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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Pin It:
Virginia Murrell
Can this pot insert be used in the oven
Barbara Schieving
Hi Virginia – Yes, the cooking pot is safe for use on electric and ceramic stovetops and in ovens.
Sandra
Can you use slow cooker liners in the Gem?? Thanks
Barbara Schieving
Hi Sandra – I haven’t tried it, but if you’re using the Gem on the slow cooker setting, you could use the slow cooker liners.
Sandra
Thanks, I love my cooker!!
Linda
Barbara, just purchased the instant pot aura 8 qt multifuntion. Do you think a standing rib roast will cook quickly like the Ninja 3-1? Or, if no experience with Ninja, in general, since I suppose it’s like the 6 you reviewed here. Thanks.
Barbara Schieving
Hi Linda – I would probably cook a standing rib roast in the oven. It may be too tall for the Instant Pot?
Kimberly D Chapman
Please help! How do I cook canned biscuits in this gem?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Kimberly – I haven’t made biscuits in the Gem, but I would cook them similarly to the blondes in the recipe cookbook https://instantpot.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/InstantPot%C2%AE-MulticookerRecipeBook.pdf Use the rack and a baking tray if you have one that fits and bake them on the tray until they’re risen and browned.
Brenda Waters
I have the GEM and want to make a keto lemon torte in it. Obviously it doesn’t have a pressure cook/manual feature so would I use the Bake feature and just adjust the time? The Cookbook I have has many recipes that call for the pressure cook feature. What feature on the Gem would be the best to use in this situation?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Brenda – yes, I would use the bake feature. It’s hard to say how long to bake it since I haven’t seen the recipe.
Brenda Waters
do I cook it for the same amount of time as he instant pot recipe says?
Barbara Schieving
It will take longer for it to cook in the GEM but I don’t think double the amount of time.
JOYCE WILSON
I BAKED A MEAT LOAF AT 350 AND IT BURNED ON THE BOTTOM REALLY BAD BEFORE GETTING DONE. WHAT DID ID DO WRONG.
Barbara Schieving
Hi Joyce – did you bake the meatloaf in a pan? Was the pan/meatloaf on a rack?
Amanda
Can you cook a whole frozen chicken? I’m trying to experiment witj my Gem.
Barbara Schieving
Hi Amanda – I haven’t tried it, but I assume it would work. It will take longer and I’d use an instant-read thermometer to make sure you cook it to 165 degrees. Let me know if you try.
Jan Yarborough
So I just got the multi cooker gem and I am cooking large white Lima beans in it. What is the recommended setting and/or temperature should i use and how long will they take to cook?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Jan – are you wanting to use the slow cooker function to cook the lima beans, or are you using the Gem like a stove top pan to boil the beans? The Gem is not a pressure cooker, so pressure cooking them is not an option.
Jan Yarborough
Thank you for the quick response. I started out with the saute’/sere to. Brown my ham and seasonings and then switch it to the slow cooker. They turned out very good. I really like the multi cooker.
Alicia
Can you make hard boiled eggs in the gem?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Alicia – you can’t pressure cook hard boiled egg, but you could steam cook or boil hard boiled eggs. Here are directions that should work well in the Gem https://kalynskitchen.com/how-to-make-perfect-hard-boiled-eggs/
Vidasigue
You never told us how the Honey Garlic Chicken turned out you went right into telling us what the GEM comes with.
Barbara Schieving
I updated the post with the details 🙂 Thanks!
Sabrina
Would you be able to make chicken and dumplings faster In the gem??
Barbara Schieving
Hi Sabrina – the Instant Pot pressure cooker would be the fastest way to make chicken and dumplings. The Gem would be a nice way to make it if you wanted to keep it warm to serve later to guests, etc.
Lee A Ferguson
I bought instant pot gem. I am making a 2.5 lb roast right now. Set to roast, 300°. I feel like it is cooking too fast and the meat will be tuff. Should i be worried?
Barbara Schieving
What cut of meat is it?
Lee A Ferguson
Chuck roast
Barbara Schieving
Chuck roast is a tough cut of meat that needs a long cook time in liquid. Are you braising it?
Barbara Schieving
Here’s so great advice https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/cooking-tips/article/how-to-braise
Lee A Ferguson
It ended up so tuff.
Barbara Schieving
Did you use the suggestions in the article to braise it in liquid until it was fall apart tender?
Reny Archer
Still experimenting with my multi pot but loving it so far. The shape is more functional for me as I’m short and have a hard time seeing into the original intstant pot.
My question is whether or not I can cook in the multi pot with other containers such as cake pans or casserole dishes. There’s just the two of us and we don’t need a whole pan of rice.
Thank you
Barbara Schieving
Hi Reny – I haven’t tried cooking pot in pot in the Gem, but it works well in the pressure cooker https://www.pressurecookingtoday.com/how-to-use-the-pot-in-pot-method-in-your-pressure-cooker-instant-pot/ so I assume it would work in the Gem as well. You’d just have to keep an eye on the water level underneath the rice so it doesn’t cook dry.
Kay Pfahlert
Will brown rice turn out nicely as well?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Kay – I haven’t tried brown rice in the Gem but I assume it would work well.
Kay Pfahlert
Thank you, I will definitely give it a try!
Judy proctor
When you do a roast ,do you put it on the rack??
Barbara Schieving
Hi Judy – no, I always put a roast in a liquid so it braises and gets nice and tender.
Nein
Newbie here 👋🏼 How do I cook frozen chicken? Sauté or do I put it on slow cook or bake? So confused here😩
Barbara Schieving
Hi Nein – I would use the Bake setting and cook it at 425 degrees on a rack using a recipe similar to this one https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-frozen-chicken-247433
Nein
Thanks so much for your quick response 🙂
Robin
Thank you for your review. Is there a cookbook for the gem instant pot?
Barbara Schieving
Hi Robin – there isn’t a cookbook for the Gem that I’m aware of. I assume there will be one eventually.
carol l shanks
How do you cook a roast in it Im new at this what setting do you use
Barbara Schieving
Hi Carol – you can cook it with the slow cooker setting, or use the bake setting and cook it like you would in the oven.
Mary
Looks like a really nice appliance to have in my home arsenal!
Carol
I can see why you’d donate your slow cooker after using this. The fact that you can do everything in it-like saute-makes it that much more convenient. Nice to be able to bake something in that as you say in the heat of summer rather than starting up your oven. I like the square shape of it too…easier to fit things in. I’m a pressure cooker convert so I don’t use my slow cooker much at all any more-just on the holidays to hold mashed potatoes and such. The Instant Pot Gem looks like a really nice product-and I do like appliances that can do more than one thing for me.
Thanks for your wonderful review, Barbara! 🙂