I was thinking a slow cooker might be better, but 12+ hours seems like too long to leave food in them. I think mine had an 8-hr setting as the longest time. Hmmm. He's already a good cook, and might just prefer what he was using when he lived at home: He did everything using about 4 things: a 12" cast iron pan, a stainless steel saucepan, the MW, and if doing crispy potatoes, the oven.

I have an extra MW to give him already if the apartment doesn't come with one. Maybe that (bc all the steaming can be done in that, like potatoes, vegetables, etc.) combined with a countertop convection oven would be the best combo. Regardless, I'm going to wait and see what the apartment has, how much counter space, etc before getting him anything. He's just not going to want to heat up the whole oven for a small batch of roasted potatoes or something like that. Smaller oven would probably be good.

My slow cooker has a 12 hour time setting and then it just keeps warm until I get home...the only time the keep warm function is an issue is if I'm doing something with not much liquid - in that case some things end up getting pretty dried out. But for stews etc. a 12 hour low setting cook time would be perfect.

Again, so many people love their IPs, but I don't find it all that helpful. But then, I have been cooking for years without one so I already know my way around a dutch oven. The people I know who swear by theirs weren't into cooking before they got one.

I think a countertop oven would be good if there's space - and maybe get him a wok if he's never done much stir frying. Stir fries are usually really quick and easy, and it might expand his repertoire if he hasn't done much of it.

These are great for first apartment, dorm rooms, or busy households. You can slow cook in an IP, as well as saute, and other functions as a pressure cooker. A 4 qt one has replaced the rice cooker entirely. The 6 qt one is the most versatile one for all around cooking. You can do a pasta dish all in 1 pot by browning the meat, putting in the pasta, sauce, and a jar of water. You can do that stove top too, but it's just faster in the IP. If he is cooking for a large crew, the 8 quart one might be better.

I used to have the Cuisinart slow cooker that you can saute in first if you want, and then switch it to slow cook. That was really handy, but I gave it to my daughter. I liked that one bc I could do a braise like coq au vin and other braises bc the heating element was hot enough to brown things before adding the liquid and switching to slow cook. Maybe I'll get that for him. It was really big though. Maybe they make a smaller one.

Thank you for your input. He's already a good cook, so I think you are right that the IP is probably not going to be of much use to him. In fact, I the people who are telling me how great they are were never cooks before.

Edit: NVM

@beesneeds I think it works for you because you are retired and have 1-3 hours to dedicate to using it. Yes it speeds up certain dishes, but those dishes are still huge time sucks. For working people it's hard to find that kind of time. For that reason I've mostly used it on the weekends.

I've heard from a lot of people that the IP slow cook is not good at all. I do not have experience with that as I have a separate slow cooker but good to know your experience slow cooking has been ok. Maybe I'll try it sometime.

I received a Breville multicooker as a gift. It's the same kind of thing. Still, even a really tough solid cut of meat will cook in 7-8 hrs. on “lo” and decline in quality on keep warm. A bean stew might work on 13-14 hours. The ”instant” part is pressure cooking. Electric is not as strong as a stovetop pressure cooker, but is good for gettin a couple of portions done fast.

As to all the dishes you mentioned, the only reason I can think of to use a multi cooker is if he wants his own thing apart from their kitchen stove, It'll work great for that.

IMO it is very good gift. I have Crock Pot multicooker. I am happy with it. Check also Instant Pot Duo

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-Multi-Use-Programmable-Pressure/dp/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=sr_1_3Duo

@AJCN -- I used to have a schedule like your son's and found pressure cookers very handy for getting home and being able to quickly cook excellent versions of most of the kinds of dishes you listed -- chilis, stews, beans, pot roasts, pasta sauces, ragus etc. The exceptions were rice (my old rice cooker was and is faster and easier for that) and pastas (which cook very quickly on a stove top). I found pressure cookers worked so much better for my life and my cooking than slow cookers (a/k/a crock pots) that it has been decades since I've used my crockpots for anything but buffet warmers when I entertain. I've continued using my pressure cookers frequently since I retired. While I don't have an Instant Pot of my own --- my induction cooktop has timer-controlled burners which give me enough of the "fire and forget" convenience of an IP , at least for me --- but I have used some IP's and have recommended them to friends who ask about pressure cookers. So far, all of them have been pleased with the device. Several of my RV'ing friends won't leave home without their Instant Pots on board and bring them into the house when they are at home.

As for choosing a six-quart model I can say only that an eight quart one works as well with smaller quantities of a dish but smaller ones can't make larger quantities when you want to scale up, if you think you might want to scale up.

While waiting for further responses here, have you looked at the seriouseats site or do you have access to the Cook's Illustrated/America's Test Kitchen site? Both have analysis and testing of current Instant Pots and other brands' competing devices which may help with deciding whether to get one and which one to get.
The 2022-2023 ATK/CI articles are pay-walled but, FWIW, the site's testers gave "highly recommended" ratings to the Instant Pot Pro 8 Qt. and Instant Pot Pro 6 Qt. models. Those may be the current versions of the ones suggested in the posts above by anj_p and DeWayne.
The 2023 seriouseats articles are not paywalled. You might find these recent write-ups helpful, if you haven't already seen them.
* https://www.seriouseats.com/best-instant-pot-5205586
* https://www.seriouseats.com/what-is-the-instant-pot-good-for 
* https://www.seriouseats.com/equipment-the-best-pressure-cookers-review

Beesneeds seems to have one of the more advanced Instant Pot models. Last time I checked, it seemed that the company's models were proliferating to the point that trying to sort them out and choose between them could quickly get confusing. If that's happening for you, I 'm recalling a recent Wirecutter/NewYorkTimes article that you might find helpful if trying to choose between the base models (Instant Pot Duo) and the upper tier ones (such as the Instant Pot Pro).

We love our Instant Pot, and do cook a lot--but we also have kids and busy lives. We got it because I wanted a pressure cooker and wanted to replace the existing rice cooker and slow cooker to consolidate appliances. It's been terrific for that. I do think the rice cooker did a better job at rice specifically, but not enough better to warrant taking up the extra storage space. Once we got the ratios down for the IP, it was almost as fast (and works better for brown rice than our old rice cooker did). Most recipes we use are in the 10-30 minute prep timeframe--if I have an hour to prep I generally have time to cook a full meal on the stove/oven. We don't use the slow cooking as much as the pressure cooking but have liked the things we've tried. Single biggest thing we use it for (aside from rice) is cooking dried beans--they are fast enough that we don't have to plan ahead to make them for dinner, which I love. It is worth having for that and the rice alone. Also great for soups and stews. I have never tried pasta in it--that's fast enough on the stove that I can't imagine it would save that much time in the IP since it does take a few minutes for the water to come up to temperature.

We have the 6 qt Duo (basic model) and have found it a good size for a family of four with healthy leftovers. No idea what kinds of features the fancier ones have, but these seem plenty sufficient for our uses. If I had a big kitchen with lots of storage I could see having a separate rice cooker and slow cooker, but we have a tiny house and kitchen so try not to have any single-use appliances. It seems to fill a great niche for that.

So, re slow cook, that's what I mostly use my Breville multicooker for. I love that I can sear and sauté right in the pot. I had a crock pot that was supposed to work that way with the crock on the stove, but didn't. In the multicooker, those functions are like in a good cast iron pan, but plenty good enough for setting up slow cooking. The slow cook is vastly superior to any slow cooker I've had (all after the temperature change). It also shows how long it's been since it switched to keep warm. I do occasionally use the pressure cook, but rarely need to. Just saying, the slow cook could be good.

I haven't read all the posts but what about the other extreme and get him an air fryer? There are the good ones like the Ninja foodie where you can cook different things that are ready to eat at the same time and is perhaps, a bit more modern and appealing for a young man.

Zavor LUX LCD : ZSELL02 Multi-Cooker?

• JC Penney
• Amazon
• Home Depot
• Lowes (reviews only)

I was going to suggest an air fryer instead as well. He will probably use it more than the instapot. And this is coming from someone that gave instapots for Christmas gifts one year. My brother is a 64 year old ex-navy man and he actually uses an air fryer. He is not a cook by any stretch and I was a little surprised when I heard he was using it so much. So many of todays frozen and packaged foods like french fries, etc. all have air fryer directions on the bag. I love the air fryer, wish mine had a bigger basket.

Instant Pot also apparently makes a version with an air fryer function (and also sous vide??) I'm a bit skeptical of the everything-to-everyone appliances, but might be worth reading the reviews to see if it actually works, since that might cover all your bases!

JoanM reminds me. Not long ago, I had a not-too-bad injury that prevented me from cooking for a few weeks. Restuarant food gets tedious and unwelcome. I saw a couple of decent looking pre-made chicken packed foods at the online farmers' market, and decided to try them. They show the front and the nutrition/ingredients labels. Both turned out to be sous vide in the bag. They also came with air fryer instructions for finishing/heating. I guess air fryers are so common now that even ”no cook” food expects them.

My kids all got Instant Pots a few years ago, and used them a few times a week. Lately, though, they’ve fallen out of favor due to timing and work schedules. They use Air Fryers frequently as do I - better than a microwave for reheating and cooking veggies. I do a piece of salmon, some broccoli together and it’s great. Liners make it easier to clean. I was also gonna suggest a good cast iron Dutch oven. I love all my Staub pieces. They are great to brown, and then finish in oven. I got a great price on a small 4 qt one on Amazon-$82!

I have a couple of slow cookers that I never use, but I use my pressure cooker all the time. You could get him one like this, but mine is the 4 quart version.

Cooking is very fast in the PC, and I use it for beans, rice, potatoes, vegetables, stews, soups, etc. It works as a sauce pan also and for boiling pasta without the lid.

I use mine with a portable induction burner, and this way it turns off after a set number of minutes. I like the old Duxtop that I linked to - the newer one has less friendly controls.

I frequently cook rice and vegetables together in this pan, and I have learned through experience how much liquid to use and cooking times. For broccoli, I slice the broccoli stems very thinly and reserve the florets. I cook the stems with the rice and vegetable broth (often with onion and celery, which affect the amount of liquid needed), and cook the rice until 2 minutes before it would be done. Then I less the pressure go down, add the florets, and cook with the lid on for one to two minutes. Cooked this way, the broccoli stays hot.

I used this setup when I was renovating my kitchen in Cathedral City, and it worked well for me.

After reading all this, I am going to get one and experiment with it. I hope it will be a good appliance for my Navy son who will have limited free time.

I have an Instant Pot - specific recipe book to give him, but he's going to want to convert regular recipes to the Pot.

I'd go air fryer/toaster oven. It gets used much more than my 8qt. Instant Pot. The Ninja Foodi DT201 Amazon.com: NINJA DT201 Foodi 10-in-1 XL Pro Air Fry Digital Countertop Convection Toaster Oven with Dehydrate and Reheat, 1800 Watts, Stainless Steel Finish (Renewed)

You could always ask which appliance he would rather have!

Dan1888,

I JUST typed out this big long post about that exact appliance! And then I deleted it bc it was too long-winded. I saw it at Costco the other day. My sister and I were there and she bought it for her college-bound son. I'm thinking this might be the way to go.

The post I deleted said basically that he is already a really good cook. He lived at home during college/working to save money. He is used to using regular pots, pans, and the grill. I taught him good knife skills, and he's one of those that doesn't always have to follow a recipe.

He is very healthy and prefers to cook, hates fast food, and he knows all the tricks of "half-home-made" to incorporate some convenience items from the store. But he had a LOT more free time while in college, working and living here. That's why I originally posted; trying to think of a good housewarming gift to save him time in the kitchen so that in his limited free time he can pack in working out, showering, cooking, eating, relaxing and sleeping. That's basically all these Navy folks have time for in a day; and they don't really get weekends bc they have to stand watch on a rotating schedule. Hopefully, about once a month, they get a "real weekend."

Anyhoo...I kinda think a small Dutch oven is almost "set it and forget it," so that could replace the instant pot. To do a braise, after you get past the browning phase you could add the liquid and other ingredients, bring to boil, reduce heat and put on simmer, cover, and then go work out and take a shower. I've done that here in my own house. As long as it's set to a very low temp, it's fine. Also doing soup and stew would be the same thing. After you sauté the aromatics, add the beans, veggies or whatever, bring to boil, reduce the temp, you could still go workout and take a shower. He would just have to get used to the stove available in his rental place. He's a bit spoiled bc we have an induction cooktop, and it's easy to keep something on low, no flame to worry about going out.

Islay Corbel

I did. He doesn't know bc he's already an old fashioned cook always using regular pots and pans, and a grill, with our home appliances which are really good. We don't have any countertop things except a toaster and a coffee maker. But he will have less time now, so that's why I posted; looking for a good housewarming idea for when he moves off base.

You might also want to look at the instant pot cast iron dutch oven thing. It's clever, at least online. An enamelled dutch oven removable from an instant pot base. Use in the oven, or on the base leaving the kitchen for the housemates.

AJCN - kudos to you for teaching your son and congratulations to him! He sounds like a great “kid.” Get him a nice Staub or Le Creuset if he likes traditional cooking. They’re very versatile and I’ve had great Staub deals on Amazon and Target (not in store). He’d appreciate a good quality one as clean up is easier and cooking is even, and a delight. I have a braiser, a tall Cocotte and a Dutch oven. A joy to use.

Just seen an advert on TV for a Ninja speedi. Meals in 15 minutes. I don't have one so I don't know if it's any good but..... they say it's healthy cooking. It does seem to be very versatile. https://www.amazon.com/Ninja-SF301-Capacity-Functions-15-Minute-Speedi/dp/B0B3QT6H7H/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3LV3G2BAOCQY&keywords=ninja+speedi&qid=1682003931&sprefix=ninja+speedi%2Caps%2C319&sr=8-2