This was the first pressure cooker Instant Pot released. It does not have a Low Pressure setting moosoo air fryer or a yogurt button. Other than that, it can do everything the Instant Pot Duo can do.
We reluctantly accepted the offer and I have been studying like crazy to find out the what, where, why, and how of an insta-pot type attack on meals. 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. 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.
The Ultra line can offer as many as 10-in-1 multi-use capabilities. The Duo line provides 7- or 9-in-1 multi-use functions, and the Lux line offers 6-in-1 functionality. I agree with Barbara on her recommendation of the Duo Evo Plus. My first IP was an IP Duo and wasn’t even tempted to upgrade until the Duo Evo Plus.
The device features an LCD screen with a cooking indicator that keeps you updated throughout use from the preheating to the warming stages. There are up to 16 smart programs built-in, including multigrain, egg, cake, meat or stew, soup, and sauté. The number moosoo air fryer of programs and functions available on each Instant Pot depends on whether you choose the Duo, Lux, or Ultra. My thoughts…not disagreeing really just a bit of a different take. Though it’s the least expensive, the Lux is the only model I wouldn’t recommend.
You get all the capabilities of the classic Instant Pot, plus the great air frying capabilities. 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. 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 if you feel really nervous about going off recipe, I’d recommend using a 6-quart.
The first Instant Pot pressure cooker came out in 2012. Since then, it feels like Instant Pot has released a zillion new models , and all with slightly different features. Some of the design requirements of pressure cookers almost inevitably lead to some cleaning challenges. However, the DUO Nova navigates these challenges better than most, making its cleaning process about as easy as one could hope. The pressure release button makes depressurizing the cooking chamber feel much easier and less stressful.
It also offers a NutriBoost feature, which creates movement inside the pot and helps make soups creamier. The the most recent version, released in late 2019, now offers a sous vide setting in place of the steam setting, as well as an updated auto-seal lid. The Instant Pot Duo Nova hits a sweet spot of offering some of the newer, more convenient features without a high-end price.
That’s one of the best prices we’ve seen on the high-capacity multi-cooker. (Not to be confused with the Duo Nova released in 2019.) It has since been replaced with the Duo Gourmet, discussed above. 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.
Instant Pot is the standard-bearer of top-tier 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. The exterior of the Instant Pot pressure cooker is comprised of brushed stainless steel, and it can be cleaned with a damp cloth.