What Is The 3 Quart Instant Pot Good For

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Instant Pot 3 Quart Vs 6 Quart

How to use the Instant Pot Ultra (3 quart)

There is no question about Instant Pot being a useful device in your kitchen. But if you are planning to buy it, confusion will arise in your mind regarding its size. Also, will the size affect the taste and quality of the food cooked in it? All these similar questions make it difficult to choose the perfect size for your needs. In this article, we will discuss every aspect and differences between the two pot sizes. So, without any further wait, lets dive into it,

Instant Pot Cheesy Garlic Orzo

This delicious cheesy side made with the Instant Pot Mini actually makes 4-6 servings which the Mini can totally accommodate, but you can easily halve this recipe to make a 2-3 serving side dish with ridiculously cheesy goodness in every bite. Orzo is the perfect pasta for soaking it all up! Recipe from Simply Happy Foodie.

How Many People Does Each Pot Size Feed

A 3 quart pot is ideal for making side dishes as opposed to full meals. It is also a good choice if you are just cooking for yourself. Buying a 6 quart pot is a good choice if you are going for anywhere from 2 to 4 people. An 8 quart pot can accommodate large families and will be useful if you have a few guests over for dinner. If you are planning to have a big get together, this is a great option to consider.

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Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Reviews

  • This review from The Kitchn chronicles eight months with the pressure cooker.
  • Wellness Mama reviews the Instant Pot and includes some nourishing recipes.
  • CNET reviews the Bluetooth-equipped version of the Instant Pot.
  • This handy video review from A Pinch of Healthy outlines thoughts, tips, pros and cons.

Tips For Adjusting Recipes For 8 Qt 6 Qt And The 3 Qt Instant Pots:

Lux Mini 3 Quart

The Instant Pot website says that you do not need to adjust cooking times between the three sizes. That stays the same. But you do need to adjust the liquid that you add to the pot to bring the food to pressure.

  • For the 6 qt, it calls for 1 cup liquid to be added to the pot.
  • For the 8 qt, it calls for 2 cups liquid to be added
  • And the 3 qt calls for 1/2 cup liquid to be added.

Except for foods that absorb the liquid like rice, pasta, or oatmeal. You leave the liquid amount the same.

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Instant Pot Smart Wifi

Sizes: 6 quart

Functions: 13 smart programs. The Smart Wifi has all of the functions of the Instant Pot Duo and possibly more.

  • You can program your Smart Wifi Instant Pot from your phone. You can also check on the cooking progress of the Smart Wifi using your mobile device. Since you have to be home when cooking with your Instant Pot, I dont see much benefit of this feature. The biggest benefit may be that you can use pre-programmed cooking programs right from your phone using the Instant Pot App.
  • The Smart Wifi has an LCD display and 5 cooking status icons: Wifi On/Off, Heat, Pressure Cook, Keep Warm On/Off, Sound On/Off.
  • The Instant Pot Smart Wifi may be a good choice for you if you are into technology and gadgets. It replaces the discontinued Smart Bluetooth model.

Magical Ways To Use Your Instant Pot

20 Magical Ways to Use Your Instant Pot! From soups, to yogurt, to snacks, to drinks: it does it all! One of our favorite all-purpose kitchen gadgets.

This post was originally published a few years back, but guess what!? We added four more ways to use our favorite kitchen appliance texture-perfect applesauce, a big pot of spaghetti, comforting risotto, and our favorite pot roast. Let us know in the comments how else you like to use this magical machine.

THE INSTANT POT.

Lets talk about the Instant Pot. Hands up if youre part of the club?

For a first-timer, it can feel like some sort of mysterious potential-to-explode gadget that ends up sitting in the back of your kitchen cabinet for years out of fear. Or, its only lugged out to make that pot of brown rice or mysterious batch of dry beans .

But weve been around the Instant Pot block a few times. And were here to tell you that this little beauty basically lives on our countertop at this point. Its our rice cooker, soup maker, freezer meal magician, last-minute dinner miracle all in one. And we just cant stop.

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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 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

Instant Pot Recipe Cookbooks Which One To Get

Instant Pot Duo 3, 6, & 8 qt UNBOXING – WHICH INSTANT POT TO BUY

Are you the type a person who likes paper? Or rather a book to hold in your hand. There is a growing library of books solely dedicated to the subject, Instant Pot. So where do you begin? Especially when you are spending money on purchasing these books that take up valuable space on your shelves. Check out our Cookbook Reviews.

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Instant Pot 3 Quart Vs 6 Quart Which Size Is Better

October 27, 2020 by Kane Dalin

Today the world is full of technologies in every field you can ever imagine.

Everyone is pretty much busy with their paced lifestyles and running towards something or the other. Even the kitchens are getting modernized with the help of the latest technologies.

The activities that used to take hours are now just completing is a few minutes. One of the latest equipment is the Instant Pot.

We are going to throw some light on the fact that Which size is Better for Instant Pot? .

Why Is It Becoming So Popular

Plain and simple, the Instant Pot makes life easy. It cuts down the time spent in the kitchen and makes it more efficient to cook healthy, nourishing meals that taste really, really good!

For example, you can cook large roasts, broths, and stews that generally take 3-4+ hours to cook, in a mere 30 to 60 minutes. It also offers a timely way to cook grains, rice, lentils and beans. Its also replacing many peoples crock pots and slow cookers since it has the ability to cook low and slow.

Like we mentioned above, its a multi-purpose kitchen appliance, so its especially handy for people with limited counter space, who want to utilise its multiple cooking abilities.

Plus, once youve done the prep and set the Instant Pot to work, there is plenty of time to relax away from the kitchen. Once the cooking is done, the food will be kept warm for up to 10 hours.

Finally, its a huge money saver! It allows home cooks to easily utilise cheap cuts of meat, save on waste with recipes for stocks and broths, and develop recipes that freeze well and can be used later down the road.

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Which Instant Pot Should You Buy

If money is tight, buy the Instant Pot Lux in either the 6 or 8 quart depending on the size of your family.

The 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot Duo is the most popular model and it is also a great choice. The Duo adds a low pressure setting and convenient spot to store a hot lid after cooking by placing into a slot in the handle.

Honestly, the higher end models just dont make sense in my opinion or experience. The Lux and Duo have everything I need to make meals for my family and for meal prep.

Which Model Of Instant Pot Should You Buy

Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini 3

Im just going to give you a quick overview of the models and options. No need to spend a ton of time on that, since right on the Instant Pot website theres a terrific Instant Pot comparison chart that maps out all the models, functions, features, and sizes.

Basically, there are six main models : The Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, Smart, and Max. Falling somewhere in between these main models are the quasi-hybrid Nova Plus and Viva models that are basically a slightly different cocktail of features launched exclusively in partnership with Costco and QVC, respectively.

Each newer or more advanced Instant Pot model is targeted at offering some additional functionality, enhanced levels of control, or changes in the display screens and user interface. Obviously, the main question youve gotta sort out here is whether each of those changes and additions is truly important to you and actually worth the additional money, depending on the type of cooking you plan to do and how much complexity you really need to have to accomplish that.

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What Is An Instant Pot Exactly

The Instant Pot is simply an electric pressure cooker with multiple functions, which sets it apart from many kitchen appliances with a single purpose like a rice cooker or slow cooker.

If youre brand new to the concept, a pressure cooker electric or stovetop version creates a pressurized environment inside the pot, which cooks food much quicker than the oven or a regular pot on the stove. You can learn about how the Instant Pot works in more detail here.

The Instant Pot is also multi-cooker so in comparison to a gadget like a rice cooker, it has multiple functions instead of a single function. There have been dozens of models since it was first introduced, but they all possess similar features that make the Instant Pot what it is.

So, what does this multi-cooker entail? Well, it has functions of a simple pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and yoghurt machine in one. While previously all of these appliances were sold separately, you can now have them all in one. You can also sauté foods in the Instant Pot, which is done without pressurizing and uses a heating element that sits just underneath an inner pot. It will even keep your food warm once it stops cooking.

The Instant Pot is a self-regulating machine in many ways. You dont have to be watching over it to make sure it turns off when its done cooking. Gone are the days of exploding pressure cookers on the stovetop! The Instant Pot is super safe, efficient and economical.

First Things First What Is An Instant Pot

Links in this post are Amazon affiliate links to products we love.

The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker but also a slow cooker, yogurt maker, rice cooker, big sauté pot, steamer, and more. We have the 6-Quart Instant Pot Duo which is what we use for all our Instant Pot recipes. They also make a 3-Quart Instant Pot Mini and a hefty 8-quart Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot is an absolute game-changer, especially on busy nights. Most recipes are dump and cook, and all you have to do is set it all up and then WALK AWAY to do other fun stuff like watch TV, walk your dog, clean your house, have a dance party, etc.

BONUS: it also cooks food way faster than other ways to cook and its all done in one pot. Do you get why we love this thing yet?

If youre still not convinced, the Instant Pot is PRIME for meal prepping and freezer meals no thawing required. You can check out all our freezer meal Instant Pot recipes here if youre into that kind of stuff .

Well also just drop the obvious: its also a pretty excellent gift for a certain holiday coming around the corner.

Alright, lets get on with it. Here are some of our favorite ways to use this little gem.

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Instant Pot Mini Cake

Most cakes for the Instant Pot arent made in the Mini and we all know baking by intuition or guessing can be dangerously disappointing. This recipe will curb your sweet tooth with a small cake perfect for dessert lovers and people who dont necessarily want the temptation of a full-size cake hanging out around the house! Recipe from Home Pressure Cooking.

Best For An Expert User: Instant Pot Pro

Golden Beet Salad – Made with Instant Pot 3 quart Pressure Cooker

The Instant Pot Pro is one of the more advanced models in the line and so is perhaps not the best choice for a first-time pressure cooker. That said, it’s still easy to operate only with a few more precise features like adjustable custom cooking programs and a precision temperature dial. The Pro also features a sous vide cooking function — low and slow water bath — along with 28 other cooking programs.

This pot sports easy-grip handles on the inner pot, a large LCD display, an upgraded steam-release valve and an auto-sealing lid. The 6-quart Pro is $130 while the 8-quart version will cost you $150.

Programs included: Pressure cook, Slow, Sous vide, Sauté, Sterilize, Yogurt, Warmer, Cake and Steamer.

What it doesn’t have: Air fry, Roast and Egg.

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Best For Air Frying: Instant Pot Duo Crisp

Yep. Just when you thought the Instant Pot couldn’t do much more, they invented one that air fries. The Duo Crisp has all the functions of your classic Instant Pot duo but with a second air fryer lid for blasting fries, wings and more with super convection heat. If you’ve never air fried, I’ll tell you firsthand that it’s pretty habit-forming and the best part is you need very little oil or none at all to achieve crispy outside, moist inside fried-like goodness.

If you already have an Instant Pot you like, you can buy the air fryer lid separately for around $75. Or just $50 if you catch it on sale like it is right now.

Programs included: Air fry, Roast, Bake, Dehydrate, Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Rice, Yogurt, Steam, Sauté, Sterilize and Warm.

What it doesn’t have: Cake, Egg, Porridge, Soup/Broth and Canning

Is The Instant Pot 3 Quart Safe To Use

Instant Pot has built-in at least 10 safety features to ensure a safe cooking experience. As with any cooking method you should still take care to ensure you dont burn yourself with the steam release or any hidden pockets of steam in your dish.

If youre scared of using your new Instant Pot, start off with the water test that both ensures your Instant Pot Mini is working correctly along with giving you a feel for how the pressure builds and releases.

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Chicken Wings That Are Finer Licking Good

Chicken wings are always a finger-lickin good choice that is totally worth the mess. For game day, barbecue parties and just preparing a super delicious dinner alongside a few simple sides. No matter what your craving, spice tolerance or sauce versus spice preference is, weve got an Instant Pot chicken wing recipe for you in todays roundup. Break out the napkins!

This vegan and gluten-free friendly Instant Pot chickpea stew is a delicious main meal full of Moroccan-influenced spices and flavors. Serve it over rice, couscous or with some crusty bread.

Learn more about the Instant Pot on their official website.

If you have any additional questions, ask away! If youre ready to purchase your Instant Pot, you can find the recommended model for beginners here.

Why You Should Trust My Instant Pot Mini Review

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7
  • Cookbook Author: I’ve written 5 Instant Pot Cookbooks that have been authorized by Instant Pot.
  • Efficient: That’s the only way I know how to do things in the kitchen. Who has time to waste when you’re trying to get food on the table? I’m known for my ruthless efficiency and use the pot in pot cooking method every chance I get.
  • Gadget geek!: I’m a self-proclaimed food tech enthusiast and have been known to purchase just about any kitchen appliance I can get my hands on.

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What Size Instant Pot Should I Get

There are four Instant Pot sizes: 3-, 6-, 8-, and 10-quart options. The 6-quart Instant Pot is the most popular optionmany recipes call for a 6-quart Instant Pot, and a meal cooked in the 6-quart variety feeds 36 people. The 8-quart and 10-quart sizes, 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 12 people.

Versatility And Special Features

What sets different models of Instant Pots apart from each other is the different features that they offer. While some Instant Pots just offer basic pressure cooker and saute functionality, others have modes for making specific foods or various cooking options, such as steaming. Other features include delayed cooking, keep warm settings, temperature controls, Alexa compatibility, remote cooking capabilities, high-altitude adjustments, sterilize features, air frying, and sous vide.

Clearly, there is no shortage of special features that this appliance can offer, so definitely prioritize which features are important to you and look for a model that offers them. Theres no need to buy an appliance that offers a laundry list of features if youre only looking to do basic pressure and slow cooking.

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