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    Home » Recipes » Review

    Instant Pot Gem Multicooker Review

    Published by Melissa on July 9, 2018 | Updated November 19, 2020 | 64 Comments

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    InstaPot Gem Multicooker Review - A collage of pictures of the box, Gem, cooking chicken, cooking rice, and accessories via @barbarabakes

    Have you heard of the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker? It’s not a pressure cooker. Read my Instant Pot Gem Multicooker Review to find out what this 8-in-1 Multicooker can do.

    Featured image for the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker Review

    Instant Pot recently sent me their Instant Pot Gem Multicooker to take for a test drive. The Gem is not a pressure cooker and does not have any pressure cooking functions.

    It is similar to a Slow Cooker, but it has added features that make it so much more than a Slow Cooker. 

    Instant Pot touts The GEM Multicooker as an 8-in-1 that can replace 8 commonly used kitchen appliances – Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté/Searing Pan, Steamer, Stew, Roast, Baking, and Warmer.

    Instant Pot touts the GEM Multicooker as an 8-in-1 that can replace 8 commonly used kitchen appliances – Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté/Searing Pan, Steamer, Stew, Roast, Baking, and Warmer.

    GEM Multicooker is built with an embedded microprocessor. The microprocessor carefully controls the time and temperature to ensure consistent cooking results.

    GEM Multicooker Rice Program

    Making rice in the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker

    I used the rice function to cook a large batch of white rice. All you do is add the rice and water according to the ratios given in the Gem recipe cookbook. Then the GEM automatically adjusts the cook cycle and time to give you fluffy well cooked rice.

    After the GEM brings the rice to a boil and the rice is steaming, the time pops up on the display and counts down to when your rice will be finished.

    While not every grain was perfectly cooked, I was really impressed with the quality of the cooked rice and the ease of cooking rice in the GEM.

    GEM Multicooker Saute and Bake Programs

    Making stuffed zucchini in the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker

    Next I decided to test out the saute and bake functions on the GEM using some 8 ball zucchini I bought at the local farmer’s market. I adapted my Stuffed Zucchini Boats recipe.

    First I used the saute function to brown the chicken sausage – I love that you can brown in slow cookers now instead of dirtying a skillet. Next I sauted the onions and garlic, added the tomatoes and spices and removed the stuffing to a bowl.

    I cleaned out the inner cooking pot and put the steam rack on the inner pot. Stuffed my zucchini with the sausage mixture and put the stuffed zucchini on the rack.

    I put the lid on top and set the GEM to bake at 375 degrees. About 30 minutes later, my stuffed zucchini were perfectly baked and ready to eat. The cheese on top did not get browned like it would if I were baking in the oven, but I didn’t have to turn on my oven in the 95 degree weather we were having either.

    GEM Multicooker Slow Cooker Program

    Making Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken in the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker

    Finally, I decided to test out the slow cook function using my Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken recipe. I thawed out some chicken thighs overnight. In the morning put the ingredients in the GEM on slow cook on high so it would be ready at lunch time.

    When it was time to eat, I switched from the slow cook setting to the saute setting. I thickened the sauce with a cornstarch slurry (2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water).

    It was great that I didn’t have to use a saucepan to thicken the sauce like I would have had done in my old slow cooker. I also loved having the option to cook the chicken at a higher temperature if the slow cooker wasn’t cooking it fast enough. The chicken is sweet with just a little kick and was delicious cooked in the GEM.

    Have you heard of the Instant Pot Gem Multicooker? It\'s not a pressure cooker. Read my Instant Pot Gem Multicooker Review to find out what this 8-in-1 Multicooker can do.

    The Gem comes with a rice measuring cup, a steaming rack, an instruction manual that’s easy to follow, and a small recipe booklet. It has a 6 quart ceramic non-stick inner pot that is stove-top and oven safe.

    The Gem is available at Wal-Mart in store or online at Walmart.com.

    the GEM Multicooker as an 8-in-1 that can replace 8 commonly used kitchen appliances

    I am not a big fan of slow cooking. If I can pressure cook something in a fraction of the time, I generally choose that. However, I was impressed with the added features of the GEM that make it a much more versatile appliance. Also, the shape of the GEM and the glass lid make it easier to slow cook in than the Instant Pot pressure cookers.

    I plan to donate my old slow cooker to Good Will and will use the GEM whenever slow cooking is the best option.

    Disclosure: I was sent an Instant Pot GEM Multicooker to review, but all opinions expressed are always my own.

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    InstaPot Gem Multicooker Review - A collage of pictures of the box, Gem, cooking chicken, cooking rice, and accessories

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    About Melissa & Barbara

    As of June 2022 Melissa Griffiths now is the one adding recipes. So think of it as Barbara Bakes, and Melissa too! Melissa and Barbara have been blogging friends for over 10 years and when Barbara was ready to retire and spend more time with her family, Melissa took over the site. Read more...

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Leesa Stevens

      January 09, 2022 at 2:47 pm

      I have ruined several meals trying to slow cook in this. I guess I wasn’t aware that slow cooking and crock pot cooking are not the same. So to slow cook do I have to change the temp? Everything I have tried a roast it has never been done in 8 hours. Thanks, Leesa

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        January 09, 2022 at 5:38 pm

        Hi Leesa – The Low setting on a Crockpot is about 190 degrees F and High setting is about 300 degrees F. The Gem on the low setting is 190 – 200 degrees F and High is 200 – 210 degrees F. https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/InstantPot%C2%AE-MulticookerRecipeBook.pdf So not as high as your Crockpot and will require a longer cook time. If your meal isn’t ready after 8 hours, it isn’t ruined, just crank up the heat using the roast or saute setting and finish cooking it.

        Reply
    2. Barbara

      February 08, 2021 at 8:56 pm

      When cooking in the aura do you use lid when cooking wings?

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        February 09, 2021 at 5:58 am

        Hi Barbara – any slow cooker recipe should work well with your Aura https://www.spendwithpennies.com/slow-cooker-chicken-wings/ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/slow_cooker_honey_buffalo_chicken_wings/

        Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        February 09, 2021 at 5:59 am

        Yes, for most things you’ll use the lid.

        Reply
    3. Barbara

      February 08, 2021 at 8:51 pm

      I purchased a multi cooker. Do you have a recipe for hot wings? Are there a cookbook online? They were not too many recipes in the manual.

      Reply
    4. Tami G

      November 19, 2020 at 12:29 pm

      I am wondering what the inside dimensions are on the cooking pot..I have a 12 lb turkey I want to bake…my old oster portable roaster bit the dust…need something for Thanksgiving turkey. Thanks.

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 19, 2020 at 2:16 pm

        Hi Tami – the inside dimensions are 16.8L x 11.6W x 10.2H inches – I haven’t tried cooking a turkey in it, but my guess is a turkey may be too tall but you could definitely take a tape measure with you to the store and check.

        Reply
    5. Brandy

      November 03, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      Hi! I’m an inst newbie. Can you cook a ham in the aura?

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        November 04, 2020 at 9:17 am

        Hi Brandy – you can cook a ham in the Aura. You can choose to follow an oven recipe and use roast or bake, or a slow cooker recipe.

        Reply
    6. Suzanne

      October 27, 2020 at 12:24 pm

      Hi Barbara! I just bought this instant pot Gem to replace my Old Crockpot and I’m a little confused. I’ve noticed the Gem slow cooker low/high temps are actually lower temps than the crockpots low/high temps. So would I cook my food longer or on a higher temp or would it be equal times? 

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        October 27, 2020 at 1:02 pm

        Hi Suzanne – I would use the same cook time and then if the food isn’t as done as you’d like, you can switch to the saute setting and simmer it for a short time.

        Reply
        • Suzanne

          October 27, 2020 at 5:08 pm

          Thank you. 

          Reply
    7. debra

      September 24, 2020 at 2:27 pm

      I have used this slow cooker two times now and both times my food was ruined it burnt. The last time was a roast and vegetables. So I’m thinking did I not add enough water at the base and if so how much water should I add? To guarantee my food is not going to burn.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Barbara Schieving

        September 24, 2020 at 5:59 pm

        That’s so frustrating. What setting are you using? How much liquid are you using? Are you cooking with the lid on?

        Reply
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