Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Thanks to Barbara for this article on choosing an Instant Pot model.
That being said, we thoroughly enjoyed the food made by the DUO Nova, with it earning superlatives in most of our cooking tests. In contrast, the Ultra Mini 10-in-1, 3-quart cooker measures 11.5 by 10.20 by 11.00 inches and weighs 9 pounds. The dimensions of the 6-quart Ultra 10-in-1 model are 13.00 by 12.50 by 12.50 inches, and it weighs 11.8 pounds. The Lux Mini 6-in-1, 3-quart version has dimensions of 11.50 by 10.51 by 10.50 inches, and it weighs 8.5 pounds. If you plan to cook big batches of dump-and-go meals, then I’d recommend an 8-quart Instant Pot or even the new Instant Pot Duo Nova 10-quart. If you’re cooking for two adults and one or two kids, the 6-quart Instant Pot will have everything you need.
Both the Duo Plus Whisper Quiet and the Duo Nova hit a sweet spot of offering some of the newer, more convenient features without a high-end price. There’s SO MANY models and variations, it’s not surprising! Our 2022 Instant Pot Buying Guidewill talk through the available options so you can feel confident instant vortex choosing the Instant Pot size and model that’s right for you. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support our work. Learn how we create the most in-depth and scientific tech reviews on our About page. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews.
Yes that’s what most recipes call for but for very few dollars more you can choose a model with high and low pressure. If you don’t want leftovers, go for the 3-Quart Instant Pot. However, if you like leftovers, cooking pot-in-pot , or two-fer meals (e.g., cooking roast one night then cutting it into beef tips and gravy the next night), I’d recommend the 6-quart.
I used a Fissler pressure cooker for more years than I want to count! Thank you for all your great recipes for pressure cooking and baking. The DUO Nova provides most of the basic pressure cooking functions and some more advanced options. Essentially, unless you’re looking for some specific specialty functions like air fry or dehydrate, it will likely meet your needs.
There are very few situations where the DUO Nova wouldn’t be our top pressure cooker recommendation. The first is for those that mainly want to cook meat, as we’ve found some other cookers that can retain just a bit more tenderness in specific cuts than this machine. It sets the standard for pressure cookers, offering a versatile list of cooking functions, well-designed controls, and convenient touches like instant vortex a pressure release button. In the world of pressure cookers, the DUO Nova sells for a relatively reasonable price but leads the pack in terms of performance. Sure, you can find some models that sell for less, but those models generally lack a saute function and thus, sacrifice quite a bit of the convenience that makes pressure cookers so attractive. We believe this is one of the best values on the market.
The third and fourth pressure cookers above are Instant Pots. The others are other brands of electric pressure cookers. My in-depth Instant Pot Duo Plus Whisper Quiet Review will be posted next week. As a quick preview, the Whisper Quiet is a great mid-range option. My favorite feature is the combination dot-matrix and LCD display, which provides text that indicates what’s going on in the pot. The redesigned lid is quieter , and it has a lot of the high-demand buttons.
It’s a step up from the base model Lux because it cooks at High and Low Pressure. Williams Sonoma has a limited edition line of Star Wars themed Instant Pot Duos. I’m particularly fond of R2D2, though to my disappointment, it doesn’t beep like R2 when you’re cooking. Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8-quart Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer. If you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, this 8-quart is two great appliances in one. Seriously, so much food fits in the Instant Pot Duo Nova 10-quart.