Developed specifically for feed-a-crowd recipes, Instant Pot’s largest electric pressure cooker weighs in at 10 quarts. If you usually host large dinner parties or group gatherings of hungry folks, this is your lifesaver. I would love to know your recommendation for a 6 qt Instant Pot. I used a Fissler pressure cooker for more years than I want to count!
Unless you’re taking a multicooker master class, it will take you a couple of weeks or a month to master your Instapot. I’m pretty sure once you’ve tried all instant vortex its 13 functions, you’ll be confident with your brand new cooking companion. The smart programs in the Duo Nova vs Duo side by side are pretty much the same.
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. The pressure release button is our absolute favorite thing about the DUO Nova’s user experience.
The Instant Pot Duo Nova, otherwise known as the Duo Nova Pressure Cooker, Instapot Duo Nova, or simply the IP Duo Nova, was released in 2019 as an upgrade to the original Instant Pot Duo. With the Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, and Smart Bluetooth being the most common models. In all other respects, it functions very similarly to the Duo Plus. The Instant Pot Duo SV is another Costco-exclusive Instant Pot model. It has been replaced by the Duo Gourmet and is in the process of being phased out. The Instant Pot Duo’s exterior is has been available in mint, white, and coral.
There’s a learning curve with any pressure cooker, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll find it’s easy. Some models have a simple on-off cover, thanks to a set of clamping wingnuts that hold the lid in place without making it too tough to remove. If you’re left-handed, you’ll love that the Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker comes with lid holders for both right- and left-handed chefs. The Instant Pot DUO Pressure Cooker also comes with intuitive push-button controls and an easy-to-read digital display. The easy-seal lid automatically seals your Instant Pot for pressure cooking, and releases steam with a simple, safe push of the quick-release button. Besides quick-cooking, classic instant pot functions include steaming, sauteing, slow cooking, rice/porridge cooking, making yogurt, and warming food.
The third and fourth pressure cookers above are Instant Pots. The others are other brands of electric pressure cookers. Most recipes online are written for 6-quart pressure cookers. You may need to add more liquid for some recipes with 8-quarts and larger.
So the absence of a smart program isn’t a deal-breaker. The lid auto-seals i.e. you don’t need to turn the handle to the Sealing position as with some older models of Duo Nova and Duo. This is a really useful feature because it’s very easy to forget to turn the steam release handle to the Sealing position. While the Instant Pot Duo Nova comes in a range of sizes, it’s currently the only model with a large, 10 quart capacity option, which is ideal for big families or hosting parties. The only downside is that it’s quite heavy and bulky, and can take up a fair bit of countertop space.