing…I have NEVER seen/heard that before!

[@deeannhansen1469]

Great tutorial!! Wish there was smell-a-vision!! Need to try fennel!!!

[@janetpope8495]

OMG! So good. I made this using a cut-up pot roast. I'm 70+ and have never tried Fennel. Love intant pro and the recipe sooo excellent! Thank you.

[@josephgitter]

That's awesome!

[@cindyw4278]

I love making soups in my insta pot.

[@emkn1479]

Really glad to know about the ice trick! We use our Instant Pot regularly, for various things. My husband enjoys experimenting with smoking meats, but it doesn’t always go well 😬. If they don’t come out quite right, they often go into the instant pot and he repurposes…nothing wasted here. Gotta try this one for sure.

[@josephgitter]

That's great, I love how there's always something to do with culinary misadventures.

[@Nocturne22]

Joe's come a long way from being silently submerged in a vat of cornstarch goo.

[@gitsini]

it's been a long and quiet journey.

[@jean-francoisdaignault9612]

That drawer microwave?!? OMG I’m so jealous. Also Joe rocks.

[@AdamNoya]

I love this

[@jeffreywhitaker5154]

I know this is too overkill, BUT, I just do my browning and veggies in my cast iron skillet THEN I put it all in the instant pot because of the dreaded BURN signal.

[@burtmurry1690]

It’s 7 in the morning and I’ve already had breakfast, but you just made me hungry again. I know what I’m having for dinner tonight 🤤

[@devadjaafar2904]

I never reach for the multicooker, but I would try this recipe in a heartbeat!

[@PeppaSauceQn]

Loving this series with Joe. Unfortunately my instant pot does not have that removable cover. 😢

[@joesmith7427]

Beef has never been so tender!! Chuck roast is wonderful, add some "better than bullion" to it and gravy!! It makes a great stew!!

[@NicoleElissaLoveCoach]

I hollered from the preview

[@f18a]

Great video and recipe. Some useful tips for the Insta too. But I would THICKEN that jus! Perhaps it's just the midwest American in me, but it seems a waste to let it run right to the bottom of the plate.

[@judithflynn4479]

I love Joe!!!

[@gitsini]

I love you! xxxx

[@frankunderbush]

From the title I thought Joe had to physically duel the rest of ATK. Disappointed. Delicious food though.

[@gitsini]

I know, I know. It was sad they were too scared.