You’ve probably seen the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer sitting on a shelf and wondered if it’s just another piece of plastic destined to take up counter space. Honestly, I get it. We’ve all bought that one gadget that eventually ends up in the garage. But after putting this thing through the wringer, it’s clear this isn't just a basic convection oven in a fancy suit. It’s actually a pretty clever bit of engineering that manages to solve a few very specific, very annoying problems that older air fryers just... ignored.
Let’s talk about the smell first because it's the elephant in the room. Most air fryers turn your kitchen into a localized scent bomb of whatever you cooked three days ago. Instant Pot tried to fix this with something they call OdorErase technology. It uses these little replaceable carbon filters. Do they work perfectly? Not 100%, but they definitely take the edge off when you're frying something pungent like salmon or those frozen jalapeño poppers that seem to linger for an eternity.
What’s Actually Under the Hood?
Most people think air fryers are complicated. They aren't. It's basically a heating element and a high-powered fan. But the way the Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer handles that air matters. They call it EvenCrisp technology. Marketing speak aside, the airflow is fast enough that you don't end up with that weird "one side is burnt, the other is soggy" situation that happens in cheaper models.
The build quality is a mix. You've got sleek stainless steel accents that look great until you touch them. Fingerprints are basically the price of admission here. It’s 1700 watts of power, which is plenty for a 6-quart basket. Speaking of the basket, the 6-quart size is the "sweet spot." It fits about two pounds of fries or a four-pound chicken. If you go smaller, you’re just making dinner in shifts, which defeats the purpose of "instant."
One thing that genuinely surprised me is the temperature range. It goes from 95°F up to 400°F. That 95°F floor is crucial because it means you can actually dehydrate stuff. I’ve made beef jerky in this thing, and while it takes about six or seven hours, it actually works. Most air fryers start at 150°F or 200°F, which just cooks the meat before it can dry out.
The ClearCook Window: A Gimmick That Isn’t
I used to think windows on air fryers were for people who have too much time on their hands. I was wrong. The ClearCook window on the newer Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer models is a game-changer because you don't have to pull the basket out to check on your food.
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
Every time you pull that basket out, you lose heat. A lot of it.
The temperature in that little chamber can drop 50 degrees in seconds. By just peeking through the glass, you keep the environment stable. It sounds minor, but it's the difference between a crispy wing and a rubbery one. The light inside is surprisingly bright, too. It’s not some dim little bulb; it actually illuminates the whole tray so you can see if your cheese is bubbling or just starting to char.
Dealing With the "Plastic" Problem
If you look at reviews on Reddit or Amazon, you'll see people complaining about a "plasticky" smell when they first get the unit. This is real. It’s the protective coating on the heating element burning off.
Don't just throw chicken in there the second you unbox it. You'll regret it.
Run a "test cycle" first. Take the basket out, wash it with warm soapy water, put it back in, and run the thing at 400°F for about 20 minutes in a well-ventilated room. Open a window. This burns off the factory residue. After one or two of these "burn-in" cycles, the smell usually vanishes completely. If it doesn't, you might have a lemon, and you should definitely look into a return or warranty claim.
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
Comparing the Functions: 6-in-1 vs. 7-in-1
The marketing gets a bit dizzying. You’ll see 6-in-1, 7-in-1, even 10-in-1. Honestly? It’s mostly the same machine. The "functions" like Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Reheat, and Dehydrate are just presets for time and temperature.
- Air Fry: High fan speed, high heat.
- Bake: Lower fan speed so your muffins don't turn into lopsided disasters.
- Roast: Somewhere in the middle.
- Broil: Direct top-down heat with the fan at a lower setting.
- Reheat: Low and slow so your pizza doesn't turn into a cracker.
The machine actually remembers your last settings for each function. If you like your wings at 385°F for 18 minutes, it'll stay there the next time you hit "Air Fry." That's a tiny detail, but when you're rushing to get dinner on the table at 6:00 PM on a Tuesday, not having to fiddle with a dial is a win.
Why You Might Hate It
It’s not all sunshine and crispy fries. The Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer is bulky. It’s about 15 inches deep. If you have shallow counters, the back vent (which gets very hot) might be too close to your backsplash or your cabinets. You need at least five inches of clearance behind it, or you risk damaging your kitchen.
The basket isn't technically "dishwasher safe" in the way we want it to be. The tray is fine in the dishwasher, but the actual basket has some plastic components and the window. Constant dishwasher cycles can make the plastic brittle over time or cloud the glass. Hand washing is the way to go, which, let’s be real, is a chore.
Real World Cooking Tips
Stop using aerosol sprays like Pam. The lecithin in those sprays can gunk up the non-stick coating on your Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer and make it peel. Use a simple oil mister with avocado or olive oil.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
Also, don't overcrowd the basket. Air needs to move. If you stack three layers of fries, the middle layer is going to be a soggy mess while the top layer burns. Shake the basket halfway through. The machine will actually beep to remind you to "Turn Food." Don't ignore the beep.
- Frozen Foods: Usually take 20% less time than the oven instructions.
- Steak: Yes, you can do steak. 400°F for about 10-12 minutes for a 1-inch thick cut gets you a decent medium-rare with a crust.
- Veggies: Toss them in a tiny bit of oil and salt. Broccoli in the air fryer is actually better than roasted in the oven because it gets those crispy "trees" in about 6 minutes.
The Bottom Line on Value
Is it worth the $130-$160 price tag? If you’re still using a toaster oven from 2012, yes. The speed difference alone is worth the upgrade. You’re looking at about a 5-minute preheat compared to 15-20 minutes for a standard oven. Over a year, that’s a lot of time saved.
If you already have a high-end convection oven, the results might be similar, but the Vortex Plus is more efficient for small batches. It's for the person who wants lunch in ten minutes or a family that’s tired of soggy leftovers. The OdorErase and ClearCook features make it feel like a "Version 2.0" product rather than just a first-gen prototype.
Next Steps for Your New Setup:
- Perform a Burn-In Cycle: Run the empty unit at 400°F for 20 minutes in a ventilated room before your first real meal.
- Order Spare Filters: The OdorErase filters last about 2-3 months of regular use; grab a pack now so you don't forget.
- Buy an Oil Mister: Ditch the aerosol cans to preserve the non-stick coating of your basket.
- Measure Your Space: Ensure you have 5 inches of clearance behind the unit to prevent heat damage to your walls.