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I have 2, I would suggest figuring out what you like to make. For yourself or one other person or a whole family. Don't buy a big XL model, those take too long to cook. Get the right size. As for features, I think the less the better. You really just need 4-5 settings and timer. Check the inner lid liner, make sure it's got a decent liner that can be easily removed for cleaning.
I also don't like those with permanently attached wires or weird wires.
I love my 6 quart Instant Pot Duo. I got it about two months ago, and I can't count all the wonderful things I've made. It is fabulous to make something that tastes like it came from a great restaurant, and have only one pot to scrub out at the end.
I got the Instant Pot brand because I had never used a pressure cooker before and I wanted something that many other people had used and for which there would be a lot of cookbooks, online tips, and YouTube videos for me to learn from. It's only the two of us, but I got the 6 quart because that's what most people recommended. I saw reviews that said the 3 quart didn't work as well as the 6, and most recipes are made for the six quart.
I would also recommend getting a couple of good Instant Pot cookbooks. I checked several out of our local library so that I could see which ones I wanted to buy, and then I bought the ones I liked used on Amazon. I ended up with How to Instant Pot by Daniel Shumski (great for learning how to use the various functions, plus really good recipes), The Indian Instant Pot Cookbook by Urvashi Pitre (OMG, the food from this cookbook tastes like it came from our favorite Indian restaurant), and The Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker Cookbook by Sara Quessenberry (because it had a recipe for Chicken Thighs with Lemon and Green Olives that was out of this world).
My only other tip is, once you get it, use the heck out of it so you become comfortable using it--personally, I don't want to cook any other way now.
Agree with all of this except the part about the 3 qts not working well. I use my 3 qt frequently with good results. However I would buy the 6 qt first, as I did. I bought the 3 qt as a supplement to the larger pot, mainly to make brown rice. But I use it for cooking eggs, potatoes and sometimes steaming veggies.
I’d say, I use the 6 qt about twice as often as the 3 qt.
Agree with all of this except the part about the 3 qts not working well. I use my 3 qt frequently with good results. However I would buy the 6 qt first, as I did. I bought the 3 qt as a supplement to the larger pot, mainly to make brown rice. But I use it for cooking eggs, potatoes and sometimes steaming veggies.
I’d say, I use the 6 qt about twice as often as the 3 qt.
Good to know, as I was kind of interested in the 3 quart for eggs, desserts and smaller quantity recipes!
I was skeptical at first about making hard cooked eggs in the Instant Pot, but they turn out perfect every time and it's a lot less hassle than stovetop.
People who used pressure cookers are used to venting cookers. At first the steam is scary, but I’ve never been burned.
I’ve made luscious St. Louis style ribs in mine. I’ve made decent pot roast. Chili out of the IP is very, very good.
The first time I needed to do a quick release, I suited up like I was heading to the moon, but after a couple of times, I just flick it over with a wooden spoon and that's that.
Good to know, as I was kind of interested in the 3 quart for eggs, desserts and smaller quantity recipes!
I was skeptical at first about making hard cooked eggs in the Instant Pot, but they turn out perfect every time and it's a lot less hassle than stovetop.
I just did this! I used my 3 qt to cook eggs for deviling. So easy.
The first time I needed to do a quick release, I suited up like I was heading to the moon, but after a couple of times, I just flick it over with a wooden spoon and that's that.
I use my finger.
The new model that I covet is the Duo Evo, which has an improved lid and vent.
I have the Instant Pot 6 quart Duo. I sometimes think about getting an 8 quart, but I just can't justify it when mine works perfectly well. My compromise was buying a second liner so if I want to make a really large batch of something, I prep both liners at the same time and then cook them sequentially. Which is actually even better than the 8 quart in terms of batch cooking a large quantity to freeze individual portions.
I made a spaghetti squash in mine yesterday and a whole, average sized squash fit perfectly into the 6 quart. I cooked for 15 minutes per the recipe I had found online but when I let it cool a little and then cut in half, it turned out that it was not done yet. I am at altitude in Denver so it's not unusual for me to have to to extend recipes. I cooked it for another 3 minutes and it was ok although could have been cooked for another minute and been fine. Next time, I will do 20 minutes, since it will be whole at that point and take a little longer than the second cooking time did since it was cut in half at that point.
The first time I needed to do a quick release, I suited up like I was heading to the moon, but after a couple of times, I just flick it over with a wooden spoon and that's that.
I have one of these little gadgets. I have a small kitchen so angling the steam away from the cabinets is tricky. With this little diverter thingie, it helps point it away and it keeps me from getting burned in the process. I've seen ones that are characters too - like a little man with steam coming out his ears.
I made quinoa in my IP yesterday, for the second time. Time under pressure is 5 minutes, but I left the pot lidded for over 10 minutes. The quinoa was fluffy and beautiful. I think quinoa could be a good base for vegetarian main dish, as it has decent amount of ortein.
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