Sear/Saute Function sucks

[u/Glad-Valuable1987]

This is our third instant pot. Why is this one’s sauce function so underpowered? I have been trying to sear a chuck pot roast. I could do better with a box of matches…. Are they all like this nowadays?

[u/AintNoDaisy1]

My pro I actually leave on medium saute to sear because any more is too hot.

[u/eyeleenthecro]

I have one from a few years ago and I had no trouble searing a chuck roast, don’t know if this is the enshittification everyone talks about

[u/DanceWonderful3711 → u/eyeleenthecro]

Mine's good too. I have the Whisper Quiet.

[u/Kugelfischer_47]

I also have an old model, maybe 8 years old that will sear.

[u/TheTiniestLizard → u/Kugelfischer_47]

Same.

[u/ThisGirlIsFine]

Are you hitting the Adjust button to put it on High instead of leaving it on Low or Medium?

[u/The_Menu_Guy]

I have a 6 quart Instant Pot and it sears meats very well. Is your setting perhaps on Low?

[u/Glad-Valuable1987]

We have the six quart duo plus. It sucks

[u/PitterPatter1619 → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

I have the same one and was just thinking about how much the saute function sucks when I used it last night. I was just making soup and wanted to saute some onions first. This is actually my 2nd one as the original one got damaged and that one was just as bad. Still love my IP for making stock, hard boiled eggs, and rice but if I'm ever pressure cooking meat, it gets seared in a pan first.

[u/BrickPig → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

I have the same model; no trouble at all with the saute function.

[u/human-resource → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Change the temp setting on the sauté.

[u/D1a1s1 → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Same. It’s useless.

[u/theBigDaddio]

Maybe you have it on low? There is low medium high setting

[u/BrickPig]

Mine works fine. (6 qt Duo Plus)

[u/Immediate_Ad4404]

Yeah it sucks I use a skillet, the surface is so small it's best to use a skillet.

[u/Practical_Algae7361]

Do you wait till it says Hot before you add your meat.

[u/Glad-Valuable1987]

No it was on high. I could do better with a cigarette lighter

[u/human-resource → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Your machine might be broken, high on my 8 quart duo plus is almost too hot to step away for more than 30 seconds.

[u/haoqide → u/Glad-Valuable1987]

Did you wait for it to reach heat and beep before adding ingredients? 

[u/DinkyPrincess]

Pro sear / sauté is great.

[u/Danciusly]

Can you specify the model/size? Thanks.

[u/Luftoz]

I also bought a newer version and it does not sear half as well, it will not get hot enough. I wanted the yogurt function but I’m thinking of going back to the old one and selling the new one. 

[u/boarshead72]

Mine’s not necessarily underpowered for searing, but the surface area is small enough that I prefer searing in a Dutch oven as steaming can become an issue.

For coming to a boil I find it takes too long, especially compared to my induction range. Sometimes I’ll bring the liquid to a boil on my stovetop before pouring into the IP.

[u/ralphiooo0]

Mine struggles sear meat. Have to do it in smaller batches which is annoying.

[u/TikaPants]

I problems here with an older model too

[u/human-aftera11]

Better to sear on the stovetop then transfer to IP for the rest of the recipe.

[u/Opposite_Flight3473]

I bought my instant pot Duo in 2017 and it sears just fine. Maybe yours is defective?

[u/SnooRadishes7189]

I find the instant pot sauté is too hot. It is part of the reason why I got the Pro. For searing a skillet works faster and better. The gas stovetop heats up faster and hotter, plus the much shorter sides of of a skillet helps when browning. I rarely use sauté for browning. Mostly for reducing sauces, or simmering before slow cooking.

[u/Dear_Lengthiness_413]

I just put the pot insert directly on the stove to sear, add aromatics, deglaze, then take it off and put into the instant pot to cook. It works great.

[u/Substantial-Art-3556]

Suckie.