Set it and forget it: The iPot applies smartphone sensors to pressure cooking

Posted by Caitlin McGarry
on January 08 2014

The CES show floor is crammed with kitchen gear that claims to make cooking a breeze, but few smart appliances can actually do it all. Instant Pot's new iPot is one of the most ambitious pressure cookers to hit the market--just don't call it a crockpot.

The iPot takes its cues from the iPhone (hence the name) with a microprocessor and a range of sensors: a thermal sensor, pressure sensors, and electro-magnetic sensors that allow the smart cooker to cook an entire meal evenly and thoroughly. The iPot is controlled with a smartphone, which tells the cooker exactly what to make, what cooking style to use, and how long to cook it for. You can choose from the iPot's pre-programmed recipes, like brown rice or stew, or you can program the iPot app with your own recipe.

The cooker also uses your location to determine if it needs to adjust the cooking time--at higher altitudes, for instance, where water's boiling point is lower and a few minutes can change the outcome of a meal.

The iPot isn't on the market just yet, but is expected to hit store shelves early this year with a price tag of $220 to $250.