Lessons Gleaned after Three Years of Using My Instant Vortex Air Fryer
Fried or Roasted, the Instant Vortex Air Fryer is a Game Changer
Call it an obsession, but my love for the Instant Vortex air fryer is no joke. I've been using this clever gadget for three years now, and I can't imagine my life without it. In my humble kitchen, I've witnessed a cooking revolution.
Initially, I got the Instant Vortex 5.7-quart air fryer to help beef up Thanksgiving food coverage. I was skeptical about an air fryer's potential impact on Thanksgiving feasts, let alone my everyday cooking. Boy, was I wrong!
Instant Vortex 5.7-Quart 4-in-1 Air Fryer (Black) $119.99 at Amazon $139.99 Save $20.00 $119.99 at Amazon $139.99 Save $20.00
$139.99 Save $20.00
Mastering the Instant Vortex Air Fryer
The Instant Vortex air fryer sports a sleek, pod-shaped design with a handle on the front and a turning dial on top. This simple device makes cooking a breeze. Plug it in, and you're good to go! The appliance lights up with air fry, bake, reheat, and roast modes, along with buttons for setting the temperature and timer controlled by the rotating dial. The single, sturdy grate fits snugly into the basket, and that's all she wrote (or cooked, rather).
In case you're curious, you can take a deeper dive into my full review of the Instant Vortex.
Life-Changing Cooking Transformations with the Instant Vortex
To be upfront, I still utilize my other kitchen appliances. An air fryer replaces neither stove nor oven; it's simply a valuable addition to any cook's arsenal. Yet, in specific scenarios and for certain types of ingredients, the Instant Vortex has undeniably become a critical cooking component for me. It often works in harmony with other appliances during complex meals, but it also shines on lazy weeknights.
Effortless Roasting of Delightful Veggies
$119.99 at Amazon
Roasted, sautéed, or steamed: I admire the taste and texture of these cooking methods in that order. The air fryer revolutionized my roasting game, and I'm utterly disappointed whenever I resort to the old-fashioned oven. Roasting veggies in the Instant Vortex can take as few as five minutes (when I'm roasting peppers), and it slashes the cooking time for root veggies in half. Goodbye to the years I squandered roasting potatoes in the oven, only to realize that an air fryer baked potato knocks the socks off any oven-baked spud.
Lazy Weeknight Dinner Savior
As a food writer, you can imagine my daily kitchen escapades. When the workday ends, I've had my fill of the kitchen, and I dread the thought of another dish in sight. That's when my trusty Instant Vortex steps in, ready to serve as a rescuer! I elevate the appliance, plug it in, dump something inside, and abandon the task. Pre voila! My dinner is cooking while I unwind. This miracle device works wonders with a marinated pork tenderloin, turkey kielbasa, or frozen steak bites. As the meal cooks, I can quickly char some air-fried broccoli, roast nearly any vegetable (with this method), or take the easy route and serve some sliced pickles. When given the chance, my Instant Vortex is a lifesaver during the laziest weeknights.
$139.99 Save $20.00
Reviving Takeout Fried Food
One weekend, I accompanied my mom to an Asian market that prepares amazingly delicious, battered, and fried fish. We purchased some for my brother and his family, but the humidity made the package soggy. I didn't panic – I had the Instant Vortex on standby! Whether dealing with fried chicken, fish, soggy french fries, or an entire fried chicken sandwich, I resuscitated all my deep-fried culinary creations in this air fryer in just a few minutes. The frenzied "basket shake" technique makes it a cinch – simply grab the handle and give the contents a good wobble halfway through cooking for even crispiness. Reviving leftover fried snacks in the oven for 20 minutes is a thing of the past.
Better Dinner Parties and Family Gatherings
I simply couldn't contemplate parting with my Instant Vortex because it makes preparing large meals, such as dinner parties and holiday get-togethers, a piece of cake. I typically move the Vortex to a separate location to free up kitchen space near the stove, allowing me to roast side dishes or bake desserts without worrying about overcrowding or steaming up my kitchen.
Things I Wish I Knew When I First Got My Instant Vortex
Familiarizing Myself with the Basket Depth
The Instant Vortex has been my favorite basket model air fryer thus far, but I was more accustomed to using oven-style air fryers since they mimic the shapes of ovens and toasters. The Instant Vortex's basket is deeper, just shy of four inches to the grate, which works wonders for roasting broiler chickens or thick cuts of meat. However, be cautious when placing wide items like cake pans in the basket as it can burn your knuckles. I recommend using foil strips under wide items to lower them in and pull them out safely.
Keeping an Eye on the Cooking Process
The Instant Vortex is renowned for its efficient convection heating system, making cooking quick and convenient. Nonetheless, this speed may cause food to burn if constant monitoring is neglected. I had to learn the hard way to keep a close eye on my food while cooking with the Instant Vortex to ensure a delicious outcome (and this tip applies to any new appliance, for that matter).
- The Instant Vortex air fryer is a simple device that makes cooking a breeze, especially for those who are interested in frying food without the hassle of dealing with humidity or extended cooking times.
- For lazy weeknights, the Instant Vortex air fryer is a dinner savior. It can cook marinated pork tenderloin, turkey kielbasa, frozen steak bites, and more, allowing you to unwind while your meal cooks.
- If you're ever left with soggy takeout fried food, an Instant Vortex air fryer can come to the rescue. It can revive fried chicken, fish, french fries, and even whole fried chicken sandwiches, reducing the cooking time significantly.
