First What Is An Instant Pot
Before diving into all the models, let us explain how an Instant Pot actually works. The Instant Pot is a multicooker appliance that can perform the functions of a variety of appliances in one tool. Every Instant Pot model can slow cook, pressure cook, keep your food warm and sauté, and all models can effectively cook rice, meat and soups. No matter which model you pick, you’ll get a pressure cooker that will help you prepare dishes in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.
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.
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes For Two
Making up a main dish in the oven? Whether its steak or meatloaf, these mashed potatoes are an undeniably delicious and comforting side dish. We all know they taste the best fresh from the pot anyway, so dont worry about using up leftovers with this recipe for the 3-quart pot. Recipe from Dessert for Two.
Recommended Reading: How To Seal Instant Pot Duo Nova
How Much Is A Mini Instant Pot
Instant PotMiniInstant PotMini
Description: Instant Pot Duo Mini is the ideal companion to the Duo 6 Quart, 7-in-1 programmable multi-cooker replaces 7 kitchen appliances, combines the functions of a Rice Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, and Warmer.
Likewise, what is the smallest instant pot you can buy? Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Pressure CookerThe Instant Pot Duo Mini is half the size of the DUO60, and it’s perfect for individuals, college students, and dorms, or just two people. It’s also great for making side dishes, while an entree is cooking in a larger Instant Pot.
One may also ask, is a 3 quart instant pot too small?
3–QuartMiniInstant PotCons: It will probably be too small to do much big-batch cooking or meal prep, or large make-ahead recipes for things like stews, soups and chilis. It also probably won’t be big enough for families of more than 2 people, and will likely be too small to do much PIP cooking.
Can you air fry in an instant pot?
Yes, Instant Pots can be air fryersall it takes is this add-on. This attachment turns any six or eight-quart pressure cookerlike the Instant Potinto an air fryer.
Stovetop Pressure Cookers Are The Smallest
So as I mentioned before, the smallest pressure cooker I know of is the Hawkins CB15 Hard Anodized Pressure Cooker. Its only 1.5 liters which is only a bit more than 1-quart!!
Hawkins actually has a few really small pressure cookers, they have an older model 1.5 liter model and a couple 2 liter models as well.
If you are looking for options from other brands Prestige offers a couple 2 liter pressure cookers in both stainless steel and aluminum.
If you know exactly what size you are looking to buy Ive linked to a few pages on this site for specific sized cookers. Have a look below. Once you get over 2 liters or quarts the options available really expand.
Also Check: Which Instant Pot Has The Recall
Update: Amazon Price Specials On Instant Pots
- Three years ago during Amazon Prime Day, I purchased a 6 qt. Instant Pot that was on sale. And I quickly realized what a great addition it was to my kitchen. The first thing I made was a continuous beef bone broth. I cooked the bones and water under pressure and then switched to slow cooking and kept it going for several days. We were having cups of delicious and healthy bone broth every day and I simply added additional water each day to replace what we had taken from it.
The next year when Amazon Prime Day came I wanted to get my daughter her own Instant Pot as she was getting married that fall. The one that was on special was the 8 qt. size. When it arrived we realized how much bigger it really was than the one I already had.
Then just a few days later my sister told me about the newest Instant Pot that was a 3 qt. size. I immediately began thinking of ways that this size would be helpful. When it arrived we were instantly struck by how small and cute it was!
Now one thing about Instant Pots is that even though they are called Instant they really arent instant. They still need to come up to pressure to cook and that can take several minutes or more. But would the smaller Instant Pot come to pressure quicker and make my meals a little faster? Which one would work best for everyday use?
Choose The Instant Pot Size And Model That Works For You
Fortunately, there are multiple sizes and models for you to choose from, depending on how many people you usually cook for, how you plan to use it, how much space you have available, and how much you want to spend.
The 6 quart model is the most commonly recommended size to choose as it gives a greater range of flexibility, most recipes are written for the 6 quart, and has a wider range of accessories available.
I personally went with a 3 quart model to start because I have limited kitchen storage space , and I am generally only cooking for 1.
One thing to note about the smaller 3 quart models, they dont usually have all of the smart programs available in the larger 6 quart sizes. For example, if you want the Cake Smart Program, youll need a 6 or 8 quart Instant Pot.
Choose the best size that works for you. Dont worry, many people expand their collection of Instant Pots over time. And you usually can cook using more than 1 Instant Pot at the same time.
Read Also: How To Convert Slow Cooker Recipe To Instant Pot
What Is An Instant Pot And Why Is Everyone Obsessed With It
Imagine having a slow cooker that also functions as a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, a steamer, and a yogurt maker. Thats the Instant Pot. Its simply an electric pot that lets you cook fast or slow. People love it because its a convenient, time-saving device that lets you quickly cook dinner without keeping an eye on the stove.
Compare To Similar Products
|
|||||
| Pros | Perfect size for meals for one, easy to clean, good pressure cooking performance, doesn’t need much counter space | Versatile, intuitive, feature-rich, great value | User friendly, easy to clean, reasonably priced, pressure release button | Good overall cooking performance, easy to clean | Inexpensive, decent cooking performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Too small for family meals, meat just shy of perfectly tender | Rice is a bit sticky, lid and stainless steel pot can be difficult to clean | Meat slightly less tender than some other models | No lid storage | Lacks a saute function, relatively difficult to clean | |
| Bottom Line | A fantastic smaller appliance for singles or for couples that aren’t fans of leftovers | An easy-to-use, versatile model that won’t break the bank and offers plenty of useful features | The best option for most kitchens, this model is easy to use and a breeze to clean | An easy to clean, great performing product, especially for the price you pay | Not a bad choice for bargain seekers, but you can get a lot more convenience without spending too much more |
| Rating Categories |
Recommended Reading: Sushi Rice Recipe Instant Pot
Check The Model As Some Are Only Available In 1 Size
Certain special Instant Pot models are only available in a single quart size.
For example, if you have an Instant Pot Max, Instant Pot Duo SV, or Instant Pot Smart WiFi, you own a 6 quart model. These models are exclusively offered in the 6 quart size.
The Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is an 8 quart model. And this is the only Instant Pot to be offered as only at the 8 quart size.
Check the front control panel of your Instant Pot to confirm which model you own. The name should be on the upper right of the control panel on the front of your Instant Pot.
Introduction To The Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini
The Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini can either work as a companion to the Duo Plus 9-in-1 programmable multi-cooker or works excellently as a stand-alone kitchen appliance. We love this multi-purpose slow cookermuch more than a slow cooker alonefor its compact size yet multitude of uses.
This single device can replace nine frequently used kitchen appliances. The Duo Plus Mini combines the tasks of a pressure cooker, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, and a steamer for anything from vegetables to fish. It will also serve as a sauté pot, a yogurt maker, a sterilizer, and a warmer. If you have grandkids or great-grandkids in the infant years, the Duo Plus Mini can sterilize baby bottles, as well!
Even the volume of food is part of the programming of this model, making for more efficient and properly cooked food. Similar to some newer versions of slow cookers, the Duo Plus Mini has a 24-hour delay start timer. This is fantastic for planning ahead and having food ready later when you need it. We also love the auto-on warmer that holds the temperature of your meal after cooking until you serve it.
MORE ADVICE Discover more tips for comfortably aging in place
MORE ADVICE
Also Check: How To Defrost Ground Beef In Instant Pot
What About Other Brands
Often people ask me to compare the Instant Pot to other brands. I’m sorry I’m not familiar with other brands.
The Instant Pot won me over because of its high ratings, the stainless steel insert, all the recipes out there written for Instant Pot , its safety features, and friends’ recommendations. I chose it and have not been dissatisfied in the least, nor inclined, at this point, to test out any others.
So, while I can’t comment on other brands, I do know the Instant Pot in and out and can highly recommend it. I don’t think anyone could regret choosing it.
When you choose your Instant Pot, you need to select both the model and size . Let’s go over the choices now.
Tips For Adjusting Recipes For 8 Qt 6 Qt And The 3 Qt Instant Pots:
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.
Recommended Reading: How To Make Yogurt In Instant Pot Without Yogurt Button
Lets Talk About Instant Pot Sizes
Instant Pot 3 qt If youre cooking meals for one or maybe two, the 3 qt might be all that you need. With most of the features of the larger versions, this option has a smaller footprint and is perfect for small spaces, an RV, or travel.
This is also a handy second pot if you want a smaller one for cooking rice or soups or eggs while your larger pot is in use .
If you are single or cooking for two but do a lot of meal prep or batch cooking, youll probably want to size up to to the 6qt. You can make bigger batches of food in the 6 quart, and if you have the space for the larger pot, I feel like you cant go wrong with the 6 quart.
If you like cooking larger food items, like a full butternut squash or a chicken, opt for the larger pot.
Instant Pot 6 qt This is what I have. I have a family of four, and its plenty big enough for my pretty basic cooking needs. I use it to meal prep . Its also been great for dinners .
You can easily fit a whole chicken inside the 6 qt.
This would be my recommendation if youre cooking for 3-4 people or doing meal prep. If youre doing a lot of meal prep, check out the 8 qt.
Instant Pot 8 qt This slightly bigger pot is perfect if you have a large family or do a lot of cooking. If youre the person who spends Sunday making giant batches of food for the week, this might be your pot!
If you are cooking for more than four people, this is probably a safe bet.
Do you have an Instant Pot? Which size did you get, and what were the deciding factors?
Which Instant Pot Is Right For My Family
November 27, 2017 by // by Holly
The Instant Pot is more than a craze now. Everywhere you turn, you see talk-show hosts and news anchors doing segments on this new device thats sweeping the nation! And with good reason.
People are just now starting to hear about the benefits of pressure-cooking as a way to cook delicious and healthy meals without having to stand over a stove. Youve probably heard from more than one friend about how much they love their Instapot.
But the truth is, the Instant Pot has been around a few years, and pressure cooking for ages. But this aint your grandmas pressure cooker! The Instant Pot is a safe, easy cooking method, and the company is constantly refining and improving the technology and releasing new models.
But thats creating confusion for new customers shopping for an Instant Pot, and probably why youre here to read this article!
There are several sizes and lots of variations in features among the different models, and even non-pressure cooker products now. So the question I see most often right now is, I have a family of ____, which Instant Pot should I get?
The answer really comes down to two simple questions.
So lets break this down as simply as possible. Well ignore sizes right now and just discuss features.
Read Also: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot
Don’t Miss: How To Steam Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot
Instant Pot Lux Mini 6
| 11.5 x 10.51 x 10.5 inches |
| Item Weight |
- Make sure this fitsby entering your model number.
- Instant Pot Lux 3 quart replaces 6 Appliances in 1
- Accessories include, stainless steel steam rack without handles, rice paddle, Soup Spoon, measuring cup, recipe booklet manual and time table
- Power supply: 120V â 60Hz. Dimensions: 11.50 x 10.51 x 10.51 inches
Cooking Settings And Functionality
Many pressure cookers help make preparing your favorite dishes simple by including a range of settings. Simply choose a button for the type of food you’re cooking, then allow the pressure cooker to take the guesswork out of the equation for you.
These settings add some functionality to the pressure cooker, too. Pressure cookers with a wider range of settings could potentially replace other kitchen appliances, like slow cookers and rice cookers.
For that reason, it’s worth thinking about whether or not you’d like your pressure cooker to have additional settings. The drawback is that it can make the cooker cost more initially, but in the long run, it may save you both space and money as you find you don’t need to buy other appliances.
You May Like: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot
What Does An Instant Pot Do
Yeah, why can’t you just get a regular slow cooker? At their core, Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers. The proprietary locking lid creates a seal that heats any water inside far past its boiling point, turning it to steam. When that steam has nowhere else to go, it creates pressure thus cooking food 2-10 times faster than what an oven or slow cooker could do.
The Instant Pot’s heart is a microprocessor aided by built-in temperature sensors that give Instant Pots the ability to 1. Mimic the cooking functions of multiple different appliances and 2. Switch between those functions at the press of a button. This collection of programs can be tweaked and tailored to perform super specific tasks that you may have struggled with pre-Instant Pot . They get down to the nitty-gritty of heat intensity, pressure, and cooking duration to achieve more precise results in the kitchen. Some of the more advanced models even offer personalized programming and will remember your settings for the next time.
Instant Pots rock because models ladder up in skill and price: Each model gains a new cooking method, so you aren’t paying for functions you won’t use.
