What Size Instant Pot Should I Get
The Instant Pot comes in three sizes: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and 8 quarts, making it a versatile countertop appliance for small kitchens and large families alike. The 6-quart Instant Pot is the most popular option for home cooks, as most recipes are written for that size. Generally, a meal cooked in a 6-quart model feeds three to six people. The 8-quart models, on the other hand, are ideal when youre feeding a large family, cooking for a party, or doing weekly meal prep. Last but not least is the 3-quart Instant Pot , which is perfect for cooking for one or two people or keeping in a small kitchen. While every model is available in the 6-quart size, not all models are available in the 3- and 8-quart sizes.
How Long Will My Instant Pot Take To Come To Pressure
While it may take longer for the 8 quart to come to pressure than the 3 quart and the 6 quart, once it comes up to pressure your cooking times should be the same. You might not notice any significant Instant Pot cooking differences when it comes to cooking times though. They should be relatively spot on no matter which pot you are using.
It takes an average of 5-10 minutes for my 6 quart Instant Pot to come to pressure, depending on how much food is in it and if that food is frozen. An Instant Pot with frozen food takes longer to come to pressure than one with refrigerated food.
Note: Technically the cook times should be the same. If you want to see how crazy different cook times can be, head over to the Instant Pot Facebook group and ask how long it takes to make hard boiled eggs in the Instant Pot. Youll quickly see what I mean by every pot and every size being different.
You can safely assume that unless noted otherwise, every Instant Pot recipe online is made for a 6 quart size. If youre using a 3 quart size or mini Instant Pot, divide the recipe in half and the cook time stays the same. If youre using an 8 quart Instant Pot, you can easily double the recipe youre cooking and the cook time stays the same.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6
The perfect blend of price and features for first time Instant Pot® users, with an improved, easy-to-read control panel and 15 Smart Programs to make cooking simple and fast.
Also available in these sizes:
As a member of the bestselling Duo family, the Instant Pot® Duo Plus is simple-to-use, versatile and convenient. Taking the place of 9 separate cooking appliances, including pressure cooker, slow cooker and sous vide, it has 15 Smart Programs to help you get started quickly and easily. With a redesigned control panel, you see cooking status at-a-glance, and easily control every step.
Read Also: Instant Pot Egg Bite Mold Recipes
Do Different Sizes Of Instant Pots Cook Differently
Im sticking by my statement that each Instant Pot is different. This is so true when you hear people talk about how long they cook their hard boiled eggs.
In addition to each pot being different, everyone has preferences about their hard boiled eggs, and how old your eggs are makes a difference too. There are a lot of cooking variables to consider.
With regard to noodles, I have realized that I like my noodles overcooked a little rather than undercooked. After making a few recipes in my IP, I know that if I am cooking a dish with noodles Ill always add a minute.
You can make changes to recipes you find online to get the best possible results when you make them at home. Like I said, every Instant Pot is different. It is always going to take some trial and error to figure out how your own pot differs from others, and understand what your cooking preferences are.
These tips and tricks will show you some common Instant Pot cooking differences and how to adjust your timing, pressures, and liquid in order to avoid a flop!
What Size Pots Does Instant Pot Offer
You will be able to get pots in 3, 5, 7, and 8 quart sizes with Instant Pot. It is important to remember that not every model offers the same size options. You can get a 3 quart pot with the DUO, DUO Plus, Ultra Series and LUX models. If you go to certain stores, you can find the LUX model in a 5 quart pot size.
You can get a 6 quart size pot with any of the models Instant Pot offers, including Viva, Nava Plus, Smart Bluetooth, Max and Ultra. It is likely that any new models this brand releases will be available in this size as well.
Only the Ultra, LUX, DUO and DUO Plus models are available in the 8 quart pot size.
Recommended Reading: How To Clean Your Instant Pot
What Are Your Other Questions About Instant Pot Sizes
When shopping for an Instant Pot you have multiple size options available: 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart across different models. As part of deciding which to buy you need to think about your kitchen space, what types of dishes youll cook, and how much you want to spend.
The option available will change over time and youll likely find a need to own multiple sizes. Smaller side dishes can fit nicely into a 3 quart while the 6 and 8 quart models are great for both main dishes and batch cooking.
What other questions do you have? And what are you considering as part of your research?
What Can Fit In A 6 Quart Instant Pot
The maximum ingredient fill for a 6-quart instant pot is 4 quarts.
Almost all recipes ever made serve 4 so whatever recipe you choose for 4 people will fit easily into the 6-quart cooker.
You can fit whole chicken weighing between 5 and 6 pounds, hard-boiled eggs 4 dozen Oats up to 4 cups, and soup containing up to 2 pounds of beans.
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Best Instant Pot Accessories For Each Size
There are many accessories you can buy for your Instant Pot. The size of the accessory varies based on the size of the inner pot. In general, if youre using an accessory in the inner pot, make sure theres about 1/2 inch of space between the wall of the accessory and the wall of the inner pot.
Asian markets are a great place to pick up steam racks and other accessories for the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Sizes By Models
The main Instant Pot series models are made in 3 sizes: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and 8 quarts. There are a few Instant Pot models that are offered in 6 and/or 8 quart options. For example these are only available in the 6 quarts including the Max, Nova Plus, and Smart WiFi.
And the Duo Nova was available as a 10 quart and was the only model available at that size.
For the Instant Pots currently available, theyre available in the following sizes:
| Model | |
|---|---|
| Instant Pot Duo Gourmet | Yes |
The Instant Pot Pro and Instant Pot Pro Plus were introduced in 2021 and other models were discontinued.
Related: Instant Pot Pro Crisp vs Duo Crisp: 7 Differences Compared
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How Do You Know What Size Instant Pot To Get
Taking into account all of the factors discussed above, this decision will largely be based on your family size and required functions.
The difference in time it takes for both sizes to come to pressure is fairly insignificant, but this may weigh into your decision. The 8 quart is slightly bigger than the 6 quart, as well, so storage space may be a factor for you.
If you want the Instant Pot Max, the 6 quart is the only size available.
Final Thoughts Is A 6 Quart Instant Pot Big Enough
What a list of features, technology, and ease of use! With all that this Multi-Cooker has to offer, I believe you could do away with most of the separate appliances you need to carry out the different cooking methods and tasks.
With the exception of your Rice Cooker because stainless steel is not non-stick it allows the rice to adhere to it during the cooking process. There are ways around this with oils and such but this defeats the purpose of having an appliance that makes your life easier.
The cookbook application is certainly appealing in this age of The App you can use your application while shopping to select ingredients for meals you want to prepare. This Application keeps this multi-cooker up with the times.
Recommended Reading
Still unsure if you want a multi-purpose cooker such as this. I have two very informative articles here and here that will give you all you need to know about multi cookers.
Using another appliance instead of a pressure cooker here
to purchase the Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker today
One-Pot Cooking Rocks
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Update: Amazon Price Specials On Instant Pots
- Three years ago during Amazon Prime Day, I purchased a 6 qt. Instant Pot that was on sale. And I quickly realized what a great addition it was to my kitchen. The first thing I made was a continuous beef bone broth. I cooked the bones and water under pressure and then switched to slow cooking and kept it going for several days. We were having cups of delicious and healthy bone broth every day and I simply added additional water each day to replace what we had taken from it.
The next year when Amazon Prime Day came I wanted to get my daughter her own Instant Pot as she was getting married that fall. The one that was on special was the 8 qt. size. When it arrived we realized how much bigger it really was than the one I already had.
Then just a few days later my sister told me about the newest Instant Pot that was a 3 qt. size. I immediately began thinking of ways that this size would be helpful. When it arrived we were instantly struck by how small and cute it was!
Now one thing about Instant Pots is that even though they are called Instant they really arent instant. They still need to come up to pressure to cook and that can take several minutes or more. But would the smaller Instant Pot come to pressure quicker and make my meals a little faster? Which one would work best for everyday use?
So I decided to test and compare them and see which one I liked best. I compared their sizes inside and out and how fast they came to pressure.
Instant Pot 3 Quart Vs 6 Quart: Which Size Is Better
Instant pots have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances over the years because they make cooking faster and easier. You can cook a wide range of delicious dishes with them quickly and efficiently.
Theyre available in different sizes, so choosing one might be a bit tricky. If youre on the fence about which size to get, our comprehensive Instant pot 3 quart vs. 6 quart article will help you out. Lets jump right into it!
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Can You Cook Small Portions In A Large Instant Pot
Absolutely! However, there is a minimum amount of water that needs to be added each time you use the Instant Pot. This minimum will vary depending on model and size, so its important to check the product manual to verify this before use.
As long as you adhere to this guideline, your portions can be as small as you want!
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
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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
How Fast Does An Instant Pot Come To Pressure
The things that you can cook in the Instant Pot is endless. To that end, I have several links at the end of this post featuring delicious recipes that would be just the tip of the iceberg.
So I wanted to cook something that was common and that I had success with already with my 6 qt. pot. I decided to make the brown rice recipe that is included in the recipe book that comes with each Instant Pot. I put the 2 cups of brown rice in each pot. Added in 2 1/2 cups of water and closed the lids. Made sure the steam valve was closed and set the pots on Manual/Pressure Cook for 22 minutes.
As soon as they started I set that timer and watched the pots. I was ready to jot down the time that it took for each one to come to pressure and then begin to do actual 22 minutes of cooking at pressure.
Which one would get to pressure first. I thought that the 3 qt. would be the first, but I was wrong. The first to come to pressure was the 6 qt.
The 6 qt. took 8:47 minutes to come to pressure.
The 8 qt. took 9:46 minutes to come to pressure.
The 3 qt. took 11:15 minutes to come to pressure.
I was really surprised.
I really thought the 3 qt. would come to pressure quicker and make the total cooking time less, but the wattage is not as strong on the 3 qt. and it did make a difference in cooking time.
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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 8 Quart
- Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
- Viva 8 Quart
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.
Instant Pot Duo Nova Dimensions
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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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
- The 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
