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Which Instant Pot Is Right For You
Food-specific modes and options will make the difference when it comes to picking the best Instant Pot for your cooking needs. If you want to venture into making your own yogurt, or if you love hard-boiled eggs, it’s worth it to pay a bit more for an Instant Pot model that can do those things.
When it comes to choosing the right size, Instant Pot recommends a 3-quart model for one or two people. Families of six or fewer will likely be happy with the 6-quart multicooker. If you have a large household or host large groups often, consider springing for an 8-quart model.
There are options from other brands, too. We recently reviewed a great Wi-Fi multicooker from ChefIQ. It does more than Instant Pot’s Wi-Fi model and comes with an integrated scale, nonstick pot and helpful iOS or Android app. It costs $200, so if you’re not ready to graduate to a high-end model, Instant Pot’s more affordable options are great for beginners.
If you’re still not sure which model will be the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, take a look at Instant Pot’s product comparison chart or its guide to choosing the right cooker. At the end of the day, all of these models offer the basic pressure cooking and slow cooking modes Instant Pot is known for performing so well.
Instant Pot Duo Plus Vs Duo Nova
Both the Duo Nova and the Duo Plus are directly derived from the classic Instant Pot Duo series that everybody loves. As such, they feature roughly the same shape and come with similar accessories.
Still, while they both are formidable pressure cookers with impressive features, there are notable differences that must be thoroughly investigated before making a purchase. So, if you are currently undecided between these two products, I think my Instant Pot Duo Nova vs Duo Plus comparison will be quite helpful.
Dont forget to also check out my final conclusion, where I offer insight into who I believe is the best customer for each of these two great Instant Pots.
Contents
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Instant Pot Duo Plus Review
The Duo Plus is a more advanced Instant Pot design with 9-in-1 features, 15 one-touch smart programs, and an Easy-seal lid. In addition, it also has a Sous Vide program and can be used for sterilizing .
Unlike Nova, the Duo Plus is only available in the standard sizes , and the 3-quarts size model only has 13 one-touch smart programs .
As such, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is an electric pressure cooker that can also be a rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, stockpot, cake maker egg cooker, sterilizer, and sous vide. Just like Nova, it has Delay Start and Keep Warm functions and customizable pressure and temperature. Still, the control panel is a bit larger and more complex than with standard Duo designs.
Just like the IP Nova, Duo Plus is equipped with 10+ built-in safety features . In addition, the stainless steel and plastic accessories are dishwasher safe, and the outer pot is easy to clean.
Pros
Instant Pots To Purchase
All Instant Pot models come with a dishwasher-safe locking lid, steam rack and inner pot. Each model will auto-adjust to the right pressure and temperature before it starts cooking, and you can manually adjust the cook time. In addition, all models are equipped with a delay start option and a keep warm setting, as well as a food burn sensor. Instant Pots are also designed with safety features like Overheat Protection, which helps prevent food from burning by suspending heating if the appliance detects a high temperature at the bottom of the inner pot.
Below, we broke down every Instant Pot model currently on the market. We highlighted how models differ from one another and what sizes they come in.
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That’s Cheaper Than A Family Takeout Meal When You’re Feeling Lazy/busy/stressed
Get the Instant Pot for $59 from Walmart.
You know Instant Pots are magical by now, but this $59 deal should be enough to land you if you haven’t succumbed already. For the price of a takeout meal for the family, you’ll get a seven-in-one machine that’ll cook your rice perfectly, slowly braise meat, make yogurt, and even take care of a last-minute birthday cake.
This model features an eight-quart capacity that’ll feed the whole family and still have leftovers . Best of all, it makes it easier than ever: There are 13 different programs so you can cook a whole day’s worth of meals at the touch of a button, and it’s up to 70% more energy efficient than using other cooking methods. We’re here for the safety features, too, including overheat protection and a locking lid that’s also dishwasher safe.
Grab one from Walmart today to see what the hype is all about.
Which Model Is Better For Me
Now that were at the final conclusions section, let me tell you a bit about my view when it comes to these two Instant Pots. First, I want to highlight that I like them both – each product has its own features, and its great users have that many options.
On the other hand, it can also get confusing if you dont understand the differences. After all, they sort of look the same and cook food using steam pressure, right?
Well, if you look closely, there are differences, and Im here to highlight them.
As such:
Choose the Duo Nova if
- You are a beginner at cooking with an electric pressure cooker
- You prefer the simpler-looking control panel
- You dont want to invest too much
Choose the Duo Plus if
- You want access to more advanced cooking functions
- You can handle the larger control panel
- You want to try cooking Sous Vide
- You dont mind the slightly bigger price
In the end, the conclusion is rather simple: if you are a beginner and dont want to dive in too deep into the world of electric pressure cookers, I recommend starting with the Nova. On the other hand, if youre experienced or simply want more advanced functions, try the Duo Plus. Both products have great features and will help reduce kitchen clutter and messiness.
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Instant Omni Plus Air Fryer: $140 At Amazon
As you can see from the picture above, the Instant Omni Plus is not exactly a pot. In fact, no, it isn’t a pot. The Instant Omni Plus is a countertop convection oven that, in true Instant Pot fashion, has a bunch more tricks up its sleeves.
A 10-in-1 appliance, it can be used to air fry, broil, bake, roast, dehydrate, reheat, toast and warm. And, as noted, it works as a convection oven, plus as a rotisserie.
The was one of the biggest we’ve seen on any product anywhere: more than $100 off, and it’s still available.
And Amazon still has a deal on the even-more-tricked-out Instant Omni Pro too. The Instant Omni Pro has 14 total functions, including the ability to proof cook and split cook.
Instant Pot Duo Nova Review
The Instant Pot Duo Nova is close in design to the Instant Pot Duo classic since it features the same 7-in-1 cooking system. As such, Duo Nova is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, a saute dish, steamer, rice cooker, food warmer, and yogurt maker. This means you can free up some counter space and reduce the number of appliances stored away in your kitchen cabinets. Not to mention reduced energy consumption, since Instant Pot Nova is energy efficient and cooks food faster than a standard stovetop.
The frontal control panel is similar to the one used on the Instant Pot Duo classic, so its quite easy to get used to it. The one-touch buttons are easy to activate and the design is intuitive enough so even people who have never used an electric cooker before can have fun with it.
Unlike the classic Instant Pot, Nova comes with an upgrade – the Easy-seal lid. This lid automatically seals the pot for pressure cooking , so you dont have to worry about whether or not you closed the valve. Furthermore, it comes with a quick-release button, so you dont have to open the valve by hand once the pressure cooking process is complete. These features make the Instant Pot Nova best for beginners who feel a bit wary about using an electric multicooker for the first time.
Lastly, the other thing that Nova brings different to the table is its size availability. This design is available in 3, 6, 8, and 10 quarts designs, which makes it an option for any type of household.
Pros
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Oxo Silicone Pressure Cooker Lifter
Barbone said a silicone rack with handles is helpful when cooking anything youll need to lift out of the Instant Pot, like a small chicken, meatloaf or cheesecake. Instant Pots come with a metal steam rack, but she said the silicone one is easier to maneuver. This dishwasher-safe option from OXO fits 6- and 8-quart Instant Pots, the brand says. It has two large loop handles that connect to fit under the appliances lid while youre cooking, and you can detach them while moving it in and out of the pot. The lifters flat base allows you to pile food directly on top, or you can place it under a pan.
Cooking Functions And Programs
The main cooking function on every Instant Pot is pressure cooking. You can customize the pressure level and cooking time depending on what youre cooking, or press buttons with cooking settings specific to certain foods, like poultry, multigrain, rice, bean/chili and more. Weinstein said these settings are conveniences, but not necessarily across the board instructions for how to cook a particular dish. In recipes he shares on his YouTube channel and cookbooks, Weinstein includes details about the pressure level and cooking time to manually set the Instant Pot to rather than using the preset functions.
Instant Pot models differ in terms of the cooking functions each offers beyond pressure cooking certain models offer functions like sauté, yogurt, sous vide and more. Select Instant Pots also offer a slow cooker setting, but experts agreed that the appliance is really meant to be a fast cooker. If you want to slow cook food, they recommended purchasing a dedicated slow cooker.
Some Instant Pots also have built-in air fryer capabilities, or you can add the air fryer function to some models with a special lid. While the Instant Pots air fryer function gets the job done, Weinstein said theres limited room inside an Instant Pot to space out food. Because of this, he said you may want to buy a standalone air fryer instead.
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How Did I End Up Instant Pot Shopping
I like my Instant Pot Duo and ordered one on Prime Day for my older son whos moving into an off-campus college apartment soon. I dont know exactly what happened but an Instant Pot Duo Plus showed up at my door. It wasnt what I expected but I was excited to try it and check that it works before giving it to my son. The Duo Plus seemed so promising at first!
- I was excited to try some functions such as Sous Vide, Cake, and Egg.
- I love that theres a separate Quick Release Switch to toggle between Seal and Vent safely.
- I like the progress bar that lets you know if the Instant Pot is pre-heating, cooking, or keeping warm.
- And I also like that that the cooker base has some silicone bumps on the side to hold the inner pot in place as I stir.
But I ended up returning the Duo Plus because its difficult to remove the Anti-Block Shield from the lid. And then I realized that the Duo Plus model is missing the Steam function button. Apparently the Instant Pot Duo Plus version 2 has a steam button but not version 3. I returned it and will wait for a sale on the Pro or wait for the new model of Duo because there are plans to release a new model of the Instant Pot Duo in September. Hopefully, the new Duo will have some of the features that I like so much in the Pro.
Are Instant Pots Safe
One of the main reasons people are often on the fence about purchasing an Instant Pot or an electric pressure cooker in general is safety. Stovetop pressure cookers got a bad reputation because their lids were relatively easy to remove before the pressure was released, which ran the risk of burns and messes, experts told us. electric pressure cookers like the Instant Pot are incredibly safe compared to stovetop pressure cookers, Weinstein said. And even are much safer than they used to be.
Weinstein also noted that Instant Pots and similar electric pressure cookers are designed with safety mechanisms so theyll shut down if something goes wrong. One of those safety mechanisms is a burn notice thats triggered if the Instant Pot overheats and food begins to burn the appliance shuts off completely in this case.
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What Is An Instant Pot
At its core, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker, which means it uses hot steam and pressure to cook food. Food is being boiled at a high pressure, so its not going to make you happy if you only like crunchy food, Barbone said, noting that dishes that come out of the Instant Pot often have a moist rather than crispy texture.
Instant Pots are different from traditional electric pressure cookers, however. All of Instant Pots different pressure settings are slightly higher than that of a traditional pressure cooker, said Weinstein. This helps it cook food faster than a standard electric pressure cooker. It also means that if you use recipes designed for standard electric pressure cookers, the cooking timing is going to be off with an Instant Pot.
Instant Pots are also considered multi-cookers since they perform multiple different functions. The most basic Instant Pot model, for example, offers a steamer, sauté and rice cooker function on top of the pressure cooker setting.
Since Instant Pots are so versatile, Barone said home chefs of all skill levels can use them to make a variety of dishes. Im not a huge gadget person, but I really think Ive seen the Instant Pot fit every lifestyle, she noted. I haven’t seen anyone have the Instant Pot not work for them.
Instant Pots And Pressure Cookers Worth The Counter Space
Youve probably heard rave reviews from family and friends: Instant Pots are so easy to use! Pressure cookers are a total time-saver! And now you may be wondering how to choose the best Instant Pot or pressure cooker for your lifestyle.
But first, what is a pressure cooker, and how is it different from an Instant Pot?
- Pressure cooker: A sealed pot that uses steam pressure to cook food quickly. If its also a multi-cooker, it may have extra settings like slow cooking, air frying and dehydrating.
- Instant Pot: A brand of multi-cookers that allow you to cook fast or slow , often with just the press of a button. Again, there may be additional settings for steaming, warming, cooking rice and more.
The perks of either style:
- Pressure cooking can reduce cook time by up to 70 percent
- It removes the guesswork with pre-set cooking times and heat levels
- You can set it and go about your day
So, which pressure cooker or Instant Pot should you choose? Weve sifted through the options to help you find the perfect match for your kitchen.
- Its practically foolproof thanks to several built-in features, including a countdown timer and delay start, so you can prepare meals for cooking up to 15 hours in advance.
- It comes with many of the same accessories as the larger multicookers, including a rice rinser/food steaming basket, rice measuring cup and a rice paddle.
- This model can make up to 20 cups of rice at a time. If you need to feed a larger crowd, this may not be big enough.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus 9
This 9-in-1 model functions as an electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer. But you also get two other tricks: a sterilizer and a function that allows you to keep your cooking water at a constant temperature . The machine has 15 customizable programming options.