Read our Instant Pot review and capture what this extraordinary Instant Pot all-in-one cooking pot can do for you. Only then will you truly understand why over 10 MILLION units are already in use in households worldwide since its introduction in 2010…
It can speed up cooking by 2 to 6 times while using up to 70% less energy, does not heat up your kitchen and contains all smells as it releases no steam. This one-pot cooker automates cooking to produce healthy food consistently – and each line was customized for its own ‘special niche’!
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QUICK RECAP
Size
3 quart: Lux Mini, Duo Mini, Duo Plus Mini
6 quart: Lux60, Duo 60, Duo Plus 60, Ultra 60, Smart WiFi, Duo Crisp, Pro Crisp
8 quart: Lux80, Duo 80, Duo Plus 80, Duo Crisp, Pro Crisp
10 quart: Duo Nova
Functionality (appliances replaced)
LUX 6-in-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer
DUO 7-in-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker
SMART WIFI 8-in-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker, cake maker
DUO PLUS 9-in-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker, cake maker, sterilizer
ULTRA 10-in-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, food warmer, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, sterilizer
DUO & PRO CRISP 11-IN-1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide with pressure cooker lid; air fryer, roaster oven, cake maker, broiler, dehydrator with air fryer lid
Smart Built-In Programs
10: LUX 3qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Egg, Sauté, Rice, Porridge, Keep Warm, Pressure Cook, Steam, Slow Cook)
10: DUO 3qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Pressure Cook)
11: DUO & PRO CRISP 6qt-8qt (Pressure Cook, Sauté, Slow Cook, Steam, Sous Vide: pressure cooker lid WET cooking); (Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate: air fryer lid CRISP cooking)
12: LUX 8qt; Lux 6qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Cake, Egg, Sauté, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Keep Warm, Pressure Cook, Steam, Slow Cook)
14: DUO 8qt; DUO 6qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize, Pressure Cook)
14: SMART WIFI 6qt (Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Yogurt, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Pressure Cook)
15: DUO PLUS 6qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Slow Cook, Sauté/Searing, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Keep Warm and Pressure Cook, plus new Cake, Egg and Sterilize)
16: ULTRA 6qt (Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Cake, Egg, Slow Cook, Sauté/Searing, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Sterilize, Yogurt, Warm, Pressure Cook, Ultra)
Accessories
~Duo Crisp
*pressure cooking lid
*stainless steel steam rack with handles
*air fryer lid
*multi-level air fryer basket
*broil/dehydrate tray
*protective pad and storage cover
~All Other Models
*stainless steel steam rack with handles
(without handles for MINI models of the Lux, Duo, Duo Plus and Ultra)
*soup spoon
*rice paddle
*measuring cup
*recipe booklet
~Exclusive:
*left & right handed lid holder (all except Lux series)
*serving spoon (Duo Plus, Smart WiFi only)
*condensation collector (Ultra only)
*mini red mitts (Smart WiFi only)
Instant Pot LUX 6-in-1
The ‘Best Basic’ Lux replaces 6 appliances: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker and food warmer. The Lux 6-in-1 comes in 3 sizes:
*3-quart Lux Mini (11.5 x 10.51 x 10.5″; 8.5lbs)
*6-quart Lux60 (13.18 x 12.20 x 12.5″; 11.53lbs)
*8-quart Lux80 (14.50 x 13.18 x 13.50″; 15.4lbs)
The Instant Pot Lux 8-quart and 6-quart cookers include 12 smart built-in programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Cake, Egg, Sauté, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Keep Warm, Pressure Cook, Steam and Slow Cook.
The 3-quart Instant Pot Lux mini excludes the Cake and Multigrain options for a total of 10 smart built-in programs.
Instant Pot DUO 7-in-1
This ‘Classic’ Duo replaces the same 6 appliances as the Duo and adds a yogurt maker to the mix. It comes in 3 sizes:
*3-quart Duo Mini (11.81 x 10.51 x 11″; 8.65lbs)
*6-quart Duo 60 (13.38 x 12.2 x 12.48″; 11.80lbs)
*8-quart Duo 80 (14.8 x 13.18 x 14.01″; 15.80lbs)
The Instant Pot Duo 6- and 8-qt cookers feature 14 smart built-in programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Searing, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurize & Pressure Cook. The 3-quart Duo Instant Pot mini excludes the Poultry, Multigrain and Pasteurize options for a total of 10 Smart programs.
Inspired by the original bestselling Lux series, the Duo line was an instant hit. The Instant Pot Duo 6 qt actually took off like a rocket and to this day remains the star of IP’s stable – the little mare that actually won the Derby!
Click here for both DUO and DUO NOVA.
Instant Pot DUO NOVA 7-in-1
The ‘Best for Beginners’ Duo Nova also replaces the same 7 appliances as the Duo and comes in 4 sizes:
*3-quart 700W Duo Mini (11.5L x 10.2W x 11″H; 8.8 lbs)
*6-quart 1000W Duo 60 (13.2L × 12.2W × 12.5″H; 11.8 lbs)
*8-quart 1200W Duo 80 (14.8L × 13.6W × 14″H; 15.6 lbs)
*10-quart 1440W Duo 100 (14.8L × 15.5W × 14.7″H; 20.9 lbs)
The Duo Nova 6-, 8- and 10-quart feature 13 Smart Programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Simmer, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Manual, and Pressure Cook – while the Instant Pot Duo Nova 3-qt excludes Poultry and Multigrain for a total of 11 Smart programs.
Apart from a new 10-quart model, the differences between the Instant Pot Duo v Duo Nova are found in its features: an Easy Seal lid, Easy Steam Release and Diffused Steam Release, as well as an easy-to-read LED Display.
Instant Pot WiFi 8-in-1
This ‘Best for the Tech Chef’ 1000W Instant Pot smart Smart WiFi takes over from the discontinued Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth, replacing 8 kitchen appliances: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, yogurt maker, food warmer and cake maker. The Smart WiFi also exclusively comes in one size: 6-quart Smart WiFi 60 (13.2L x 12.2W x 12.6H″; 12.2lbs)
This Smart cooker includes 14 Smart built-in programs: Soup, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Sauté/Simmer, Steam, Rice, Porridge, Multigrain, Yogurt, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Manual and Pressure Cook. For the tech inclined, Bluetooth connectivity lets you program your cooker from your smart phone or tablet, and the free app provides recipes that can be saved and shared.
Instant Pot DUO PLUS 9-in-1
The ‘Best for Parents’ Duo Plus combines the functions of 9 appliances: pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, rice cooker, yogurt maker, food warmer – as well as cake maker and sterilizer. It comes in 3 sizes:
*3-quart 700W Duo Plus Mini (11.5L x 10.2W x 10.98″H; 8.8 lbs)
*6-quart 1000W Duo Plus 60 (13.39L × 12.21W × 12.48″H; 12.35 lbs)
*8-quart 1200W Duo Plus 80 (14.8L × 13.5W × 14.49″H; 15.57 lbs)
This cooker features 15 Smart built-in programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Slow Cook, Sauté/Searing, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Keep Warm and Pressure Cook, plus the new Cake, Egg, Sous Vide and Sterilize programs.
Instant Pot ULTRA 10-in-1
The ‘Best for the Home Chef’ Ultra instant cooker replaces the same 10 appliances as the Duo Plus. However, a new Ultra program has been added, enabling program customization (whether for pressure or non-pressure cooking) and adjusting for altitude in order to ensure perfect results every time. The Ultra includes 16 Smart built-in programs: Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Cake, Egg, Slow Cook, Sauté/Searing, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Sterilize, Yogurt, Warm, Pressure Cook.
It comes in 3 sizes:
*3-quart 700W Duo Plus Mini (11.4L x 10.5W x 11.2″H; 8.99 lbs)
*6-quart 1000W Duo Plus 60 (13L × 12.2W × 12.6″H; 11.63 lbs)
*8-quart 1200W Duo Plus 80 (14.8L × 13.5W × 14.2″H; 15.7 lbs)
Instant Pot with Air Fryer 11-in-1
The ‘Instant Pot that air fries’ Crisp series was created for health-conscious lovers of fried food and has garnered an enthusiastic following in no time at all. A two-lid option greatly enhances flexibility, extending functionality to that of 11 appliances.
Duo Crisp Air Fryer
Both 6- and 8-quart Duo Crisp multi-cookers feature 11 Smart built-in programs:
.6 pressure cooker lid WET cooking functions: Pressure Cook, Sauté, Slow Cook, Steam, Sous Vide, Keep Warm;
.5 air fryer lid CRISP cooking functions: Air Fry, Roast, Bake, Broil, Dehydrate.
Note that the Sous Vide Smart Program display as well as the Air Fryer Lid display show temperature in ºF (Fahrenheit) or ºC (Celsius).
The Duo Crisp comes in two sizes:
*6-quart Duo AF 6 (19.62 lbs)
(13.58 L × 13.58 W × 12.99″H with Pressure Cooker Lid)
(13.58 L × 13.58 W × 13.97 H with Air Fryer Lid)
*8-quart Duo AF 8 (22.7lbs)
(14.76 L × 13.58 W × 14.17 H with Pressure Cooker Lid)
(14.76 L × 13.58 W × 15.28 H with Air Fryer Lid)
Instant Pot Pro Crisp
With the same 11 Smart built-in programs as the Duo Crisp, this versatile 8-quart Instant Pot air fryer combo integrates two major innovative features:
*a new pressure-cooking lid with added heat protection, a steam release cap that diffuses the steam to soften the pressure release, automatically sets to seal for pressure cooking and is dishwasher safe (as are the pot, air fry basket, and broil/dehydrating tray);
*a new inner pot which can be used with all stovetops (electric, ceramic, gas or induction) and is oven-safe up to 450°F. Its flat tri-ply bottom allows for even searing and sautéing, and easy-grip silicone handles facilitate lifting and carrying.
All this in a relatively small 26.2lb package measuring:
.14.78 L × 13.58 W × 14.17 H with Pressure Cooker Lid
.14.78 L × 14.24 W × 15.35 H with Air Fryer Lid
An intuitive, easy-to-read white on black control panel with wet cooking function buttons grouped on the left and dry on the right, easy-to-read icons, bright displays, Keep Warm and Delay Start functions so everyone is clear who’s in charge. Select a Smart program, and an intuitive cooking progress bar keeps you in the loop so you’ll never have to guess where it’s at – hmm, better than some humans I know…
Click here for the Crisp air fryer Instant Pot combos.
Instant Pot Settings
All Instant Pot cookers are 3rd generation digital pressure cookers equipped with Smart Programming – a digital technology designed to increase precision cooking for consistent results every time. Inside the control panel is located an advanced microprocessor chip which stores and executes the programs using four parameters: heating intensity, temperature, pressure and duration.
1. Cooking Program Types
~Pressure Cooking Programs:
Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Rice, Porridge: all models
Steam, Pressure Cook or Manual: all models
Bean/Chili: Lux50, Lux60; Duo; Duo Plus; Ultra; Smart WiFi
Poultry: Lux50, Lux60; Duo50, Duo60, Duo80; Smart WiFi
Multigrain: Lux 50, Lux 60, Lux 60, Lux 80; Duo50, Duo60, Duo80; Duo Plus60, Duo Plus 80; Ultra 60, Ultra 80; Smart WiFi
Cake: Lux 60, Lux 80; Duo Plus60, Duo Plus80; Ultra 60, Ultra 80
Egg: Lux Mini, Lux 60, Lux 80; Duo Plus; Ultra
Sterilize: Duo Plus; Ultra
Pasteurize: Duo50, Duo60, Duo80
Ultra: Ultra
~Non-Pressure Cooking Programs:
Sauté, Slow Cook: all models
Yogurt: Duo; Duo Plus; Ultra; Smart WiFi
Warm: Ultra
Ultra: Ultra
Keep Warm: all models
Air Fry: Duo Crisp
Roast: Duo Crisp
Bake: Duo Crisp
Broil: Duo Crisp
Dehydrate Duo Crisp
2. Program Variables
Pressure Cooking
Up to 4 hours: Lux; Duo; Duo Plus; Duo Crisp
Up to 6 hours: Ultra
Up to 2 hours: Smart WiFi
Slow Cooker
Up to 24 hours: Duo Crisp
0.5-20 hours at 3 temperatures: all other cookers
The Lux series also offers a custom temperature option
Sauté
Up to 30 minutes at 3 temperatures: all other cookers
The Lux series also offers a custom temperature option
Sous Vide
Up to 99:30 hours: Duo and Pro Crisp with pressure cooking lid
Dehydrate
Up to 72 hours: Duo Crisp with air fryer lid
Keep Warm
*LUX series
Automatic Keep Warm (up to 10 hours)
Manual Keep Warm (up to 10 hours)
*DUO50, DUO60, DUO80
Automatic Keep Warm (up to 10 hours)
Manual Keep Warm (up to 99 hours & 50 minutes)
*DUO MINI; SMART WiFi
Automatic Keep Warm (up to 10 hours)
Manual Keep Warm (up to 99 hours & 50 minutes)
3 Temperatures
*DUO PLUS series
Automatic Keep Warm (up to 24 hours)
Manual Keep Warm (up to 99 hours & 50 minutes)
3 Temperatures
*ULTRA series (default setting)
Automatic Keep Warm (up to 24 hours)
Manual Keep Warm (up to 99 hours & 50 minutes)
Warm (Preheat)
3 Temperatures
3. Extra Instant Pot Features
Instant Pot Modes
A great advantage of cooking with the Instant Pot programmable pressure cooker is that it operates in ‘set and forget’ mode – there literally is a setting for everything. Another great feature is the degree of customization integrated into the Duo, Duo Plus and Lux series. Different modes (Less, Normal or More) enable you to further refine the cooking program options according to ingredients used or level of doneness desired.
Those modes would correspond to Low, Medium or High under the Slow Cooker setting respectively, i.e.:
*Select the Less mode of the Instant Pot Sauté program in order to simmer, thicken and reduce liquids; the Normal mode for pan searing; and the More mode to stir fry or brown meat.
*The same modes used with the Instant Pot Soup setting would apply respectively to soup with or without meat, or to make some rich bone broth.
*Use Less with the Yogurt program to make a sweet fermented glutinous rice dessert, Normal to ferment milk or More to pasteurize milk when making yogurt.
Instant Pot Natural Release Vs Quick Release
Three ways to allow the steam the escape when you’re done pressure cooking:
*Natural Pressure Release (NPR) allows the steam to release naturally until the float valve drops down. Food will continue cooking for the duration which will vary depending on ingredients used as well as the amount of liquid in the pot (generally between 15 and 20 minutes);
*Quick Pressure Release (QPR) lets you control steam release through the vent in the lid through continuous or pulse steam release which causes the pressure to go down within a matter of minutes. A very handy feature that helps avoid overcooking foods such as vegetables or poached eggs. This process should never be left unattended;
*Combining NPR and QPR allows for natural pressure release for about 10-15 minutes, after which you can turn the valve to release any remaining pressure.
App Device
Simply download the IP recipe app to gain access to 1000+ recipes. The Smart WiFi App Device integrated into the DUO PLUS, LUX, ULTRA series as well as the SMART WiFi is compatible with Android 5.0 or later and iOS 9.0 or later; the cooker requires 2.4GHz frequency band to operate with the App.
4. Ultimate Customization
Home chefs, rejoice! The ULTRA series and the SMART have been equipped with additional controls for even greater precision cooking:
ULTRA Extra Functionality
Designed with the home chef in mind, the Ultra integrates dedicated features for even greater control and customization and more precise cooking:
Central Dial: Turn and press allows for more precise cooking program selection and adjustment.
Altitude Adjustment: Eliminates guesswork when cooking at different altitudes.
Cooking Progress Indicator: Easily monitor the cooking states: Preheat, Cook and Keep Warm.
SMART Pot Extra Functions
Custom Timer Pre-sets: Two programmable timer pre-sets let you time cooking with accuracy.
Bluetooth: Graphics from your smartphone or tablet conveniently let you program and monitor your cooking progress.
Custom program: Share your favorite recipe scripts with friends or even write your very own recipe scripts.
Instant Pot Safety
A smart pressure cooker provides enhanced safety: all models feature a brushed stainless steel exterior with a healthy, dishwasher safe food grade 304 (18/8) stainless steel inner cooking pot, lid and steam rack – absolutely no chemical coatings to worry about! Other aspects of the design also contribute to its unmatched safety. UL and ULC certified, the Instant Pot incorporates ten basic safety mechanisms designed to eliminate many common issues and take this one pot cooker to a whole new level:
1. Pressure Regulator ensures the working pressure below the safety limit.
2. Anti-Blockage Vent prevents food debris from blocking the vent.
3. Safety lid lock prevents accidental opening of the cooker while it is pressurized.
4. Designed with a sensor for lid position detection, monitors whether the lid is in an unsafe position for pressure cooking.
5. Automatic temperature control regulates temperature based on the type of program being selected.
6. Temperature monitoring avoids burning food.
7. Pressure controller keeps pressure always in the safe range.
8. Electrical current and temperature fuse cuts off power if the current or internal temperature exceeds safety limits.
9. Pressure protection releases excess pressure into internal chamber in a dangerous situation.
10. Smart detection of leaky lid (steam release is in the open position).
But wait… there’s more! The ULTRA series features an additional safety measure:
11. Quick Release Button automatically resets the Ultra to the Sealing position when you open or close the lid if the button is in the venting position.
Advantages of an Instant Pot
While it’s no secret that this one pot wonder can easily handle tasks performed by a multitude of small appliances, consider the variety of foods it can cook: meats, fish, stews, soups, stuffing, egg, rice and other grains, beans, porridge, sauces, dips, casseroles, pizza and bread doughs. Best of all, it saves you time and energy: simply sauté your vegetables, add your meat to brown, and finally your pasta or rice. The end result: a delicious meal, and only one pot to clean!
The sweet toothed among you need not worry: it’s also a master at producing puddings and cakes as well as fruit desserts, sauces, jams, butters and chutneys. Add an Instant Pot steamer rack or an inner pot – and a world of steamed breads and puddings is right at your fingertips. But what about drinks, you ask? No problem! Not only can it make mouth-watering hot punches, hot chocolate and lattes, plus it doubles as the perfect vessel for special occasions…
But Which Instant Pot to Buy?
Can’t decide between a slow cooker, pressure cooker, rice cooker/porridge maker, yogurt maker, steamer, stockpot warmer? Take a look at the versatile Instant Pot electric cooker and prepare to be amazed:
If fried food is your Achilles’ heel, the Air Fryer lid of the Duo and Pro Crisp is your salvation, as it can deliver your favorite meals using little to no oil – plus it can dehydrate! And while the Instant Pot evokes all sorts of comfort foods generally associated with cool weather, it is also brilliant at handling summer meals without warming up the kitchen: anyone for some New England clam chowder, steamed corn, mashed potatoes, pulled pork, poached pears or vanilla yogurt?
When considering which Instant Pot is best for you, bear in mind that the cooking pot should not be more than 2/3 full, 1/2 for food that expands during cooking such as rice or dried vegetables:
*8-quart is a good fit for large families (6+ people), for entertaining, or if you prefer to cook less frequently and rely on the convenience of leftovers instead;
*6-quart happens to be the most versatile as well as the most popular, since it is also the perfect size for the average family of 4-6 people;
*3-quart is perfect if you’re cooking for two or three; it is also ideal for single servings or side dishes.
Should I buy an Instant Pot? Only if you want to simplify your life while cooking quick and healthy meals – plus declutter your countertop and replace up to ELEVEN appliances with one multi-tasker… No matter which model you choose, don’t be surprised when one pot cooking becomes an obsession.
But let’s face it, the Instant Pot truly deserves recognition as the overachiever among all electric cookers. It can cook pretty much anything beautifully, super quickly and efficiently while using very little space on your countertop which makes entertaining a breeze. This cooker clearly aims to please.
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