Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Review

The Instant Vortex Air Fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance that allows you to cook your favorite meals with little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. To ensure you get the most out of your air fryer, it’s important to read and follow the instructions provided in the user manual. This comprehensive user guide for the Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer provides step-by-step instructions on how to set up and use your air fryer, as well as important safety information and cleaning instructions.

In addition to the user guide, you can find helpful how-to videos and recipes online at instantappliances.com. By registering your product, you can also access support and warranty information. Whether you’re an experienced air fryer user or a beginner, this user guide will help you get the most out of your Instant Vortex Air Fryer.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer User Guide

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Initial setup

  • Remove all packaging material from inside and around the Air Fryer, as well as all accessories from inside the cooking chamber.
  • Follow the care and cleaning instructions in the safety, maintenance, and warranty booklet to clean your fryer before first use.
  • Place the fryer on a stable, level surface, away from combustible materials and external heat sources. Allow at least 5 inches of space around the fryer.
  • Do not place anything on top of the fryer and do not block the air vents.
  • Never use the Air Fryer on a stovetop.
  • Read all important safety precautions in the Safety, Maintenance, and Warranty booklet before use. Failure to do so may result in property damage and/or personal injury.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Finished product view

Finished productview 1
Ezoic
Finished productview 2

The models listed here may not be representative of all models in the Vortex, Vortex Plus, and Vortex Pro series. 

Ezoic

For a complete list of colors and patterns, visit instantappliances.com.

Initial test

(approximate time: 25 minutes)

  1. Connect the power cord to a 120V power source.
    The air fryer is in standby mode and the display shows ” OFF .”
    Connect the power cord
    Note: To activate the fryer, press the dial button or touch the display.
  2. Remove the frying basket from the cooking chamber.
    Remove the frying basket
  3. Place the cooking tray on the bottom 4 of the frying basket.
    Place the cooking tray on the bottom.
    Note: Make sure the indicator arrows point toward the back or front of the fryer.
  4. Insert the frying basket back into the cooking chamber.
    Insert the air fry basketEzoic
  5. Select smart program: Air frying .
    Air frying
  6. Touch Temperature , then use the dial to adjust the cooking temperature to 205ºC / 400ºF.
    Touch Time , then use the dial to adjust the cooking time to 20 minutes. *
    Touch the temperature
    Note: Smart programs automatically save your last temperature and time settings.Ezoic
  7. Touch Start to begin cooking.
    The display will show “ On ” while the fryer preheats .
    On
    Touch Time or Temperature to select the desired setting, then use the dial to adjust the cooking time and temperature at any time during cooking.
    Time or temperature
  8. When the fryer reaches the target temperature, the display will indicate ” Add Food .”
    For this initial test, do not add food to the frying basket. *
    Note: Some foods do not require a preheat time. Whether or not you remove the basket, cooking will continue after 10 seconds.

    When cooking, food can be added before or after preheating, as desired.
  9. Carefully remove and reinsert the air fryer basket. The ” Add Food
    ” display changes to indicate the cooking time and temperature. The display also shows ” Cooking .”

    remove and reinsert
  10. Halfway through the Smart Program, the fryer will beep and display “ Turn Food ” to remind you to turn or shake your food. *
    spin food
    Remove the frying basket to pause the Smart Program and insert it into the cooking chamber to resume.
    Note: The reminder only appears in Air Fry and Broil . Some foods do not require attention. Cooking will continue after 10 seconds, whether the food has been turned or not.
  11. When there is 1 minute left, the cooking time counts down in seconds.
    When the smart program is complete, the display shows “ End ” and the fan continues to run to cool the fryer.
    Note: If the door is not opened, Air Fryer will remind you that the food is ready after 5, 30 and 60 minutes.
    End
    For further operating instructions, see the full User Manual online at instantappliances.com .
    The fryer and frying basket will be hot during and after cooking. Do not touch hot surfaces. Allow the fryer to cool to room temperature, then clean the frying basket according to the “ Care and Cleaning ” section in the included Safety, Maintenance and Warranty booklet.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer More controls

Cancel Touch to stop cooking. Air fryer returns to Standby and displays “OFF
Sound On/OffWhen in Standby, touch and hold both Temp and Time key for 3 secs to toggle sound on or off.
Temperature (°F to°C)Touch and hold Temp until display changes from°F to°C, or vice versa.
Smart Program Reset When in Standby, touch and hold the smart program for 3 seconds.The smart program is resorted to its default settings.
Full ResetWhen in Standby, press the dial in and hold it for 3 seconds. All settings and smart programs are resorted to default settings.
Ezoic

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Smart programs

Smart Program Time Range Temperature Range
Air Fry1-60 minutes 180-400°F / 82-205°C
Roast 1-60 minutes 180-400°F / 82-205°C
Bake 1-60 minutes 180-400°F / 82-205°C
Reheat1-60 minutes 120-360°F / 49-182°C
Broil*1-40 minutes 400°F / 205°C
Dehydrate*1-72 hours95-175°F / 35-79°C

Roast & Dehydrate Smart programs are only available on Vortex Plus 6 models. 

For more information on smart controls and programs of Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer , see the complete User Manual online.

Kitchen hours

Food Settings Cooking Time Temperature Instruction 
Thin cut fries(frozen)Air fry/ Roast 14-18 minutes 385°F / 196°CShake partway 
Thin cut fries(fresh)Air fry/ Roast 18-20 minutes 385°F / 196°CShake partway
Thick cut fries(frozen) Air fry/ Roast 16-20 minutes385°F / 196°CShake partway
Thick cut fries(fresh)Air fry/ Roast 20-25 minutes385°F / 196°CShake partway
Chicken wings Air fry/ Roast 20-30 minutes400°F / 205°CShake  or turn partway
Half chicken(up to 2 lbs)Roast 30-40 minutes 380°F / 193°COptionally,baste partway
Chicken nuggets (frozen)Broil / Air fry10-15 minutes385°F / 196°CTurn partway
Shrimp (fresh)Air fry8-10 minutes350°F / 177°CTurn partway
Fish sticks (frozen)Broil 8-12 minutes400°F / 205°CTurn partway
Asparagus Broil /Bake7-9 minutes380°F / 193°CTurn partway
Cauliflower Broil /Bake6-10 minutes380°F / 193°CTurn partway
Nachos Broil 3-5 minutes400°F / 205°CCheck cheese halfway 
Cake Bake 23-35 minutes365°F / 185°CUse a springform cake pan 

Note : Cooking times and temperatures are recommendations only. All oven-safe cookware is safe to use in the air fryer. For a complete cooking schedule, visit instantappliances.com.

EzoicBUDGET

ModelVortex Plus 6 Quart Instant Air Fryer
Ability6 rooms
FunctionsAir fry, bake, reheat, roast, broil, dehydrate
AbroadStainless steel
Basket interior dimensions9 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches
Power source120 V
Weight9 pounds
Dimensions11 inches (length) x 11 inches (width) x 13 inches (height)
Smart programsAir fry, roast, grill, dehydrate
Kitchen hoursRecommendations only. All oven-safe cookware is safe for use in the air fryer. Visit instantappliances.com for the full cooking schedule.
CleaningSee the care and cleaning instructions in the Safety, Maintenance and Warranty booklet for cleaning instructions.
additional informationRegister your product at instantappliances.com/support/register to access how-to videos, recipes, support, and warranty information.

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Vortex, Vortex Plus and Vortex Pro?

The Vortex and Vortex Plus have a 3.5-quart capacity, while the Vortex Pro has a 6-quart capacity. The cooking baskets are interchangeable between all three models.

What is the difference between an air fryer and a convection oven?

Air fryers use rapid circulation of hot air to cook food. Convection ovens use hot air, but they also use convection fans to circulate the hot air around the food.

How do I clean my air fryer?

See the care and cleaning instructions in the Safety, Maintenance and Warranty booklet for cleaning instructions.

What’s in the box?

Electric pressure cooker with air fryer lid

Do you smoke?

Use liquid smoke.

What are the actual dimensions of the 6qt? Looking to find a dust cover that fits.

It measures 11 inches long x 11 inches wide x 13 inches high. The base is a little wider, so the base is probably closer to 12″x12″, as it is slightly tapered at the top.

Can this appliance be used with a 220V power supply?

No.

What are the interior dimensions of the 6-quart Vortex Plus basket?

9 1/2 x 9 3/4 x 3 3/4.

Does this tell you when to turn or shake?

Turn the food, but do not shake it.

Can you wash the fryer basket with water?

Yes you can

How much does Ford weigh?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 4QT unit weighs 9 lbs.

What is the difference between the plus and non-plus models?

The Vortex 6Qt has the following functions: air fry, bake, reheat, and broil. The exterior is black plastic. The Instant Vortex Plus 6-quart air fryer has the following functions: air fry, bake, reheat, broil, roast, and dehydrate. The exterior is stainless steel. If you have any further questions, please contact our support team and we can help you further.

How much is the tax?

The tax is applied in accordance with local mandates.

makes it crispy?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is great for preparing crispy, flavorful foods. When making fries, you can toss them in a little oil before cooking for an extra crunch! Enjoy!

Forget the debate about whether to remove the rubber/silicone parts from the tray; more importantly, are they necessary?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is great for preparing crispy, flavorful foods. When making fries, you can toss them in a little oil before cooking for an extra crunch! Enjoy!

Can you use it to make fish and chips?

The Instant Vortex Plus 4-Quart Air Fryer makes tasty, crispy fish and fries! There are recipes on our Instant Home website in the Recipe section. Enjoy!AdvertisementsEzoic

What is the capacity of the Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6 Quart Air Fryer has a 6 quart capacity.

How much does it weight?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 4QT unit weighs 9 lbs.

Are the rubber/silicone tray parts necessary?

The Instant Vortex Plus 6-Quart Air Fryer is great for preparing crispy, flavorful foods. When making fries, you can toss them in a little oil before cooking for an extra crunch! Enjoy!

Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer testing

A few testers in our Lab found it quite easy to use, too. “It does not require you to press ‘start’ again after it preheats, which is helpful if you want to add your food from the beginning and walk away,” one said. A second chirp sounds when the timer is halfway through as a reminder to shake or turn the food for even cooking.

instant vortex plus air fryer clearcook window cooking fresh french friesHeath Owens

The ClearCook window comes in handy for telling when your food needs a shake, as seen here while testing fresh French fries.


Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Test results

When trying this air fryer at home, I made a batch of frozen French fries and fresh French fries. I assessed each batch for ease of cooking, crispiness and flavor. The 6-quart square basket fit about half a 32-ounce bag of frozen fries in a single layer, or two medium potatoes worth of fresh fries. In addition to my at-home fry tests, our in-Lab testers found that chicken wings come out crispy, golden and juicy in about 20 minutes.

Frozen French friesfrozen french fries came out perfectly golden and crisp in my instant vortex air fryer review

Frozen French fries air fried in the Instant Vortex Plus on 400°F for 12 minutes.

Advertisement – Continue Reading Below

The frozen French fries were perfectly golden on the outside, yet fluffy on the inside. Superior to any frozen fries I’ve ever made in the oven, these came out evenly crispy. Not to mention, cooking them was quick and easy — I cooked them for 12 minutes at 400˚F. I shook the basket once when the fryer alerted me to do so. That said, a few smaller fries fell underneath the tray while cooking.

Fresh French fries

fresh french fries came out unevenly crispy but fluffy on the inside in my instant vortex plus air fryer review

Fresh French fries air fried in the Instant Vortex Plus on 400°F for 20 minutes.

I found fresh French fries easier to cook in this air fryer than a pan. I hand-cut potatoes, tossed them in vegetable oil and seasoning and cooked them for 20 minutes at 400˚F, with one shake mid-way through. The fresh fries didn’t cook evenly on the outside (though, the oil may have contributed to this); the batch likely would’ve benefitted from an additional shake or two. All the fries cooked through and tasted moist and fluffy on the inside. However, some fries weren’t as crispy, while others were almost burnt at the end.


Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 Air Fryer Cleaning

Clean-up is relatively easy since the air fryer is dishwasher-safe! I fit the basket on my dishwasher’s bottom rack but found it takes up a lot of space. That said, the tray and the basket have a non-stick finish, so I hand-washed crumbs and food residue off easily. The brand also notes that “some discoloration may occur” over time with routine dishwasher cycles, though I’ve yet to observe any.

One flaw I noticed when cleaning is that water can get inside the ClearCook window. It’s especially inconvenient when cooking shortly after cleaning because the heat causes the window to fog up with condensation. So, in between cleaning and cooking, I allow it to air dry overnight.