Enter your email & I’ll send it to your inbox. Plus, get great new recipes from me every week! By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Minstry of Curry It cooks your food by using steam under pressure. Basically, the temperature becomes higher than the boiling point of water since the steam can’t escape. This is how the steam is able to cook the food so effectively and completely. There are currently about 8 models of Instant Pots out there from which you can choose. It might feel overwhelming - which is the best one to buy? I’ll break it down and tell you which ones are the best for your lifestyle. How do you know which size to buy? It depends on how you are going to use it.
3-Quart: perfect for cooking rice or side dishes, or meals for up to 3 people. 6-Quart: perfect for feeding up to 6 people. 8-Quart: perfect for feeding large families or preparing meals for an entire week. 10-Quart: best for preparing meals for a crowd or to fill up the freezer with family dinners.
Most recipes that you find will use a 6-quart Instant Pot. The biggest difference between Instant Pot models is how many cooking programs they have. They range from having 12 programs up to 16 different programs. I sorted through all of the models and picked out the best things from each one to help you make a smart choice. I have to tell you that there isn’t a bad choice when it comes to buying an Instant Pot. If you find one that is on sale, get it! You are going to love it! MOC Recommended - My favorite and most used model that I recommend is the 6 QT Instant Pot DUO with yogurt option. This is also a perfect Instant Pot option for Indian cooking. This is available in 3, 6, or 8-quart sizes. They make it in a 3, 6, or 8-quart size.
Duo Crisp
This is the only Instant Pot that can also air fry your food. It also comes with 11 built-in programs like the others. They only sell it in an 8-quart size right now. It is also the most fingerprint-resistant. It comes with 9 programmable settings and is available in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes. It comes in 3, 6, and 8-quart sizes and is the only one available in 10-quart size.
Viva
The best all-around Instant Pot is the Viva. It’s budget-friendly and it used to be a QVC exclusive. It is just like the DUO, except it has 2 more functions - searing and cake making. It is available in both 6 and 8-quart sizes.
Nova Plus
This Instant Pot is a hybrid of Duo and Duo Plus. It used to be a Costco exclusive but is now sold at other retailers like Walmart, but it goes out of stock very easily. People love this model because the large LCD screen has 4 status indicators that display the status of the meal. It is only available in 6-quart size.
Ultra
The Instant Pot with the most custom controls is the Ultra. This is an amazing device for cooks who want to create their own recipes or control every single detail in the cooking process. The control panel features a dial where you can choose the cooking time, pressure level, and delay time, and you can even change the cooking temperature 1 degree at a time, from 104 degrees up to 208 degrees F. This is available in either 3, 6, or 8-quart sizes.
Max
This is the best for canning. It is the only model that operates at 15 psi pressure which can effectively be used as a canner. Instant Pot Max also has NutriBoost™ technology that improves the nutrition, flavor, and texture of risotto, soup, and bone broth. This is only available in 6-quart size.
Smart WiFi
The best Instant Pot for tech lovers is the Smart WiFi. As long as you are within 30-45 feet of your Instant Pot, you can start and adjust the settings on your Instant Pot. It works with both Android and iOS devices. You can even receive alerts when your cooking starts. It has 10 built-in programs and is only available in the 6-quart size.
Aura Pro
The Aura Pro is just like the Aura, but it has an extra setting - it can Sous vide cook. Plus, it is available in an 8-quart size.
You Can’t Go Wrong
When it comes to buying an Instant Pot pressure cooker, you can’t go wrong. Just make sure you buy the right size for your lifestyle. Beyond the size, you can pick out things like how many presets it has and the type of screen it has. When you are ready to begin cooking, browse my Instant Pot recipes. They are beginner-friendly with plenty of tips and instructions.
