And, when the food is done, you can use the Keep Warm module to keep it ready for eating until everyone is seated at the dinner table. Typically, pressure cookers are not known for their attractive design, but this Instant Pot Duo Nova looks pretty sleek in a stainless steel finish. We used the Instant Pot Duo Nova for several recipes to try out its performance across different functions. First up, slow cooked chili, the sauté function comes in handy here, allowing you to brown your meat and soften onions in the Instant Pot instead of having to use a separate pan or stove top. Despite the pot not having a non-stick coating there was no sticking during the sauté stage.
We really like it because it allows us to do multiple things, such as Chilis, Stews, Rice and a lot of other things. Another benefit of having a multi-cooker like this is that it can save you counter space, storage space, and money because you can use it for multiple cooking needs. Instant Pot’s inner pot (cooking pot) is stainless steel, food grade 304 (18/8) with no chemical coating. It is durable and will retain its appearance for years to come with proper care. We also had great luck prepping various grains, including rice and quinoa, in the DUO Nova.
The Instant Pot multi cooker has become a firm favorite in many households. And with its versatility, range of sizes and convenient, one-touch programs to cook just about anything, you can see why. If you’re a novice to the world of the best Instant Pots, or are looking to feed a crowd, the Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Cooker could be your best bet. Its function is to prevent small food particles from getting into the pressure release valve. This Costco exclusive debuted in 2020, but is no longer available for purchase. The mid-level model was most similar to the Instant Pot Duo Plus, but came with a different control panel, a sous vide function, and extra accessories.
Nutrient-rich steam condenses in the pot instead of evaporating and nutritional value is retained because of the speed of cooking. The Auto feature shuts off the cooker after a period of time, usually 30 minutes. This makes sure nothing is overcooked, or that the instant pot doesn’t overheat. At the same time, this model has an upgraded lid which is safer and more convenient for inexperienced home cooks. Since the moosoo air fryer features an auto-sealing lid, the designs here are slightly different. Anyone who has used other Instant Pot models in the past will feel at home with either of these devices.
The basic Instant Pot guidelines say that the 3-quart is good for 1 or 2 people, the 6-quart is for up to 6 people, and the 8-quart is for large families or big batches. I think this is a good starting point, but there are exceptions. I prefer the instant vortex Instant Pot Pro Crisp, but the Original Duo Crisp and the Duo Crisp with Ultimate Lid might be a better choice for you if you have other features you’re looking for. The overall score is made up of cooking performance (60%) and ease of use (40%).
The texture of stewed beef was succulent, tender, and more flavorsome and delicious than conventional cooking. Bear in mind, there is a fair bit of prep work to do before the cooking process begins. Select the Saute program to brown onions or meat before pressing Cancel to stop sauteing once you’re happy. I was impressed by the searing process, which didn’t take as long to brown as it would in a conventional frying pan. The Instant Pot reaches the ideal, high temperature to brown and crisp the meat before adding in the rest of your ingredients and stock to the pot. After closing the lid with a simple twist and lock, press the Pressure Cook button twice to set the temperature to either Low, Normal or High, which is set at 239°F to 245°F.
The redesigned lid is quieter (not actually as quiet as a whisper, though), and it has a lot of the high-demand buttons. This feature allows you to program the multi-cooker to start cooking at a pre-set time. In terms of accessories, the Instant Pot Duo comes with the standard inner pot and steam rack (in my opinion, they should add a measuring cup as well). Both accessories are dishwasher safe and don’t have any chemical coating.
It’s a step up from the base model Lux because it cooks at High and Low Pressure. The Pro Crisp has the flat-bottom, handled pot, redesigned lid, and easy-read display that the Instant Pot Pro has, just with the added benefit of an air-fryer lid. Ease of use is broken down into ease of assembly and storage, quality of instructions, ease of using controls and functions and ease of cleaning. The external temperature of the cooker surface, handles and controls during operation is also checked. The chilli shredded beef test (with dried beans) assesses how well the slow cooker can cook a rich, fully flavoured sauce, tender beans, and meat that falls apart. The lamb shanks test assesses how well the slow cooker can cook melt-in-your-mouth meat that falls off the bone, with good flavour development.