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Bettesworth Construction
CES 2019

Google Assistant Could Start Rice on an Instant Pot—What That Really Meant

Google Assistant’s 2019 Instant Pot integration could start a rice preset on a compatible Wi-Fi cooker—but users still had to load ingredients and secure the lid. Here is what worked, which models were involved, and how to verify support in 2026.

By Bettesworth Construction Team 7 min read
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At CES 2019, Google Assistant was reported to start the rice preset on Instant Pot’s Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Pressure Cooker. The command—“Hey Google, have Instant Pot cook rice”—did not make dinner autonomously: you still had to add the ingredients, secure the lid, connect the cooker, and make sure it was safe to run. In 2026, that original integration should be treated as historical unless the exact cooker and service appear as supported in your live Google Home app or Instant Pot support channel.

What was announced at CES 2019?

On January 8, 2019, a CES report described Google Assistant support for the Instant Pot Smart WiFi Multi-Cooker. The reported control path worked through Google Home speakers, Google Home Hub, Google Home Mini, and Google Assistant-enabled phones. The example phrase was: “Hey Google, have Instant Pot cook rice.”

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Assistant was not calculating a recipe or controlling an ordinary Instant Pot. It was sending a command to a compatible Wi-Fi appliance so the cooker could select its existing rice program. The contemporary report is available at Android Headlines.

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What “cook rice” actually did

The phrase was shorthand for starting a preset cycle. The appliance supplied the programmed cooking behavior; it did not prepare the ingredients.

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You still had to prepare the cooker

  1. Measure and add rice, water, and any other ingredients.
  2. Put the inner pot into the cooker.
  3. Close and lock the lid correctly, with the cooker positioned safely.
  4. Confirm power, Wi-Fi, internet, and the appliance account were working.
  5. Give the supported voice command.

Assistant could not wash rice, add liquid, inspect measurements, correct a blocked vent, or detect an improperly seated lid. It also could not make pressure-cooker safety decisions for you. “Remote start” should never be interpreted as permission to leave an unprepared or unsafe cooker unattended.

What you needed to use the historical feature

  • The Wi-Fi-ready Instant Pot Smart Pressure Cooker family covered by the 2019 integration.
  • The manufacturer’s app and account, with the cooker connected to Wi-Fi.
  • A Google Assistant device such as a compatible speaker, display, or phone.
  • A linked Google Home/Assistant service and a unique device name.
  • Availability of the service in your model, account, region, firmware, and app version.

The 2019 coverage did not establish a universal country list, supported Assistant languages, subscription requirement, or permanent support commitment. Do not assume that a Google speaker or a Wi-Fi label makes every Instant Pot compatible.

How setup was expected to work

The original article did not publish a verified, screen-by-screen setup guide. The following is a general path based on Google’s current third-party-device instructions, not a guarantee that the 2019 screens remain unchanged.

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  1. Set up the cooker in the Instant Pot app and connect it to Wi-Fi.
  2. In Google Home, choose Add → Device → Add a different way.
  3. Select the manufacturer’s app or service if it appears, then sign in and link the accounts.
  4. Assign the cooker to a room and give it a distinct name.
  5. Try a simple status request before attempting a cooking command.
  6. Load the ingredients and secure the cooker manually.
  7. Use the command shown by the currently supported service or app.

Google notes that compatible-device controls vary and that a device can appear in Google Home without exposing every function. See Google’s setup instructions and its guidance on unavailable controls.

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Which Instant Pot models were supported?

The historical report referred specifically to the Instant Pot Smart WiFi Multi-Cooker. A standard Duo, Duo Plus, Rio, Pro, or Duo Crisp did not automatically gain Assistant control simply because it was an Instant Pot.

Instant Pot still lists the Smart WiFi manual separately from newer smart products, showing that these are distinct product families. The manuals page is at instantpot.com/pages/multi-cooker-product-manuals.

Model or family What can be established Important qualification
Instant Pot Smart WiFi Multi-Cooker Named in the 2019 Google Assistant report Historical compatibility; current support is not independently confirmed
Pro Plus 6QT Smart Multi-Cooker Current Wi-Fi cooker with Instant Connect app, 10 functions, guided recipes, and rice cooking Current product pages reviewed do not establish Google Assistant support
Pro Max Smart 6QT Multi-Cooker Current smart Instant Pot model Do not assume it shares the 2019 command set
Regular non-Wi-Fi Instant Pots Manual cooking through the appliance controls Cannot be converted into an Assistant cooker by owning a Google speaker

Current smart models are listed at Instant Pot’s Wi-Fi collection. Product-family similarity is not proof of Google compatibility.

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Does Instant Pot still support Google Assistant in 2026?

Current public Google compatibility documentation explains how supported third-party services are linked, while current Instant Pot pages emphasize the Instant Connect app and newer Pro Plus and Pro Max products. Those pages do not independently confirm that the original Instant Pot–Google Assistant integration remains active.

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  • Safe & Easy Steam Release: Easy-Release ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time.
  • Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
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Before buying, open Google Home and use Add → Device → Add a different way to see whether the exact Instant Pot service can be linked. Also check the exact model with Instant Pot support. If the service is absent, assume the 2019 integration may have been discontinued rather than treating the absence as a setup mistake. Google’s Assistant partner overview is at support.google.com/assistant/answer/7639952?hl=en.

What controls were available?

The contemporary coverage supports a narrow claim: Assistant could start the rice preset and provide some appliance or cooking-status access through the connected system. It did not publish a complete command matrix.

  • Supported historically: starting the rice program and using Assistant-enabled devices to interact with the cooker.
  • Not established: exact commands for pressure level, delay start, keep-warm, cancellation, steam release, or every cooking mode.
  • Not safe to assume: that current Pro Plus or Pro Max models accept the same phrases.

Current Instant Pot documentation also shows why remote controls can be restricted. The company says sauté cannot be controlled remotely in the Instant Connect app because it operates at high temperatures. That limitation applies to the current app, not necessarily to the 2019 Assistant integration, but it is a useful warning against assuming every function is voice-accessible. See Instant Pot’s FAQ.

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Troubleshooting a connected cooker

The appliance does not appear in Google Home

  • Verify the exact model is a supported Wi-Fi product.
  • Set it up in the Instant Pot app before linking Google Home.
  • Confirm the Google and manufacturer accounts are linked to the same home.
  • Check power, Wi-Fi, internet access, and firmware.
  • If the service no longer appears, investigate possible discontinuation with Instant Pot rather than repeatedly resetting unrelated devices.

Assistant hears the phrase but does not start cooking

  • Use the cooker’s exact Google Home device name.
  • Rename devices that have similar names.
  • Test a status request first.
  • Check whether the current integration exposes cooking controls at all.

The cooker is offline

Check the outlet, router, internet connection, and manufacturer app. On the Pro Plus, Instant Pot says a flashing amber Wi-Fi indicator means the Wi-Fi or internet connection has been lost. If the appliance is otherwise safe, use its physical controls as the fallback; a voice assistant cannot repair a disconnected cloud service.

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A remote function is blocked

Safety restrictions may deliberately remove controls from the app or Assistant. Do not bypass them with automation or a smart plug. A smart plug cannot verify lid position, pressure, liquid, ingredients, or cooking state.

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Is a voice-controlled Instant Pot worth it?

Reasons it can help

  • Hands-free operation while your hands are wet or occupied.
  • Status checks from another room.
  • Preset access within an existing Google Home setup.
  • Guided recipes and connected cooking on newer models.

Reasons to skip it

  • You already own a reliable non-connected Instant Pot.
  • Your primary goal is inexpensive rice preparation.
  • You dislike cloud accounts, app dependencies, or voice data sharing.
  • You need documented Google Assistant compatibility specifically.
  • You cannot tolerate failures involving Wi-Fi, account authentication, or cloud services.

As reviewed on August 18, 2026, Instant Pot listed the Pro Plus 6QT Smart Multi-Cooker at $229.99. Its product page describes Wi-Fi, the Instant Connect app, 10 functions, a six-quart capacity, guided recipes, and rice cooking, but not confirmed Google Assistant support: official Pro Plus page.

Current alternatives

Choice Manufacturer-listed price seen August 18, 2026 Best for Trade-off
Instant Pot Pro Plus 6QT Smart $229.99 Connected cooking guidance and app features Google Assistant compatibility is not established on the current page
Instant Pot Pro Max Smart 6QT $229.99 Comparing current smart Instant Pot models Do not assume the 2019 Assistant commands apply
Duo 6QT $109.99 Lower-cost pressure and rice cooking No Wi-Fi or voice control
Duo Plus 6QT $139.99 More preset-oriented manual cooking No documented Assistant integration
Pro 6QT $169.99 Non-connected multi-cooker features No cloud or remote status

Prices and availability can change, and a “where to buy” listing does not guarantee stock. Current standard models are listed at instantpot.com/collections/multi-cookers. If rice is the only requirement, a dedicated rice cooker may be simpler; the sources here do not establish a particular current model or price.

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The practical verdict

The 2019 announcement was real but narrower than the headline suggested: Google Assistant could reportedly start a rice preset on a compatible Wi-Fi Instant Pot after you had loaded and secured the cooker. It was not autonomous meal preparation, it did not cover every Instant Pot, and current public pages do not verify that the original integration still works. Confirm support for the exact model in the live Google Home app and with Instant Pot before paying a smart-device premium.

Quick Recap

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Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Mini Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes Free App with over 1900 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 3 Quart
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Bestseller No. 3
Instant Pot Rio 6 Qt 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Black
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$109.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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