The problem this solves
You already trust Instant Pot. You own the pressure cooker, you have used it hundreds of times, and when the brand released an air fryer, you noticed. The question is whether the Instant Pot Vortex Plus 6QT actually lives up to the name — or whether the brand loyalty is doing the heavy lifting while the product falls short.
After analyzing data across 71,867 verified Amazon buyer reviews and cross-referencing independent lab tests from TechGearLab and editorial reviews from TechRadar and Food Network, this review breaks down exactly what real owners love, what they complain about most, and the two specific concerns — the plastic smell and the PTFE coating — that every buyer should understand before purchasing.
What this product is
The Instant Pot Vortex Plus is a 6-quart, single-basket countertop air fryer with six cooking functions: air fry, broil, roast, dehydrate, bake, and reheat. It uses Instant Pot's proprietary EvenCrisp technology, which circulates hot air from the top down for even browning. The unit runs at 1700 watts with a temperature range of 95°F to 400°F. It features a stainless steel exterior, a touchscreen display with a central dial, and a nonstick basket and tray that are both dishwasher safe. It also includes one-touch smart programs for common recipes and connects to the Instant Pot app with over 100 recipes. The unit includes overheat protection and auto-shutoff. Priced at around $89.99 on a limited-time deal at the time of writing, with a list price of $149.99 — price fluctuates frequently on Amazon.
Concern #1: The plastic smell
This is the single most talked-about complaint across thousands of reviews. When buyers first unbox and run the Instant Pot Vortex Plus, many report a noticeable plastic or chemical smell during the first two to three uses. Some describe it as a new appliance smell, others describe it as more pungent.
The data from buyer reviews shows a clear pattern. The vast majority of buyers who mention the smell also report it fading completely after two to four uses. Running the air fryer empty at 400°F for 10 to 15 minutes before cooking food for the first time is the most commonly recommended break-in method. Multiple independent reviewers confirmed this approach works.
However, a smaller but consistent subset of buyers — enough to show up repeatedly across reviews — report the smell lingering for weeks or even months. TechGearLab's independent lab test specifically noted an odd taste in food cooked in the Vortex Plus, which they attributed to the same issue.
The honest assessment: for most buyers, this is a temporary inconvenience that resolves itself. For a small percentage, it is a genuine dealbreaker. If you are particularly sensitive to chemical smells or tastes, this is worth knowing before you buy.
Concern #2: The PTFE coating
The Amazon listing for the Instant Pot Vortex Plus includes a disclosure stating the product contains PTFE, which is a type of PFAS compound used in nonstick coatings. This is not unusual — many air fryers and cookware products use PTFE-based coatings — but it is a legitimate concern for health-conscious buyers who are actively seeking PFAS-free alternatives.
For context, PTFE-based nonstick coatings are generally considered safe for normal cooking use at temperatures below 500°F. The Vortex Plus maxes out at 400°F, which is well within the safe operating range. The primary risk with PTFE occurs when cookware is overheated beyond 500°F, which causes the coating to break down and release fumes.
That said, if avoiding PFAS entirely is important to you, this is not the air fryer for you. The COSORI TurboBlaze 6QT, which sits at a similar price point and capacity, uses a PFAS-free ceramic nonstick coating — one of the few air fryers in this price range to do so.
Concern #3: Basket durability over time
A recurring theme across longer-term Amazon reviews and Reddit discussions is the nonstick coating on the basket wearing down with heavy daily use. Buyers who use the Vortex Plus multiple times per day report the coating showing signs of wear after six to twelve months. Some report the basket itself becoming less sturdy over time, with the crisper tray loosening or falling out when emptying food.
This is compounded by the 1-year limited warranty. If the coating fails just outside the warranty window, replacement baskets are an additional cost. Several Reddit users specifically noted they replaced the original nonstick tray with aftermarket stainless steel racks to extend the appliance life.
What buyers love most
Dead simple to use
The most consistent praise across 71,000+ reviews is how easy the Vortex Plus is to operate. The touchscreen combined with the central dial creates what buyers repeatedly describe as an intuitive experience even for first-time air fryer users. TechGearLab scored it 8 out of 10 for ease of use. One-touch smart programs for common foods like wings, fries, and vegetables mean most meals require zero guesswork.
Genuinely easy cleanup
The dishwasher-safe basket and crisper tray are consistently cited as a top reason buyers chose this model. The nonstick coating — while it raises PTFE concerns addressed above — does make daily cleaning fast and hassle-free. Multiple independent reviewers confirmed that food residue washes off easily without heavy scrubbing.
Versatile beyond air frying
The six cooking functions are not just marketing checkboxes. Buyers specifically call out the dehydrate function as genuinely useful for making jerky, dried fruits, and vegetable chips. The broil and roast functions also draw consistent praise for handling proteins that buyers previously used a full-size oven for.
Excellent temperature accuracy
TechGearLab scored the Vortex Plus a perfect 10 out of 10 for temperature accuracy — the highest score in their testing group. This means when you set it to 375°F, it actually holds at 375°F. This consistency translates to more predictable cooking results, especially for baked goods and proteins where precise temperatures matter.
The Instant Pot brand trust factor
This is harder to quantify but impossible to ignore in the data. A significant portion of positive reviews specifically mention buying this air fryer because they already own and trust their Instant Pot pressure cooker. The brand familiarity clearly influences purchase decisions — and for most buyers, the trust is justified by the product's actual performance.
What buyers complain about most
Beyond the three major concerns already addressed above, buyers also flag the following issues.
The preheat time is longer than competitors. The Vortex Plus requires approximately five minutes to preheat, compared to some competitors that require little to no preheat time. For buyers coming from faster models, this is a noticeable difference.
The unit is bulkier than expected. At nearly 15 inches long and almost 13 inches tall, the Vortex Plus takes up more counter space than buyers anticipate from photos. Multiple reviews mention measuring their counter space after purchase and being surprised by the footprint.
The included recipe booklet is limited. Buyers who rely on the physical booklet rather than the app find it sparse. The app itself has over 100 recipes and is generally well-reviewed, but the printed materials feel like an afterthought.