The Instant Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer is a great way for families with food allergies to conveniently add a variety of healthy recipes. You might already have an air fryer or you might be curious about why people love air fryers. I purchased this air fryer, this review is not sponsored or affiliated with Instant Pot.
Disclaimer: Please check that all ingredients are suitable for your allergies and be sure to ask your medical care team regarding any allergy related questions (I do not share medical advice). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
My Favorite Features About the Instant Vortex Plus 4QT Air Fryer
I wanted a mid-sized air fryer that is small enough to move easily in and out of a cabinet with a 12-inch height. But I also need one to be large enough to make enough food for 2-4 people in a reasonable amount of time. The 4-quart size is perfect for us.
It heats up frozen food such as spring rolls, hashbrowns, muffins, etc. perfectly. I made a ribeye steak in it and it was sooooo good. I also made some Potato Home Fries and they were great. The Instant Vortex Plus is a keeper!
The air fryer is capable of other functions, such as roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. One of my favorite ways to use my air fryer is to reheat baked goods, such as frozen raspberry thumbprint cookies, in a few minutes and they end up tasting like they’re freshly baked.
First Impressions
Other features that I love that weren’t obvious until I unboxed the Instant Vortex Plus and started using it:
- The control panel is on the front, which makes it easy to see the control panel since I’m short. It’s also easy to keep track of the time from a distance.
- It’s very intuitive to set the time, temperature, and function, similar to the Instant Pot Pro pressure cooker.
- Preheating takes 2 minutes or so and the Instant Vortex Plus will beep when it’s done preheating and the screen will say “Add food.” There’s no guessing about when to put the food in.
- The Instant Vortex Plus beeps when it’s time to flip the food for even browning, with a reminder on the screen.
- The air fryer automatically shuts down after it’s done cooking. So even if I can’t take the food out right away, it won’t burn.
- The non-stick tray and basket are easy to wash. There’s no need to use parchment paper or non-stick spray.
- The Instant Vortex Plus is quiet when it’s on.
How To Use the Instant Pot Vortex Plus
Consult your instruction manual for more details, this is just an overview. After you clean and dry it according to the manufacturer’s instructions before first use, plug it in.
The control panel will light up, press the function you want. Next press Temp and rotate the dial to set the temperature. Then press Time and rotate the dial to set the time. Then press Start.
The air fryer will turn on and you can hear the fan running. During this time, check that you have at least 5-inch clearance on all sides, especially in the back as that is where the hot air will blow out.
After the air fryer is preheated, it will beep and you put the food directly into the air fryer basket. Listen for the air fryer to beep again to remind you to flip the food, and again when the food is ready.
Is a 4-Quart Air Fryer Large Enough?
Yes! It can definitely handle heating up frozen appetizers for 4 people. It was so easy to use that I used the Instant Vortex air fryer to cook a 1-pound ribeye steak! The steak was perfect for the three of us for dinner and way less messy than other methods. If you wanted to cook two ribeye steaks, then you would need to cook them in two batches.
It’s best to cook your food in one layer in the air fryer basket for even cooking. With foods that are frozen and already precooked, then you can get away with a little more food than recommended in the basket. When it comes to cooking raw meat or chicken, I would not put in more than 1 steak or 2 chicken breasts, or equivalent.
Using an Air Fryer to Save Energy and Money
For the longest time, I resisted buying an air fryer because my oven has a convection feature. The convection mode will turn on the oven fan to circulate the air around, which allows me to bake or roast at a slightly lower temperature and for a shorter amount of time.
When I reviewed my first air fryer, I love that they use 1/3 to half the energy of an oven and gets the job done a little bit faster. If I can use an air-fryer to cook our meals in one or two batches, then that saves money on my electricity bill.
One of the nicest things about using an air fryer compared to an oven is that it does not heat up your kitchen nearly as much as an oven. Now I only need to use my oven only when I am baking or roasting large amounts of food that won’t fit into an air fryer.
What Features to Look For in Air Fryers
My first air fryer was a gift from a company that is no longer in business. It’s fine as an air fryer and still works 2 years later. But as a food blogger sharing recipes, I would rather share recipes using a small appliance that is still available for purchase.
I did buy a Ninja Air Fryer first, but had to return it because it couldn’t fit inside my cabinet even though I checked the dimensions before ordering. I also considered Cosori air fryers as a third option but since I love the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, I’m keeping it.
Your criterias might be different because you cook for one person or you have a big family and lots of kitchen space. Here are some of my shopping tips.
- How much space do you have? If your kitchen space is limited, then you might prefer 2- to 4-quart sized air fryers, which will look taller than they’re wide.
- If you have more space or if you have a large family, then you might like a larger air fryer for more capacity, or the ones with two baskets for more options, or an oven-style air fryer that looks like a toaster oven.
- Check for recalls. Whatever brand you are considering, type in the brand and the word recall to see what kinds of issues they have had and are they resolved?
- I also check the 1 star reviews for any safety issues and read the 3 to 4 star reviews for some of the real-life problems people might run into to have realistic expectations.
- Consider the manufacturer’s warranty, as it can indicate how long the air fryer will last. Opt for air fryers that come with a minimum warranty of at least 12 months.
A Game Changing Appliance
I love making healthy, delicious meals with small kitchen appliances. The Instant Vortex Plus competes with my Zojirushi rice cooker and my Instant Pot Pro for counter space.
In general, cooking with an air fryer is a healthier and more energy efficient alternative to traditional frying methods. It crisps up food quickly with little to no oil in a fraction of the time.
This Instant Vortex Plus is very space efficient, easy to use and to clean. It’s also very pretty with a brushed stainless steel surface that is easy to wipe off but also hides any fingerprints or smudges.
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I may mention the names of stores and/or brand names of products that I use because readers ask and I share products and sources which I use and think may be helpful to readers, all opinions are my own. Please note that manufacturing practices and ingredients can change at anytime without notice and readers are always responsible for assuring allergen safety before buying or consuming foods. NutFreeWok.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Thank you for reading!
