And the smart programs in the Duo and Duo Nova are both able to take care of all the cooking-time and temperature calculations. They are set-and-forget appliances that allow you to start cooking instantly and eliminate your need to consult the instructions. A pressure cooker is a device that cooks food under pressure. It’s either an electric device you plug into the wall or a stovetop device that uses the heat of your cooktop. An Instant Pot is a multifunctional pressure cooker, meaning it has additional cooking functions outside of pressure cooking. There’s a pretty big difference in functions between the Instant Pot Duo and the Duo Plus.
Anyone with a big family will find the 8-quart Instant Pot is a perfect option for everyday needs. That being said, due to its large and bulky size, this tool isn’t ideal for small kitchens. The medium-sized 6-quart Instant Pot instant vortex can feed six people at a time. It’s also the most widely-used size, so many Instant Pot recipes are written with this one in mind. Both Instant Pot Duo and Duo Nova are available in three convenient sizes (3-, 6-, 8-quart).
In addition, it is equipped with several other cooking functions like slow cook, steam, yogurt making, rice making, pressure cook, and Keep Warm module. Instant Pot pressure cookers are multi-cookers that do the job of seven kitchen appliances. While it can be used as a pressure cooker, rice maker, steamer, yogurt maker, etc., it also has many other functions, including browning/sautéing and warming. Page 7IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS appliance, as this may cause electric shock, fire or injury, and will void the warranty.
All you need to do is adjust the time based on the recipe you’re following. Instant Pots are electric pressure cookers designed to be convenient, safe, and dependable. In August 2019 the company released a new Instant Pot series, the Duo Nova. Each Instant Pot model has variations that can make it difficult to choose between them.
The Instant Pot reaches the ideal, high temperature to brown and crisp the meat before adding in the rest of your ingredients and stock to the pot. After closing the lid with a simple twist and lock, press the Pressure Cook button twice to set the temperature to either Low, Normal or High, which is set at 239°F to 245°F. The time also allows for preheat time which you can see on the handy progress bar on the display. It’s not uncommon for someone to forget to turn the valve to seal before starting to pressure cook. That is why all new Instant Pot models now feature this function.
Mixed grains, barley, couscous, bulgur oatmeal and risotto are added to the lineup, plus four smart programs for sauté, steam, slow cook, and keep warm. You can even cook quinoa on the bottom while using the steam basket simultaneously. Each function is easily accessible via the front panel, fitted with one-touch buttons that let users select the desired smart program and make adjustments for pressure and cooking time.
As quart size increases, the prices of each model will also increase. I consider the Duo Nova a half-step up from the Duo, thanks to the improved sealing mechanism in the lid and improved button set-up. Select a Smart Program and if desired, adjust the cook time, then press Delay Start to turn the setting on.
After closing the lid, the sealing ring creates an airtight seal between lid and cooker base. While the auto sealing knob is great for starting to cook, it’s easier to do a controlled manual release with a Duo as you can tap to release pressure in smaller bursts. The smart programs instant pot duo nova in the Duo Nova vs Duo side by side are pretty much the same. And as you’ll notice with the other mini 3 quart models, it has a few fewer smart programs compared to the larger models. Overall these Instant Pot models are very similar from the smart programs to the price.
The Crock-Pot competitor-turned-cult classic has been a staple in foodie kitchens since 2018. The collection of three or four models has grown into an army of pressure cookers, toaster ovens, air fryers, blenders, and coffee makers. Google autofills “Instant Pot” over “slow cooker” after typing in “potato soup.” When you consider the time, effort, and counter space that these powerhouses save, it makes total sense. Instant Pots are smart multi-use electric pressure cookers designed to be dependable, convenient, and most importantly safe kitchen appliances.
Additionally, the quick steam release switch is separate from the steam valve, and ensures you can force the pressure to be released in a safer way. There’s also a progress bar on the LCD display screen to indicate the cooking status but these are minimal differences and this is reflected in the similar price tags. The texture of stewed beef was succulent, tender, and more flavorsome and delicious than conventional cooking.