How Fast Does An Instant Pot Come To Pressure
The things that you can cook in the Instant Pot is endless. To that end, I have several links at the end of this post featuring delicious recipes that would be just the tip of the iceberg.
So I wanted to cook something that was common and that I had success with already with my 6 qt. pot. I decided to make the brown rice recipe that is included in the recipe book that comes with each Instant Pot. I put the 2 cups of brown rice in each pot. Added in 2 1/2 cups of water and closed the lids. Made sure the steam valve was closed and set the pots on Manual/Pressure Cook for 22 minutes.
As soon as they started I set that timer and watched the pots. I was ready to jot down the time that it took for each one to come to pressure and then begin to do actual 22 minutes of cooking at pressure.
Which one would get to pressure first. I thought that the 3 qt. would be the first, but I was wrong. The first to come to pressure was the 6 qt.
The 6 qt. took 8:47 minutes to come to pressure.
The 8 qt. took 9:46 minutes to come to pressure.
The 3 qt. took 11:15 minutes to come to pressure.
I was really surprised.
I really thought the 3 qt. would come to pressure quicker and make the total cooking time less, but the wattage is not as strong on the 3 qt. and it did make a difference in cooking time.
Best Instant Pot 202: Our Top Picks
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It’s the most expensive Instant Pot in our guide, but the Instant Pot Pro Crisp does everything you could wish for. It has an air fryer lid, 14 presets, and a digital display to track your cooking process.
Why we love it
When we tried the Instant Pot Pro Crisp for ourselves, it was able to pressure cook a chicken in just 20 minutes. We then turned it onto air fry mode, and crisped up the skin perfectly.
Most parts of the Instant Pot Pro Crisp can go in the dishwasher, including the pressure cooker lid. It has a removable air fryer basket that we found made takeout-worthy fries, and the handles allowed us to shake up the wedges for even cooking results.
Features
You can put the pot in the dishwasher, and because it has silicone-coated handles, it’s easy to lift out even when your meal has recently finished cooking. The pot can also go on the stove, although with the sear setting, you might not need it.
Our Instant Pot Pro Crisp review has more details
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is an upgrade on the classic Instant Pot Duo, with added safety features and a smarter display. When it comes down to it though, this Instant Pot has all the features you’re looking for when you want to get started with a multi-cooker.
Why we love it
Features
Why we love it
Features
What we love
Features
What we love
My Favorite Instant Pot Model
Update 9/4/22 since this was recorded: These are the Instant Pots I currently recommend: Instant Pot Duo, Duo Plus, and Pro. Youll get most efficient heating plus ease-of-use with the Pro, but they all offer both high and low pressure controls as well as a yogurt function . We recommend the 8-quart over the 6-quart for all families and anyone who batch cooks or cooks larger food items like spaghetti squash or multiple whole chickens at a time. I am still using my Duo Evo and Duo Evo Plus machines if I ever get a new one, I would get the Duo Plus or the Pro.
Of the 5 options, my favorite is the Duo Evo Plus, pictured just above the machine thats lit up in front of me.
I regularly use both the yogurt and low pressure . The Duo Evo Plus works better than the Duo for all the reasons stated above, though the Duos functions are perfectly adequate for my needs.
I stay away from Smart appliances Im home all the time, I prefer to be hands-on with my appliances, and I just find no need to spend extra money on bells and whistles like this.
So it really comes down to the Duo and the Duo Evo Plus.
Because of the actual functional and design differences of the Duo Evo Plus better browning, the handle on the insert pot, the additional durability of the insert pot, the auto sealing valve, the faster pre-heating and pressure release time, and the way you can SEE what the pot is doing by the progress meter I prefer it over the Duo.
Read Also: How Long To Cook Frozen Chicken In An Instant Pot
My Answer: Which Instant Pot Is Best
So you want an Instant Pot but dont know which model or size to choose. Im happy to help!
Update 9/4/22: These are the Instant Pots I currently recommend: Instant Pot Duo, Duo Plus, and Pro. Youll get most efficient heating plus ease-of-use with the Pro, but they all offer both high and low pressure controls as well as a yogurt function . We recommend the 8-quart over the 6-quart for all families and anyone who batch cooks or cooks larger food items like spaghetti squash or multiple whole chickens at a time. I am still using my Duo Evo and Duo Evo Plus machines if I ever get a new one, I would get the Duo Plus or the Pro. The information below is still helpful to help you sort through options, giving you things to think about.
Best Splurge Electric Pressure Cooker: Breville Fast Slow Pro 63
If you prefer a simple, straightforward stovetop pressure cooker, the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic looks lovely on the stovetop and does an impressive job cooking food. We tested the 8.5-quart option and found the two-handle design easy to grab, the pressure indicator simple to read and, while the company doesnt recommend cleaning the heavy stainless steel pot in the dishwasher, it was no big deal to hand wash it .
More importantly, we got great tasting, perfectly finished meals out of the Duromatic.The risotto turned out wonderfully. Id never not cook risotto this way again, one taster said. The beans were just right, as were the tender stew meat and vegetables and hearty gravy.
Using the Duromatic is a snap: Add your ingredients, lock the conical lid into place, heat the pot on high and watch the spring-loaded pressure gauge rise in the center of the lid. When you see one red line, its at low pressure two red lines delineate high pressure, letting you know its time to turn the heat down for an evenly pressurized cook. Yes, youll need to keep an eye on it and adjust your burner heat accordingly, but if you get distracted, steam is automatically released to keep the pot from overpressurizing . When your cook time is done, depending on the recipe you can let the pressure come down naturally, or quick-release by moving the pot to the sink and running cool water over the rim of the lid, or press the gauge down to release pressure, with steam releasing evenly.
Recommended Reading: Can You Make Hard Boiled Eggs In The Instant Pot
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 example these are only available in the 6 quarts including the Max, Nova Plus, and Smart WiFi.
And the Duo Nova was available as a 10 quart and was the only model available at that size.
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
Which Size Instant Pot Is Best For You
Ok, this part is not as cut-and-dry as the model choices. Youll have to follow some gut instincts.
I went around and around for many months before buying my second Instant Pot, simply because I didnt know whether to get another 6-quart or to get a larger 8-quart.
Lets talk through it.
First of all, keep in mind that as with any pot thats advertised as holding a certain volume, you cannot use all of it. Advertised 6-quart volume means up to the top of the pot.
Which of us ever fills a pot to the top? No one at least not if we dont want a mess!
You need room for expansion, boiling, stirring, putting your foods up on a rack, etc.
Once I bought a stainless steel pot for making cheese and I made a mistake. I wanted to make cheese with 3 gallons of milk, so thats the size of pot I bought.
Then it arrived and I realized my error. I couldnt use the entire 3-gallon capacity I could use only 2-1/2 to 2-3/4 gallons or so. Oops.
I sent it back and got the 4-gallon stainless steel pot. And now I use it to about the 3-1/2 gallon capacity.
See what I mean? Your pot needs more capacity than youll use.
Same thing with the Instant Pot. If youre pressure cooking in the Instant Pot, you cannot overfill it or youll have a problem. The max fill line is a little more than 3/4 full.
when youre choosing your Instant Pot, choose a higher volume capacity than you think you need. You probably wont regret bigger , but you certainly will regret too small.
Recommended Reading: How Long To Cook Meatloaf In Instant Pot
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.
How Does The Pot Size Affect Cooking Time
If you are using a 3 or 6-quart pot, youll need to use a minimum of one cup of liquid. Whether you are using water or brother, you need to keep this in mind. Whatever you do, avoid using any liquids that are thick, as they can cause problems with this cooking appliance.
You should need to cook food any longer than 30 minutes if you are using a 6-quart size pot. Keep in mind that a larger 8 quart pot will take longer to heat up, simply because you have to use more liquid. It is important to factor this in before getting started.
Also Check: Instant Pot Coffee Maker Reviews
Instant Pot Duo Nova 10 Quart Specs
Heres a closer look at the specifications of the 10 quart Duo Nova to help you decide if its the right size for your family and kitchen.
The dimensions of the new Instant Pot Duo Nova 10 quart are: 14.8L x 15.5W x 14.7H inches.
And this Instant Pot weights just under 21 lbs, coming in at 20.9 lbs.
Best Instant Pot For Beginners: Instant Pot Duo Nova 7
The Instant Pot brand looms large in the pressure cooker space, but which model is best? The company offers so many different products that it can be tough to know which one is for you. Alex and Ryan Davis, the St.Paul-based husband and wife-duo behind Ryan and Alex Duo Life, a wellness and lifestyle site for couples that offers cooking and nutrition advice, call the Duo Nova the best device for beginners.
“What we get from the Instant Pot is consistency every time, making it far easier to share healthy recipes without worrying about different stove tops and ovens. From homemade granola to yogurt to quinoa, the Instant Pot is our most versatile kitchen appliance,” says Alex. “Plus, for those who live at high elevation like us, the pressure cooker feature is a must, saving us hours of cook time.”
Also Check: How To Set Instant Pot On High Pressure
Lets Start With How Tall Are Instant Pots
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.
Qt Vs 8qt Instant Pot
Lets draw out some of these criteria and help you apply them to your family and needs:
What are you cooking?
No matter what your family size is if you batch cook or cook larger sized whole foods, get an 8-quart.
How big is your family?
If your family is larger , get the 8-quart Duo, Duo Plus, or Pro. If your family size is 1 to 2 and you also do batch cooking, get the 8-quart.
Or, if your family size is 1 to 2 but you rarely do batch cooking nor cooking of larger whole foods , get a 6-quart Duo, Duo Plus, or Pro.
Recommended Reading: What Size Instant Pot To Get For Family Of 4
Best Instant Pot 202: Our Top 6 Multi
Find the best Instant Pot for your kitchen, with the help of our reviews of the Duo, Pro, Crisp, and even a few alternatives from Ninja
Choosing the best Instant Pot can be overwhelming. After all, it’s an expansive line, with a range of functions and capacities to choose between. That includes the Duo, Pro, and Crisp lines, all of which have various differences that will make them more suited to some users than others. So, which is the best Instant Pot for you?
We’ve been busy reviewing all the best Instant Pots over the past few months to bring you our top picks, and we’ve also included a few alternatives from Ninja, which have in-built crisper lids as well as pressure cooking functions. A lot of Instant Pots come with crisper lids too, meaning they will double up as the best air fryers, as well as steaming or pressure cooking any food you could hope to make.
One of the major perks of owning an Instant Pot this time of year is the sealed-in, compact design. On a hot day, the last thing you want to do is pour over a hot stove, but the best Instant Pot will do all the cooking for you, and it will prevent your kitchen from overheating while it works. And when your meals are done, you can expect to put all removable parts in the dishwasher to take all the effort out of mealtimes. For our top picks of the six best Instant Pots, keep on reading.
Advantages Of An 8 Quart Instant Pot
This is all wonderful, and for many people, its all the cooker theyll ever want.
Whats the real benefit to consider bumping up to an 8 quart cooker, then?
One reason would definitely be if youre cooking for a larger group. Its not just the number of people, though.
Many parents will also know that teenage boys with hearty appetites might count for two average eaters.
Do the kids bring friends home for meals often? Do you like hosting dinner parties? If any of these apply to you, consider an 8 quart, even if only three people live in your house permanently.
Another good reason to consider upgrading to an 8 quart is if youve started doing batch cooking and making freezer meals.
If you want to prep enough chicken for several weeks worth of meals, consider that a 6 quart will likely be able to cook one chicken, while you could cook two at once in an 8 quart.
Know that it will take a fully loaded 8 quart instant pot a little longer to come up to cooking pressure than a 6 quart, but its still much faster than cooking two separate batches.
With a little time and thought, were sure youll find the perfect instant pot for your lifestyle.
Do you like this recipe or recipe list?
Read Also: Best Prices For Instant Pot
What Is The Difference Between A Pressure Cooker And An Instant Pot
A cooktop pressure cooker only serves two functionspressure cooking and canning. InstaPots, on the other hand, are electric pressure cookers with multiple capabilities. It also doubles as a rice cooker, sauté pan, sterilizer, steamer, slow cooker, yogurt maker. Some models can even help you sous vide, and pressure can. There are also variants with an air frying function.
Other Multicooker Brands To Consider
There are options from other brands, too. We reviewed a great Wi-Fi multicooker from ChefIQ, for example. 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. Ninja also makes several multicookers that have performed well in our testing. The Ninja Foodi 6.5-quart with SmartLid and is just one of several options from the brand’s expansive line.
Also Check: How Long To Cook Roast In An Instant Pot
