Instant Pot Duo Nova 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

However, both share the improved auto-seal lid that makes them worth the extra expense. Here are all the built-in cooking functions of the Instapot Duo Nova. If you opt for the 6-quart model, it’s compatible with the Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid that will open up to six more cooking techniques.

instant pot duo nova

When it comes to using the pressure cooker, the Instant Pot has an “easy seal lid” that automatically seals, and a quick pressure release button to release the steam once cooking is complete. The number of Instant Pot models has grown over the years to the point that there’s almost a confusing number of these devices available. Some are more straightforward than others, like the Duo Crisp, which includes an air-fry mode and comes with the appropriate lid for it. But the Duo Nova remains a solid option for newbies as it combines the convenience of a pressure cooker with a bunch of other functions in a relatively counter-friendly appliance. You may need to make a bit more space for the 8-quart model in your kitchen, but it’s a small price to pay for all of the cooking time you’ll get back while using it.

Any Instant Pot accessories or gadgets you may choose to buy to bulk up your cooker’s functionality are just a bonus. Depending on what you plan to make with your Instant Pot, extras range from practical and essential to plain old fun. Some people buy extra sealing rings so they can use one for meat and one for baked goods. Some invest in egg trivets if they cook a lot of hard-boiled eggs. There are also super useful silicone mitts with a surprisingly strong strong grip.

I guess even Gordon Ramsey will have a hard time operating the Instant Pot without looking at the product manual. We also had great luck prepping various grains, including rice and quinoa, in the DUO Nova. Things generally came out a bit more moist and sticky rather than fluffy, but we generally enjoyed the texture. It also performed well in our meat cooking tests, successfully rendering a tough brisket cut into a tender and enjoyable feast. In designing the DUO Nova, Instant Pot took an already user-friendly machine and added a convenient pressure release button. If you’re after a simple, no-fuss multicooker, the moosoo air fryer is a good option for beginners.

While Instant Brands may be best known for its flagship Instant Pot, the brand has now also branched out from the multi-cooker space into the broader world of kitchen appliances. Instant makes coffee makers, electric Dutch ovens, toaster ovens, stand mixers, air fryers, and even air purifiers. We won’t be breaking down those models here, but if you’re looking for any of the above appliances, check out our product reviews, where we’ve lined them up against competitors in their category. ” because with a little creativity and some willingness for trial and error there isn’t much this countertop cooker can’t do. The Instant Pot is a fantastic small kitchen appliance for beginners as well as those who want to cook simple meals, like stews and oatmeal. But it’s also excellent for more advanced cooking projects that involve tougher cuts of meat like baby back ribs or other proteins that usually require a long cook time.

After I took this picture I went to put my lid on and it would not go on. After checking the seal ring, I did notice it wasn’t moosoo air fryer pushed down under the bar correctly. If food gets in and around the pin there is a chance that pressure will not build.

She has been reviewing small appliances, including blenders, juicers, and multi-cookers, for more than 8 years,  and also upholsters furniture when she’s not testing the latest food tech gadgets. There are a few ways you can release pressure once the instant vortex has finished pressure cooking. The Nova pressure cooker create a closed environment where steam builds up in a tightly sealed pot. This, in turn, causes the internal temperature to rise and pressure to increase. Your hand doesn’t get in the way of the steam so no need to worry about getting a steam burn. You still should be careful of the steam when it’s being released.

However, the company seemed to have abandoned this model in favor of the classic ones which they have been keeping up to date with the latest features. Since this was the 10 quart capacity, the largest pot around, I found this quite heavy and cumbersome to lift. Another good thing about the Instant Pot Duo Nova is it doesn’t get too hot around the sides if you need to move it around. The Instant Pot Duo Nova has many buttons that may appear confusing and complicated. In my experience, the condensation collector rarely fills up but I have found that when I cook pasta, in particular, liquid tends to collect and it can get messy! Get into the habit of checking for liquid in the condensation collector after every use.

Get to know your pressure cooker with pictures that show you what the different parts are. Want to know how the classic Instant Pot models compare to other brands? The Duo SV is an 8-in-1 secondary multicooker from Instant Pot that essentially slaps sous vide functionality on the standard Duo. It has an MSRP of $80 and, in the US, it’s only available for purchase at Costco. Thumbs up to the way the lid seals automatically and how easy it is to release the pressure.

We love the way the steam release valve seals automatically and is easy to release quickly. And if you’re also interested in sous vide cooking, it’s one less additional appliance or gadget that you have to buy. Cooking with the most popular model of Instant Pot is even easier with the Duo Nova.