Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Qt review
Nine functions in one pot, and the honest admission that most owners use three of them.
The verdict
Give the Duo Plus to almost any household that cooks, because it genuinely shortens weeknight cooking and it is the kitchen appliance least likely to end up in a cupboard. Skip it for someone with no spare counter or cupboard space, because it is bulky and an appliance with nowhere to live does not get used.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Qt 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Stainless Steel
~$100
A six quart electric pressure cooker with nine cooking functions, fifteen one-touch programs and a stainless steel inner pot.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Capacity | 6 qt |
|---|---|
| Functions | Pressure cook, slow cook, saute, sous vide, steam, sterilise, keep warm, rice and yoghurt |
| Programs | 15 one-touch smart programs |
| Display | Cooking time, temperature and pressure indicators |
| Inner pot | 18/8 stainless steel with an anti-spin tri-ply bottom |
| Steam release | Easy-Release switch |
| Cord | Detachable for storage |
Specifications above come from Instant Pot's published feature list. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Pressure cooking genuinely collapses cooking times for beans, stews, stock and tough cuts, which is the reason to own one.
- The stainless inner pot is not coated, so there is no non-stick layer to degrade and it can be scrubbed and used for searing.
- Saute in the same pot means browning and pressure cooking happen in one vessel, which removes the main reason people avoid slow cookers.
- Fifteen one-touch programs make it approachable for someone who will not read a manual.
- A detachable cord sounds trivial and it is what makes it possible to store in a cupboard rather than living on the counter.
Where it falls short
- Most people use three of the nine functions. Sterilise, yoghurt and sous vide are largely unused, and buying more functions rarely produces more cooking.
- It takes time to come up to pressure and to release, so a fifteen minute cook time is not a fifteen minute meal.
- It is bulky, and six quarts is a large object to store. For a small kitchen that is the deciding factor.
- It does not brown or crisp. Anything that wants a crust needs a pan, an oven or an air fryer as well.
- The sealing ring absorbs smells and needs periodic replacement, which is a small ongoing cost nobody mentions.
What owners report
Instant Pot owner reports are notable for how many people describe it as the appliance they actually use, which is rare. The recurring theme is that the useful functions are pressure cooking, saute and slow cooking, and the rest are marketing. That is not a criticism; it is a reason not to pay more for a model with even more programs.
The second theme is timing expectations. Pressure cooking is fast at pressure and the total time includes coming up and releasing, so recipes that promise a twenty minute dinner usually mean forty. Knowing that in advance prevents the disappointment that puts people off.
The third is what it does not do, which is crisp anything. Our Instant Pot versus air fryer comparison covers that split honestly, and the short version is that they are different appliances rather than competing ones.
Who it suits
- Almost any household that cooks weeknight meals.
- People who cook beans, stock, stews or tough cuts.
- Anyone setting up a first kitchen who needs one appliance to do a lot.
Who should skip it
- Small kitchens with no cupboard for a six quart appliance.
- Anyone who wants crisp, roasted or browned results, who wants an air fryer or an oven.
- Households of one, who will find six quarts more than they need.
Alternatives worth considering
Ninja Air Fryer, 4 Qt, 4-in-1
~$90
Does the crisping and roasting a pressure cooker cannot, in a smaller footprint, for slightly less money.
Check price on AmazonLe Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Round Dutch Oven, 7.25 qt
~$327
Three times the price for something with no electronics that will last decades and goes from hob to oven to table.
Check price on AmazonNespresso Vertuo Pop+ Coffee Machine with Milk Frother
~$120
If their cooking is already sorted, a coffee machine has a similarly high chance of being used every single day.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is an Instant Pot a good gift?
It has one of the highest hit rates of any kitchen appliance, because it genuinely shortens weeknight cooking. The main reason it fails as a gift is space: it is bulky, and an appliance with nowhere to live gets used twice.
Instant Pot or air fryer?
They do opposite things. A pressure cooker makes wet food fast, an air fryer makes dry food crisp. Neither replaces the other, and if you can only give one, give the pressure cooker to someone who cooks stews and beans and the air fryer to someone who cooks chips and chicken.
Which functions do people actually use?
Pressure cook, saute and slow cook, for the most part. Sterilise, yoghurt and sous vide are rarely used, which is a good reason not to pay extra for a model with even more programs.
How long does it really take?
Longer than the cook time suggests, because it has to come up to pressure and then release. A recipe listing fifteen minutes at pressure is usually closer to forty in total, which is still much faster than a conventional braise.
Does it need any maintenance?
The sealing ring absorbs smells over time and is a replaceable part. Beyond that the stainless inner pot can be scrubbed and there is no non-stick coating to protect, which is one of the reasons this model lasts.
Keep reading
- Instant Pot vs air fryer compared
- Dutch oven vs slow cooker compared
- Le Creuset Dutch oven review
- Nespresso Vertuo Pop+ review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Confirm current prices and specifications before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.