However, the DUO Nova is undoubtedly still in the minority, offering a pressure release button. The pressure release button is our absolute favorite thing about the DUO Nova’s user experience. This button sits about two inches from the pressure valve and allows you to open that valve without actually touching it. Thus, having a button that makes instant pot duo nova this process quicker, easier, and safer is a welcome addition. The number of Instant Pot models has grown over the years to the point that there’s almost a confusing number of these devices available. Some are more straightforward than others, like the Duo Crisp, which includes an air-fry mode and comes with the appropriate lid for it.
In what we’ve found to be the most differentiating of our cooking tests, the saute test; the DUO Nova performed wonderfully. It got hot enough to easily brown eve hearty veggies like carrots and made quick work of diced onions. We believe this ability is crucial; to effectively saute right in the pot vastly increases the number of meals you can make with only one dish to clean at the end.
There are very few situations where the DUO Nova wouldn’t be our top pressure cooker recommendation. The first is for those that mainly want to cook meat, as we’ve found some other cookers that can retain just a bit more tenderness in specific cuts than this machine. It sets the standard for pressure cookers, offering a versatile list of cooking functions, well-designed controls, and convenient touches like a pressure release button. In the world of pressure cookers, the DUO Nova sells for a relatively reasonable price but leads the pack in terms of performance. Sure, you can find some models that sell for less, but those models generally lack a saute function and thus, sacrifice quite a bit of the convenience that makes pressure cookers so attractive. We believe this is one of the best values on the market.
For basic, everyday cooking, it functions similarly to the others. The Instant Pot Duo’s exterior is has been available in mint, white, and coral. You can also get the Duo in moosoo air fryer the exclusive Pioneer Woman floral design and in black or red stainless steel through Walmart. The Instant Pot Duo is the most popular, best-selling Instant Pot of all time.
Using my Nova in my RV, the only issue is there is no place to safely release pressure. My coach is older with lower ceiling which is some sort of fabric, and I can’t release pressure without unplugging and moving it to the table where there is nothing overhead but the ceiling. It’s a bit disconcerting but we are remodeling our kitchen and it’s been a real godsend overall. When the weather improves I may use it outside on a sturdy table. Meanwhile I’m using it with only a couple inches between the top and the bottom of the microwave oven. I suppose I could close the folding top on the three burner stove and put it there but that defeats the purpose of having a stove.
The Duo Nova has the button layout of the Duo mixed with the auto-seal lid of the Duo Ultra and the blue LCD display from the Duo Plus. It works similarly to any other pressure cooker, and all of my pressure cooker recipes are designed to work in your Instant Pot. However, if you typically cook a main dish and a side dish, you may be happier simply buying two 6-quart Instant Pots so you can cook both at the same time. Depending on what you’re cooking, the 6-quart will fit a double or triple batch.
The Ultra line can offer as many as 10-in-1 multi-use capabilities. The Duo line provides 7- or 9-in-1 multi-use functions, and the Lux line offers 6-in-1 functionality. I agree with Barbara on her recommendation of the Duo Evo Plus. My first IP was an IP Duo and wasn’t even tempted to upgrade until the Duo Evo Plus.
Yes that’s what most recipes call for but for very few dollars more you can choose a model with high and low pressure. If you don’t want leftovers, go for the 3-Quart Instant Pot. However, if you like leftovers, cooking pot-in-pot , or two-fer meals (e.g., cooking roast one night then cutting it into beef tips and gravy the next night), I’d recommend the 6-quart.