What Is The Smallest Instant Pot Made

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Other Multicooker Brands To Consider

How to Use an Instant Pot – Instant Pot 101 – Beginner? Start HERE!

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.

Can I Freeze Gumbo

You can absolutely freeze gumbo! To do this, let it cool completely, then pour it into a freezer-safe container, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Set the frozen container of gumbo in the refrigerator to thaw the night before youre ready to enjoy the gumbo. Once thawed, pop it into a pot on the stove until warmed through.

Ok Ok So Which Instant Pot To Buy

Actual Size â Remember that, for pressure cooking, you typically dont want to fill the pot more than 2/3 full , because a too-full pot can cause the quick-release pressure valve to clog. So, when youre considering which size to purchase and how much room youll need to make your favorite recipes, its important to think about the actual usable size, not just the total size.

What Do You Like to Cook? â When debating about which size to get, think about whether you like big-batch cooking, cooking to freeze ahead, or the ease of making enough to have leftovers for a few days. If so, then you probably want to choose a slightly larger option, rather than going a little smaller.

How Adventuresome Do You Truly Plan to Be? â Reality check. Heres where you need to ask yourself things like, Do I really plan to make yogurt with my Instant Pot? Its easy to get lured in by the promise of all the fun you could have with more moreMORE functionality. But, since each step up in model also means a step up in price, you might want to have a serious talk with yourself about what kind of cooking is actually likely to be happening, and if the lure of I might make yogurt one time or I might one-day-maybe write my own recipe scripts is actually worth a higher price tag. If youve got the bucks and you think some added bells and whistles could be fun, though then by all means go for it!

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How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key featureslike ease of use, material, or pricein addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five to certain products on the list.

Versatility And Special Features

Duo Mini 3 Quart

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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How Big Is A 3qt Instant Pot Vs A 6qt Instant Pot

Most people would tell you that the first factor to consider is whether a 3 quart Instant Pot is big enough for your needs.

But I am going to go against the grain here.

While you certainly want to be able to cook for the whole family I think that the first thing you should consider is how much storage space you have in or around your kitchen.

If the Instant Pot is constantly getting in your way or if you always have to move it from here to there then you might end up getting frustrated.

The 3 quart Instant Pot definitely has a smaller form factor than the 6 quart model.

If space is limited in your kitchen, I would measure the space where you plan to keep your Instant Pot and compare it to the measurements of the actual Instant Pot itself.

The last thing you want to do is store it in the basement or someplace far away from where you cook, because you will be less inclined to use it.

Some people just keep their Instant Pot right on the countertop. But if your countertop space is limited as well, then this may not make sense for you either.

Personally, I use a lower kitchen cabinet to store both of my Instant Pots.

Can I Make Bread In A Small Instant Pot

A small Instant Pot lacks the hot, dry conditions needed to bake bread. Steamed buns may be cooked in a small Instant Pot. Cakes may also be steamed instead of baked, giving them a distinct appearance and texture. Models of small Instant Pot that can hold 90 degrees may be used to prove bread dough.

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How The Instant Pot Changes The Way Food Is Cooked

Instant Pots help you prepare your favorite dishes in less time than usual, and the flavors are enhanced by the cooking technology. These pots reduce the amount of time it takes to cook many types of food, so they preserve the flavor of the food you cook and ensure nutrients remain in the foods rather than cooking away. Using an Instant Pot also helps food cook to a more even inner temperature, which is important when cooking most types of meat.

Resources: More Than Youll Ever Need

Is The Instant Pot Worth It? | Gear Heads

One of the great things about the Instant Pots popularity is the vast array of resources available to new users. From a Facebook group run by the company to an app with over a thousand recipesand shopping liststhe company is very present online. Third-party resources are also available, with new cookbooks being published every day, and multitudes of bloggers posting recipes for their creations.

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Other Stovetop Pressure Cookers We Tested

$255 at

With a strong and sturdy stainless steel pot and a lid that easily locks into place, we were big fans of the Vitaquick. For one, its large blue pressure indicator is easy to see, with two white ring markings: one ring means its at low pressure, two means its at high pressure. Other great features: a removable handle that makes cleaning a snap , clear measuring markings on the inside of the pot that mean you dont need to dirty extra dishes, and a handy helper handle to carry it without fear of dropping the thing. The materials are high quality and we appreciated the added safety feature of a lid with a button that turns green and clicks when its locked into place. We also really liked the steam release function in the handle that requires just the push of a button to begin rapid release, and that it comes with a lifetime warranty. So what kept it from winning? The Kuhn Rikon did just a bit better job on the risotto and costs a little less. But the Vitaquick was a very close runner-up.

$299.95 at

$79 at

Can You Make Bread In An Instant Pot

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.

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What To Consider When Shopping For An Instant Pot

Control panel: All Instant Pots currently on the market have relatively large control panels. It makes sense, given how multi-functional these kitchen gadgets are. But while theyre all rather comprehensive, the more sophisticated models offer sleeker, more digital control panels, including features like a dial to click through varying cooking functions and added guidance like OK to open lid.

Cooking pot: Though all Instant Pots have a stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom for sauteing, more advanced models have additional benefits. The Instant Pot Pro comes with an added layer of extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum for faster, more efficient heating, while the Instant Pot Pro Plus has an inner pot thats stovetop-safe and induction compatible.

Pressure levels: On some models, there is only one pressure option: high. On others, you can choose from high or low pressure levels. And still others, you can even choose a max pressure level. High is perfectly suitable for most recipes, while low is good for slower cooking or things that you want to make more tender over a longer period of time, like beef stew, as well as foods that are delicate like rice, fish and even cakes. Machines with the extra-high pressure level will yield the fastest results and also make a really good and concentrated bone broth.

Instant Pot 3 Quart Models

Duo Mini 3 Quart

The 3 quart Instant Pot is available in 3 models. You may also see this size referred to as the Instant Pot Mini. The 3 quart models include:

  • Instant Pot Duo Mini
  • Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini
  • Instant Pot Ultra Mini

And for Star Wars fans, there is also a Duo Mini available as a BB-8 droid.

In the past, there were two additional 3 quart models including the Lux Mini and Duo Nova Mini. The Duo Nova Mini was introduced in 2019 and since discontinued.

They updated the Duo Plus Mini with new features in 2021 to make it a nice upgrade from the basic Duo.

Also Check: Is The Instant Pot Worth It

Can You Air Fry In An Instant Pot

You sure can. Where the Ninja Foodi’s crisping lid once had a leg up is no longer Instant Pot’s blind spot. The fall 2019 collection brought the first Instant Pot Duo Crisp, which opened the door for a collection of other air-frying Instant Pots with Pro, Plus, or both tacked onto the end of the name. There are also multiple dedicated air frying convection ovens by Instant Brands that do not pressure cook.

For folks who already have an Instant Pot and don’t want to replace it just to buy the Duo Crisp, Instant Pot released a standalone air fryer lid that attaches to regular Instant Pots and turns them into an air fryer. This lid works on all existing models with the exception of the Instant Pot Pro Plus, the now- discontinued Duo Evo Plus, Duo SV, Smart WiFi, or Max. This lid is compatible with the Duo Nova, which is also discontinued.

Still confused about what air frying even is? Read our simplified explanation of the crisping craze and check out some of the best air fryers.

A Few Additional Differences Between The Instant Pot 3 Quart Models

For all of the Instant Pot 3 Quart models, youll have pressure cooking at high pressure, the ability to keep your food warm, and have at least 10 safety features. Each 3 quart Instant Pot has a 700 watt heating element, and uses 120V~60Hz. In general, the Instant Pot Mini models are about 8 1/2 to 9 lbs. For dimensions, theyre approximately 11.5 x 10.5 x 11.2 .

There are a few differences between the Instant Pot mini models that may sway which one you want to buy. Of course, the model prices increase with the additional features. Check for sales and discounts to help you buy a great deal.

Lets take a closer look at the differences between the 3 quart Instant Pot models.

Automatic Keep Warm

The lid holder can come in handy especially when you just finished cooking a dish and are awkwardly trying to figure out what to do with a hot lid.

On the Instant Pot Mini, the quick-release button being separate from the steam value is a great feature. The Mini Ultra also has an auto-seal feature so that you dont have to worry about forgetting to put the steam valve in the right position.

The Mini Lux, Duo, and Duo Plus use push buttons to program your cooking and the Ultra uses a dial wheel to make your selections.

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Instant Pot 3 Quart Smart Programs Side

All of the Instant Pot 3 quart models have the pressure cook smart program along with the rice, meat/stew, porridge, and steam programs. The bean/chili, egg, sterilizer, ultra, and yogurt programs are available in certain models. All Instant Pot minis also include the sauté and keep warm features.

Before you purchase your Instant Pot Mini, double-check the smart programs included to ensure you buy the combination that you want. Keep in mind you can still cook the dish using the Pressure Cook button if your IP doesnt include a particular program. And for yogurt, youll need to check out recipes for the cold start method.

How To Clean A Small Instant Pot

4 Pot-in-Pot Instant Pot Recipes! Perfect for Beginners

Most small Instant Pots are dishwasher-safe. The stainless steel saucepan and silicone ring are dishwasher-safe. Many types have dishwasher-safe lids. The lid contains a few detachable elements that need to be removed and cleaned, but the method varies per model, so see the user handbook for details.

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Is The Lux A Better Choice Than The Duo

This depends on the discounts available at the time. For the price, the 3-quart Lux is a solid and affordable choice. Its a great pick for household of two or three, or for someone looking for a second pressure cooker to prepare sides or smaller items. However, you might be able to find a sale on the Instant Pot Duo 3-quart, which gives you a bit more features and convenience .

The IP Duo Mini retails for around $80, but if you can find it for a comparable price to the Lux or for a cheaper price than the Lux, the Duo is probably the better pick. You can check out our full review of the Instant Pot Duo here. At retail prices, the Lux is an ideal choice, given its almost 20 percent cheaper, and it gives you similar functionality.

What’s The Smallest Electric Pressure Cooker

The smallest electric pressure cooker I know is the Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 quart.

You can use it for many Instant Pot recipes and it’s perfect for singles, couples and small families.

It’s also great when you are using the regular 6 quart Instant Pot to make chicken or beef, and in the same time use the small one above to make jasmine rice or quinoa as a side dish.

Here are all the Instant Pot sizes for comparison

As I searched for really little pressure cookers I quickly started looking at only the stove top varieties. For one they took up way less storage space and the capacities of the models really get a lot smaller than the electric options.

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They Make Cleanup Easy

Cooking several types of food separately can create a lot of dirty dishes. And who wants to turn dinner prep and cleanup into a three-hour tour? No, thanks.

With a slow cooker, you have just one pot to clean. Thats it.

Need some easy tips on cleaning your slow cooker? Watch this short video for ideas:

Breville Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker

These Star Wars Instant Pots are cute

Brevilles Fast Slow Pro Pressure Cooker has knobs that allow you to manually adjust the appliances pressure level and cook time, or you can choose from pre-programed cook settings like pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sear, sauté and more. It has a 6-quart capacity and comes with a steamer basket and trivet. The pressure cooker also features an LCD screen that shows cook time, heat time and other updates throughout the cooking process.

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Different Models Of Instant Pot

When it was first launched, there was just one classic model called Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1. It came with an outer pot with button controls and a display screen on the front, the 6-quart stainless steel inner pot and the special lid with steam release handle and the pressure valve.

In the last few years, the Instant Pot company has released multiple new versions and sizes. We have Duo Plus, Nova, Viva, Ultra, and Max to name a few and most of them come in 3 popular sizes 6-quart , 3-quart and 8-quart . There is even a 10-quart version for extra-large batches of cooking. You can see the full range of Instant Pot multicookers on the official website here.

Each new model came with more functions and buttons, more sophisticated display screens and finer adjustment possibilities. The makers have also made some improvements to the lid, so the steam-release handle changed to a simple knob button on later versions.

However, as confusing as all these new models may seem, they all do exactly the same thing cook food under pressure in a controlled, safe environment. In our opinion, the newer models like Ultra and Max seem much more intimidating and overwhelming with bright digits and hi-fi buttons, so we prefer to stick with the classic models. All our website recipes are cooked in a 6-quart Instant Pot Duo or Instant Pot Duo Nova.

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