Odvex.Admin
Save time and money by checking the latest rankings and discounts on Odvex.
Stop Guessing: Is the Instant Vortex Plus the Smartest Air Fryer?
We have all been there. You are air frying a batch of expensive salmon or delicate pastries. The recipe says 10 minutes, but you are nervous. You pause the machine, pull out the basket, and let all the heat escape just to check on the color. You slide it back in, the temperature drops, and the cooking cycle gets messed up. It is the “black box” problem that has plagued basket air fryers since they were invented.
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook aims to solve this frustration with a simple, yet brilliant innovation: a window. By adding a transparent front panel and an internal light, Instant Brands (the makers of the legendary Instant Pot) promises to give you back control over your cooking.
But does adding a window compromise the insulation? Does the glass get greasy and impossible to clean? We took this sleek black appliance for a spin to see if the “ClearCook” technology is a gimmick or a genuine upgrade for your kitchen.
Key Features: More Than Just a Pretty Face
While the window is the headline feature, the Vortex Plus packs a surprising amount of utility into a relatively compact footprint.
1. ClearCook Technology
The “ClearCook” window works exactly like your oven door. With the touch of a button, an internal light turns on, illuminating the basket. This allows you to monitor browning in real-time without interrupting the airflow. It is particularly useful for melting cheese on burgers or toasting nuts, where the difference between “perfect” and “burnt” is about 30 seconds.
2. 6-in-1 Versatility
It isn’t just a fryer. The unit comes with six distinct cooking programs:
- Air Fry: Standard high-speed convection for crispy results.
- Roast: Ideal for veggies and chicken breasts.
- Broil: High, direct heat for melting and browning tops.
- Bake: Gentle heat for muffins or cakes.
- Reheat: A game-changer for leftovers (way better than a microwave).
- Dehydrate: Low and slow for making jerky or dried fruit.
3. EvenCrisp Airflow
Instant Brands utilizes “EvenCrisp” technology, which is a fancy way of describing their airflow engineering. The goal is to achieve the crunch of deep frying with 95% less oil. In practice, this means the fan is powerful enough to drive hot air through the food, rather than just around it.
4. Smart Interface
The control panel is a tilted, black touchscreen that looks very modern. A nice touch is the customizable presets. Once you adjust the time and temp for your favorite “Roast” setting, the machine remembers it for next time.
Hands-On Experience: The Window Test
We put the Vortex Plus through the standard gauntlet of kitchen tasks to see how it performs under pressure.
Cooking Fries and Wings
We loaded the 6-quart basket with a bag of frozen fries. The square basket shape is superior to round ones, offering more corners for air circulation. Halfway through, the machine beeped to remind us to “Turn Food.” This is a crucial feature that prevents uneven cooking. The result? Golden, crispy fries in about 12 minutes.
The window was incredibly satisfying here. watching the oil bubble on the wings without opening the drawer gave us the confidence to pull them out at the exact moment of peak crispiness.
Noise and Heat
Air fryers can be loud. The Vortex Plus is surprisingly quiet. It hums rather than roars. It does vent hot air out of the back, so you need to keep it pulled away from the wall, but the exterior plastic stays relatively cool to the touch compared to metal toaster ovens.
The Cleaning Reality
The basket and the crisper tray are non-stick and dishwasher safe. The crisper tray has small rubber feet to keep it in place—be careful when scrubbing, as these can sometimes pop off and go down the drain. As for the window? We worried it would get greased up and opaque. While it does get splattered, a quick wipe with a soapy sponge brings it back to crystal clear visibility.
Pros and Cons
| What We Love | What Could Be Better |
|---|---|
| The Window: It genuinely changes how you cook. No more heat loss from “checking.” | Rubber Feet: The small rubber bumpers on the tray can come loose if you aren’t careful. |
| Preheat Speed: It reaches 400°F incredibly fast, often in under 3 minutes. | Fingerprints: The glossy black control panel loves fingerprints. |
| Quiet Operation: Much quieter than older generations of air fryers. | Plastic Odor: Like most air fryers, it has a “new plastic” smell for the first couple of runs. |
| Square Basket: 6QT square shape fits more food than equivalent round baskets. | Touch Sensitivity: The touchscreen is sleek but sometimes requires a firm press. |
Comparison: Vortex Plus vs. The Competition
Is the window worth the price, or should you stick to a standard fryer?
| Feature | Instant Vortex Plus (Main) | Cosori Pro II (Competitor) | Ninja AF101 (Budget) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 🍟 6 Quarts | 🍟 5.8 Quarts | 🍟 4 Quarts |
| Viewing Window | 👀 Yes + Light | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Controls | 📱 Touchscreen | 📱 Touchscreen | 🔘 Buttons |
| Shape | ⬜ Square | ⬜ Square | ⚪ Round |
| Functions | ⚙️ 6-in-1 | ⚙️ 12-in-1 | ⚙️ 4-in-1 |
Verdict: A Visionary Upgrade
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT ClearCook is the air fryer for the control freak in all of us. The addition of the window and light isn’t just a gimmick; it solves a fundamental usability issue with basket fryers. Being able to see your food cook means you are far less likely to burn dinner.
Buy this if:
- You often cook meats or baked goods where visual monitoring is key.
- You want a quiet, fast machine from a trusted brand.
- You are cooking for a family of 3-4 people (6QT is the perfect size).
Skip this if:
- You never check your food and trust the timer blindly (save money on a basic model).
- You need a massive capacity (look for an 8QT or dual-basket model).
Overall, Instant Brands has taken a great fryer engine and added the one feature we didn’t know we needed until we had it. It’s a solid win for any kitchen.
