Instant Pot Sizes Available

Must Try

Which Instant Pot Do I Like The Best And My Recommendations

Getting started with your Instant Pot Nova 6qt from Target

The 3 qt. didnt make my rice cook any quicker, but its so cute and handy I think Ill be using it a lot as an additional helper. Plus itll be perfect to cook sides in or when cooking for 1-2 people. My sister loves to use this size to keep her cheese dips warm during parties. She likes it better than using a slow-cooker as the sides dont get overcooked or hard.

The big 8 qt. will go with my daughter when she gets married, but I have a feeling Im going to miss it. It can hold a lot. Cooking for a family of 5 or more this would be the one to go with.

The 6 qt. will probably always be out on my counter ready to go. Is it just right? Its pretty close, but if I had a growing family I think the 8 qt. would win out. And if my cabinets were just a little higher. Overall, if you are cooking for 2-4 people I think this would be the best size.

What To Look For In An Instant Pot

By Sara Tane

Theres no denying that the Instant Pot has definitely brewed up a whole lot of hype since it originally came out in 2010. Since its debut, a variety of models and sizes have been launched that all boast different features. Not only does this appliance save you a bunch of time when it comes to big-batch cooking and cleaning up afterward, but it also saves you a ton of counter space because its an appliance that can do it all .

Older versions of pressure cookers are difficult to maneuver and not super user-friendly for the average home cook. Instant Pots have taken pressure cooking and made it approachable and doable for cooks of all levels.

When it comes to choosing the Instant Pot thats right for you, it can seem a bit overwhelming because of all the different models and sizes. Understanding which models offer different features is crucial to determining which Instant Pot is right for you. How much counter space you have, how frequently youll be using the appliance, and how many people youre typically cooking for all factor into choosing the right model. Newer models offer smartphone and WiFi capabilities, so if youre looking to integrate technology into your home cooking, these models could be a great pick for you.

Instant Pot Max Versus Pro Plus

The major differentiator of the Instant Pot Pro Plus is its access to your home Wi-Fi network. This lets you schedule cooking, remotely control it, and beam recipes directly to the Instant Pot. The two are available in the same capacities and are otherwise highly comparable in their features. All-in-all, roll with the Pro Plus if you want smartphone control.

You May Like: Instant Pot 9 In 1 Pressure Cooker

Where Can I Find The Best Instant Pot Recipes

Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook
Good Housekeeping Instant Pot® Cookbook

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 Bowls and Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps.

Whats The Diameter Of Instant Pots

Instant Pot 6Qt Ultra 10

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.

Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Recipes For Pot Roast

The 7 Kitchen Appliances Combined In One

All Instant Pots combine multiple kitchen appliances into one, the Instant Pot Duo Nova 10 Quart does the same.

It also follows the features available in the rest of the Duo Nova series by combining 7 kitchen appliances into one including:

  • Pressure Cooker

* The Yogurt smart program has a pasteurizing feature when you choose More. The Yogurt Smart Program will pasteurize milk. Be sure to check the temperature of the heated milk to ensure it reaches the proper temperature.

Like the other size options in the Duo Nova line, this Instant Pot does not include the cake, or egg programs.

You dont need to worry about missing out on cooking these types of dishes. The Steam program is commonly recommended for hard-boiled eggs and cakes such as cheesecake can be made using the pressure cook program.

What Size Instant Pot For Each Recipe Type

Just like the amount of people you plan on feeding helps you decide what size Instant Pot you need, knowing what kind of recipes you want to make can help you solidify that decision as well.

Small Recipes: soups, small side dishes, and meals for 1-2 people are suited for the 3-qt. Try this recipe: Instant Pot Scalloped Potatoes.

Pro Tip: Looking to boil eggs fast? The 3-quart Instant Pot is the option for you.

Whole Poultry Birds: Want to make a whole turkey or whole chicken in the Instant Pot? Try a 6 or 8 quart pot. A 5-6 lb chicken will fit inside a 6-quart Instant Pot. If you want to cook a larger bird, or even 2 smaller turkeys, opt for the 8-qt. This is a good option for soups with large amounts of meat as well. Try this recipe:Instant Pot Cornish Hen

Beef or Pot Roast: The 6qt cooks a 4-5 lb roast well. If youre looking to make larger roasts or add vegetables and potatoes, I recommend the 8qt. Try this recipe: Best Ever Instant Pot Pot Roast

Large Quantity Recipes for Meal Prepping: I highly recommend the 8-quart size for meal prepping in big batches. A lot of my recipes, like beans, chili, rice, and more can be doubled or even tripled for meal prep and freezer meal options and theyre made easiest in the larger Instant Pot. Try this recipe: Instant Pot Spiced Pinto Beans.

You May Like: Instant Pot Pro 6 Qt

What To Consider Before Buying An Instant Pot

Size

Do you have a large family or are you cooking solo? Size truly does matter when it comes to choosing the best Instant Pot. The most popular size is the 6-quart option, but some models offer 3-quart, 5-quart and even 8-quart options. Smaller sizes are more budget-friendly and take up less space on the counter, but larger sizes are great for cooking a family meal. We tested out all of our Instant Pot recipes using the 6-quart option and found it to be the perfect medium.

Editors Tip: Remember that the volume size is the absolute maximum capacity for your pot. When youre dealing with piping hot foods you should only fill your Instant Pot 3/4 full. For example, if youre looking to make a 3-quart recipe like our delish Pressure-Cooker Potato Soup, we recommend using a 6-quart Instant Pot. Though you can always learn how to cut down a recipe, here.

Functionality

As previously stated, the Instant Pot offers much more than a traditional pressure cooker. However, some Instant Pots have more settings than others. Regardless of the model, youll be able to pressure cook, saute, slow cook, steam, make ricethe list goes on. Just think of how many gadgets you can replace in your kitchen with a single Instant Pot. Thats a score for all of us who are low on storage space!

Price

Editors Tip: If youre buying an Instant Pot second-hand, make sure youre buying the latest version of that particular model.

Here are a few other smart money-saving ideas to consider.

Lets Start With How Tall Are Instant Pots

Getting Started with your Instant Pot Pro, 6qt or 8qt

Starting out lets look at their general size. The little 3 qt. is just adorable and lightweight. It would be easy to find a place on your counter for it.

The 6 qt. is a nice moderate height. I have an old farmhouse and the upper cabinets in my kitchen come down low so not very many appliances actually fit under my cabinets. But this one does! I always pull it out when I cook with it so when I release the steam it doesnt go directly on the cabinets.

The 8 qt. is definitely a big girl. She isnt going to be tucked away anywhere. Shes going to be a show stopper and take up her fair share of the space.

Recommended Reading: Can You Cook Pasta In An Instant Pot

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

The Best Instant Pots

Whether youre someone whos looking for an easier way to prepare meals or would like to have fewer appliances cluttering up your cabinets, an Instant Pot can be a great investment. If youre in the market for an Instant Pot, weve rounded up some of the best Instant Pot models out there based on highly rated reviews. And if youre someone who is looking for more homemade meal ideas, then youre in luckmany Instant Pot models also come with a free app that includes nearly 2,000 Instant Pot recipes. and IP Reddit communities are also great resources for IP chefs and new buyers.

Don’t Miss: Instant Pot 10 Quart Vortex Air Fryer

What Accessories Included In The Box

When you buy the 10 quart Duo Nova, youll also receive 2 silicone sealing rings along with the trivet/steam rack.

If youre new to Instant Pots, having extra sealing rings is really helpful to prevent your desserts from accidentally picking up tastes from the other meals you cook.

If you need additional liners or sealing rings, try reaching out to their support team as these are not currently available for sale directly on their site.

Can You Make Bread In An Instant Pot

Best Instant Pots of 2020: Every Instant Pot Size and Model

An Instant Pot doesnt have the hot, dry environment thats typically used for baking standard loaves of bread. However, there are specialty types of baked goods, like steamed buns, that can be cooked in an Instant Pot. Its also possible to bake cakes, but they will have a different exterior and texture since they will be steamed rather than baked. However, for the models of Instant Pot that can hold a precise low temperature of about 90 degrees, the Instant Pot can be used for proofing bread dough.

Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Walmart 8 Quart

Can You Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot

Yes. There are a number of recipes devoted to cooking all kinds of foods from their frozen state in an Instant Pot. For some recipes, a little extra time is required to fully cook the meat, but in other cases the extra time required to come up to pressure is enough extra time to completely cook the food.

Where To Start When Choosing An Instant Pot Size

Depending upon the brand and model, a wide variety of pressure cooker sizes are available.

You can find anything from a relatively petite 3 quart model to the largest instant pot size at a whopping 14 quarts. How on earth is a person supposed to choose?

Here are 3 key considerations to help you choose the best pot capacity for your household:

1. Food Quantities and How You Cook

The first thing to take a look at is how many people you usually cook for. For these purposes, a small group is usually considered to be 1-3 people, and a large one 4 or more.

The second thing is to analyze your cooking style.

Do you like to cook every day? Do you want to have leftovers, or just enough for one meal? Have you embraced instant pot freezer meal cooking and want your freezer fully stocked?

If you like to cook small amounts more frequently, and are cooking for a small group, a smaller model is the way to go.

Unless youre cooking for just one or two and dont like leftovers, the 3-Quart size will probably still be too small for this, but a 6-Quart model could suit your needs perfectly.

Cooking for groups or batch cooking?

If youre cooking often for a bigger group, or want to cook freezer meals to stash away, youll want to go with a larger model.

Consider an 8-Quart to be the starting point for this, and if youre cooking for more than 6 people, youll certainly want to think about even larger sizes.

2. Your Pot Needs Room

3. WHAT You Cook Factors in Choosing Your Instant Pot Size

Also Check: How To Work Instant Pot Duo

Chef Iq Smart Cooker At A Glance

Benefits

Because instant pots offer a range of features, its important to consider how you plan to use the appliance and which functions are most important for you.

Here are some factors to consider when shopping for an instant pot:

  • Functions. While some people may prefer an instant pot that can also make yogurt or act as an air fryer, others may only plan to use it as a pressure cooker or slow cooker.
  • Size. If youre only preparing meals for 12 people or short on space, a smaller size is a good option, whereas those with larger households should select an instant pot with a higher capacity.
  • Features. Many instant pots include several built-in safety features, such as locking mechanisms, automatic pressure controls, and high temperature warnings. Choosing a product thats equipped with these features is essential to help prevent injury.
  • Cost. Instant pots vary in price. Look for a product that fits your budget but also offers the functions and features that you need.

Instant Pot Sizes: The Quart Sizes Available By Models

Review: How To Use Your UPGRADED Instant Pot Duo Plus

If you are thinking about buying an electric pressure cooker, knowing which Instant Pot sizes are currently available will help you with your research. Here is a review of the sizes available by model.

In 2021, there are 3 Instant Pot sizes across the different model lines: 3 quarts, 6 quarts, and 8 quarts. Not all quart sizes are available in all series. Previously there were also two Instant Pots available as a 5 quart option and a 10 quart Duo Nova.

The most popular and most common size is the 6 quart model. Currently, the largest Instant Pot available is 8 quarts. The largest Instant Pot model ever available was the 10 quart Duo Nova, a series now discontinued.

Below is a listing of all the current Instant Pots by size to help you understand which is available for purchase. You may still be able to find discontinued sizes available online and in local stores.

The 5 quart model was an earlier size that the Instant Pot Duo and Lux models were available in.

And if you want to know what size Instant Pot you have, here are 3 ways to figure that out.

And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You wont pay any more if you use this link.

You May Like: Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker 8-qt

The Best Instant Pot: Instant Pot Pro

What we liked: This model pressurized the quickest and offered the best searing and sautéing experience, with a stable, non-spinning pot. The ability to use the stainless steel inner pot on an electric, induction, or ceramic stovetops was welcome, as it gives the user greater flexibility and control. Releasing the steam feels straightforward and safe because of its separate push-button release and the plastic cover around the steam valve. The control panel is easy to navigate with a mixture of buttons and a dial. We also liked the handles on its cooking pot, which made it easier to lift the pot up and out of the Instant Pot’s base.

What we didn’t like: Its pretty expensive, and while the sous vide function works, although it isn’t nearly as reliable as an immersion circulator.

Price at time of publish: $150

Latest Recipes

More Recipes Like This