Instant Pot Sizes
The Instant Pot is a very versatile and popular multi-cooker in terms of its performance, efficiency and durability. If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet, you NEED one! The Instant Pot Brand offers 3 main Instant Pot Sizes; the 3 Quart Instant Pot Mini, the 6 Quart Instant Pot and the 8 Quart Instant Pot. Instant Pot also offers a 6.5 quart model in its Duo Crisp model. Instant Pot no longer offers a 10 quart model. There is a few larger pressure cooker models by other brands. The Crock Pot brand offers a 10 quart electric pressure cooker and MegaChef offers a 12 quart pressure cooker. These two models are great for large families or holidays and parties when you are cooking for a crow. The Instant Pot Sizes available depend on the model you choose.
In this article we will review all of the latest Instant Pot sizes and models available from the brand as well as how to choose the best size for your family.
How to choose the BEST Instant Pot?
Which instant pot is the best instant pot for you and your family? This is something you will have to decide for yourself. I hope that after reviewing this article you will have the information you need to choose the best instant pot for your family. When choosing the best instant pot you will have to weigh your budget and the features that are most important to you in an electric pressure cooker. You should also consider if you want your Instant Pot to have smart functions available and if you want the air fryer options.
I do feel that a great starter Instant Pot is the original Instant Pot Duo. This model has all the features you need for a beginner, comes in a 6 quart and an 8 quart size, and is priced affordably. but you should also explore the other models outlined in this article to pick the best Instant pot for you.
This article outlines the most important aspects of the Instant Pot design and performance. Some things to keep in mind when comparing models:
First and Foremost… The fancier models with more bells and whistles cost more than the basic model! If you are on a budget but still want an Instant Pot then I think you will be very happy with the original Instant Pot Duo model. I have 2 of these models and they work wonderfully. The Duo model isn’t a smart model that can be controlled by your phone, but to be honest, I don’t think I would use my phone to control the pot anyways. It also can’t air fry. I have always wanted to keep my air fryer and my instant pot separate but this does seem like a nice feature that might come in handy when cooking meals that you want to crisp. I love cooking whole chickens in the instant pot to get that rotisserie fall off the bone consistency, but the skin does not crisp in the pot. I usually remove the chicken from the pot and broil it in the oven for a few minutes to achieve a crisped up skin. With the air frying models you could this right in the pot.
Another thing to consider… Some models have a lot of pre-set functions, but most of those functions can be programmed into the pot manually. For instance, the soup setting is just a pre-programmed button that sets the pot to high pressure for 30 minutes. You can just set the pot to high pressure for 30 minutes using the manual buttons and still achieve the same meal.
Another thing to consider… The auto-sealing lid. This is a nice feature to have, but some reviews have indicated that the users prefer to seal the lid and do the pressure release manually. It’s a nice to have feature, but not really necessary in my opinion.
The Easy Release Feature: Allows you to use press a button on the control panel or in the Instant Pot App to release the steam. I do sometimes get impatient having to hold down my release button (or hold the metal pin down for a faster release) with my Instant Pot Duo model so this feature is a nice to have.
Instant Pot, Duo, Duo Plus, Pro, Nova, Duo Crisp what are the differences?
There are so many Instant Pot sizes and models available from the Instant brand! And it’s a little overwhelming to try to choose the perfect model of all the Instant Pots available. I have two Instant Pots. Both are the basic 8 quart Instant Pot Duo model which is the original Instant Pot model. It’s also the most economical Instant Pot. I think that the average at home cook or first time Instant Pot owner would be very pleased this basic model, but the other models have A LOT OF REALLY COOL features!! And during sales and/or coupon events you can get these “souped” up models for a great price too.
The following section will go through all the features of each model so you can decide for yourself which is the best Insatnt Pot size and model for you and your family!
**Please note the following features are copied from the Instant Pot web site
Instant Pot Model Comparison
Original Instant Pot Duo
7-in-1 pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer
Comes in 3 quart, 6 quart and 8 quart sizes
Easy-Release switch for simple, fast steam release
Stainless-steel (18/8) inner pot with tri-ply bottom for perfect sautéing
Dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot for quick and easy clean-up
10+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection™ and safe locking lid
Stainless-steel steamer rack included
PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
1200 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Instant Pot Duo Plus (v4)
9-in-1 Cooking: pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, sous vide, cake and keep warm
Comes in 3 quart, 6 quart and 8 quart sizes
25 customizable smart programs with step-by-step instructions make recipes simple
Whisper-Quiet Steam Release: advanced design diffuses steam for the quietest steam release, with a remote button to keep your hands safe
Angled control panel with large message display and cooking progress bar
Auto Sealing Lid automatically seals when closed
Heavy Duty Cooking Pot: stainless-steel (18/8) cooking pot with tri-ply bottom for perfect sautéing
Anti-spin design keeps cooking pot in place for easy sautéing
Dishwasher-safe lid and cooking pot for quick and easy cleaning
11+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection™ and safe locking lid
Includes: 2 sealing rings and stainless-steel steam rack
BPA/PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
1200 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
** There is also a V3 of this model (V3 has 15 customizable smart programs vs. the 25 of V4)
Instant Pot Pro
10-in-1 pressure cooker, slow cooker, sous vide, sauté pan, rice/grain cooker, sterilizer, yogurt maker, food warmer, cake baker and steamer
Comes in 6 quart and 8 quart sizes
28 customizable programs for one-touch cooking for a selection of the most essential meals
5 Favorite programs for one-touch access to your own special recipes
Large LCD display with bright, bold letters and numbers
Inner pot is made from cookware-grade stainless steel (18/8) with an extra-thick 3.5mm aluminum layer for faster, more efficient heating and flat bottom for optimal searing and sautéing
Easy Grip handles on inner pot allow easy lifting and carrying, and lock the pot in place for perfect stir frying
Inner pot is compatible with electric, ceramic and induction cooktops, plus oven (up to 450F)
Auto-sealing lid with added heat protection
Upgraded gentle steam release switch with diffusing cover to reduce noise and prevent splashing on the counter
Steam release reminder alert with 5- and 10-minute pre-sets
Compatible with optional QuickCool Tray (sold separately) that allows 50% faster steam release
Dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot for quick and easy clean-up
11+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection™ and safe locking lid
Accessories include an extra sealing ring and stainless-steel steamer rack with handles
PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
6qt: 1200 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Instant Pot Pro Plus
10-in-1: Pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, warmer, canning pot, sous vide, and NutriBoost
Comes in 6 quart and 8 quart sizes
Wirelessly operate and program the Instant Pot Pro Plus using the Instant Brands app (with over 800 recipes) on your mobile device
Large, easy-to-read display
Easily release steam with the one-touch button on the control panel or via the Instant Brands app
The Inner Pot is stovetop safe and induction compatible
Dishwasher safe cooking pot, pressure cooking rack and pressure-cooking lid
11+ proven safety features: Overheat Protection™, Easy Seal locking lid and more!
Includes: Stainless steel cooking rack and extra sealing ring
PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
1200 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
The Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ + Air Fryer has 2 removable lids, one is a pressure cooker lid and the other is an air fryer lid. You can cook and crisp your meals in one pot!
11-in-1 pressure cooker, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, sous vide, air fryer, roaster, mini oven, broiler, and dehydrator
2 convenient, removable lids to transform your Instant Pot into an air fryer
11 customizable programs for quick one-touch meals
Innovative auto-sealing pressure cooking lid with a button for easy, stress-free venting
Stainless-steel (18/8) inner pot with tri-ply bottom for perfect sautéing
EvenCrisp™ air flow gives you the crunch and tenderness of deep-frying with 95% less oil
Customizable temperature range of 105°F (41°C) to 400°F (201°F) for Air Frying Lid
Dishwasher-safe pressure cooking lid and inner pot for quick and easy clean-up
10+ proven safety features, including Overheat Protection™ and safe locking lid
Accessories include a multi-functional stainless-steel rack, multi-level air fryer basket with base and broil/dehydrating tray, and a protective pad and storage cover
PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
1500 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Instant Pot Duo Crisp - Ultimate Lid
This model eliminates the need to switch lids! The Instant Pot® Duo Crisp™ with Ultimate Lid combines the best of pressure cooking and air frying, all with one lid. The Duo Crisp has a large smart LCD display. It includes status messages to guide you through cooking programs. This model has a whisper quiet pressure release, and an advanced steam release design for an easier venting experience.
13-IN-1: pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, roaster, mini oven, broiler, dehydrator, yogurt maker, sous vide and bread proofing
Single lid works for pressure cooking and air frying
Step-by-step cooking instructions on a large LCD display
Steam release button on control panel and ‘OK to open lid’ notification
Super Quite steam release technology
EvenCrisp™ air flow gives you the crunch and tenderness of deep-frying with 95% less oil
Protective inner cover keeps the air frying element clean and safe from splashes during pressure cooking
Dishwasher safe cooking pot, steaming/air frying rack and pressure cooking cover
11+ Proven Safety Features including Overheat Protection™, safe locking lid and more
Includes stainless-steel 2-in-1 steaming/air frying rack & pressure-cooking cover
BPA/PFOA/PTFE-free cooking
1500 watts, 120 V~ 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
Which Size of Instant Pot Should You Buy?
The Instant Pot Brand currently offers 4 sizes; the 3 quart instant pot models, the 6 quart instant pot models and the 8 quart instant pot models. They also offer a 6.5 quart model in the Duo Crisp version. The 3 quart model makes up to 3 quarts of food, which is about 3 servings, the 6 quart model makes up to 6 quarts of food, which is about 6 servings and the 8 quart model makes up to 8 quarts of food which is about 8 servings. In general, the 3 quart model is good for couples and small families, with the 8 quart model being better for larger families.
There are two other brands that should have an honorable mention in this article even though they are not an “Instant Pot” and that is the Crock Pot Brans and the MegaChef Brand. They make larger models coming in a 8 quarts and 12 quarts which are great for parties and serving a crowd.
How do Instant Pots work?
Instant Pot pressure cookers are an electric model of a pressure cooker that was traditionally used on the stove. The machines have special lids that make a tight seal on the pot. Once you lock the lid and set the pot to pressure cook, the pressure builds in the pot, steam is generated that cannot escape from the pot. The trapped steam increases the pressure in the pot in turn cooking the food.
Why you need an Instant Pot
Are Instant Pots really necessary? They are not necessary, but once you use one, you for sure will wonder why you didn’t get one sooner. I literally use my instant pot at least once a day, sometimes twice. All models of Instant pot boast that they can cook your food up to 70% faster and more energy efficiently than other traditional cooking methods.
If I make a whole chicken in my instant pot, I’ll pull out a spare pot and put the bones and some veggie scraps in it and make a broth. I make hard boiled eggs in the morning to put in my lunch salad. I will make a quick soup in the morning for lunch at least twice a week. My kids even make meals in it. They love this beef and pasta with kale instant pot meal. They call it the “instant pot we made 2 days in a row”. I make salsa verde chicken at least once a week to add to burrito bowls or to enchiladas. The possibilities are endless.
What models have the auto-sealing lid?
The Instant Pot Duo Plus, Instant Pot Duo Pro and Instant Pot Duo Crisp all have the auto-sealing lid.
What can I do with my Instant Pot?
You can do most of these functions in your instant pot regardless of whether there is a pre-set function for it:
Pressure Cooker
Slow Cooker
Rice Cooker
Steamer
Sauté pan
food warmer
sous vide
Cake Baking
Sterilizer
Pro Plus Version Only:
Canning Pot
NutriBoost
Crisp Version Only:
air fryer
roaster
mini oven
broiler
and dehydrator
Instant Pot Duo Crisp vs. Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer
The difference between these 2 models is the number of lids. The Duo Crisp only has one lid and the Duo Crisp + Air Fryer has 2 lids. To air fry you switch the lid. The Duo Crisp allows you to do it all with one lid. It’s great for space saving and ease of use.
Smart Instant Pot - Control your pot from your smart phone
The Instant Pot Pro Plus is a smart Instant Pot. It allows for wireless operation from the Instant Brands app. You can select a recipe from the app and the app will wirelessly program the Instant Pot Pro Plus. Then you follow the cooking instructions in the app.
What Instant Pot Accessories do I need?
There are so many great accessories for the instant pot. See our article titled Instant Pot Trivet for more details on all the best accessories for your Instant Pot.
What size Instant Pot should I get for a family of 4?
I would recommend a 6 quart or 8 quart Instant pot for a family of 4. A 6 quart pot will make enough for a family of 4 but I wouldn’t expect much for left overs with this size pot. In an 8 quart pot you will have enough for larger sized portions and some left overs. I would recommend an 8 quart pot for a family of 5 or larger.
Is a 3 qt Instant Pot Duo too small?
The 3 quart Insatnt Pot is not sufficient for a family. I would recommend this for couples that don’t want left overs or for making sides. It is not suitable for larger families or batch cooking.
Is Instant Pot Duo 8 qt too big?
This depends on your situation. A 8 quart pot might be too big if you are cooking only for two people, but this is a great size for families or couples who like to have leftovers for the next day. This pot will make about 8 servings.
10 Quart Instant Pot
The 10 quart Instant Pot by the Instant brand is no longer manufactured, but there are other brands that offer a 10 quart pressure cooker. See our article titled “Instant Pot 10 Quart” for everything you need to know about these larger sized pressure cooker models.
Which Instant Pot is the newest model?
The Instant Pot Duo Plus and the Instant Pot Crisp are the two newest Instant pot models that have been released as of Jan 2023.
What is the most popular size Instant Pot?
The 6 quart and 8 quart Insatnt Pot sizes are the most popular sizes of Instant Pots. I prefer the 8 quart pot because I pressure cook a lot of soups and I want to have some left overs when I cook. Some others may not want any leftovers or have a smaller family to feed and the 6 quart is a great size in those cases.
The 3 quart mini Instant Pot is not as popular but is great for couples looking to make a smaller amount of food every meal. This model is also good to make sides along with a larger pressure cooker.
Discontinued Instant Pot Models
Instant Pot Duo Nova Plus (Discontinued)
The Nova Series of Instant Pots appears to have been discontinued. You can still get these if they are still in stock, but are no longer being manufactured.
Instant Pot Ultra (Discontinued)
The Instant Pot Ultra is no longer being manufactured however, you may still find them in stock in stores.
Are there other brands of Instant Pots?
Yes, there are are many great pressure cooker brands. Check out the Crock Pot Pressure Cookers and the MegaChef pressure cookers and the Ninja Pressure Cookers. These brands all offer impressive models as well.
Great First Recipes for your Instant Pot
The instant pot can be intimidating at first. Try some of our simple and delicious recipes to get you started on learning all the techniques you can use with your new Instant Pot!
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