Name: Which Instant Pot Should I Buy?
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Which Instant Pot Should I Buy?

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Skip to contentIf you’re planning to buy an Instant Pot, you’ll quickly discover that there are quite a few models available. They come in different sizes, with different functionality, and in varying price ranges. It can be difficult to figure out which one you should buy from this expansive range of products.Which Instant Pot you buy really depends on your cooking level, you’re budget, and your how many extra functions and features you want. There are units that are best for beginners (Duo), as well as those built for experts (Pro and Pro Plus).» You might also be interested in How to Use Delay Start on an Instant Pot.For intermediate users – which I like to think is most of us – there’s the Duo Plus, which is the best all-around bang for the buck. And there’s an Instant Pot with an air fryer built in – the Instant Pot Duo Crisp or Pro Crisp.Want to know the differences between an Instant Pot and a pressure cooker? Read more about them both here.The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. And there are many accessories that will help you get more out of your Instant Pot.If you don’t have one yet, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot for more information.Depending on what kind of deal you can find, the average Instant Pot will set you back anywhere from $70 to $180. While this doesn’t make it the cheapest kitchen appliance on the market, it’s also nowhere near the highest and it can do so much.Let me quickly run you through the most popular models and sizes so you can make an informed decision on what to get.Let’s start by talking about size. The size of meals you want to cook, or even the size of your family will determine what Instant Pot is the right size for you. Most come in the following sizes:There are many versions of each of these sizes. However, they are all fairly close to the same footprint, so if you choose a 6-quart, there’s no need to worry about the size of the model you choose. They’re all very similar.» Check out the differences between the 8 Qt and the 6 Qt Instant Pot and 6 Qt vs 3 Qt Instant Pot.With size decisions out of the way, let’s take a quick look at the different models available. There are three different main models each that come in standard and plus. Here are the main models.Each of the models have increasingly better and more robust features. If you’re just looking for a base Instant Pot without all the bells and whistles, you can pick up the popular DUO for around $80-$100. The Pro Plus retails for around $180.The Instant Pot Duo is the most popular of the versions, as well as the least expensive. It can do everything you expect of a pressure cooker, but it doesn’t have as many bells and whistles as the upgraded versions.If you’re not using your Instant Pot very often and just want an easy to use simple version, the Duo is great. The one thing about it that bothers me is the vent, which hasn’t been upgraded like on the other models. You have to remember to manually rotate the vent before you cook. And the knob is also where steam releases, so it’s easier to burn yourself when releasing pressure.See on AmazonA step above the Duo is the Duo Plus. While this model also tacks on about $29 extra to the price, if you are lucky, you might find a sale that brings the price down to the same as the Duo. In my opinion, it’s worth it to upgrade to the Plus. Here’s why:It has an easy-release steam switch that automatically resets itself, so you never have to remember to set the vent to sealing. The release vent on top doesn’t rotate like the Duo, so there’s way less chance of burning yourself or not properly sealing the pot. And it has the quietest steam release with a full enclosure for the valve so it doesn’t spit on everything when you release it.See on AmazonI’m a huge fan of the Pro model and would highly recommend splurging for this one if you use your Instant Pot regularly. There are some additional features that make it so much more versatile. For instance, you can use the inner pot on the stove top and in the oven.I often don’t love the fluctuating heat of sauté mode, but you can do your sauteing on the stove top in this model. Or if you have two inner pots you can cook two different things and keep the first warm in the oven while cooking the second. Endless possibilities.I also love that this inner pot has silicon handles, unlike any other model. It greatly helps with lifting the pot out of the machine and carrying it. It’s also much faster to build steam than other models.See on AmazonThe Pro Plus model adds the “smart” functionality. This means you can program and operate the Instant Pot from your phone over wifi. Some of the things you can do are program the time, temperature, release steam, and set the delay start. There are also 1900+ guided recipes on the app that walk you through every step.The Pro Plus model has all the functionality and features of the Pro, including the silicon handles on the pot, the easy steam release with the diffusion cover for whisper quiet steam release and increased safety. You can also use the pot on the stove or in the oven, like the pro.If you are looking for the badass model, this is the one. It can do it all. Program your own recipes or use your phone and the included recipes to do everything with a touch of a button. The only thing it won’t do is chop the vegetables for you.See on AmazonThe Instant Pot Crisp adds the air fryer functionality to the Instant Pot pressure cooker, so you can do both with just one appliance. There are actually 4 different models available for the Crisp, which I think might be going away soon.The Crisp was initially made with 2 lids that you had to interchange, but newer models are now made with one lid that doesn’t have to be changed. For now you can still buy both.All of the features of the Duo and the Pro are available on the respective machines. Then you can also customize the air frying range from 70°F (21°C) to 450°F (232°C).See Duo Crisp on AmazonSee Pro Crisp on AmazonOver the years, Instant Pot has had quite a few different models available. Each of them had their own features, many of which have been replaced now with more advanced functionality.However, you can still find some of these models on the resale market, so I’ve left in the descriptions so you can see what each of them have for features, in case you’re looking to buy a used one.This is the basic Instant Pot model and the one I recommend for most people new to pressure cooking. You may also hear as this one as the 6-in-1 model. It’s a pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker, with sauté and keep warm functions as well for a total of six different ways of cooking.Note that the lux only has a high pressure mode, which is the what you’ll use most of the time anyway. The Lux also comes in different colors, including red, blue, stainless steel red, and stainless steel black, and floral patterns.The major difference I’ve found on the Nova is the digital display that gives more information on the screen than the Duo.The Nova also has a new EasySeal lid that gives you one less thing to worry about because it automatically seals your Instant Pot. The Duo Nova is also the only Instant Pot available in a larger 10 quart size.If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, the Duo Evo is the sweet spot. It’s about $20-40 more expensive than the Duo, but has more functionality and a better design, so cooking in it is easier and a bit less frustrating.This model hasIThe Instant Pot Smart will do everything the previous two models do and more. The digital interface on the pot itself and the app that connects to your instant pot, allow you to control temperature and cooking durations for your meals as you see fit. If you like gadgets, prefer the ease of being able to save your favorite recipes and instant pot settings on your smart phone, and love full control over your pot, this is the model to get.The next level Instant Pot is the Max. It adds the ability to do home canning inside the pressure cooker. And it gives the option of unlimited programmable settings and increased security.Pit it and share it!Laura is a passionate home cook and the owner of A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. She is dedicated to helping people create delicious Instant Pot meals with ease. Laura is an expert at developing recipes that can be prepared quickly and easily using a pressure cooker.I'm the author and recipe creator at A Pressure Cooker Kitchen. There's no easier way to cook than in an Instant Pot! Check out our quick and delicious Instant Pot recipes.How to Use an Instant PotHow to Clean a Burnt Instant Pot Liner25 Instant Pot Tips, Tricks, and Hacks You Should Know11 Instant Pot Meals in Under 30 Minutes

Skip to contentIf you’re planning to buy an Instant Pot, you’ll quickly discover that there are quite a few models available. They come in different sizes, with different functionality, and in varying price ranges. It can be difficult to figure out which one you should buy from this expansive range of products.Which Instant Pot you buy really depends on your cooking level, you’re budget, and your how many extra functions and features you want. There are units that are best for beginners (Duo), as well as those built for experts (Pro and Pro Plus).» You might also be interested in How to Use...

Which Instant Pot Should I Buy?

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