It’s an upgraded version of the Instant Pot Duo, adding a lid that automatically seals shut when you close it. It’s a 7-in-1 device, combining a pressure cooker, yogurt maker, rice cooker, cake maker, slow cooker, egg cooker and sauté machine into one. And with the 8-quart model, you’ll be able to prepare a lot of food — it’s arguably the best size for large families and those who entertain often. Instant Pot is the most recognizable instant vortex brand name in the pressure cooker space for a reason, and the DUO Nova delivers on that pedigree by offering exceptional performance at a reasonable price. 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 appears we have pretty much the same unit as your duo product. We cook mostly in cast iron or the slow cooker with a little cooking in the micro-wave though most of that is reheating, and the toaster oven gets a mention. The heavy lid of a Dutch oven makes its use almost a pressure cooker. instant vortex Since I am only 78 years old I am anxious to meet the challenge of a new adventure and expect to produce many savory meals and delicious deserts in the years to com with my new skill set. First off, the rubber gasket on the lid is easily removable, and the lid itself is a single piece.
Always unplug the cooker and let it cool to room temperature before cleaning. Never use harsh chemical detergents, scouring pads, or powders to clean any part of the cooker. All Instant Pots can pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, cook rice, steam, and warm. As you climb the ladder of different models, buttons for things like cake making, roasting, and sous vide appear. When one appliance can do so many things, it also nixes the need to buy and find storage for separate kitchen devices, like an egg or rice cooker. The Crock-Pot competitor-turned-cult classic has been a staple in foodie kitchens since 2018.
It sets the standard for pressure cookers, offering a versatile list of cooking functions, well-designed controls, and convenient touches like 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. Instant Pot is the standard-bearer of pressure cookers, and the addition of a pressure release button to the DUO Nova makes it one of the best cookers that we’ve ever tested. Plus, this all comes at a relatively reasonable, middle-of-the-road level price.
She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ 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. Next, I tested the Steam function to steam some green beans; I noticed the majority of beans were overcooked, soggy and lacked the firm and crunchy texture of steamed vegetables. The Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker has a 24-hour delay option on the timer and automatic keep-warm feature.
The pressure release button makes depressurizing the cooking chamber feel much easier and less stressful. However, the Duo has a few additional smart programs, such as Poultry and Multigrain. As you probably know by now, the Instant Pot Duo is the most popular Instant Pot model.
It also upgrades the number of cooking programs to 28, the most of any Instant Pot family. The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a step up from the regular Duo, and those who make recipes like yogurts and desserts will probably appreciate the Plus. It adds in a few extra programs and features over the Duo. Rice is one of the easiest side dishes to pair with a meal and, coincidentally, one of the easiest dishes to screw up. The Instant Pot Zest could save you from a lot of overcorrections to sticky rice, as well as add perfect quinoa, couscous, steamed veggies, and dumplings to your home menu.
Choosing the right Instant Pot size depends on the demands of your household and the size of your intended meals. If you have a small family (2-4 members) and do not want to make a lot of food, the 3-quart Instant Pot is typically a great choice. Portable, compact, and lightweight, instant vortex this model is great for those with space constraints as well. Both Instant Pot Duo and Duo Nova are available in three convenient sizes (3-, 6-, 8-quart). But the newer version boasts one extra option (10-quart) to help you accommodate a wider variety of cooking styles.
I suppose I could close the folding top on the three burner stove and put it there but that defeats the purpose of having a stove. Camping in the backyard is fun and I may just get a 3 qt mini for use going forward. I knew this remodel was upcoming and got a V3 duo plus expressly for this purpose. I did not like it particularly and it’s sauté function is not very hot. The Instant Pot Duo Gourmet offers some of the newer, in-demand cooking features buttons at an affordable price point. It has a similar button layout to the Duo Plus, the auto-seal lid I love, and comes with accessories like the mini mitts, the ladle, and rice paddle.
You can even cook quinoa on the bottom while using the steam basket simultaneously. After a rather undercooked release of the Instant Vortex and Vortex Plus, the Duo Crisp came out as Instant Pot’s first true pressure cooker and air fryer combination. The Pro Crisp shows it up function-wise, but for $100 less, the Duo Crisp covers a lot.