Many models also have additional Smart Programs that take the guesswork out of specific items like cake, yogurt, eggs, brown rice, and more. The buying guide below details which and how many functions and Smart Programs are available in each model. According to the Instant Pot manual you need to use 3 cups of water but I’ve found that using 2 cups moosoo air fryer of water is adequate. The advantage of using 2 cups is that it takes less time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. The Duo Nova is equipped with dual-pressure settings, giving you the option to cook at low or high pressure. High pressure can reduce the cooking time by 2 to 6 times, while low pressure prevents delicate foods from overcooking.
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. We found plenty of slow cook and pressure cook recipes but it can be tricky to find exact guidance for more simple tasks like steaming and cooking rice. In addition to that, it also has settings that allow it to widen the realm of possibilities. Your Instant Pot can serve not only as a pressure cooker but also as a warmer, steamer, rice cooker, slow cooker, sous vide, and much more.
However, the company seemed to have abandoned this model in favor of the classic ones which they have been keeping up to date with the latest features. As the Homes Content Editor, Cynthia Lawrence covers all things homes, interior decorating, and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, ‘must-have’ home appliances, writing buying guides and the handy ‘how to’ features. Since this was the 10 quart capacity, the largest pot around, I found this quite heavy and cumbersome to lift.
The easy-to-read control panel indicates exactly what stage the cooking process is at, and the easy-to-use controls make selecting smart programs and making adjustments simple, even during cooking. The Duo Nova 13 smart programs – ranging from meats, soup, stew, beans, chili, poultry, rice and yogurt, to multigrain, porridge and slow cook – are also customizable, so you can record the way you like to cook. Combining the function of seven appliances in one, they both perform well an extensive variety of cooking tasks, all at the touch of a button.
With different sizes available, this is a useful multi-cooker no matter what size your family or household. And, the best thing about an electric pressure cooker is that these are multi functional. It’s not just a pressure cooker; it’s a slow cooker, rice cooker, and even a yogurt maker all in one package. Most importantly, it can cook pretty much cook anything you might consider cooking in the slow cooker in a fraction of the time. It also has a cooking progress indicator so you have an idea of when your meal will be ready. One of the main reasons this model is best for beginners is because it has so many safety features.
When you’re choosing between any two products, one of the most important things to think about is the price. Ultimately, your budget has the power to make your decision for you, so it’s essential to know how the Instant Pot Duo and Duo Nova compare in this category. Since the majority of people will be choosing between one of the three smaller sizes, I can’t really say that the Instant Pot Duo Nova is that much better in this category. If you do need the larger capacity though, then your decision between the two products becomes very easy.
With the slow cook function with three settings (low, medium, and high heat), you no longer need an extra slow-cooker. One of those includes a smart steam release valve in the updated lid, which will automatically instant pot duo nova seal when the lid is closed. That way, you don’t need to turn the Steam Release Handle to the sealing position to pressurize. We’ve forgotten that step on the Duo more times than we’d like to admit.
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. The Duo Nova is very similar to the Duo, but with a few user-friendly upgrades like an LED display with a cooking progress indicator, as well as built-in safety features. Like the Duo, the Duo Nova has 13 one-touch Smart Programs, but this one also features an easy-seal lid with simple pressure release.