Dealmaster: Ars Technica readers’ favorite kitchen appliance is 25% off

Instant Brands

In this kitchen appliance edition of Dealmaster, we’ve gathered some of the best deals on some of our favorite tools for cooking. One of those favorites happens to be the Instant Pot, which our readers also love for its versatility and convenience (check this forum thread for proof!). We found both the six- and eight-quart sizes of the Instant Pot on sale, and regardless of the size you choose, we’re confident that this humble tool will be worth the small investment.

In addition to the Instant Pot, we’ve also found some terrific deals on other kitchen tech. From coffeemakers to waffle makers, we’ve rounded up some of the best deals for you to host your next big family breakfast or brunch gathering.

The most versatile kitchen appliance you can buy is on sale

Instant Pot

Whether you’re slow-cooking or making yogurt or rice, or even stir-frying your dinner, the Instant Pot is an all-in-one tool that makes cooking easier. Use it to slow-cook a roast to perfection as a crockpot replacement, or if you’re pressed for time, you can cut the cooking time on some foods with the pressure-cooking function. In my house, next to the oven, the Instant Pot is the most used appliance of all the countertop appliances that we own. The best part is that the Instant Pot is on sale for up to nearly 25 percent off.

  • Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 6-quart for $130 (was $170) at Amazon
  • Instant Pot Pro 10-in-1 8-quart for $150 (was $170) at Amazon

With the savings, the Pro model of the Instant Pot comes in at roughly the same price as the lower-end Duo Plus, making this a great buy if you’re new to the Instant Pot. The Pro model has a control knob, larger screen, and more accessible controls than the Duo Plus.

And if you’re looking for inspiration for your next recipe, consider the Indian Instant Pot Cookbook: Traditional Indian Dishes Made Easy and Fast—a favorite of some of our forum members. If you’re new to cooking, consider a meal kit from a subscription program to help you get started. Check out Blue Apron and Hello Fresh; both are available with additional savings and special offers from our partner at Wired. Meal kit subscriptions can help you with ingredients, portion size, and prep and come with cooking instructions.

With Mother’s Day around the corner and Father’s Day as well as graduation approaching, the Instant Pot Pro can also make a great gift for a loved one in your home.

Can a waffle maker replace a toaster oven in your home?

Where can we volunteer to be a stock photographer of waffle imagery? "High Angle View Of Waffles On Iron."
Enlarge / Where can we volunteer to be a stock photographer of waffle imagery? “High Angle View Of Waffles On Iron.”
Armando Mejía / EyeEm / Getty Images

The folks at Wired think so. Reviewer Scott Gilbertson—formerly a mainstay on the Ars front page and now working full time in Wired land—initially tried it out of necessity when he moved his family into an RV, but he loved making things with his waffle maker so much that he never returned to the toaster after that experiment. “Waffling was born of necessity for me, but when I finally figured out what was wrong with my oven half a year later, I didn’t even care,” he wrote in an article. “I never ordered the replacement part. We had already waffled our way to van life victory—in the culinary sense, anyway. Except for good Southern-style biscuits. Don’t try to make biscuits in a waffle iron. Trust me.”

Even if you just crave crispy breakfast waffles and don’t want to experiment with other recipes like Scott, waffle makers are fun. Here are some great deals on waffle makers to spruce up your homemade breakfast or brunch:

  • Ninja NeverStick Pro vertical waffle maker for $70 (was $80) at Amazon
  • Double Belgian waffle maker iron with 180-degree flip for $67 with coupon (was $90) at Amazon
  • Dash multiple mini waffle maker for $39 (was $50) at Amazon
  • Bella classic rotating waffle maker for $32 (was $40) at Amazon
  • Krups stainless-steel waffle maker for $70 with coupon (was $80) at Amazon

And while not on sale, Cuisinart’s $170 waffle maker comes with a deep pan that can make 1-inch waffles and also fluffy omelets, as well, for those who prefer a more savory breakfast. You can even make one omelet and one waffle at the same time.

Get caffeinated to power through your day

Cold-brew coffee is so hot right now.
Enlarge / Cold-brew coffee is so hot right now.

Whether you need to brew a pot of coffee or steep your tea, we found some terrific savings to help get you caffeinated so you can get through your day. And while some of the deals for the coffeemakers on our list come with plenty of features, they aren’t so high-tech that hackers will want to hijack your caffeine and demand a ransom.

  • Black+Decker CM1160B 12-cup for $37 (was $40) at Amazon
  • Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro System 12-cup for $180 (was $230) at Amazon
  • Ninja CP307 Hot and Cold Brewed System Tea & Coffee Maker for $170 (was $200) at Amazon
  • Mr. Coffee Coffee Maker 12-cup for $30 (was $35) at Amazon
  • Hamilton Beach Brewstation 12-cup for $63 with coupon (was $70) at Amazon
  • Ninja CE251 Programmable Brewer 12-cup for $70 (was $80) at Amazon
  • Single Serve Coffee Maker for K Cup and Ground Coffee for $46 (was $73) at Amazon
  • Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville for $182 (was $270) at Amazon

Listing image by Instant Pot

https://arstechnica.com/?p=1932989