The steam rack provided isn’t great for this purpose and some of the broccoli pieces fell through the gaps. Preheating took five minutes and after the four minute cook time we used the quick release pressure button so that we could get the broccoli out immediately. Some of the larger florets had a good texture but the smaller ones were overcooked. The slight improvements in design and functionality also make this version better suited to everyday needs. Meanwhile, the Instant Pot Duo still offers myriad benefits and uses in its own right while being among the least expensive electric pressure cookers on the market. Every Instant Pot has different cooking programs, but you can typically expect to see features such as a slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and more.
This large pro model has all the same functionality of the Duo Crisp, plus an upgraded lid with advanced heat protection, auto-sealing, and gentle quick release. The sturdier stainless-steel inner pot is made to handle anything; it’s stovetop friendly and oven safe up to 450ºF. It also comes with a handful of accessories, including a versatile stainless-steel rack, a multi-level air fryer basket with a tray for broiling and dehydrating, and a protective pad and storage cover. I gave the nod to the Pro Crisp because I prefer the pot, display, and redesigned pressure cooking lid of the Pro Crisp model. However, the Duo Crisp offers the same cook settings for pressure cooking and air frying at a lower price point. The control panel makes navigating its multiple cooking features and settings quite easy.
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. This gully almost inevitably gathers some crumbs or condensation or whatnot during the stirring and serving process and can be a bit difficult to clean.
Still, it’s important to mention that none of these two Instant Pot models have a sous vide function nor can they make air fries (usually an air fryer function). If sous vide is important for you, it’s best to choose an Instant Pot Duo Plus or an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus. It’s pretty simple to figure out the settings and get cooking shortly after removing it from the box and the preset programs are a good starting point for common foods and meals. There’s no recipe book or cooking charts included though, so you’ll have to head to the website or app for these.
So if you feel really nervous about going off recipe, I’d recommend using a 6-quart. If you’re still interested in this product, it’s 99% identical to the current Instant Pot Duo. The seven cooking functions and the thirteen smart programs are pretty much the same.
It also cooks a little faster than older models of Instant Pot, like the Duo, so be aware that you may need to adjust your recipes accordingly. The Ultra setting gives you the ability to have more control over what you’re cooking. The Instant instant pot duo nova Pot Duo is the most popular, best-selling Instant Pot of all time. It’s a step up from the base model Lux because it cooks at High and Low Pressure. Instant Pot accessories will also be easier to find in a 6-quart or 8-quart size.
Consequently, milder recipes might pick up some of the odor/flavors if you use the same sealing ring. Therefore, it’s ideal for getting extra sealing ring(s) for different tastes (mild and strong). Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Slow Cook similar to what you’d experience in a top-ranked slow cooker, Saute, Rice, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Yogurt, Pressure Cook. Unlike other Instant Pots, it has a simple control panel, with the standard program buttons and a blue-lit, LED screen. Programs range from Slow Cook and Saute to Poultry and Pressure Cook. Handy functions, such as Pressure Level, Keep Warm, Delay Start, and Cancel are in the center.
Today’s pressure cookers use a sealing system that keeps contents safely inside, then release steam gradually. They’re so easy to operate, even a novice can handle them safely. Even though the Instant Pot Duo doesn’t come in the larger 10 qt size like the Duo Nova, there are still 3 different sizes to choose from. This is particularly great when compared to instant pot pressure instant vortex cookers from other brands, which often take a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Before we get into our comparison, it’s probably best to take a look at what Instant Pot actually is. Although the term “instant pot” is often used in place of products such as “slow cooker” or “pressure cooker”, Instant Pot is also the name of one of the most popular worktop cooker brands.
The basic Instant Pot guidelines say that the 3-quart is good for 1 or 2 people, the 6-quart is for up to 6 people, and the 8-quart is for large families or big batches. I prefer the Instant Pot Pro Crisp, but the Original Duo Crisp and the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid might be a better choice for you if you have other features you’re looking for. This is the second year where we’ve placed the Instant Pot Pro at the top of our recommendations. Other than that, you have to pay close attention to the small parts of your lid.