Can 1000w inverter run mini Instant Pot?

Joined
Jan 1, 2013
Posts
156
Likes collected
89
Location
NORWICH
Funster No
24,111
MH
Carthago Malibu 640
Exp
since May 2013
Hello all! I use a large Instant Pot, a fancy pressure cooker, daily at home and love it. I have heard that the smallest mini version may soon be available in the UK. If it's the same spec as the one currently available in the USA, it will have a 700w heating element and is described as 120v-60Hz. Would it be possible to run this using our 1000w inverter? I don't want to buy one, only to discover we can only use it when on EHU. I'm hoping someone electrically minded will be along to help me, so that I can snap one up if they do release them here, or alternatively save my money if the inverter isn't man enough.
 
No, 230v will blow the 120v element.
I would expect them, if they are officially imported, to be rated at 230v 50hz which will run on your inverter but a bigger inverter would run cooler and longer.
Be aware though, 700watts will take almost 60amps per hour from your battery(ies).
 
Last edited:
I would expect a 230v version to be only 350 watt so it shouldn't be a problem but will be drawing over 30 amps from you battery
I don't see the point of it why not just use a small pressure cooker on the hob, thats what we do.

Edit:
Corrected my stupid mistake in a later post.
 
Last edited:
I would expect a 230v version to be only 350 watt so it shouldn't be a problem but will be drawing over 30 amps from you battery
I don't see the point of it why not just use a small pressure cooker on the hob, thats what we do.
I would expect the wattage to be the same....a 230v 700w element.
350w is use nor ornament for heating liquids and would take twice as long to boil so still 60a.
 
Thank you papajohn. I've just checked and all the US models are 120v, but the models currently available in UK are 220v. Presumably the mini will be released in uk at 220v too. If that's the case will my inverter be up to the challenge?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
I would expect a 230v version to be only 350 watt so it shouldn't be a problem but will be drawing over 30 amps from you battery
I don't see the point of it why not just use a small pressure cooker on the hob, thats what we do.
I was going along those lines at first but then I thought NO watts is watts no matter how you make them, the amps would be half though at 240v.

Martin
 
I was going along those lines at first but then I thought NO watts is watts no matter how you make them, the amps would be half though at 240v.

Martin
My thoughts too.
Watts = constant
Amps = variable

And....

The amps are from the battery at 12v...
700 / 12 = 60.
 
Your inverter would be fine, but will your batteries that’s the question, if you start it off hot it might not have too much work to do assuming there is thermostat control on it and for how long you run it.

Martin
 
Generally runs for 30 mins max, including getting up to pressure. It sautés as well as pressure cooking, slow cooking etc. We have solar panels on the roof for replenishment of batteries, so rarely have issues currently (pun not intended!) We tend to make use of EHU in the winter months, but not in good weather in UK or when travelling through France/Germany. I don't think I'd bother getting one unless I could make use of it all the time.
 
I was going along those lines at first but then I thought NO watts is watts no matter how you make them, the amps would be half though at 240v.

Martin
I must be waring my dunces cap today.

So it would be drawing around 60-70 amps allowing for inefficiencies and depending if there are any start up surges may need a bigger inverter but unlikely.

Generally runs for 30 mins max, including getting up to pressure. It sautés as well as pressure cooking, slow cooking etc. We have solar panels on the roof for replenishment of batteries, so rarely have issues currently (pun not intended!) We tend to make use of EHU in the winter months, but not in good weather in UK or when travelling through France/Germany. I don't think I'd bother getting one unless I could make use of it all the time.

Still going to take 30-40 a/h out of your batteries, need to use it in morning to stand a chance of getting some charge back into your batteries.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
It won't be running at full power for very long. Once the water has boiled it will just cut in every now and again to keep the temperature up. I assume there is some sort of insulation around it, which will reduce power consumption. If it ran continuously it would make a good steam generator though.
 
Definitely insulated, the outside walls remain completely cool when in use.
 
It won't be running at full power for very long. Once the water has boiled it will just cut in every now and again to keep the temperature up. I assume there is some sort of insulation around it, which will reduce power consumption. If it ran continuously it would make a good steam generator though.
Good point, as they have the bigger one at home they could run some tests on it to get an idea.

These are only a tenner on eBay.
upload_2018-1-13_14-24-20.png
 
Amazon product ASIN B073CV96BY
The blurb says 720 watts. (This is not an "Instant Pot" but, I imagine, similar).
That one looks quite good as it has a s/s pot, we looked at the King Pro before (for home) but it has a aluminium pot, the boss refuses to use aluminium for cooking.

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 
That one looks quite good as it has a s/s pot, we looked at the King Pro before (for home) but it has a aluminium pot, the boss refuses to use aluminium for cooking.

I don't have one so can't comment. If they ever come into our local surplus shop I might be tempted. :)
 
QUOTE="Puddleduck, post: 2667719, member: 29703"]I don't have one so can't comment. If they ever come into our local surplus shop I might be tempted. :)[/QUOTE]
I have a £50 Co-op voucher for use on electrical goods (freebee for taking house insurance with then) they have a bigger Salter 5Lt one at £60 one so might risk a tenner it will cost be just to try one out as we use slow cooker & pressure cookers at home.
 
We wild camp most of the time so I wouldn't consider electrical appliances that will drain the batteries. I use a small pressure cooker on the hob. Even with solar panels if you have a cloudy day your batteries might not get a full charge. I prefer to keep the batteries for the heating system and TV
 
We have a multi-cooker which has a max 700w draw and we run that from the batteries. It's only drawing full power for about 10 minutes and then reduces down. The remoska (400w) is normally on for about an hour (again, cutting in and out so not a constant 400w) and so long as it's sunny we don't really take any hit on the batteries, back to 100% after an hour or so. If you have the battery and solar pv capacity your inverter should be fine to run the instant pot.
 
Reading this thread, I just wondered if something like this could be used whilst travelling? Presumably the pot is sealed, so could be placed in a box securely on the floor, whilst travelling the engine would keep the batteries charged, and a nice meal when we stop?

Subscribers  do not see these advertisements

 

Join us or log in to post a reply.

To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun

Join MotorhomeFun

Join us, it quick and easy!

Log in

Already a member? Log in here.

Latest journal entries

Back
Top