What Are All Of The Sizes That Instant Pot Offers
Instant Pot offers four sizes at the moment: 3, 5, 6, and 8-quart. However, you have to keep in mind that not every model comes in all sizes.
The 3-quart is available for the LUX, DUO, DUO Plus, and Ultra Series. There used to be a 5-quart DUO a few years ago, but that’s been discontinued. However, the company has made a 5-quart LUX model that’s been available for select retailers like Walmart during Black Friday sales.
The 6-quart comes in every model. This means you can get a 6-quart LUX, DUO, DUO Plus, Smart Bluetooth, Viva , Nova Plus , Ultra, and Max. It’s safe to assume that if Instant Pot comes out with a new product, it’s of the 6-quart capacity unless otherwise stated.
The 8-quart is the largest size offered by Instant Pot and is available for the LUX, DUO, DUO Plus, and Ultra models.
Qt Vs 6qt Instant Pot
I find that this is the BIGGEST and HARDEST buying decision when it comes to getting an instant pot pressure cooker. This is because they are similar in size and its hard to know what is best for you.
We originally had a 6 quart instant pot and found that it was perfect for us and never felt like we were missing out.
Then we bought an 8 quart instant pot and found that it was even better for us.
Now when we use the 6 quart we comment on how tiny it feels because of what we have got used to using.
The Instant Pot Liquid Myth How Much Liquid Do I Need
Some posts are sexy and mouth-watering but this post, The Instant Pot® Liquid Myth , is completely practical. If you own an Instant Pot®, this is just the kind of useful information you need to understand the concept of cooking vegetables you and your family will enjoy time and time again.
The Instant Pot® Liquid Myth
Recently, a student at one of my Instant Pot® classes asked me why she had to use 2 cups of liquid when she was cooking vegetables. A week later, someone else asked me about using 1 cup of liquid. Instant Pot® cooking techniques and information inconsistencies run rampant across the internet and I think its important to de-mystify these kinds of liquid conundrums. A good meal often depends upon it.
Instant Pot® Recommendations
Its important to note that Instant Pot® has changed its official recommendation from 2 cups of liquid for cooking all foods to just 1 cup. Those with older models and old issues of the brands manual and recipe booklet may be following outdated information. In fact, a student at a recent class told me as much shes been cooking all foods with 2 cups of water because thats what the booklet instructed. She grew to like the leftover liquid from cooking veggies because it was there but it certainly didnt improve the flavor of her food.
Cooking Vegetables and Dried Beans in the Instant Pot®
Steam potatoes, sweet potatoes, and winter squash on a rack over 1 cup of water.
Happy Instant Pot® cooking!
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What Size Instant Pot Should I Buy
One of the questions I see regularly in my Meal Planning group an on this blog is, what size Instant Pot should I buy? And I totally get it because I asked the same question not too long ago! There are so many Instant Pot size choices it can be overwhelming to know where to begin.
Here for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales?? This Instant Pot with Air Fryer option is deeply discounted today this is probably the one I would get if I was shopping for an Instant Pot today. You cant go wrong with an Instant Pot AND Air Fryer in one.
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. The biggest debate I see is between the 6 and 8 quarts. so Im going to focus on thosebut I have a notes on the 3 quart option, too!
Based on our FB group and the main Instant Pot FB group , I feel pretty confident that the most popular Instant Pot is the 6 qt Duo Plus . Heres a quick rundown of the benefits of each sizehopefully, this will help you decide what size Instant Pot you should buy.
Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
The Duo Crisp is a pressure cooker and an air fryer with 2 convenient, removable lids! This, Duo Crisp + Air Fryer model Instant Pot combines 11 kitchen appliance :
- The pressure cooker lid offers 6 cooking functions: Pressure cook, sauté, steam, slow cook, sous vide and warm.
- The Air Fryer lid offers 5 crisp cooking functions: Air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate.
Duo Crisp + Air Fryer model comes in 6 and 8 Quart size options. You can get 6 Quart Duo Crisp for $149.00 on Walmart and .
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What Size Instant Pot To Get
While think about buy an Instant Pot, there is a question everyone ask to self what size Instant Pot do i need?. Finding the best model for your needs is a more involved task than it may seem.
If youre wondering about what size Instant Pot do you need to get, we hope that this article will be beneficial for you to answer the questions on your mind.
Currently, there are 4 sizes available: 3 Quart, 6 Quart, 8 Quart and 10 Quart.
- 3 quart Instant Pots are just under 12 inches wide.
- 6 Quart Instant Pots has 5.68 liters capacity and about 13 inches across.
- 8 Quart Instant Pots has 7.57 liters capacity and about a little more than 14 inches wide.
- 10 Quart Instant Pots are just under 17 inches wide.
There are a few differences between sizes of Instant Pot models. Some of the cooking differences are time to come to pressure, release time, water needed, and wattage. Instant Pot recipes on the internet usually built for the 6 Quart model unless its noted otherwise. That means, you have to adjust cooking times and the amount of liquid if you will have the other sized models.
As we mentioned before on our What is Instant Pot? namely article
Before you purchase an Instant Pot pressure cooker, consider your specific needs and the average serving sizes youll be cooking. Families of four require at least a 6 Quart, while larger families will probably prefer 8 Quarts. Additionally, 3 Quart is usually the best option for one or two people or for preparing side dishes.
Is A 6 Quart Instant Pot Big Enough
I am constantly being asked the question will a 6-quart instant pot be big enough or should I purchase an 8-quart instant pot.
The 6 Quart Instant pot is big enough to feed a family of 4 comfortably usually with leftovers. The size of the Instant Pot itself is not too large so the average person should be able to move it around a kitchen as well as use it safely as well as clean and store it away after use.
The 6-quart Duo Plus Instant Pot is also the most popular instant pot sold
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Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart
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Are Pressure Cookers Safe
Yes, electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot are generally safe and easy to use. The Instant Pot has so many safety mechanisms built in, its hard to make a catastrophic mistake. The lid has two safety catches: a valve that releases excess pressure automatically, and a lock preventing you from opening the pot while its under pressure. If for some reason the steam-release valve isnt doing its job, the appliance has another sensor that shuts off the heating element if excess pressure builds inside the pot.
But as with any kind of cooking, there is a risk of injury if you are careless. If you follow the safety instructions, you should be good. Weve found only one confirmed report of an injury caused by an Instant Pot, and it was the result of user error: The person suffered minor burns after she covered the steam valve with a dish towel while the pot was under pressure. When she touched the towel a few minutes later, hot soup sprayed onto her arm and neck. The Instant Pot manual, however, explicitly states that all venting valves should be clean and free of debris.
What Is The Instant Pot Anyway
It’s a multi-purpose electrical appliance. Think like a Crock Pot or slow cooker, except it can also do other things it’s a pressure cooker, a yogurt maker, and more. What features you get depends on what model you choose.
In other words it’s a plug-n-play machine that can replace a bunch of your kitchen appliances! And it’s amazing!
We have 2 Instant Pots and use them both multiple times each day. In fact, I love it so much that we have an entire class on pressure cooking featuring the Instant Pot.
For more info, check out the Pressure Cooking eBook & Video Package or our Pressure Cooking eCourse .
Yet I use the Instant for much more besides like it’s my favorite way to reheat leftovers which you can learn about here. Or if you want to see 11 creative uses for an Instant Pot, go here. They’re fun!
Also Check: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
How Much Water Do I Need To Add To My Instant Pot
We all know that different sizes of pots need different amounts of water in order to cook food properly. After all, theyre using steam and pressure to cook things quickly. Here are the breakdowns of water needed in order for each size pot to function correctly.
- The 8 Quart Models need 2.5-3 cups of liquid
- The 6 Quart Models need 1.5-2 cups of liquid
- The 3 Quart Models need .75-1 cup of liquid
- these numbers came from the Instant Pot website. The numbers have changed over the years and as of 8/2021 they are what I can find directly from Instant Pot.
Ive mentioned it before and Ill mention it again, your Instant Pot is going to be at least a tiny bit different from every other one out there. Do your own test to see how much water your pot needs in order to come to pressure and hold for 5 minutes. Use the amounts above as a general guideline.
How Many Different Size Instant Pots Are There
With such a variety of different brands and sizes, youre likely asking yourself, what size Instant Pot do I need? You want to make sure you have an Instant Pot that fits your needs and your familys needs.
Luckily, these tips and suggestions should answer those burning questions and youll feel confident knowing which Instant Pot size is right for you.
If youre buying the Instant Pot Brand of Pressure Cooker, they offer these Instapot sizes:
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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.
Did You Know We Have A Podcast
We started the Magic With Gadgets podcast in the January of 2021 as a way to offer a different way to enjoy Recipe This. It focuses on cooking with kitchen gadgets. You can find out more about our podcast here.
With twice weekly episodes through September to December. This is episode 12 of the second season and you have the choice between reading this post, listening to the podcast or both.
If you would like to stay in the loop with our podcast, I recommend you subscribe below:
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What Are The Best Things To Cook In An Instant Pot
You are able to prepare foods such as
- soups
- pasteurize
- Jiu Niang
Lets talk about just a few of the other foods you can prepare in a multi-cooker. Soft and hard-boiled eggs, various beans black, pinto even lentils. Cooking from frozen is a real benefit.
You use the 14 built built-in programs to prepare these and any other of your favorite recipes your favorite dishes are as easy as pressing a button.
Also for ultimate convenience is the 24-hours delay cooking timer. After the cooking time has lapsed the automatic keep-warm feature keeps your dishes at temperature until ready to serve.
Do I Need To Adjust Recipes For The 8 Quart Instant Pot
Most recipes I have found online are written for the 6 Quart Instant Pot. I was really worried about adjusting this to my 8 Quart pot until I actually tried it.
I have found the one and only adjustment I have had to make to a recipe is making sure I have enough water in my Instant Pot when using it for pressure cooking.
The 8 Quart needs about 1 and a half cups of water in it, and I usually add more to be safe.
The water requirements can be found in the manual that comes with it.
Other than that I have not found a need to adjust recipes based on using an 8 Quart Instant Pot versus 6 Quart.
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How Do I Choose The Right Model
If you know the size you need, you will also have to determine which model you should get.
The LUX model just offers the basics with no frills. As long you dont require low pressure, you should be fine.
The DUO model is a great choice if you want to make your own yogurt at home, as it has a button specifically for this purpose.
The SMART model has built-in Bluetooth technology, allowing you to control everything from your smartphone or tablet.
The ULTRA model gives you a few extra features like a backlit display. It is good for those who want the ability to cook food at any temperature.
Finally, the MAX model is also worth considering because of its pressure canning capabilities. You also have a Sous Vide option, which can really come in handy.
The Best Instant Pot For You: A Comprehensive Guide To Every Size And Model
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Youve heard the hype, read the articles, perused the recipes, and come to the conclusion that you absolutely need an Instant Pot . But finding the best Instant Pot model for your unique cooking needs is a more involved task than it may seem. This buying guide for the beloved kitchen appliance has the answer to every anxious Instant Pot question you may have and will help you determine which of the many varieties is right for you.
Though every Instant Pot model has the same basic multi-cooking functionality that made it a household favorite, some are more versatile than others. Most of the models are very similar in terms of pot size, wattage, and voltage where they differ is mostly in the softwarehow many smart programs are built in with preset heat, time, and pressure levels.
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There Are So Many Modelswhich One Should I Get
The dizzying array of Instant Pot models can be a real source of confusion when shopping for your first Instant Pot. Thankfully, weve learned this year that the brand is discontinuing many of their models and streamlining to a few core ones. Were testing a few new cookers to update our recommendations, but much of the following information is still helpful, since you may still find many of these cookers in stores or online.
We recommend the Instant Pot Duo to most people, though the Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is also very good if youre willing to pay extra for more sophisticated controls, and find it in stock somewhere. The company has a number of other models were not as crazy about, but mainly because we found the Duo and the Duo Evo Plus to offer the best set of features for their respective prices. If you can find another model on sale, we think most of these will serve you well. The only versions with significant downsides other than price are the Lux, which lacks a low pressure setting and a handle on the lid, and the Duo Crisp, which comes with an additional air fryer lid that takes up a lot of extra space without adding a lot of extra functionality. .
Heres a chart showing the most important differences between our picks and other Instant Pot series. You can read more about all of the models we dont recommend later in this guide.
| Model |
*At the time of publishing, the price was $120.
