Instant Pot

mjones12 · 01-12-2021, 05:40 PM

We love the versatility of our Instant Pot at home, but wonder if it will draw too much power in our 30-amp camper.

Would love to hear from anyone who uses this pressure cooker on the road.

cboss · 01-12-2021, 05:57 PM

It will do fine on your 30 amp camper as long as you don't run the AC, hot water heater, toaster, and any thing else you can think of at the same time.....LOL.
Just add up your watts/amps and you can figure what you can use at the same time. We camped in a 30 amp camper for years with no problems.

boondocking · 01-12-2021, 06:19 PM

They draw a little over 8 amps so you will be fine.
Just follow cboss's advice about use other high amp devices at the same time.

TitanMike · 01-12-2021, 06:46 PM

Should be fine on a 30 amp if you mind other current draws like previously advised.

I've seen a lot of people use their Instant Pot's sitting on the picnic table with an extension cord running to the 20 amp outlet on the power post. Definitely an advantage when releasing pressure as the steam is vented directly outside instead of in the RV.

Also, there are a couple sizes of Instant Pot. Worth checking the individual pot in question as there may be different power requirements.

Just remember that a converter, while charging batteries can draw 700 watts plus, the water heater on electricity another 1400 watts and the refrigerator another 300 watts or so. That adds up so far to 2400 watts and your power supply maxes at 3600 watts.

Scrapper · 01-12-2021, 06:59 PM

Pot's still illegal here so I don't think being labeled as "Instant" will get you a lighter fine or sentence.

Sorry.

mjones12 · 01-12-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scrapper

Pot's still illegal here so I don't think being labeled as "Instant" will get you a lighter fine or sentence.

Sorry.

Ha! Better than a crock pot.

Thanks, guys, for all the great info and the timely responses. FYI: my favorite Instant Pot meal is US Senate Bean Soup.

Skip12 · 01-12-2021, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TitanMike

I've seen a lot of people use their Instant Pot's sitting on the picnic table with an extension cord running to the 20 amp outlet on the power post. Definitely an advantage when releasing pressure as the steam is vented directly outside instead of in the RV.

This is what we do. Just be sure not to create a tripping hazard.

TitanMike · 01-12-2021, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip12

This is what we do. Just be sure not to create a tripping hazard.

Defiantly watch for tripping hazards. I like to use cords with extra length and leave some excess at each end. That way if one does catch the cord with a dragging foot there's enough slack to keep from causing a face-plant as well as not pulling plug out, or appliance off table.

Lee Pedrick · 01-12-2021, 07:40 PM

You using it inside or outside? If outside, at your power post, there is usually a separate 20amp duplex receptacle. Plug in an extension cord ran to your outside cooking area and use it. it will not affect the power in your trailer. I use that power outside the trailer in every campsite that has it for outside fans,,ice makers,, decorative lights,, whatever you do outside your camper.

**ependydad** · 01-12-2021, 08:26 PM

As mentioned, it is fine on 30amps. The only time we ever had issues was trying to use 2 of them at a time on the same 15 amp circuit breaker. We just let one come up to pressure before starting up the second one. I later ran a second outlet to the kitchen which was pulled off of a different breaker.

**Flybob** · 01-12-2021, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Pedrick

You using it inside or outside? If outside, at your power post, there is usually a separate 20amp duplex receptacle. Plug in an extension cord ran to your outside cooking area and use it. it will not affect the power in your trailer. I use that power outside the trailer in every campsite that has it for outside fans,,ice makers,, decorative lights,, whatever you do outside your camper.

This can cause problems at some campgrounds. Many times there is a 30A breaker in a locked building that protects the wire from the building to the pedestal. This means that the max current you can draw from the pedestal is 30A regardless of which combination of outlets you use. The issue with this is that it usually requires campground maintenance to reset that breaker.

McRabbet · 01-12-2021, 09:22 PM

I have both an Instant Pot and an Air Fryer that I use on my trips. I am careful to avoid having the water heater on electric or my coffee maker brewing or my A/C running and of course do not run them together. My Progressive Industries EMS has a display which helps me monitor ampere draw so I can stay under 30 Amps. Well worth having to prepare some nice meals.

mjones12 · 01-13-2021, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flybob

This can cause problems at some campgrounds. Many times there is a 30A breaker in a locked building that protects the wire from the building to the pedestal. This means that the max current you can draw from the pedestal is 30A regardless of which combination of outlets you use. The issue with this is that it usually requires campground maintenance to reset that breaker.

Good point. If there is a separate on/off switch for the 20 amp, does that mean the problem you describe would not be a factor? Thanks.

You may also like: