You deserve better than the Instant Pot Max

The $200 (£150/AU$269) Instant Pot Max is the newest electric pressure cooker from Instant Pot, the company behind the eponymous line of  small appliances  known for cooking food quickly using pressure.

The Instant Pot Max will be available beginning Aug. 1.

The Max's pared-down control panel makes it easy to use. It also has a metal knob that you use to adjust cooking times and temperature.

The Max's valve system is fully automatic, which means it will adjust itself based on which option you select to release steam: quick release, pulse release or natural release.

The Max provides a new function that lets you sous vide (which is French for under vacuum). With this method you vacuum-seal your food in a plastic bag and let it cook in a temperature-controlled water bath. The water circulates and cooks the food that's in the bag. 

The Max isn't reliable enough to be trusted with sous vide. The Max failed to heat the water to the intended temperature during multiple tests, which left food undercooked. For example, this steak was supposed to be cooked to medium based on the cooking time and temperature we set. However, the steak came out closer to medium rare and still bloody.

Though the pineapple canning appeared to be a success, we wouldn't issue a blanket recommendation to safely use the Max for all your canning needs because we couldn't verify that the internal temperature of the jars reached 240-250 degrees.