What Size Instant Pot for Family of 3

~ There are so many factors to consider in sorting out which Instant Pot to buy – lots of combinations of sizes and functions! I don't know about you, but my head started to spin a little when I was sifting through all the possibilities, trying to figure out the best Instant Pot for my own family. I'm sharing what I learned in all my research, with the hopes that information technology'll be a useful Instant Pot buying guide for you lot … and maybe save you lot a bit of time in making your own conclusion! ~

•  Updated Nov 29, 2018 to include Max, Smart WiFi, Viva, Lux colors and Nova Plus•

• Originally Published February xvi, 2018•

If you've been following along during our "Instant Pot Month" here at THK, then yous know we started at the very, very beginning – holding hands as nosotros journey together, off to Instant Pot bliss!

To begin with, we covered:

• What Is an Instant Pot? (Perhaps non as obvious every bit it sounds!)
• … and What Tin can You Do with an Instant Pot? (As in … what can you melt with it, and what CAN'T you, and is it even something you want to buy if you don't already own ane?)

For those of yous who withal haven't made the leap into buying 1, I've been promising I'd offer some advice – a little Instant Pot buyer'southward guide.

I obsessed and researched for a long, long time before choosing my own Instant Pot (the Duo half dozen-quart), pictured below.

Then I went through it all again about a year later, when I bought my mom i (the Duo Plus three-quart) as a birthday gift. Afterwards spending all that time weighing the options, I take a few insights that might help you decide which Instant Pot to buy to come across your ain needs.

In my opinion, there are two big questions you need to answer showtime, to sort through the matrix of available options and figure out which Instant Pot to purchase:

1. Which size of Instant Pot should you buy?
2. Which model  (what functionality) do you want?

Let's outset with a quick peek at all the models in the ever-expanding Instant Pot line …

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Which Model of Instant Pot Should Yous Purchase?

I'm just going to give y'all a quick overview of the models and options. No need to spend a ton of time on that, since right on the Instant Pot website in that location's a terrific Instant Pot comparing chart that maps out all the models, functions, features, and sizes.

Basically, there are half dozen primary models (at the fourth dimension of this update): The Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, Smart, and Max. Falling somewhere in between these main models are the quasi-hybrid Nova Plus and Viva models that are basically a slightly different cocktail of features launched exclusively in partnership with Costco and QVC, respectively. (Note that we're non talking about some other Instant Pot company products – the Gem, the Aura, and the AuraPro – because those doesn't include the primary functionality of existence a pressure cooker, so they're basically in an entirely dissimilar product category.)

Each newer or more than "avant-garde" Instant Pot model is targeted at offer some boosted functionality, enhanced levels of control, or changes in the display screens and user interface. Obviously, the chief question you've gotta sort out here is whether each of those changes and additions is truly of import to y'all and actually worth the boosted money, depending on the type of cooking you program to do and how much complication yous actually need to have to accomplish that.

1) Lux Models (Note Updated Colour Choices Nov. 2018)

Sizes: Mini 3-quart, v-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart

Functions: 6-in-i (Pressure Cooker which DOES Non have a low-pressure level setting , Ho-hum Cooker, Rice Cooker, Sauté, Steamer, and Warmer)

An important annotation here is that, different the other Instant Pot models, the Lux just has the choice of pressure cooking on a loftier-pressure setting, with no depression-pressure level setting. That may withal encounter all your needs, since the high-pressure setting is more commonly used. Withal, I wanted you to be clear on this, since it'south non always immediately obvious that – while it IS a force per unit area cooker – the Lux does not really have still pressure cooker functionality that the other models do. Also note that, as mentioned in an commodity by The Equipped Cook, the newer version iii of the Lux (it'due south been through three versions and updates at this point) does at present offering the "Egg" and "Cake" functions rolled out with the Duo Plus model (which we hash out below).

NEW Colour CHOICES (UPDATE November 2018): In addition to the basic black accents we're all used to seeing from Instant Pot, they've at present decked out their Lux line with four new color options. The half-dozen-quart size (only) now as well comes in a dark blue, a cerise, and likewise a "Pioneer Woman vintage floral" design accented with turquoise, and a "Pioneer Woman informal blossoms" pattern accented with cobalt (bachelor specifically through Walmart).

2) Duo Models

Sizes: Mini 3-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, 8-quart

Functions: vii-in-ane (All half-dozen functions of the Lux, plus Yogurt Maker)

3) Nova Plus (Costco Partnership Model) – Updated Info November. 2018

Sizes: 6-quart only

Functions: This is somewhat of a strange hybrid model, partway between the Duo and Duo Plus models. The Nova Plus is mysteriously listed in Instant Pot'south comparison chart as a 9-in-1 model (like the Duo Plus discussed below), although it clearly has merely the same functionality as the 7-in-1 Duo (discussed in a higher place). Instant Pot bills it equally "the next tier in the Duo Serial," simply it adds a blue LCD display screen similar to the Duo Plus Models and iv new status indicator icons. The Nova Plus was initially marketed merely via Costco, which is presumably why Instant Pot played around with the functionality it offered, in order to brand it a unique model for the Costco partnership.

4) Duo Plus Models

Sizes: Mini 3-quart, 6-quart, eight-quart (no 5-quart)

Functions: nine-in-1 (All 7 functions of the Duo, plus a Sterilize office and two new programs specifically for "Cake" and "Egg," although, as noted on the terrific website Hip Cooking … ummmmmm … no matter how y'all do the math, it'south difficult to figure out how this adds up to being a "nine-in-1"!)

five) Viva Models (QVC Exclusive) – Updated Info Nov. 2018

Sizes: vi-quart (in black, eggplant, cobalt, or cinnamon), 8-quart (black only)

Functions: 9-in-one

There really isn't annihilation particularly new here, except that QVC got an exclusive model all their own, and added some colour choices also black to the unit of measurement's housing. Although this is billed as the "next evolution in the Duo Serial," in terms of functionality, the Viva Models basically accept the same nine functions every bit the Duo Plus. Then, if you like the Duo Plus models' features but yous desire it all wrapped in a colorful exterior similar purple, blueish, or red, then you lot might think this QVC-exclusive model is a fun alter of stride from the black-only option. Y'all can view them on QVC'south site.

6) Ultra Models

Sizes: Mini 3-quart, six-quart, 8-quart (no 5-quart)

Functions: x-in-ane (All "nine" functions of the Duo Plus models, plus the Ultra program, which Instant Pot says "provides complete custom programming for pressure and not-pressure cooking." Basically, Instant Pot says this offers things like more than command over adjusting temperatures and cooking functions, altitude adjustments, and smart features that remember your customizations on diverse programs.)

7) Smart WiFi Model (Replacing the Discontinued Smart Bluetooth Model) – Updated Info November. 2018

Sizes: 6-quart only

Functions: "Unlimited" (according to Instant Pot's comparison chart)

While it technically lacks the sterilize and poultry functions of some other models, too as the canning and sous vide functions of the Max model (discussed below), Instant Pot claims that this model has "unlimited" functions. It essentially replaces the former Smart Bluetooth model (discontinued), which limited your connectivity range to a fairly small Bluetooth-connected area (probably not much beyond the perimeter of your own yard, for example). Instant Pot says the new Smart WiFi model allows you to utilize the Instant Pot App (on an iOS or Android device) to "to cook, schedule, accommodate and monitor the progress of your meals … and verify your meal progress from a nywhere ."

The Instant Pot App you'll need in conjunction with the Smart WiFi model includes more than 750 pre-programmed recipes and also allows yous to "share access with family unit and to receive alerts and notifications directly on your mobile device."

8) Max Model – New Model, Updated Info November. 2018

Sizes: 6-quart but

Functions: "Unlimited" (according to Instant Pot's comparison nautical chart)

Only released in late summer/early fall of 2018. Instant Pot describes this model as, "providing y'all the power to melt in the full temperature spectrum – fermentation, sous vide, warming, simmering, wearisome cook, boiling, pressure level cook and completing the circle with sauté and searing." The company also touts this model's faster cooking times and its new NutriBoost™ engineering science, which allegedly requires up to lxx% less energy. It also has a new automatic pressure level release – mayhap its best feature (according to Pressure Cooking Today).

This all sounds really terrific, right? Mayhap.

Equally of this update, I haven't personally tried the new Max Model out for myself, but I've done a flake of reading for you, and I've institute some reviews that really raise a red flag about whether or not it's worth ponying up the extra cash for a Max model, and whether the Max really delivers all that information technology promises.

Specifically, if you're considering the Max, you lot might want to read a Cnet review, which states that the model doesn't achieve the temps needed for true sous vide cooking, and that there are some unresolved disparities between the USDA and Instant Pot "virtually whether electric pressure cookers tin get hot enough (betwixt 240 and 250 degrees Fahrenheit) to destroy potentially deadly bacteria within canned food." I'll be honest – reading that fabricated me uneasy about relying on the Max for high-estrus, force per unit area canning (at to the lowest degree However). In addition, while some reviews mentioned seeing those promised faster cooking times, the Cnet review specifically found the contrary, stating, "In fact, the Max'south overall cook times were longer than we've seen with other electrical pressure cookers. It besides took longer to cool down and lower its internal pressure level through natural release."

In the cease, you'll have to counterbalance those nice feature upgrades (like that automatic pressure release) confronting the heftier price tag and the possibility that some of the new features may not fully deliver on their hope.

Other Differences Between Models

Displays and Controls – Each model offers slightly dissimilar read-outs and various changes in the mode yous control the Instant Pot (whether through buttons or a main dial, for example). If that'south something that's really of import to you, just accept a quick read through the descriptions of the ii or 3 specific models you lot're comparing on Instant Pot's website, and it's pretty piece of cake to figure out the brandish and control differences between the models you're because.

On the left is the Instant Pot Duo60 (the six-quart size), and on the correct is the Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini (the 3-quart size). Y'all can see the difference in the user interface screens between the Duo and the Duo Plus, and also the differences in the relative size of the 6-quart vs. the three-quart Mini.

Pricing – As you step up from each model to the next, more than decked-out model (say, from the Lux to the Duo … or from the Duo to the Duo Plus), yous can expect to pay roughly $20 – $30 more for each step upwards the ladder. Unless, of course, you striking a great auction, in which case – yay, you! But in general, each bump to the next "best" (aka more feature-loaded) model, will price you lot around an actress $20 – $thirty, so it's worth evaluating how many features yous're really and truly going to use. Because, seriously … sometimes more isn't amend. It's just … more.

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Which Size of Instant Pot Should You Buy?

3-Quart "Mini" Instant Pot

Pros: The 3-quart has a smaller footprint and isn't equally heavy, so it'due south neat for small spaces similar RVs or campers, minor apartments or fifty-fifty dorms (although … do lots of higher kids utilize Instant Pots???). Information technology's also easier to haul in and out of cupboards when you want to utilize it, and will take up less space if you plan to leave it sitting on your counter nearly of the time.

Cons: Information technology will probably be as well modest to do much big-batch cooking or meal prep, or big make-ahead recipes for things like stews, soups and chilis. It also probably won't be big plenty for families of more than than 2 people, and will likely be too small to do much PIP (pot in pot) cooking.

Good for: Pocket-size-batch cooking for 1 or maybe 2 people. It could also exist a peachy 2d Instant Pot if you already own a larger one and want to buy a second to utilize for simultaneously cooking side dishes.

5-Quart or 6-Quart Instant Pot

Pros:The 6-quart size is the well-nigh popular, and often considered to exist the standard. This means that about recipes you come across volition mostly have been developed for the vi-quart size, and yous'll probably besides be more than probable to find accessories and replacement parts for it, on downwards the line.

Cons: This size isn't considered ideal if your family is larger than 4 people. In that case, you may want to footstep upward to the 8-quart.

Proficient for: Families of i or 2 who desire the option to do more big-batch cooking, or for families of 3 or 4 people. This size tin agree a typical whole chicken and other large cuts of meat.

eight-Quart Instant Pot

Pros: This size allows for really large-batch cooking and is likewise suited for families of more than 4 people.

Cons: The 8-quart has a larger footprint, so it requires more than infinite to store or to sit out on your counter. Also, information technology volition generally take longer to come up upward to pressure considering of its large volume, will need more than liquid to generate enough steam to come to pressure (and then information technology's non going to be as skilful for cooking very pocket-size amounts), and may also take a little longer for a natural pressure release at the end of a force per unit area cooking cycle.

Expert for: This size is definitely best for bigger families, or for smaller families who really like to batch-cook in large quantities.

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Ok … Ok … And so Which Instant Pot to Purchase? (A Few More Things to Consider)

Bodily (Usable) Size – Call back that, for pressure cooking, you lot typically don't desire to fill up the pot more than 2/3 full (1/2 full for actually frothy things or things that aggrandize during cooking, like beans and grains), because a also-total pot tin cause the quick-release pressure valve to clog. So, when you're because which size to purchase and how much room you lot'll need to make your favorite recipes, information technology's important to call back almost the bodily usable size, not just the total size.

Here you can see the difference in the book of the inner pots, with the smaller, 3-quart Mini stacked within the 6-quart.

What Do Yous Like to Cook? – When debating about which size to become, think about whether you like big-batch cooking, cooking to freeze ahead, or the ease of making plenty to have leftovers for a few days. If then, and so yous probably want to choose a slightly larger choice, rather than going a footling smaller.

How Adventuresome Practice Y'all Truly Plan to Be? – Reality check. Here's where y'all need to ask yourself things like, "Do I actually plan to make yogurt with my Instant Pot?" It'south easy to become lured in by the hope of all the fun you could have with more more More functionality. But, since each stride upwards in model likewise means a step up in price, you lot might desire to have a serious talk with yourself nigh what kind of cooking is actually probable to be happening, and if the lure of "I might make yogurt one time" or "I might i-twenty-four hour period-possibly write my own recipe scripts" is actually worth a college price tag. If you've got the bucks and you lot think some added bells and whistles could be fun, though … then by all ways … go for it!

How Many People Are You Cooking For? – As I delineated above, the 3-quart Instant Pots are targeted to cook for 1-2 people, the v-quart and 6-quart models are intended for families of no more than nigh iv people, and the 8-quart models are definitely best for larger families.

How Much Space Do You Take for Your New Friend? – Don't forget to consider how much room y'all accept for stowing your new Instant Pot in your pantry or kitchen cabinets. Or, if you plan to beloved it then much that it'south going to take up permanent residence on your kitchen counter (mine has!), consider how much real manor you're willing to give information technology.

Is This a Second Instant Pot?  – If you already own one Instant Pot and are trying to select a second i, you might want to cull a smaller size if you're looking to use it to simultaneously make side dishes while you melt the master meal in your larger Instant Pot. Or, you might want to pick out a different model that offers other features and functions y'all don't already accept. (Flip side of that, of form – if both your Instant Pots are from the same model line, you merely have to recollect how to use one command panel, ane set of functions!)

What Recipes Practise You Plan to Make? – Are you mostly going to be following other people's (blog or cookbook) recipes, or volition you be making up your own recipes? Retrieve that Instant Pot recipes seem to be almost commonly created for the nigh popular and prevalent 6-quart size, and so if you like merely grabbing a recipe and going with it (without tinkering with proportions and number of servings), and then you might want to choose the 6-quart size for sheer, no-brainer simplicity.

Are You a Techie? –If so … and then y'all might enjoy the functionality of the Smart WiFi model. If you aren't, though, then messing effectually with an app, and with downloading scripts, might be more than hassle than you lot really need to spend coin on.

What About Other Brands? – Did y'all know there are actually several other brands of multi-part electric pressure cookers? Instant Pot certainly isn't the only brand to throw their lid into this super-popular ring. If yous peek at Amazon'southward electric pressure cooker offerings, you'll see lots of other brands, like Cuisinart, Mueller, COSORI, Chefman, and GoWISE. I could probably write virtually an encyclopedia trying to compare all those brands and their functions – and that'southward way, mode beyond the telescopic of this article (or my expertise). If you're really interested in broadening your electric pressure cooker search beyond just the Instant Pot line, here are a couple of articles I found particularly useful: The 9 Best Pressure Cookers to Buy in 2018 and also a Serious Eats write-upwards about The Best Force per unit area Cookers and Multi-Cookers (these articles both also look at not-electrical, stovetop models).

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The Bottom Line: Which Instant Pots I Bought

For Myself (with a family of four) – Back in January 2017 (subsequently doing A LOT of research), I decided to buy the Instant Pot Duo60 vi-quart. I needed something bigger than the 3-quart, only wasn't sure I needed to go so huge every bit the 8-quart. Plus, I like that the six-quart is the near mutual size, then the bulk of recipes other people write are geared toward information technology, and – as a recipe programmer myself – I'll be testing recipes in the size that most of my readers will exist using when they make the recipes I create.

This is my Instant Pot – the Duo60 half dozen-quart. You can run across it in activeness in my recipes for Carolina-Style Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Craven Sandwiches and  Family unit-Favorite Instant Pot Sweetness Potato Soup.

If I had it to do over once again today, I'd probably still make the same choice, with the possibility that I'd go one notch higher to the Duo Plus (which wasn't available when I purchased my Duo), just considering, as a food writer, I'd similar to experiment with the boosted functionality. For me, the fine-tuning capabilities of the Ultra model and the wireless capability of the Smart WiFi model just sound similar overkill for how I know I'll personally be using this. And, I'm simply not sure the Max is worth the coin.

For My Mom (with a Family of 2) – When I after picked out an Instant Pot for my mom (with her aid), we ultimately decided she'd exist happiest with the Instant Pot Duo Plus Mini 3-quart. I honestly think she could have gone with the half-dozen-quart size, but she really wanted the smaller "Mini" 3-quart size because it takes up less space.

This is the i I chose for my mom – the Instant Pot Duo Plus, in the Mini three-quart size.

In deciding betwixt the Duo and the Duo Plus, we finally settled on the Plus, only considering she thought it might be fun to play around with some of the enhanced canning capabilities of the Plus (although, if you're because this, call back that you still can't use fifty-fifty the Plus for pressure canning – you can read more about that in my article on what you can do with an Instant Pot and what you lot tin't).

Whew! That'southward a lot of info!

I hope it helps demystify some of the ins and outs of all the different Instant Pot models and sizes, and helps you figure out which Instant Pot to purchase … the i that is actually and truly best for you! If all my hours researching what I wanted to buy can aid you out a bit, too, so it'll definitely experience extra-worth-information technology!

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Source: https://twohealthykitchens.com/which-instant-pot-to-buy/

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