5 Best Instant Pots For College Students – Surviving College Without A Sweat

Editor choice of best Instant Pot For College Student

Being in college is not as easy as you know it to be. You got to learn to live by yourself and get along with everyone. College life is hard at the start, and surviving to finish schooling is a great feat. In terms of living, you are always tight on the budget and often resort to buying food at fast-food restaurants without minding if it is healthy or not. But, the reality is that there’s one device that can help you with your busy schedule and surely can provide you with home-cooked food inside your dorm. And that is an Instant Pot!

An Instant Pot is a portable multi-cooker device that can be used to cook home-cooked food without making much effort. This will help you in your schooling. Such a device will help you with your busy schedule while preparing for days ahead of going to classes. Certainly, it will give you a hand in your college dorm life. This article will discuss the best Instant Pots for college students that you may choose to be your school buddy. Choose wisely!

Should I get an instant pot when going to college?

If you want to have an easy life when going to college, you better get an Instant Pot, for it can make your life more convenient than usual. You can use it daily to cook home-cooked meals which are more nutritious than buying outside, and while you are busy working on your assignments, you can just let the Instant Pot do the cooking for you. A slow cooker for bone broth might give you a helping hand, but an instant pot is way above that.

Is it worth it to get an instant pot?

Cooking is a hassle for most students, and that’s why most of them prefer to get an Instant Pot to help them in their busy schedules. Getting an instant pot is worth it because it is a huge time saver. You don’t have to plan any dish or meal. You can simply toss all the ingredients and let the Instant Pot do the cooking for you. It can also cook foods that are healthy for you. Rather than buying food outside, why not cook a delicious meal inside your dorm. It’s just like having a slow cooker for caravan when traveling; you don’t need to stop over at fast-food chains and instead do the cooking inside while driving.

Why do I need to get an instant pot as a college student?

Getting an Instant Pot is just having an endless means of cooking any kind of recipe. It acts like an all-kitchen device that has many functions for you to use. This device can cook food fast, leaving you a hot meal in such a short time. It can also slow cook to prepare food for you in advance in the morning. Having an Instant Pot is just having your own mother cooking for you while you are away in your own home.

What instant pot size is good for me when going to college?

The best size for you is to get a 3-quarts Instant Pot. A 3- Quarts are enough for you because it serves enough food for a single person. However, if you want a heavy-duty one and have your roommates inside, get 6 quarts that can fill in for everybody. However, if you want to have a big party or host a gathering, get an extra-large capacity slow cooker instead.

Instant pot recipes for college students

Here are some ideas for college students who want to get the most out of their Instant Pot:

1. Spaghetti and meatballs: This classic dish can be made in an Instant Pot in just a few minutes. Simply cook the pasta in the pot according to package directions, then add the meatballs and sauce.
2. Chili: A hearty chili is perfect for a cold night or as a quick lunch. Simply cook the beef and beans in the Instant Pot, then add your favorite chili spices.
3. Mac and cheese: This comfort food favorite can be made in an Instant Pot in just minutes. Cook the pasta in the pot, then add the cheese sauce and any other desired toppings.
4. Fried rice: This dish is a great way to use up leftover rice. Simply cook the rice in the Instant Pot, then add your favorite vegetables and protein.
5. desserts: Yes, you can even make desserts in an Instant Pot! Try making a simple chocolate cake or cookies.

Making meals in an Instant Pot is a great way for college students to save time and money. These recipes are all quick, easy, and delicious. So, next time you’re short on time or money, give one of these recipes a try.

Where can I store instant pot in my dorm?

If you have just enough space in your dorm, you can store your Instant Pot in your cabinet for safe keeping. Or put it under your bed with its box. But if you have other compartments inside your room, select one and designate it to be the home of your college buddy, Instant Pot.

Is an instant pot allowed in a dorm?

Some dorms allow Instant pots inside while others do not. Before entering a dorm, make sure you ask for certain rules, especially bringing kitchen devices. If it is allowed, then you are good to go. You can cook any recipe anytime you want. But in some cases, dorm owners have a designated area for you to use Instant Pots and possibly never in your own room.

What are some rules with regard to an instant pot in dorms?

Some dorms have rules that limit the usage of Instant Pots, as you can just use it twice a week or thrice. At the same time, some other dorm owners will give you an additional payment for bringing an Instant Pot if you want to use it inside your room. This will make up for the additional electrical cost expenses that you are generating from using the device.

Best Instant Pot For College Students: Top Picks

• Best For Solo: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (3 Quarts)
• Best For Budget: Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (3 Quarts)
• Best For College Roommates: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Large 11-in-1 (6 Quarts)
• Best Heavy Duty: Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (3 Quarts)
• Best Programmable: Instant Pot Max (6 Quarts)

5 Best Instant Pot For College Students: Detailed Insights

1. Best for Solo: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (3 Quarts)

Customer Review

Product Review

Life as a college student is a journey that everybody must endure. That’s why you need this Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (3 Quarts) to always fill your stomach to have the strength to go over the problems and stress along the way. This Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that functions to cook any recipe that you want. It can pressure cook, slow cook warm foods, and even be used as a rice cooker. Thus, if you want to prepare breakfast in the morning, you only need to turn on this device and let it do the cooking for you.

The amazing thing about this Instant Pot is that it is programmable with 13 built-in settings, which can be used according to your own preference. Yes, you got that right! You can program it by yourself. This will make it flexible for you to cook any recipe whenever you want. Aside from that, if you are in a hurry and worried about being late for school, its pressure cooking feature will give you a hand because it is designed to cook 70% faster than any devices around. It will cut the time needed to cook a certain recipe for your convenience.

Its compact size will give you a breeze to put this device anywhere in your room without worry, and when cooking, it is built with safety features that make it more comfortable to cook any food daily. Cleaning the device is also made easy because it is made from high-quality material stainless steel and is scratch-resistant. If you want a fast track in preparing foods each day, this Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (3 Quarts) is the best Instant Pot for you also it’s the best instant pot for couples – a safe haven for students who want to be successful in the future.

Product Highlights/Best Features

• Fast Cooking – Cooks 70% faster than ordinary pressure cookers
• Programmable – 13 Pre-programmed setups that are customizable
• Easy-to-clean: High-quality stainless steel material with an anti-scratch feature
• Added Safety Features – Worry-free cooking with ten added safety features
• Multi-Function: Pressure Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Rice Cooker, Saute, and Sterilizer

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2. Best For Budget: Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (3 Quarts)

Customer Review

Product Review

Getting yourself beat up with never-ending homework and take-home activities will surely make you hungry in a few minutes. That’s why you need to get this Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (3 Quarts) to make you a perfect home-cooked in your dorm. It has programmable settings that are even customizable according to your preference so that you can prepare foods easily when going to college. Its lightweight design is a game-changer because you can bring this device whenever you want, and it can easily be put inside the bag if you want.

This Instant Pot has a total of 9 functions that you can utilize. With all of these amazing features, it won’t cost you more electricity because it is energy efficient, which means that you can save more money by using it rather than buying foods outside. Aside from that, using its automated touch control system will make it easy for you because it can be activated with a single tap. Amazingly, this Instant Pot can handle all your cooking because it is developed with ingenuity to work seamlessly with any recipe, whether you want to slow cook, pressure cook, or even steam foods.

This Instant Pot includes a self-built steam system with an auto-lock mechanism that makes steaming food simple. Also, it has a bigger real-time monitoring display that will instantly notify yoof u the status of your food inside the pot. Other than that, it has 13 preset settings that you may use in your daily cooking, and surely it will save you more time on a regular basis. Lastly, the device is made from high-quality materials that are sturdy enough to last long until your last days of college.

Product Highlights/Best Features

• Improved Steam System – Comes with an auto-lock lid feature that complements the improved steam system.
• Bigger LCD Display – Fully-functional monitoring system with an easy-to-see bigger display
• 13 Presets – Highly programmable with 13 smart program features that you can choose from.
• High-Quality Material – Stainless steel material with anti-scratch feature to provide easy cleaning setup
• Tighter Lid – Anti-spin lid for added security
• Added Safety – Comes with a safety lock and heat protection system
• Multi-Function: Pressure Cooker, Food Warmer, Slow Cooker, Sterilizer, Rice Cooker, Saute Pan, Yogurt Maker, Steamer

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3. Best For College Roommates: Instant Pot Duo Crisp Large 11-in-1 (6 Quarts)

Customer Review

Product Review

Life inside a dormitory can be quite scary and if you want to have more friends when you go to college, better get this Instant Pot Duo Crisp Large 11-in-1 (6 Quarts). It has a big capacity that you can use to serve all of your friends at your dorm. If you haven’t decided to pick an Instant Pot, try to convince your roommate to get this one-of-a-kind Instant Pot. Why? Because it has an air fryer function! It will be a lifesaver for you guys to prepare quick meals daily.

The air fryer function is the spotlight of this Instant Pot because this setting will cook food much faster than conventional cooking. It even makes food much crispier and better. The device also is heavy duty and can last for a long time because of its excellent construction. It is designed that way to provide safety for every user since it is engineered to perfection.

This device has many improvements from its older version. For example, it now has a push-button steam release with an auto-close system that will automatically seal the lid for pressure cooking. Aside from that, it comes with a free app with different recipes you can try with friends. Lastly, it has a temperature control feature that cooks consistently in every recipe you prepare.

Product Highlights/Best Features

• Removable Lids – Convenient cooking and cleaning since its lids can be removed anytime
• Evencrips Technology – The air fryer’s main feature gives a deep crunch deep frying with lesser oil
• One-Touch Smart Program – Customizable settings with one-tap only
• Consistent Cooking – Built with high-quality stainless steel material that offers perfect cooking
• Faster Pressure Cooking – Improve pressure-cooking up to 70% faster
• Quick Cleaning – One-stop easy cleaning and finger-print resistant.
• Muli-functional – Food Warmer, Air Fry, Sterilizer, Roast, Yogurt Maker, Bake, Saute Pan, Dehydrate, Rice Cooker, Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker

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4. Best Heavy Duty: Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (3 Quarts

Customer Review

Product Review

Going to college is a big leap in life that must be taken care of and enjoyed throughout. With that in mind, you need to have a heavy-duty Instant Pot as your partner to get through all the troubles in college life. Here is the Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 (3 Quarts). It includes ten multi-function features of different kitchen devices put in a single device. In this way, you can totally make a breeze in cooking home cook meals daily. Utilizing its energy-saving feature will save you more money, and its highly compact structure will make it easier for you to store this little Instant Pot monster.

This Instant Pot can prepare you anything, and there is no recipe it cannot prepare. That is because it is designed with a pre-programmed setup that may be utilized depending on your needs. You can also check and monitor your food with its visual progress bar. Aside from that, the device is incorporated with the most recent technology, making it so cutting-edge that you can utilize its smart programs more easily than older models.

Using this device may be difficult at first because you need to familiarize all the settings, and it takes trial and error to time the cooking process. Still, sooner or later, you will master these things immediately because it has a one-tap feature that can be turned on and off instantly. This Instant Pot also has an enhanced venting system, making it faster to pressure cook. Aside from that, it has a temperature control setting that cooks food for perfection.

Product Highlights/Best Features

• Easy Monitoring – Added visual progress bar for monitoring actively
• Programmable – Customizable multi-featured settings for different cooking methods
• Safety-Certified –Well-built with added 11 safety features.
• Auto-Altitude Adjustment – Comes with a preset setting to adjust settings
• Modern Technology Innovation – Embedded with the latest technology microprocessor for better usage.
• Multi-function – Pressure Cooker, Sterilizer, Slow Coker, Warmer, Yogurt Maker, Steamer, Egg Cooker, Searing

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5. Best Programmable: Instant Pot Max (6 Quarts)

Customer Review

Product Review

If there were one kitchen device that would complete your college days, that would be the Instant Pot Max (6 Quarts). This Instant Pot will give you joy and freedom from preparing the perfect meals throughout your entire college life. This is one of the easiest appliances you can use with its touch screen feature that lets you set up the controls in one go.

In terms of cooking, this kind of Instant Pot lets you have the most nutritious food with its Nutriboost Technology that breaks down food faster, letting it cook quickly and retain the nutrients inside. Instead of having a meal outside your dorm, this device will give you a nice, warm, and nutrient-rich dish in the shortest time possible. It has an added auto steam release control that lets you even cook fast and conveniently through its pressure cooking function.

The best thing about this Instant Pot Max (6 Quarts) is that it has an altitude adjustment that makes every cooking perfectly and without any delay. If you are so in a hurry, you can trust this Instant Pot to cook you with added accuracy. It also is designed to be safe with its 13 safety-added features that will give you confidence in your daily cooking. Plus, it has a lid lock to make your cooking secure and temperature control for even heating.

Product Highlights/Best Features

• Auto Steam Release Control – Seamless cooking with its auto venting
• Touch Screen – Setting up controls can be easily be done with just one tap
• Sustained 15psi – Cooks food faster plus the additional capability for home pressure canning
• Nutriboost Technology – Breaks down food faster for more nutrition
• Altitude Adjustment – For a more exact cooking times
• Added Safety Features – 13 safety features

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Reasons to get an instant pot for college

In deciding to buy an instant pot for your college life, you need to keep in mind important considerations to get the most out of it. Below are some of the things that you need to know why you need to get an instant pot for college:

Health and Wellness – Having an Instant Pot will give you the convenience of cooking healthy and nutritious food just like you are cooking at home. It offers health benefits, unlike buying foods outside, which are not good for the health.

Budget-Friendly – Instead of buying foods outside, you can save more money from cooking with an Instant Pot. You can just buy ingredients for less than $10, and you can have a delicious meal on your table.

Multi-function – An instant pot is not a solo device because it serves as a multitude of devices in just a single body. With an instant pot, you can slow cook, pressure cook, saute, air fry, and many more.

Things to consider before buying an instant pot for college

College life is hard, and you need to consider many things to utilize every time. Time is precious for every student; that is why in choosing an instant pot for college, you need to keep in mind the following:

Capacity – Living solo in college dorms might be your first consideration in buying an instant pot. When it comes to choosing one, make sure to get an instant pot that will suit your servings. Smaller sizes like a 3-quarts instant pot should be nice for you since they can feed you well and take up much less space in your room.

Function – Get an instant pot that serves many functions and has more features. By getting the best one, you may save more money and time, and cooking in a versatile way will give you more ideas on what to cook.

Price – Consider also your budget. It must suit your budget well if you are keen to buy one. Try to get discounts from stores or save money to buy an affordable one that you can use until you graduate.

Cleaning and Maintenance – We are all aware that a gadget may degrade over time. That is why, before acquiring one, you should inspect its materials. Get one made of stainless steel so you can easily clean it after each use.

Safety – Get an instant pot that has added safety features because some dorms require most instant pots to be delivered, and it should be considered safe to use to avoid fire hazards.

Assurance – Keep in mind that just purchasing a gadget does not guarantee that it will perform as planned, so be sure to choose an instant pot that comes with a warranty.

Tips on cooking an instant pot in a dorm

College students may become expert cooks in no time by following some fundamental guidelines and tips such as these ones below:

Make every time quality time – Instead of hurrying through meal preparation, take your time slicing up ingredients. It usually only takes 5–10 minutes, and you may utilize the time to clear your thoughts or organize your day.

Give yourself some options – Don’t restrict yourself to the same meals for any meals. It’s ideal for you to make a robust way of cooking different recipes. There are lots of recipes that you can cook from ranging from different ingredients.

Buy in bulk – Purchase ingredients in bulk to save time. You can do grocery every week to restock your inventory. In that way, you can manage your time well for other tasks.

Think about your storage – Consider food storage carefully. Store leftovers correctly to get the most out of them. Get containers that can be tightly packed, although there are several alternatives, such as allowing your food to cool fully before storage and pushing all the air out first while closing the lid. You can also buy lunch bags if you want to survive a whole day of class.

Get spices – Consider different stocking spices because a mix of them is the key to injecting flavor into your basic recipes, and extended cooking periods bring those tastes out. Buy a bunch of chilies, basil, or curry powder if you want a nice warm stew.

Buy some oils – Don’t forget to buy oil to cook your dishes using your Instant Pot. This will also help make the foods not stick to the inner linings of your device.

Quick Beans – If you are in a hurry, beans are the best way to survive. Beans are a culinary essential, and there are different kinds of beans that you can purchase, including canned beans, dried beans, and many more.

Purchase cheaper cuts of meat – The greatest pieces of meat for cooking are affordable. Buy some beef chunks, and chicken thigs or breast for quick meals. You may still use thinner cuts like pork loin and chicken breast, but you’ll need to decrease your cooking times in half since they cook quicker.

Cookbooks – Develop a passion for cookbooks. Cookbooks are not only inspirational; they will also serve you well in the long run. Look for books developed specifically for college students or recipes with five or fewer components.

How to dehydrate in instant pot duo crisp

If you’re looking to dehydrate foods quickly and easily, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a great option. Here’s how to use it:

1. Select the dehydrate function on the Instant Pot.
2. Place the food you want to dehydrate onto the dehydrate rack.
3. Set the time and temperature according to the food you’re dehydrating.
4. Once the cycle is complete, your food will be dehydrated and ready to enjoy!

Final Thoughts

Getting an instant pot is really a game-changer when you go to college. It is considerably more than just a standard pressure cooker, for it combines the tasks of many kitchen devices that you can utilize in your daily cooking. It even outperforms the standard kitchen devices because it has added features such as sensors to avoid overheating. The flexibility that can give you will give you more time to do other tasks, especially doing your homework.

It will also make your life easier and eat better than buying food outside. An instant pot is also considered “a home away from home” because it will cook for you, just like your mom doing the cooking. With all that said, we recommend that you get our top pick, the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (3 Quarts). Not only that it is budget-friendly, but it will help you with all of your cooking needs.