Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer Review
America's Test Kitchen's top-rated air fryer with ClearCook window, EvenCrisp technology, and 6-in-1 functionality for perfectly cooked meals every time.
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer stands out as America's Test Kitchen's top-rated air fryer, and for good reason. This innovative appliance combines the trusted Instant Pot brand with cutting-edge air frying technology to deliver exceptional results. The standout ClearCook window with internal lighting lets you monitor your food without opening the basket and losing heat, while the proprietary EvenCrisp technology ensures perfectly golden, crispy exteriors and tender interiors every single time. With 6-in-1 functionality (air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate), customizable one-touch smart programs, and a helpful progress bar that tells you when to add and flip food, this air fryer makes cooking effortless. The quiet cooking design reduces kitchen noise, and the 6-quart capacity is perfect for families of 3-5. Plus, the nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket makes cleanup a breeze. With access to over 100 recipes through the free app, you'll never run out of ideas.
Key Features
- ClearCook Window: Innovative viewing window with internal light to monitor cooking progress without opening the basket
- Capacity: 6-Quart — ideal for families of 3-5 people
- 6-in-1 Functionality: Air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate
- EvenCrisp Technology: Advanced air flow technology for perfect golden finish and crispy, tender results
- Smart Progress Bar: Easy-view bar with messages when to add and turn food
- One-Touch Programs: Customizable smart programs for wings, veggies, cookies, and more
- Quiet Cooking: Muffled sounds for less noise in your kitchen
- Easy Cleanup: Nonstick, dishwasher-safe basket
- Free App: Access to over 100 recipes
What We Like
- Rated #1 by America's Test Kitchen for superior performance
- ClearCook window lets you watch food cook without losing heat
- EvenCrisp technology delivers consistently crispy, golden results
- Progress bar with helpful prompts for adding and flipping food
- 6-in-1 versatility replaces multiple kitchen appliances
- Quiet cooking design reduces kitchen noise significantly
- 6-quart capacity perfect for family meals and meal prep
- Trusted Instant Pot brand with proven reliability
- Heats up fast and cooks evenly every time
- Nonstick basket is dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup
- Free app with 100+ recipes for endless inspiration
- Simple, intuitive digital touchscreen interface
What Could Be Better
- May be too small for very large families (6+ people)
- Price can fluctuate significantly on Amazon
- Single basket design means cooking in batches for larger meals
Verdict
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer earns its #1 rating from America's Test Kitchen through exceptional performance, innovative features, and rock-solid reliability. The ClearCook window is a game-changer, letting you monitor your food without interrupting the cooking process—especially useful when you're learning optimal cooking times. The EvenCrisp technology truly delivers on its promise, producing consistently crispy exteriors and tender, juicy interiors whether you're cooking chicken thighs, salmon, frozen fries, or even grilled cheese. The progress bar with flip reminders takes the guesswork out of cooking, while the quiet operation means you can chat in the kitchen without shouting over appliance noise. With 6-in-1 functionality, this air fryer can replace your conventional oven for most everyday cooking tasks, and the 6-quart capacity hits the sweet spot for most families. The nonstick basket cleans up easily, and the free app provides endless recipe inspiration. While the price can fluctuate and larger families might need to cook in batches, the Instant Pot Vortex Plus delivers exceptional value, performance, and ease of use. If you're looking for a reliable, feature-rich air fryer from a trusted brand, this is the one to beat.
FAQ
What is the ClearCook window?
The ClearCook window is a clear viewing window on the front of the air fryer with an internal light. It lets you watch your food cook and check doneness without opening the basket and losing heat or disrupting the cooking process.
How does EvenCrisp technology work?
EvenCrisp technology uses advanced air flow to circulate hot air evenly around your food, ensuring a perfect golden finish with a crispy exterior and tender interior every time. It eliminates hot spots and uneven cooking.
What are the 6 cooking functions?
The Vortex Plus offers 6-in-1 functionality: air fry, roast, broil, bake, reheat, and dehydrate. This versatility means you can cook everything from crispy fries to roasted chicken to dehydrated fruit snacks.
How does the progress bar work?
The progress bar shows where you are in the cooking process and displays helpful messages prompting you when to add food and when to turn or flip it for optimal results. It takes the guesswork out of cooking.
Is it really quieter than other air fryers?
Yes! The Vortex Plus features quiet cooking technology with muffled sounds, making it noticeably quieter than most air fryers. You can have normal conversations in the kitchen while it's running.
How big is the 6-quart capacity?
The 6-quart basket is perfect for families of 3-5 people. It can fit a whole chicken, a full bag of frozen fries, or multiple servings of vegetables. For larger families, you may need to cook in batches.
Why was it rated #1 by America's Test Kitchen?
America's Test Kitchen rated the Vortex Plus #1 for its consistent performance, even cooking, ease of use, build quality, and innovative features like the ClearCook window. It outperformed competitors in rigorous testing.
Is the basket easy to clean?
Absolutely! The basket has a nonstick coating and is dishwasher-safe. Most of the time it washes up quickly by hand, or you can use air fryer liners for even easier cleanup on messy foods.