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.
There are very few situations where the DUO Nova wouldn’t be our top pressure cooker recommendation. The first is for those that mainly want to cook meat, as we’ve found some other cookers that can retain just a bit more tenderness in specific cuts than this machine. It sets the standard for pressure cookers, offering a versatile list of cooking functions, well-designed controls, and convenient touches like instant pot duo nova a pressure release button. In the world of pressure cookers, the DUO Nova sells for a relatively reasonable price but leads the pack in terms of performance. Sure, you can find some models that sell for less, but those models generally lack a saute function and thus, sacrifice quite a bit of the convenience that makes pressure cookers so attractive. We believe this is one of the best values on the market.
In what we’ve found to be the most differentiating of our cooking tests, the saute test; the DUO Nova performed wonderfully. It got hot enough to easily brown eve hearty veggies like carrots and made quick work of diced onions. We believe this ability is crucial; to effectively saute right in the pot vastly increases the number of meals you can make with only one dish to clean at the end.
I have a 3 quart but bought it after I had the 6 quart for at least a year. I use it to make a side dish when my main dish is cooking in the 6 quart. Many people, and some manufacturers, maintain that it’s completely fine to put non-stick cookware in the dishwasher, while others find that blasphemous. On the other hand, stainless steel has a long and proven pedigree of being dishwasher safe and thus doesn’t elicit the same debate. Instant Pot has come down firmly on the “stainless is better” side of the conversation, using stainless pots in all of their pressure cookers. Some of the Instant Pot models also come equipped with a sterilize program that’s designed for sterilizing different items, pasteurizing dairy, and performing some types of canning.
Using my Nova in my RV, the only issue is there is no place to safely release pressure. My coach is older with lower ceiling which is some sort of fabric, and I can’t release pressure without unplugging and moving it to the table where there is nothing overhead but the ceiling. It’s a bit disconcerting but we are remodeling our kitchen and it’s been a real godsend overall. When the weather improves I may use it outside on a sturdy table. Meanwhile I’m using it with only a couple inches between the top and the bottom of the microwave oven. I suppose I could close the folding top on the three burner stove and put it there but that defeats the purpose of having a stove.
Yes that’s what most recipes call for but for very few dollars more you can choose a model with high and low pressure. If you don’t want leftovers, go for the 3-Quart Instant Pot. However, if you like leftovers, cooking pot-in-pot , or two-fer meals (e.g., cooking roast one night then cutting it into beef tips and gravy the next night), I’d recommend the 6-quart.
This makes it a bit harder to scrub clean than many of its non-stick counterparts but also means it can unequivocally go in a dishwasher. The control panel makes navigating its multiple cooking features and settings quite easy. A dedicated button for each cooking moosoo air fryer presets make it easy to quickly dial in rice or soup settings. A large LCD clearly displays feedback if you want to cycle through some advanced features, such as adjusting the pressure level, programming in a delayed start, or adjusting the cooking time.