The Instant Pot® was created to solve a cooking challenge that busy people face: how to quickly put a healthy, delicious meal on the table after a long day of work or study. The product has struck a chord. It has been the best-selling item in its category on Amazon in the last five years and now boasts a Facebook community of 1.6 million users.
For millions of customers, the Instant Pot is a must-have. But what is the must-have for the company behind the Instant Pot? A solid intellectual property (IP) strategy.
The company's success
The Instant Pot is a smart cooker that functions as a rice cooker, sauté pan, pressure cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker and steamer. The Instant Pot is also eco-friendly, using less energy by cooking faster than similar products and reducing heat in the kitchen.
Word-of-mouth powerfully contributed to the Instant Pot's success, and this phenomenon has spilled over into the social media world. In the Instant Pot Community Facebook group, participants share their experiences with using the product, including opening or "unboxing" their new Instant Pot purchase, trying out recipes and sharing pictures and videos of their food. The product has started a new cooking culture.
The company is completely innovation-driven, according to Robert Wang, the founder and CEO of Instant Brands Inc., the parent company of Instant Pot. A new generation of Instant Pot rolls out every 12 to 18 months; the product is currently on its eighth generation.
"As soon as we come out with a new design, we apply for intellectual property," says Wang.
Instant Brands on Canada's accession to the Hague Agreement:
"The process of registering for industrial design in other countries can be costly and time consuming. A simpler and more efficient filing process that protects products in multiple countries is a big win for Canadian companies like ours. That's why we are so pleased that Canada acceded to the Hague Agreement."
Perspective on IP
Patent applications for the Instant Pot were first made in 2013, in both Canada and the United States. Now, the company also owns industrial designs, patents and trademarks in Europe, Africa and Asia. The company's IP portfolio includes its trademarks, the patents for the technology behind the products and registered industrial designs protecting the style and look of the products.
For Instant Brands, officially protecting its IP is a cost-effective way to protect its products from copycats. Unfortunately, the Instant Pot's parts have been frequently copied illegally. IP rights have helped the company win legal battles against imitators.
"Some of our products were not protected as industrial designs in the early days. There were people who copied (our products) and we learnt the lesson," says Wang. "We have since been taking IP protection very seriously."
The Instant Pot's growth strategy is tied directly to its IP. The multicooker industry is growing rapidly, and many new products like the Instant Pot have entered the competition. Protecting and registering IP allows Instant Brands to continue to upgrade its product lines and discourage imitators. Instant Brands is dedicated to research and development in order to continue thriving as the industry leader.
What is Robert Wang's advice to small or medium-sized Canadian enterprises? "All enterprises should have their products protected as IP. Pay attention as to how to protect your IP, and register (for IP) on time," says Wang.
Are you inspired to protect your products and ideas? Visit the IP for business page on how to develop an IP strategy for success.
FAQs
However, all include ingredients, pressure level, cooking time and venting method.
- Prep ingredients and Sauté if required.
- Add ingredients to inner pot.
- Close the lid. Set steam release to “Sealing”.
- Select Smart Program.
- Wait for cooker to pressurize.
Before first time use
Clean the pressure cooker with a sponge using a mild detergent or soapy water and 2 or 3 drops of vinegar, before using for the first time. Any oil adhering to the cooker will yellow and harden if it is exposed to heat before the oil is cleaned off and will be difficult to remove.
Do professional chefs use Instant Pot? ›
They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.
What is the best first thing to cook in an Instant Pot? ›
When it comes to breaking your Instant Pot in, it's a good idea to start with some basic foods and simple meals you're already familiar with, then slowly expand your Instant Pot repertoire from there. Try making staples like eggs, sweet potatoes, rice, or lentils using just the pressure cooker function.
How do I know if my Instant Pot is starting? ›
After you set the time, it will take about 10 seconds for the screen to read "On." The screen will remain that way as the pot heats up, building steam pressure. You'll know the pot is pressurized when the floating valve in the lid pops up. The countdown for your cooking cycle should start shortly after that.
Should steam come out of Instant Pot while pressurizing? ›
It's normal for a small amount of steam to leak from the valve while the pot is heating up, but if it continues to leak steam during the pressure-cooking cycle, you may have a problem. This issue could be a sign that you need to clean out and reposition the valve.
Do you need to clean Instant Pot lid every time? ›
A quick cleaning after each use requires a hand washing or a simple trip through the dishwasher (lid, seals, and the inner chamber), and then a wipe-down of the base. Deep cleaning the unit with baking soda and vinegar, however, will keep it properly functioning for years to come.
Can I put vinegar in my Instant Pot? ›
Steam Clean with White Vinegar or Lemon
Fill the Instant Pot insert with two cups of white vinegar or the same amount of water and a lemon rind, seal the lid, and run the appliance on the “steam” setting for two minutes.
Is Instant Pot better than crock pot? ›
An Instant Pot does have more functionality (like sautéing, pressure cooking, slow cooking, and acts as a rice cooker, steamer, and warmer!) than a slow cooker, but if you don't plan to use all of its extra functions and just prefer the simplicity of a slow-cooker, then you might prefer a Crock-Pot.
Are instapots worth the money? ›
If you're looking to save counter space or don't want to spend a lot of money on separate appliances, then an Instant Pot could be worth the expense. However, if you're only going to use one or two functions of the Instant Pot, it's worth considering if separate devices would be more cost-effective.
If you're a tech-savvy home chef looking for versatility and convenience, the Instant Pot might be your ideal match. However, if you value time-tested reliability, durability, and a focus on the art of pressure cooking, a classic pressure cooker could be your perfect culinary companion.
What are the instructions for an Instant Pot? ›
How to cook using an Instant Pot
- Sauté your meat (if necessary).
- Press the Cancel button and add your other ingredients.
- Place the lid on and lock it in place.
- Select the pressure (high and low are usually the only options) and time you would like.
- Make sure the valve is in the sealed position.
While an Instant Pot cooks food faster than the conventional stovetop or oven, its inner pot undergoes a preheating cycle of 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the unit to pressurize properly before food is added.
