In our analysis of 9 expert reviews, the Instant Pot Duo Nova, 8-Quart placed 3rd when we looked at the top 4 products in the category. Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in the category. Along with our in-house experts, our team analyzes thousands of product reviews from the most trusted websites. The product experts atReviewedhave all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram for the latest deals, reviews, and more.
In designing the DUO Nova, Instant Pot took an already user-friendly machine and added a convenient pressure release button. Helen is a freelance writer who specializes in kitchen appliances and has written for some of the biggest home-related titles around. She has been reviewing small appliances, including blenders, juicers, instant vortex and multi-cookers, for more than 8 years, and also upholsters furniture when she’s not testing the latest food tech gadgets. With a familiar design, the Duo Nova is instantly recognizable as an Instant Pot and as we’ve said in previous reviews, multi-cookers are not the most attractive of the kitchen counter appliances.
The Instant Pot DUO Plus is actually a refresh of their previous most popular best-selling model, the DUO. It includes everything the DUO hasplusa new “sterilize” function in addition to “egg” and “cake” programs (pre-set times and pressures). They call this a 9-in-1 multi cooker – we’ll let Instant Pot figure out the math. The display is completely modernized so the cook can easily tell if the cooker is heating, pressure cooking, keeping warm and if the beeping sounds are on or off. At this time I can’t advise on the utility of the “sterilize” setting as there are no official guidelines on how to sterilize or can using an electric pressure cooker . However, Instant Pot has made it clear that this setting is not to be used for pressure canning low-acid foods such as meat.
But they’re also wildly popular, in part, because they’re true multi-cookers that can be used to braise, sauté, steam, and so much more. But all Instant Pots are not created equal—er, not every model can perform every function, and they’re billed accordingly (7-in-1, 9-in-1, etc.). All Instant Pots can pressure-cook, slow-cook, sauté, and keep warm, and fancier models tack on additional cooking methods like yogurt-making, sous vide cooking, broiling, and air-frying. Though every Instant Pot has the same basic multi-cooking functionality that made it a household favorite, some are more versatile than others. Most of the models are very similar in terms of pot size, wattage, and voltage; where they differ is mostly in the software—how many “smart programs” are built in with preset heat, time, and pressure levels. Combining the function of seven appliances in one, they both perform well an extensive variety of cooking tasks, all at the touch of a button.
Portable, compact, and lightweight, this model is great for those with space constraints as well. Here is all the information you need to better understand these models’ functions and other details. Chowhound has been a home for food explorers since 1997, helping the food and drink-curious to become more knowledgeable enthusiasts, both at home and while traveling. Join our community of passionate experts, eaters, and home cooks and find all the resources, information, inspiration, and support you could want in the kitchen and abroad. Read our simplified explanation of the crisping craze and check out some of the best air fryers.
With the new lid, it automatically seals to keep flavors, nutrients, and aromas inside. A new button makes it easier to release steam once the food is done cooking, and it’s placed away from the actual release valve so you shouldn’t experience burns from the hot steam coming out. The buttons are all big and easy-to-read, and the new LCD has a progress indicator to let you know when your pot is coming to pressure and when the cooking cycle begins.
And the simple, safe push of the quick release button, ensures minimal mess and easy clean up. The Duo Nova will do pretty much everything you would need it to do, and the LCD has a progress indicator to let you know how your food is coming along. If you’re a bit of a novice in the pressure cooking department, it’s worth noting that this model comes with 11 preset program buttons to take the guesswork away. This can make it harder to release the pressure once the cooking is done. However, it is easier to release the pressure in controlled bursts with this pressure cooker. The 8-quart Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is the Duo Crisp turned up to 11.