Is Instant Pot Safe
Weve all heard the horror stories of pressure cookers exploding, and the truth is if you do not use a pressure cooker properly, traditional stove top or electric, they can cause injury. After all, you are dealing with up to 15psi of very hot steam.
However, Instant Pots are manufactured with 10 or more safety mechanisms, depending on the model. Instant Pots are all UL/ULC certified safe for residential use. In many cases you can even leave your Instant Pot unattended.
Just make sure you are reading the User Manual and doing the initial test run before the first use.
For more info, check out this post: Is Instant Pot safe?
What Does The Instant Pot Duo Mini Come With
This Instant Pot potentially replaces seven cooking appliances . Although the appliance doesnt come with as many features or cooking settings as other Instant Pot multi-cookers, it still has a decent setup:
- 11 standard one touch cooking settings
- Keep Warm setting
As for cute accessories, this Instant Pot comes is bundled with a steam rack, rice paddle, and condensation container. I also have an authorized Instant Pot cookbook tha you have to purchase separately.
If youre wondering about compatible accessories, you have more options that fit the Duo Mini than other Instant Pots out there.
Important note:
The Instant Pot Duo Mini does not come with the Poultry and Multi-grain program functions.
Recently Discontinued Instant Pots
As its product line has grown and evolved, Instant Brands has retired some of its older models.Instant Pot Viva: Discontinued in the U.S.The Instant Pot Viva began as a QVC exclusive and was later sold through other retailers. The Viva has since been discontinued in the United States but this 6-quart model is still available in Canada.
Duo Nova Instant Pot: 10-quart Size DiscontinuedWhile you can still get a Duo Nova Instant Pot in 3-, 6-, and 8-quart sizes, the 10-quart Instant Pot Duo Nova has been discontinued.
Instant Pot Nova Plus: Discontinued
The Nova Plus was a Costco Instant Pot exclusive that is no longer available. The Nova Plus was similar to the Duo but had the blue LED screen of the Duo Plus.
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus: Discontinued
The Duo Evo Plus was an upgrade on the standard Duo and has been discontinued by Instant Pot. It had an upgraded blue LED display panel like the Duo Plus and a sleeker interface.
Instant Pot Lux: Discontinued
This early Instant Pot lacked many of the features you can get in even the most basic models available in 2022. The Lux has been discontinued by the brand, though you can sometimes still .
Instant Pot Smart Wi-Fi: DiscontinuedThis Wi-Fi-enabled 6-quart Instant Pot has been discontinued and replaced by the Instant Pot Pro Plus 6-quart Smart Multi-Cooker.
Instant Pot just got delivered? Put it to use with one of these Instant Pot recipes:
Don’t Miss: Can I Cook Boil In Bag Rice In Instant Pot
Is Instant Pot Worth It
I am obviously biased, but I do believe for most families an Instant Pot is absolutely worth buying. They really do offer many more options than many other types of kitchen appliances, and these days kitchen space, whether on your counter or in your cupboards, is valuable real estate. Having one appliance that can potentially take the place of up to 9 or 10 other gadgets equals huge savings in my book.
However, I will admit that getting an Instant Pot just because it is trendy is probably not the best idea unless you are going to use it. I use my Instant Pot on a regular basis and really do not know how I would do without it now.
I wrote a full post about this subject – , so if you’d like you can check it for more info.
Which Size Is Right For You
When selecting your Instant Pot, you’ll want to consider how much space you have. Instant Pot models come in four different sizes: 3-, 6-, 8- and 10-quart. Depending on what youre going to use it for, the size you choose can make a big difference.
If youre sticking to side dishes and meals for up to three people, Instant Pot recommends the 3-quart size. This is offered in most basic models including the Duo, Duo Nova, Duo Plus, Ultra and Lux. The 6-quart size is the most popular and is available in every model except the Duo Crisp, which is an Instant Pot and air fryer combo. Instant Pot recommends this size for feeding up to six people. The 8-quart model is the next most-popular size. It is offered in all models except the Smart WiFi and Max models, and is recommended for large families or to meal prep food for the week. The Duo Nova is the only model that comes in the 10-quart size, which is designed for larger meals, feeding a crowd or to stock the freezer with family dinners.
Don’t Miss: 6 Quart Instant Pot Ultra
Differences Between Instant Pot 3 Quart And 6 Quart
When it comes to choosing an instant pot, size isnt the only thing that matters! The difference can stem from the design, available features, and overall performance.
So, were going to discuss them to facilitate your decision-making process.
- Difference in Design
While appearance isnt something that affects functionality, its still quite important. Instant pot, in all its glory, is a kitchen appliance. Its going to sit inside your kitchen so you want something that looks appealing and matches the décor.
As instant pots come with varied designs, youd want to pick one that looks the best to you.
Aside from the difference in appearance, the 3-quart version is a mini product. Its small enough to fit any place perfectly as it doesnt occupy much space.
You will find it easy to store inside your kitchen cabinet or leave it safely on a table. However, it offers limited functionality due to the compact design.
Since the 6 quart instant pot is a larger appliance, its going to take up a lot of your kitchen space. Its comparatively harder to store for obvious reasons.
However, its something you will have to sacrifice if you want to prepare a large volume of food.
- Difference in Capacity
As weve mentioned before, the 3 quart instant pot isnt good enough for large families. The limited space makes it suitable for holding a small amount of food. It cant cook meals for more than 2/3 people.
- Difference in Performance
- Difference in Safety
Lets Talk About Instant Pot Sizes
Instant Pot 3 qt If youre cooking meals for one or maybe two, the 3 qt might be all that you need. With most of the features of the larger versions, this option has a smaller footprint and is perfect for small spaces, an RV, or travel.
This is also a handy second pot if you want a smaller one for cooking rice or soups or eggs while your larger pot is in use .
If you are single or cooking for two but do a lot of meal prep or batch cooking, youll probably want to size up to to the 6qt. You can make bigger batches of food in the 6 quart, and if you have the space for the larger pot, I feel like you cant go wrong with the 6 quart.
If you like cooking larger food items, like a full butternut squash or a chicken, opt for the larger pot.
Instant Pot 6 qt This is what I have. I have a family of four, and its plenty big enough for my pretty basic cooking needs. I use it to meal prep . Its also been great for dinners .
You can easily fit a whole chicken inside the 6 qt.
This would be my recommendation if youre cooking for 3-4 people or doing meal prep. If youre doing a lot of meal prep, check out the 8 qt.
Instant Pot 8 qt This slightly bigger pot is perfect if you have a large family or do a lot of cooking. If youre the person who spends Sunday making giant batches of food for the week, this might be your pot!
If you are cooking for more than four people, this is probably a safe bet.
Do you have an Instant Pot? Which size did you get, and what were the deciding factors?
You May Like: What Does It Mean When Your Instant Pot Says Burn
What Size Is The Largest Instant Pot
As of 2021, the 8 quart size is the largest Instant Pot sold by the company. Previously the 10 quart model was the largest but the Duo Nova series was discontinued.
For the 8 quart models you have multiple options to choose from, depending on what you need and how much you want to spend:
- Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
There were also other 8 quart models previously sold along with the 10 quart. You may still be able to find them online or at a local store.
How Much Liquid Is In A 3 Quart Instant Pot
Instant pots are all the rage right now, and for good reason! They can make dinner time so much easier. But how much liquid is in a 3 quart instant pot?
Well, it really depends on what youre cooking. If youre making something like soup or stew, it will likely be less than if you were cooking rice or pasta. But generally speaking, there is about 2 to 3 quarts of liquid in a 3 quart instant pot.
This is a great size for small families or couples, and its perfect for making dinner without having to slave over a hot stove. Plus, the instant pot cooks food quickly and evenly, so you can have a delicious home cooked meal without spending hours in the kitchen!
Also Check: How Long To Cook Frozen Meatballs In Instant Pot
Where Can I Find Instant Pot Recipes
When it comes to finding great recipes for your Instant Pot, there are a ton of options, honestly almost too many! Many Instant Pots will come with a few simple recipes in the operations booklet to get you started.
You can also find many great recipes in my 1001 Instant Pot recipes project. I add new recipes all the time, so be sure to bookmark the page to find it easily.
Instant Pot also offers several recipes specifically for use in their cookers, although many have found that there is often some important information missing, like cooking times, yikes!
Many popular recipe sites also offer recipes that can be searched specifically for Instant Pot or Electric pressure cookers. Though be careful to check and make sure the recipe has actually been tested in an Instant Pot to avoid any unnecessary disasters.
What Is The Best 6qt Instant Pot
The best Instant Pot pressure cooker in a 6-quart size is the Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1. And the price is typically better than the 3-quart 9-in-1 Duo.
to see it on Amazon.
The 7-in-1 pressure cooks, slow cooks, cooks rice and yogurt, steams, and sautés.
Just like the smaller one, it comes with a stainless-steel inner pot and has excellent reviews and extra features. In fact, more than 130,000 people have left positive reviews on Amazon!
Certainly, 130,000 people cant be wrong when it comes to quality kitchen appliances.
You May Like: Instant Pot Vortex Air Fryer 10 Qt
What Are The Different Accessories I Can Buy For My Instant Pot
Theres a great range of accessories out there available for your Instant Pot, both directly from Instant and from third party companies.
The Instant site has lids, inner pots, steamers, racks, bake pans, trays, grills, and more. There are also Instant air fryer lids for 6 quart size models.
If youre not against buying third party accessories, the list goes on for miles! Youll be able to cook like a pro-level chef with those kinds of great options.
Overall, a standard Instant Pot is capable of more than most people will ever need from a kitchen appliance but with accessories, the possibilities are wonderful!
Is 3 Qt Instant Pot Big Enough For 2 People
The 3-quart Instant Pot is ideal for 2 people. Its also good for side dishes, dips, and college dorm rooms.
If youre cooking for just one or two people, the 3-quart Instant Pot will be a good choice. But if you ever cook for larger crowds, you should consider getting the larger Instant Pot.
For large families, go with the 6qt or larger.
It has most of the features of larger versions, but it has a smaller footprint. It is perfect for small spaces like dorm rooms, RVs, and smaller kitchens.
But if you do a lot of meal prep or batch cooking, youll want to size up to the 6-quart size.
Its also better to have the bigger size if you like to cook larger food items. Things like whole butternut squash, a whole chicken, or a large roast will fit better in a larger Instant Pot.
The smaller Instant Pot is great for smaller amounts, but if you have the space for the larger pot, you really cant go wrong with the 6-quart pot.
It can cook small amounts like the 3-quart, but you have the option to cook more food if you need to. If you only purchase the 3-quart pot, you may find yourself spending more money on the larger pot down the road.
So, if space isnt an issue, and there is a chance youll need to cook more food, opt for the 6-quart.
After quite some time cramming things in, finally got my #vanlife kitchen up and running! Everything shown here fits inside the instant pot itself, making for a reasonably capable kitchen in minimal space. ^__^
Toasty Toast
Don’t Miss: How To Turn Off Instant Pot
Instant Pot Duo Plus Best For Families
This is the best Instant Pot for big families thanks to its capacity, flexibility, and easy operation. It has a sterilize function for cleaning baby bottles or toys. As an added bonus, the popularity of this model means nearly an unlimited supply of recipes tested in the same machine both online and in several cookbooks.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 features 16 built-in programs, including both manual and pressure cooking, steaming, soup/broth, rice, yogurt, and many more. This Instant Pot also features settings for sautéing, slow cooking, warming, and up to 24 hours of delayed start.
Pros
- 9-in-1 cooker works as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté, yogurt maker, sterilizer and warmer
- Plus, newest preprogrammed settings cakes, eggs, sterilize
- Easily adjustable cooking times with + and operation
- Large LCD digital display
Should You Get A 6 Or 3 Quart Instant Pot
After looking at the various specifications and benefits, hopefully, you can confidently choose the right size for you. Remember to consider the size of your family, how often you cook, your kitchen space, your budget, and which model you would prefer.
Whether you pick an Instant Pot 6 or 3 quart, youll have a wonderful time cooking in it. So get ready to save time and energy with your new little kitchen helper.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Pork Shoulder In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Sizes: The Quart Sizes Available By Models
If you are thinking about buying an electric pressure cooker, knowing which Instant Pot sizes are currently available will help you with your research. Here is a review of the sizes available by model.
In 2021, there are 3 Instant Pot sizes across the different model lines: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and 8 quarts. Not all quart sizes are available in all series. Previously there were also two Instant Pots available as a 5 quart option and a 10 quart Duo Nova.
The most popular and most common size is the 6 quart model. Currently, the largest Instant Pot available is 8 quarts. The largest Instant Pot model ever available was the 10 quart Duo Nova, a series now discontinued.
Below is a listing of all the current Instant Pots by size to help you understand which is available for purchase. You may still be able to find discontinued sizes available online and in local stores.
The 5 quart model was an earlier size that the Instant Pot Duo and Lux models were available in.
And if you want to know what size Instant Pot you have, here are 3 ways to figure that out.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You wont pay any more if you use this link.
Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart
The defining feature of the new Instant Pot Pro Plus Smart is that you can pair it with your iPhone or Android to automatically engage the cooking functions from more than 800 smart recipes on the Instant Brands Connect app. This doesnt mean you can press Start while youre at the office and come home to your Instant Pot braising ribs , but you can control almost everything through the appincluding the steam release! The Pro Plus Smart also features a premium inner pot with easy-grab handles and comes with NutriBoost, a function that mimics the motion of boiling by moving food in the pot to enhance the flavor and texture.
Built-in smart programs: Access 800+ smart recipes via the appFunctions: Pressure-cooking, rice-cooking, slow-cooking, yogurt-making, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, baking, sterilizing, NutriBoostSizes available: 6-quart Instant Pot
Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Replacement Pot 6 Quart
How To Figure Out Which Instant Pot Size You Have
Not sure which Instant Pot size you have? Heres a quick trick to figure that out.
Check the sticker on the back of your Instant Pot. While the print is a little small, it will tell you the model you currently have along with the volume in terms of quarts: 3, 6, 8, or 10. If you have an older model Instant Pot, its also possible you have a 5 quart version.
With the 6 quart model being the most popular, it wouldnt be surprising if you have that one. But its always a good idea to double-check if you have any questions.
Related:3 ways to tell which size Instant Pot you have
