Why Use An Instant Pot
The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.
If you dont have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.
- Dont Have an Instant Pot Yet?This guide can help you choose the right one.
How We Test Instant Pots
When the experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab assess multi-cookers, including Instant Pots, we put each to the test in a variety of ways. We check overall functionality by filling the device with water to capacity, then activate the high setting and set a timer. We watch and listen once the cooker comes to pressure, we note the time. Then, we maintain pressure for 15 minutes and release the pressure, timing how long it takes for the pressure to drop. Next, our pros get cooking. We mix all of the ingredients for beef stew in the pressure cooker, cover, record how long the pot takes to come to pressure, cook for 20 minutes and record how long the pot takes to release pressure. Then, we evaluate the final product: Is the beef tender? How were the veggies cooked? Whats the overall flavor like? Finally, our pros cook a batch of rice in each device, combining all of the ingredients in the multicooker and cooking according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We then evaluate the rice: Whats the texture like? Is any rice stuck to the bottom of the cooker?
Our testers also consider ease of use, evaluating each product for how intuitive and clear the controls are, how many settings are offered, how simple cleaning is and the clarity of the owner’s manual.
Instant Pot Pro Versus Max
The biggest claim to fame of the Instant Pot Max is its canning feature. The Instant Pot Pro Plus is the only other model that is able to do canning. The trade-off is that the Max doesnt do Sous Vide, while the Pro does. Youll need to weigh your priorities to figure out which feature is more important. The Instant Pot Pro also comes with 28 one-touch smart cooking programs, which blows the 15 of the Max out of the water. Its a close race between these two models, so it will definitely boil down to your priorities.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus 9in1 Manual
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Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini 9-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker. 11 Images about Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini 9-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker : Deal of the Day: 8 Quart Instant Pot DUO Plus 9-in-1 Multi-Use, Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Smart Cooker – DT ONLINE PTY LTD and also Instant Pot 9 in 1 DUO Plus Review 2020 – InstaPots.
Instant Pot Smart Wifi 6 Quart Multi
- Healthy, stainless steel inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating, 3-ply bottom.
- UL and ulc certified with 10 safety mechanisms to provide you with added Assurance, designed to eliminate many common errors.
- Accessories include, stainless steel steam rack with handles, rice paddle, soup spoon, measuring cup and condensation collector.
| Lowest Price |
Product Details
Instant Pots Smart 6 Quart Wifi Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker will make your cooking time faster and easier so you can enjoy more time spent with family and friends.This electric pressure cooker is Wifi enabled, allowing programming and monitoring right from your smartphone or tablet.
Combining the benefits of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, porridge maker, steamer, saute pan, yogurt maker, food warmer and more, youll love crafting a variety of delicious recipes for you and the family to enjoy? a free iOS app even lets you program complex cooking steps in recipe scripts on your smartphone/tablet so you can handle the cooker wirelessly.
| 6 Quart |
Reviews From Real Customers
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Instant Pot Smart Programs Vs Functions
Instant Pots are beloved because of their ability to cook foods quickly using pressure. But theyre also wildly popular, in part, because theyre true multi-cookers that can be used to braise, sauté, steam, and so much more. But all Instant Pots are not created equaler, not every model can perform every function, and theyre billed accordingly . All Instant Pots can pressure-cook, slow-cook, sauté, and keep warm, and fancier models tack on additional cooking methods like yogurt-making, sous vide cooking, broiling, and air-frying. The functions are customizable, and while you cant air-fry or broil in a model that doesnt have an air-frying lid, people still manage to bake cake in models that dont offer mini oven functionality and make yogurt in models that arent officially marketed for yogurt-making.
The Instant Pot Smart Programs allow you to engage each cookers listed functionality with the touch of a button. Many models also have additional Smart Programs that take the guesswork out of specific items like cake, yogurt, eggs, brown rice, and more. The buying guide below details which and how many functions and Smart Programs are available with each model.
Instant Pot Duo Vs Duo Plus Model
- DUO is a 7-in-1 electric pressure cooker and DUO Plus is a 9-in-1.
- DUO Plus has additional settings for making cakes, eggs, sterilize and sous vide.
- DUO Plus display is a bit model modern with the blue LED display.
- In DUO Plus, you can adjust the time, temperature and pressure level even after the Instant Pot has started cooking. This is not possible in the DUO model.
- DUO Plus is especially useful if you have babies or kids in the house, this model helps to silence the alarms.
- DUO is a nice upgrade from the base DUO model, and not much expensive.
I hope this post helps demystify some of the ins and outs of all the different Instant Pot models and sizes, and helps you figure out which Instant Pot to buy.
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Which Instant Pot Model Is Right For You
When deciding the model of the instant pot to buy, there are 3 main questions to ask:
Now that we have the basics right, here is the detailed review for each instant pot model available.
- Features: This is your basic 6-in-1 multi-cooker.
- It pressure cooks, slow cooks, makes rice, sautés, steams, and has a “keep warm” setting.
- The key feature this Instant Pot lacks is the ability to pressure cook on low. The Lux is only able to pressure cook on high. Low pressure setting is useful for when cooking delicate foods such as steaming broccoli.
- Does not have yogurt function. This can be an important one for people who want to use the instant pot to make yogurt, sprout beans, proof dough, ferment batter, etc.
Where Can I Find The Best Instant Pot Recipes
If you need recipe inspo for all the fuss-free meals you can make in your new Instant Pot, check out Good Housekeeping’s Instant Pot Cookbook. In addition to a primer filled with all the how-to info youll need to know, it features 60 delicious dishes, including Weeknight Tuscan Ragu, Vegan Black Bean Soup, Spicy Sesame Rice Bowlsand Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus Review The 9
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The Instant Pot Duo Plus, a.k.a Instapot Duo Plus, Instant Duo Plus, Instant Pot 9-in-1, or simply the IP Duo Plus, has gone several upgrades since it was released almost a decade ago.
In fact, this model is already the third iteration featuring a more refined look and better control panel. It has more cooking functions than its predecessor, and sous vide is one of those.
What Can You Make With The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9
Just like any multi-cookers in the market, the Instant Pot Plus has endless capabilities. Right off the bat, with the main functionsslow and pressure cookthere are already 1220 recipes available from the brands website . And thats not counting other recipe blogs.
The point is that there are so many things you can make with an Instapot.
To give you a more concrete idea, here are all the 15 smart cooking programs you can play with.
With all that cleared up, lets move on to the usability of the machine.
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Genuine Instant Pot Stainless Steel Inner Cooking Mini 3 Quart
| Lowest Price |
Product Details
Genuine Instant Pot inner cooking pot is stainless steel food grade 304 , with no chemical coating, 3-ply bottom for even heat distribution.The polished surface makes food stick less and easier to clean.
Having a secondary Instant Pot inner pot makes it convenient and easy when preparing multiple dishes with your Instant Pot cooker.
| 7.8 Inches x 5 Inches x 7.8 Inches |
| Baking Cooking Surface |
| Instant Pot |
Reviews From Real Customers
Design And Key Features
The Duo Evo Plus is currently only available in the 5.7 litre capacity in the UK, although a 7.5 litre model is due to be added to the range in early 2021. In the US the Duo Evo Plus comes in 6 quart and 8 quart models. In Australia a 5.7 litre/ 6 quart capacity is available. As with the older Instant Pot size, we found 5.7 litres an ideal capacity for a family or batch cooking. The stainless steel exterior certainly looks smart in the kitchen, although with the black exterior for the lid, any food spattering or water marks are easy to spot.
One of the issues with Instants previous designs was the large amount of steam that would emit from the cooker after releasing the pressure valve. A new plastic diffuser covers the vent, meaning far less sputtering and a gentler emission of steam. The Duo Evo Plus also automatically seals when in place, something its older machines required the user to do manually.
While the screens at the centre of Instants electric cookers may look similar before switching on, the new Duo Evo Plus has received a raft of small improvements that make for a far easier cooking experience.
The LCD display is nicer to look at and use, with the digital interface and dial making it easier to choose from the Duo Evo Plus 48 cooking options. A progress timer makes it simpler to quickly check on the cooking progress of food, and even the screen itself has been slightly tilted upwards to make it a cinch to read at a glance when youre busy in the kitchen.
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Which Instant Pot To Buy
November 27, 2021 . By Meeta Arora . | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is the question that I get asked most often – “I want to buy the instant pot, but there are so many choices and I am confused. Can you help me?“. So here I am sharing how you can best decide the right size and model for your instant pot. I will also be sharing my top picks in case you are short on time!
I know it is that time of the year when Instant Pot will once again be the Black Friday best seller on Amazon. It has been since the last 3 years.
First, I am going to share my short and sweet summary of my top picks. Then we will go through the details of why I make these choices.
Wrap Up Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 Review
Ive been using the Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 for two weeks now and have yet to find anything I dont like about it. The Instant Pot company has truly listened to their customers and made changes that I think everyone will like.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 60 would make a perfect gift for yourself or someone you love this Mothers Day.
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What’s The Best Size Instant Pot
Our Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab evaluates 6-quart models because we think it’s the most practical option. Its big enough for a decent-size batch of chicken soup or chili, but it doesnt hog too much counter space. That being said, the 8-quart model is great for large families or for those who love to meal prep.
Why Trust Momjunction
Sakshi John is a product reviewer specializing in kitchen appliances and home products. Her interest in this field and commendable research skills help her suggest premium products to her readers. She has listed the best small kitchen appliances that consume less space and make your kitchen look sleek and functional. Every product that Sakshi has recommended includes a detailed description and pros and cons. She has also included a buying guide explaining why you should consider maintenance and purpose before buying these appliances.
Getting smaller appliances for your kitchen can make cooking more convenient since you will have more counter-top space to work. This list provides a range of the most useful and best small kitchen appliances, from instant pots and blenders to vacuum sealers and egg cookers. Opt for a multifunctional appliance whenever possible to help you save more space when you purchase an item. Finally, ensure the product is easy to clean and maintain, durable, sustainable, and of good quality.
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How Instant Pots Work
Instant Pots and other pressure cookers have unique lids that create an airtight seal. Once the lid is locked in place and the cooker is set, steam gets produced in the pot and can’t escape.
The trapped steam increases the atmospheric pressure inside the cooker, increasing the boiling point of liquids and speeding up the time it takes to boil, braise or steam foods.
An Instant Pot should not be confused with an air fryer. Check out our guide on Instant Pot vs air fryer for more details.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8
| Lowest Price |
Product Details
9-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, sterilizer and food warmer.IMPROVED STRESS-FREE VENTING: Intuitive and simple, our improved easy-release steam switch makes releasing steam easier than ever, and it automatically resets when the lid is closed.
QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING: 15 customizable Smart Programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more.VERSATILE INNER COOKING POT: Food-grade stainless-steel cooking pot with a tri-ply bottom offers more even cooking and an anti-spin design that secures the pot for perfect sautéing.
QUICK, EASY CLEAN UP: Finger-print resistant, stainless-steel sides and dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories.SAFETY FEATURES: Includes over 10 safety features, plus overheat protection and safe-locking lid.
| 8 qt |
Reviews From Real Customers
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Instant Pot Duo Gourmet
Exclusively available at Costco since its introduction in 2020, the Instant Pot Duo Gourmet is very similar to the Instant Pot Duo Plus. The Duo Gourmet has a slightly different control panel that includes a sous vide button and comes with more accessories . Oh, and theres that sweet Costco member pricing too. Unlike the Duo Plus which is available in three sizes, the Duo Gourmet is only available in the 6-quart size.
Built-in smart programs: 15Functions: Pressure-cooking, slow-cooking, steaming, sautéing, rice-cooking, yogurt-making, sous videcooking, food-warming, sterilizingSizes available: 6-quart Instant Pot
Initial Test Run The Essential Water Test
The initial test run is important and tests the Instant Pot DUO Plus 60 to make sure everything is working properly. Its exciting to get a new appliance and want to jump right in and start cooking, but its a really good idea to do this test before making the first meal. The initial test run, also called the Water Test, is really simple, takes about 12 minutes and tests the following: 1) Makes sure the lid is sealing properly 2) Makes sure the cooker can come up to pressure 3) Makes sure the timer is working.
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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:
