It’s a step up from the base model Lux because it cooks at High and Low Pressure. Williams Sonoma has a limited edition line of Star Wars themed Instant Pot Duos. I’m particularly fond of R2D2, though to my disappointment, it doesn’t beep like R2 when you’re cooking. Instant Pot Duo Crisp 8-quart Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer. If you don’t have a lot of space in your kitchen, this 8-quart is two great appliances in one. Seriously, so much food fits in the moosoo air fryer 10-quart.
The lid can go in the dishwasher, and it is ergonomically designed to be used by both left-handed and right-handed users. A stainless steel rack is included with the Instant Pot pressure cooker that can also be washed in the dishwasher after your meal is finished. This cooking pot is composed of food-grade stainless steel that’s free of chemical coatings. This particular Instant Pot is a Walmart exclusive, but it’s almost identical to the standard Duo Nova aside from its front panel looking a bit different.
I used a Fissler pressure cooker for more years than I want to count! Thank you for all your great recipes for pressure cooking and baking. The DUO Nova provides most of the basic pressure cooking functions and some more advanced options. Essentially, unless you’re looking for some specific specialty functions like air fry or dehydrate, it will likely meet your needs.
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.
That being said, we thoroughly enjoyed the food made by the DUO Nova, with it earning superlatives in most of our cooking tests. In contrast, the Ultra Mini 10-in-1, 3-quart cooker measures 11.5 by 10.20 by 11.00 inches and weighs 9 pounds. The dimensions of the 6-quart Ultra 10-in-1 model are 13.00 by 12.50 by 12.50 inches, and it weighs 11.8 pounds. The Lux Mini 6-in-1, 3-quart version has dimensions of 11.50 by 10.51 by 10.50 inches, and it weighs 8.5 pounds. If you plan to cook big batches of dump-and-go meals, then I’d recommend an 8-quart Instant Pot or even the new Instant Pot Duo Nova 10-quart. If you’re cooking for two adults and one or two kids, the 6-quart Instant Pot will have everything you need.
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. If you’re in the market for an 8-quart pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp would be a really great choice.
We’ve always Instant Pot models because the lid can be stored upright in either of the handles on either side of the machine. This allows you to put the lid out of the way, no matter which hand you like to stir with, without setting it down on a potentially dirty countertop. I gave the nod to the Pro Crisp because I prefer the pot, display, and redesigned pressure cooking lid of the Pro Crisp model.
We also had great luck prepping various grains, including rice and quinoa, in the DUO Nova. Things generally came out a bit more moist and sticky rather than fluffy, but we generally enjoyed the texture. It also performed well in our meat cooking moosoo air fryer tests, successfully rendering a tough brisket cut into a tender and enjoyable feast. Some of the Instant Pot options you might encounter are the Duo, the Lux and the Ultra line. The 3-quart Instant Pot has been dubbed the mini version.
Even for singles or couples I still think a 6 qt is the best choice for one’s first or only IP. The VAST majority of recipes online or in books are written for 6 qt. Also you may initially THINK you aren’t going to make some of the recipes instant vortex that require a 6 qt but may soon really “get into” pressure cooking and wish you had the 6 quart. The only time I recommend a 3 quart is as a second pressure cooker. There are only two of us and our primary Instant Pot is a 6 quart.