How Big Is 6 Quart Instant Pot

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Can I Cook Spiral Ham In A Slow Cooker

Instant Pot | 3qt vs 5qt vs 6qt Size Comparison

Yes, you can with this Easy Crockpot Spiral Ham Recipe!

It’s a Slow Cooker Ham without Brown Sugar recipe that uses a delicious beer and chutney glaze. It’s such a family’s favorite ham recipe that I make it several times a year.

It’s super easy to make the glaze gluten free with a GF beer, hard cider, or apple juice.

You Can Get A Second Insert

Sometimes dinner needs a few different components maybe youre makingkung pao chicken and youre going to serve it with rice. Or maybe dinner is in one pot AND youre serving from it which means you cant use the Instant Pot for dessert until dinner is over AND the insert is washed.

Heres the solution get a second insert! You can buy a second insert and youll be able to make things back to back .

Which Size Instant Pot Is Best For You

Ok, this part is not as cut-and-dry as the model choices. You’ll have to follow some gut instincts.

I went around and around for many months before buying my second Instant Pot, simply because I didn’t know whether to get another 6-quart or to get a larger 8-quart.

Let’s talk through it.

First of all, keep in mind that as with any pot that’s advertised as holding a certain volume, you cannot use all of it. Advertised 6-quart volume means up to the top of the pot.

Which of us ever fills a pot to the top? No one at least not if we don’t want a mess!

You need room for expansion, boiling, stirring, putting your foods up on a rack, etc.

Once I bought a stainless steel pot for making cheese and I made a mistake. I wanted to make cheese with 3 gallons of milk, so that’s the size of pot I bought.

Then it arrived and I realized my error. I couldn’t use the entire 3-gallon capacity; I could use only 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 gallons or so. Oops.

I sent it back and got the 4-gallon stainless steel pot. And now I use it to about the 3-1/2 gallon capacity.

See what I mean? Your pot needs more capacity than you’ll use.

Same thing with the Instant Pot. If you’re pressure cooking in the Instant Pot,;you cannot overfill it or you’ll have a problem. The max fill line is a little more than 3/4 full.

when you’re choosing your Instant Pot, choose a higher;volume capacity than you think you need. You probably won’t regret bigger , but you certainly will regret too small.

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How To Cook A Whole Chicken In An Instant Pot

  • Combine your seasonings
  • Remove the insides of the chicken. Yes, its gross. Just do it and move on with it
  • Half an onion. Place it inside the chicken. If you need to, you can quarter it.
  • Put the trivet in your Instant Pot. Add a cup of water.
  • Cover the chicken with your spice blend and place in the Instant Pot on a trivet.
  • Put the pressure valve on seal and put the lid on. Set the timer for six minutes per pound and then let it naturally release pressure for about 15 minutes.
  • DEVOUR!!!!

No Instant Pot? No problem? You can make this same recipe in the slow cooker!

Whats The Diameter Of Instant Pots

First Look at the 8

The inside of each pot is where the real action is going to be happening and how much can fit in it.

There are several things to think about when looking at the diameter. A frozen roast of good size isnt going to fit in the 3 qt. If Im going to be doing any freezer cooking where I place a frozen meal in the pot to cook Ill need to be sure to freeze the meal in a container that will be slightly smaller than the diameter of the pot.

Also, the pot in pot method should be considered too. The pot in pot method is cooking foods inside the pot in smaller pots, like ball jars, ramekins, or stackable pans. This method would work in all three sizes but will be limited with the smaller 3 qt.

To give a comparison of the size of each I placed this large steamer basket inside each one.

The 3 qt. has room for the steamer with the sides straight up.

The 6 qt has room for the steamer with the sides spread out about halfway.

The 8 qt. has room for the steamer to spread the sides out about 3/4 the way.

Of course, you can close the sides on the steamer and enclose what is being cooked and even layer this above another dish, but this way you can get a feel for the size difference.

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What If You Can’t Make It

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The Classic Duo Model

If you are looking for a model that has all the great functions of an Instant Pot without any extra bells and whistles, opt for the best-selling Duo. It comes in the 3-, 6- and 8-quart sizes and has 13 one-touch programs including soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/chili, slow cook, sauté, rice, porridge, steam, yogurt, keep warm and pressure cook.

If the yogurt button doesnt appeal to you, the Lux is the most basic Instant Pot model, offering all the functionality of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, sauté pan, steamer and warmer without the yogurt-making feature. We do not recommend making yogurt in the Lux model.

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The Exterior Of The Instant Pot

  • Brushed stainless steel, fingerprint-resistant, with lid holder for left and right-handed users.
  • Pressure Regulator ensures the working pressure below the safety limit
  • Anti-Blockage Vent prevents food debris from blocking the vent
  • Safety Lid Lock prevents accidental opening of the cooker while it is pressurized
  • Designed with a sensor for lid position detection, monitors whether the lid is in an unsafe position for pressure cooking
  • Automatic temperature control regulates temperature based on the type of program being selected
  • High-Temperature monitoring avoids burning food
  • Automatic Pressure Controller keeps pressure always in the safe range
  • Electrical current and temperature fuse cuts off power if the current or internal temperature exceeds safety limits
  • Excess Pressure Protection releases excess pressure into the internal chamber in a dangerous situation
  • Smart detection of a leaky lid

Instant Pot Duo Nova Dimensions

6 Qt vs 8 Qt Instant Pot with Air Fryer

The Instant Pot Duo Nova is the newest model released in August 2019. The dimensions for this model are comparable to its electric pressure cooker siblings. The weights are as noted on Amazon, but will likely be updated as I think they include the shipping materials, not just the appliance itself.

Lets take a closer look at the Instant Pot Duo Nova dimensions for each quart size. The 3 quarts, 6 quarts, 8 quarts, and 10 quarts are available models.

Length
14.17 26.2 lbs

* The Instant Pot Nova Plus, not to be confused with the Duo Nova Plus, was previously a Costco exclusive model thats no longer available.

** The height of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer comes with two lids to accommodate both cooking methods. The Air Fryer lid adds about 1 inch of the overall height of this model.

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Instant Pot 8 Quart Vs 6 Quart And Comparing The Different Instant Pot Sizes:

The 6 Quart and the 8 Quart are not too different. The 6 Quart says its good for four to six people, and the 8 Quart is for six plus or if you like to have leftovers or meal prep.

Most people who already have an Instant Pot say they would prefer a bigger Instant Pot if they could get it.

I read many quotes of you can always make less food but if your pot is too small you cannot make more.

Better to have the bigger pot and not need it, than to have the smaller pot and need to make more food.

This attitude kind of sold me on the larger size, and made me realize maybe I would not regret my purchase after all.

If you ever like to have leftovers or make freezer meals the bigger size makes more sense.

After reading these thoughts I was less concerned about my pot being too big and waited to get my 8 Quart Instant Pot.

Once I got it I decided it definitely is not too big for me.

I have a family of five and while my children do not always eat what I make, it is nice to be able to make a large quantity of food if needed.

One of my concerns was how much space the Instant Pot would take on the counter, but it turns out I store it when its not in use, and then use it on my island so the steam is not hitting my cabinets.

This works out well and its not much bigger than my old slow cooker.

At the time, the only deal on the Ultra Instant Pot was on the 8 Quart and I really love the Ultra model.

It lets you know whether the pot is preheating, cooking, or done cooking and keeping warm.

Check The Sticker On The Back Of Your Instant Pot

There is a sticker on the back of your Instant Pot with a few pieces of useful information on it. Be warned, the type is a little small so you may need bright light and a magnifying glass to read it clearly.

On this sticker is both the model name and number of quarts of your specific Instant Pot. Look for the Volume line below the Model name. Its about the 3rd line down from the Instant Pot logo.

If you havent turned your Instant Pot around recently, the sticker wouldnt be something youll notice unless youre specifically looking for it.

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Best Buy Customers Often Prefer The Following Products When Searching For 6 Quart Pressure Cooker

Browse the top-ranked list of 6 Quart Pressure Cooker below along with associated reviews and opinions.

Browse the top-ranked list of 6 Quart Pressure Cooker below along with associated reviews and opinions.

  • Be the first to write a review

    Product Description

    This versatile rack is an Instant Pot pressure cooker essential accessory! Cook eggs to perfection in your Instant Pot using this Official Silicone Egg Rack, specially designed for use in Instant Pot pressure cookers. You can make 9 hard- or soft-boiled eggs using one rack¡ªand 18 when you stack two racks. Not only do the eggs come out just as desired, they are also easy to peel. Place rack in Instant Pot, then add eggs. You can also use the rack as a trivet to cool or decorate eggs. Made from BPA-free silicone, this egg rack is heat resistant up to 450 Degrees F and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Compatible with 3-quart, 6-quart & 8-quart cookers, plus 10-quart Vortex Air Fryer and Duo Crisp.

  • Number Of People Served

    First Look at the 8

    Shopping for cooking appliances can be a difficult decision to make as the first-timer. But the number of people in the family will help you make the right options.

    If you have a large family then it is advisable to consider large size instant pot and vice versa. This is the prudent way of making informed decisions when shopping for instant pot.

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    Advantages Of An 8 Quart Instant Pot

    This is all wonderful, and for many people, its all the cooker theyll ever want.

    Whats the real benefit to consider bumping up to an 8 quart cooker, then?

    One reason would definitely be if youre cooking for a larger group. Its not just the number of people, though.

    Many parents will also know that teenage boys with hearty appetites might count for two average eaters.

    Do the kids bring friends home for meals often? Do you like hosting dinner parties? If any of these apply to you, consider an 8 quart, even if only three people live in your house permanently.

    Another good reason to consider upgrading to an 8 quart is if youve started doing batch cooking and making freezer meals.

    If you want to prep enough chicken for several weeks worth of meals, consider that a 6 quart will likely be able to cook one chicken, while you could cook two at once in an 8 quart.

    Know that it will take a fully loaded 8 quart instant pot a little longer to come up to cooking pressure than a 6 quart, but its still much faster than cooking two separate batches.

    With a little time and thought, were sure youll find the perfect instant pot for your lifestyle.

    Instant Pot Lux Dimensions

    With each Instant Pot Lux, it grows by about an inch in each direction with the larger quart sized models. And for weight, it goes up by a few pounds with each quart. From the 3 quart model to the 8 quart, its about a 80% increase in weight!

    Length
    13.5 15.4 lbs

    *The Lux 5 Quart is a discontinued size. You may still be able to find them on Amazon and parts are available on the Instant Pot website.

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    Check The Model As Some Are Only Available In 1 Size

    Certain special Instant Pot models are only available in a single quart size.

    For example, if you have an Instant Pot Max, Instant Pot Duo SV, or Instant Pot Smart WiFi, you own a 6 quart model. These models are exclusively offered in the 6 quart size.

    The Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is an 8 quart model. And this is the only Instant Pot to be offered as only at the 8 quart size.

    Check the front control panel of your Instant Pot to confirm which model you own. The name should be on the upper right of the control panel on the front of your Instant Pot.

    Which Instant Pot Is Right For My Family

    Is The 8 Quart Instant Pot Ever TOO Big? | #AskWardee 126

    November 27, 2017 by //;;by;Holly

    The Instant Pot is more than a craze now. Everywhere you turn, you see talk-show hosts and news anchors doing segments on this new device thats sweeping the nation! And with good reason.

    People are just now starting to hear about the benefits of pressure-cooking as a way to cook delicious and healthy meals without having to stand over a stove. Youve probably heard from more than one friend about how much they love their Instapot.

    But the truth is, the Instant Pot has been around a few years, and pressure cooking for ages. But this aint your grandmas pressure cooker! The Instant Pot is a safe, easy cooking method, and the company is constantly refining and improving the technology and releasing new models.

    But thats creating confusion for new customers shopping for an Instant Pot, and probably why youre here to read this article!

    There are several sizes and lots of variations in features among the different models, and even non-pressure cooker products now. So the question I see most often right now is, I have a family of ____, which Instant Pot should I get?

    The answer really comes down to two simple questions.

  • What do you want to make?
  • Who do you want to make it for?
  • So lets break this down as simply as possible. Well ignore sizes right now and just discuss features.

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    Whats The Difference Between Instant Pot Duo And Instant Pot Duo Nova

    The innovative new lid design of the Duo Nova automatically seals the steam release, meaning youll never again forget to seal your cooker. The difference with the Duo Nova is that when you do this, a mechanical trigger also closes the steam release valve and seals your Instant Pot for pressure cooking.

    Instant Pot Duo Mini Smart Programs

    The 3 Quart Instant Pot Duo is considered a 7-in-1 multi-use cooker that covers multiple kitchen appliances. Thats a great concept for someone with a small kitchen or just lousy storage space.

    Smart Programs are pre-set cooking programs designed and tested by the Instant Pot makers for the best cooking results. Granted, most recipes only reference the pressure cook button.

    In the Instant Pot Duo Mini, the following smart programs are included:

    • Keep Warm
    • Soup/Broth
    • Steam

    Its bigger sister the 6 quart Duo has two additional programs: poultry and multigrain, and the yogurt feature include pasteurize.

    Even though the smaller 3 quart has a few less programs than the larger model, that doesnt mean you cant cook chicken or multigrain rices in your Instant Pot. You might need slightly different instructions, especially for multigrain rice.

    And before you make purchase, double check the features included. Instant Pot has updated their models a few times so its possible whats available as Im writing this may change in the future. There were a few changes in the programs when they released a new version of the Instant Pot Lux 6 Quart.

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    What Is The Smallest Instant Pot Available

    DuoDuo

    The Instant Pot DUO Mini 7-in-1 Inner Cooking Pot Dimensions are 7.8 x 5 inches/19.8 x 12.7 cm.

    Likewise, what sizes do instant pots come in? There are so many Instant Pot size choices it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. The Instant Pot comes in four different sizes 3 quart, 5 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart. Not all sizes are available for all models.

    Just so, is there a mini instant pot?

    Description: Instant Pot Duo Mini is the ideal companion to the Duo 6 Quart, 7-in-1 programmable multi-cooker replaces 7 kitchen appliances, combines the functions of a Rice Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer.

    Is 3 QT instant pot too small?

    3QuartMiniInstant PotCons: It will probably be too small to do much big-batch cooking or meal prep, or large make-ahead recipes for things like stews, soups and chilis. It also probably won’t be big enough for families of more than 2 people, and will likely be too small to do much PIP cooking.

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