The Instant Pot Aura Pro is a multicooker that can perform a variety of cooking functions including pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, sautéing, baking, roasting, and more. With its 10-in-1 functionality, the Aura Pro competes with other popular multicookers like the Instant Pot Duo and Ninja Foodi. One of the key questions people have about the Aura Pro is whether or not it can pressure cook. The simple answer is yes, the Instant Pot Aura Pro is a pressure cooker.
Key Features of the Instant Pot Aura Pro
The Instant Pot Aura Pro has the following key features and specifications:
- 6-quart capacity
- 1500 watts of power
- Maximum pressure of 11.6 psi
- 10 smart programs including pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, bake/roast, yogurt, sauté/sear, rice, multigrain, and keep warm
- Delay start timer up to 24 hours
- Altitude adjustment
- 3 temperatures in slow cook mode (less, normal, more)
- 3 temperatures in sauté mode (less, normal, more)
As you can see from the specs, the Aura Pro is designed to pressure cook with a maximum psi of 11.6. This allows you to cook food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods through pressurized steam. The 10 built-in smart programs include a pressure cook setting specifically for pressure cooking food.
How Pressure Cooking Works
Pressure cooking utilizes both high heat and pressure to dramatically reduce cook times. Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- Food and liquid are placed in the inner pot of the multicooker and the lid is locked into place to seal the pot.
- Heat from the electric heating element brings the liquid to a boil, producing steam that has nowhere to escape due to the locked lid.
- As more steam is produced, pressure builds within the sealed pot. Once the desired pressure level is reached (up to 11.6 psi on the Aura Pro), the cooker regulates the heat to maintain this pressure.
- The combination of high pressure and high heat cooks food much faster by raising the boiling point of water above 100°C/212°F. The pressurized environment allows food to cook up to 70% faster.
- Once cook time is complete, the pressure cooker either naturally releases pressure slowly or quickly depressurizes using the quick release valve, allowing you to safely open the lid.
So in summary, the Instant Pot Aura Pro can act as a pressure cooker by building up steam and pressure within the sealed inner pot, enabling fast cook times.
Pressure Cooking with the Instant Pot Aura Pro
You can pressure cook a variety of foods with the Aura Pro including meats, beans, grains, vegetables, and more. Here are some tips for success:
- Use the pressure cook setting and adjust time per recipe instructions.
- Make sure the inner pot is at least 1/2 to 2/3 full for best results.
- Allow 10-15 minutes for the pot to build up pressure before cooking starts.
- Quick release pressure after cooking delicate foods like seafood, vegetables or eggs. Natural release works best for meats and beans.
- Add extra cooking liquid as steam is needed to build pressure. Use at least 1 cup water or broth.
- Avoid filling the inner pot more than 2/3 full to prevent clogging the pressure release valves.
The Aura Pro includes handy features like altitude adjustment to ensure proper pressure cooking at higher elevations. You can cook food up to 70% faster than traditional cook times thanks to the pressurized environment inside the sealed inner pot.
Instant Pot Aura Pro vs Standard Instant Pot Pressure Cookers
The Instant Pot Aura Pro has some differences compared to the standard Instant Pot Duo and other pressure cooker models. Here is a comparison of some of the key differences:
| Feature | Instant Pot Aura Pro | Instant Pot Duo |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Level | 11.6 psi max | 11.6 psi max |
| Cooking Programs | 10 smart programs | 14 smart programs |
| Design | More compact | Taller with options like Duo Crisp with air fryer |
| Size | 6 quart | 3, 6, 8 quart options |
| Newer Features | EasySeal lid, cooking reminder alerts | None |
As you can see, the Aura Pro pressure cooks at the same level of 11.6 psi but has a more compact 6-quart design and newer features like the EasySeal lid. However, the Duo offers more size options and cooking program versatility. Both can achieve the fast cook times associated with pressure cooking.
Disadvantages of the Instant Pot Aura Pro
While the Aura Pro can pressure cook, there are a few disadvantages to consider:
- Smaller 6 quart capacity (Duo has larger sizes)
- Fewer cooking program options than Duo
- No functions like air frying, sterilizing or canning
- Lacks some accessories of Duo like the steam rack and extra silicone gasket
- Not as many replacement parts available yet
The Aura Pro has a streamlined design but doesn’t offer quite as much versatility as the popular Duo. Its 6 quart size may be limiting for larger households. While the core pressure cooking function works great, the lack of extra features and accessories may be a drawback for some buyers.
Conclusion
In summary, the Instant Pot Aura Pro does function as a pressure cooker while also providing additional cooking functions like slow cooking, sautéing, steaming and more. Its compact 6-quart design offers convenient pressure cooking with useful features like the EasySeal lid. While it has some limitations compared to the Duo, the Aura Pro can certainly achieve fast, hands-free pressure cooking for most households. For buyers wanting a streamlined pressure cooking experience, the Aura Pro is a high-quality option worth considering from the makers of the Instant Pot.