Just before Christmas, I stumbled across an article about the hottest new kitchen appliance – invented in Canada, no less. I’m talking about the Instant Pot (the ‘IP’) – an electric pressure cooker than is promoted as having half a dozen other functions. Having been fooled by claims from more stupid gadgets than I care to remember, I was skeptical. Go to Value Village or the Salvation Army store and you’ll see shelf upon shelf of failed labour-savers – banana savers, microwave boiled egg cookers, asparagus peelers, the potato-chip shooter, or anything advertised on late-night TV. Remember Ron Popeil (spray on hair) and Ronco products (miracle broom, electric egg scrambler)? For decades, I’ve been using a series of manual pressure cookers. You know, you…

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