How To Choose The Right Instant Pot Size
Now that you know all about Instant Pot sizes, its time to choose the right one for you. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision:
- How many people do you need to feed? If youre feeding a large family or group, youll want to choose a larger size. If youre cooking for one or two people, a smaller size will suffice.
- What kind of foods do you like to cook? If you like to cook large cuts of meat or whole chickens, youll need a larger pot. If you typically stick to smaller dishes or side dishes, then you can go with a smaller size.
- What space do you have in your kitchen? When choosing an Instant Pot size, its important to consider how much space you have in your kitchen, and where you will store your Instant Pot when it isnt in use.
Now that you know all about Instant Pot sizes, its time to choose the right one for you. Consider your needs and then select the pot that will best suit them. Instant Pot pressure cookers are a versatile and convenient appliance that can make cooking easier and more fun. So choose the right size for you and get cooking!
What Does Instant Pot 6 In 1 7 In 1 9 In 1 Mean
The 6-1 to 9-1 numbers indicate the number of cooking functions that the Instant Pot model has.
Here they are based on number:
- 6-in-1: Pressure Cooker, Saute/Browning, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer & Warmer
- 7-in-1: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
- 9-in-1: Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Egg Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, Warmer, Sterilizer
What Does An Instant Pot Do
Yeah, why can’t you just get a regular slow cooker? At their core, Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers. The proprietary locking lid creates a seal that heats any water inside far past its boiling point, turning it to steam. When that steam has nowhere else to go, it creates pressure thus cooking food 2-10 times faster than what an oven or slow cooker could do.
The Instant Pot’s heart is a microprocessor aided by built-in temperature sensors that give Instant Pots the ability to 1. Mimic the cooking functions of multiple different appliances and 2. Switch between those functions at the press of a button. This collection of programs can be tweaked and tailored to perform super specific tasks that you may have struggled with pre-Instant Pot . They get down to the nitty-gritty of heat intensity, pressure, and cooking duration to achieve more precise results in the kitchen. Some of the more advanced models even offer personalized programming and will remember your settings for the next time.
Each Instant Pot model gains a new cooking method or two, so you aren’t paying for functions you won’t use.
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Which Model Of Instant Pot Should You Buy
Before I go into specifics about each Instant Pot model, let me say that most of the fancy stuff is stuff you probably dont need. For example, you may have noticed that Instant Pot models vary in the number of pre-set program buttons. All of those program buttons are just a combination of a cook time and pressure setting .
So, whether or not your Instant Pot has a poultry or cake button is not important, because you can cook pretty much anything in your Instant Pot using the Pressure Cook function and manually setting the cook time. In fact, most of the recipes that you find are going to tell you to use the Manual/Pressure Cook function, not one of the other program buttons. And pretty much every recipe will be cooked at high pressure.
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.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus 9 In 1
This model appears to the market as the upgraded version of the Best Seller DUO, so if you think that they could go any better than the 7 n 1 model you were wrong!
This model includes all the same features that the DUO series but it comes with important additions that can make the DUO Plus 9 in 1 the best companion on any kitchen period!
So just like the 7 in 1 version this one can function as a Pressure Cooker, Saute, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Warmer, Yogurt Maker, but it also adds 2 extra functions the Egg/Cake function that can not only make perfect eggs but also can cook cakes!. But thats not all this model can also Sterilize your utensils or baby bottles as well!
This series is also available in 3, 6 and 8 quarts.
In case you want to know more about it you can check
Or read OurFull Review>
Why Do Different Size Instant Pots Take More Time To Come To Pressure
The difference in times it takes to build pressure and release pressure in electric pressure cookers are significantly different between the 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart models. This is not surprising because they are all different sizes . The 8 quart pot will take the longest to build and release pressure because there is more space to fill and empty.
That being said, I would always assume that recipes you see online are built for the 6 quart model unless its noted otherwise. That means you have to adjust for cooking times and the amount of liquid added in the other sized models: more on this below.
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
This standout 11-in-1 pressure cooker was the first Instant Pot model to offer an air-frying function by way of a second air fryer lid. When youre done frying, you can simply switch back to the standard lid for pressure cooking, steaming, sautéing, and more. Like all Instant Pot models, this one comes with advanced safety features and access to a digital library of more than 1,000 Instant Pot recipes. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp even lets you broil, and until the Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer came along, this model was the Ninja Foodis fiercest competitor.
Year released: 2019Built-in smart programs: 11Cooking functions: Pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, air-frying, steaming, sautéing, food-warming, sous videcooking, roasting, baking, broiling, and dehydratingSizes available: 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots
Best Overall: Instant Pot Duo 6
Why it made the cut: The Instant Pot Duo strikes the perfect balance between highly functional and affordable. Six quarts is also the perfect size for most households. Specs
Weight: 11.8 poundsDimensions: 13.38 x 12.2 x 12.48 inchesCapacity: 6 quart
Pros
10+ safety features13 customizable built-in cooking programsPot large enough to cook cheesecakes
Cons
No air-frying abilities
The Instant Pot Duo is a core model for the multi-cooker line, and its not hard to understand why. This 7-in-1 electric pressure cooker performs most of the functions the average user needs, including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, yogurt making, steaming, sauteing, and food warming. Because the Duo is such a tried-and-true Instant Pot model with a cult following, users will appreciate that many Instant Pot recipes online and in cookbooks are designed specifically for this pot and use the terminology specific to this device. With hundreds of thousands of positive reviews, tips, and tricks, youll have an Instant Pot Duo community excited to welcome you with your new purchase. Whether youre new to pressure cooking or a pro, youll appreciate the versatility of this pot, which includes 13 preset cooking programs to make perfectly tender beans, fluffy rice, juicy chicken, tangy yogurt, and more.
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A Quick Look At 10 Quart Instant Pot Duo Nova
The Duo Nova 10 quart is the largest Instant Pot available and only model available at this size currently. It was released in early September 2019 and is available to buy online.
If you didnt realize the 10 quart was an option, its completely understandable. It was also released from the rest of the Duo Nova model line. And it was originally listed separately the 3, 6, and 8 quart pots. You needed to know to look for it.
What Are The Instant Pot Size Differences
The 2 main size options for the Instant Pot brand of electric pressure cooker are 6 Qt. and 8 Qt. There are other brands with different options, but the most typical are 6 qt. and 8 qt.
The 6 Qt. can easily hold a whole chicken, cook a pound of dried beans, hard boil 9-10 eggs, and cook 8 chicken breasts for shredded chicken.
The 8 Qt. is slightly larger and can cook more of all of the items listed above.
See recommendations below based on family size.
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Is There A 10 Quart Instant Pot
The 10 quart Duo Nova was discontinued. It was released in early September 2019 and was the only model available at that size. It was difficult to find online because it was not listed with the rest of the series on Amazon originally.
You may still be able to find a 10 quart Instant Pot online or at your local stores, but the inventory is likely limited.
If you need an electric pressure cooker larger than 8 quarts youll need to look at other brands. You may also want to consider contacting the company to let them know you would buy a larger Instant Pot. With enough feedback maybe theyll consider making another 10 quart model.
Which Instant Pot Should You Buy
If money is tight, buy the Instant Duo in either the 6 or 8 quart depending on the size of your family.
The 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot Duo Plus is the most popular model and it is also a great choice. The Duo Plus adds a new steam valve design that is easier to use.
Honestly, the higher end models just dont make sense in my opinion or experience. The Duo and Duo Plus have everything I need to make meals for my family and for meal prep.
However, if you want the latest and greatest with all the features including Wifi control, get the Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi model.
Questions about which Instant Pot is Best for You?
If you have questions, please ask them in the comments below. I love to help!
Once you get your new Instant Pot, read my simple Instant Pot Manual to learn how to do a water test and start using your Instant Pot. Then try one of these Best Instant Pot Recipes.
This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine’s Kitchen!
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Instant Pot Size Comparison: 3 6 8 Or 10
If youve been eyeing an Instant Pot, youve probably noticed that it comes in many different sizes. So not only do you have to decide between the many different functions available on each model, you also have to choose which size fits you best. Thats why weve put together this Instant Pot Size Comparison guide.
» Check out these Instant Pot Symbols & Display Icons and Is the Instant Pot Dishwasher Safe?
What is the best Instant Pot size for your needs? They range from small to very large, so it can be difficult for a first-timer to decide what size would suit their needs.
Weve tried them all and have some tips and information to help you choose the right one. Consider the factors listed below to discover the perfect Instant Pot size for you.
Instant Pot 3 Or 4 Quart
The smallest in the range, the 3-quart, is big enough to make food for one to two people with almost no leftovers. Its perfect for those one-pot wonders when you dont feel like eating the same food for the next three days.
Its also a fantastic space-saver as it easily fits in smaller kitchens, such as those in RVs and dorm rooms. The smaller size might be convenient, but bear in mind you wont be able to fit food items like whole corn on the cob, ribs, or a roast.
Its slightly harder to find accessories that fit the mini 3-quart size. And the 3-quart can be as expensive as the next size up. It also takes longer to come to pressure due to the lower wattage over 11 minutes in fact. The 3-quart lacks a few of the buttons that the larger models have, but this wont overly impact your ability to use the appliance.
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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.
What To Consider When Shopping For An Instant Pot
Control panel: All Instant Pots currently on the market have relatively large control panels. It makes sense, given how multi-functional these kitchen gadgets are. But while theyre all rather comprehensive, the more sophisticated models offer sleeker, more digital control panels, including features like a dial to click through varying cooking functions and added guidance like OK to open lid.
Cooking pot: Though all Instant Pots have a stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom for sauteing, more advanced models have additional benefits. The Instant Pot Pro comes with an added layer of extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum for faster, more efficient heating, while the Instant Pot Pro Plus has an inner pot thats stovetop-safe and induction compatible.
Pressure levels: On some models, there is only one pressure option: high. On others, you can choose from high or low pressure levels. And still others, you can even choose a max pressure level. High is perfectly suitable for most recipes, while low is good for slower cooking or things that you want to make more tender over a longer period of time, like beef stew, as well as foods that are delicate like rice, fish and even cakes. Machines with the extra-high pressure level will yield the fastest results and also make a really good and concentrated bone broth.
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What Size Instant Pot Should You Get
Instant Pots come in three basic sizes: 3, 6 and 8 quarts. Most people with a household of three to five people will do fine with a 6-quart — the most popular size. If you’re cooking for one or two, you might consider the three-quart model. And if you have a small army of mouths to feed or tend to host large gatherings, the bigger 8-quart multicooker will be a better fit. In our experience, there is no difference in performance between the different sizes.
Should You Buy The Duo Plus
This pressure cooker is not only intuitive, but its versatility is impressive. Each feature is easy to use and performs well. It will happily take the place of your rice cooker, as long as you don’t mind slightly sticky rice, and yourfavorite slow cooker, clearing up space in your kitchen. The Duo Plus is truly a marvel, and its upgraded valve control leaves us with little to complain about. The Duo Plus is, without a doubt, a fantastic value. While it is still a bit of an investment, it is far less than the most expensive options in our test suite and outperforms many of them. It is a versatile kitchen tool that not only can get all the jobs done but it does each of them quite well.
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What Does Instant Pot Duo Vs Instant Pot Lux Mean
DUO vs. LUX
These funny letters have to do with the tier and cooking complexity of the model.
The LUX only cooks in High Pressure mode, meaning it doesnt have a low pressure option. It doesnt make ice cream and it doesnt connect with the smartphone app. Its considering the economy model of the bunch.
The DUO has a high and low pressure function and
The 9-in-1 DUO also includes the cake and egg cooking function/settings.
