I guess even Gordon Ramsey will have a hard time operating the Instant Pot without looking at the product manual. We also had great luck prepping various grains, including rice and quinoa, in the DUO Nova. Things generally came out a bit more moist and sticky rather than fluffy, but we generally enjoyed the texture. It also performed well in our meat cooking tests, successfully rendering a tough brisket cut into a tender and enjoyable feast. In designing the DUO Nova, Instant Pot took an already user-friendly machine and added a convenient pressure release button. If you’re after a simple, no-fuss multicooker, the is a good option for beginners.
The electric pressure cookers designed for making meals have become the most popular type. These units operate as slow cookers, pressure cookers and rice cookers in one handy device. The Duo Nova pressure cooker also has the unique advantage of having an auto-sealing lid. This makes using the Duo Nova even more straightforward, especially when pressure cooking. It also has an automatic steam valve, which is not that common amongst electric pressure cookers. With different sizes available, this is a useful multi-cooker no matter what size your family or household.
The controls are easy to use with a digital display that’s bright and clear. On the downside, there are no handles to remove the cooking bowl or hold it comfortably. Also, use caution when removing the lid, keeping your hands away from the pressure indicator as it can release steam.
We found plenty of slow cook and pressure cook recipes but it can be tricky to find exact guidance for more simple tasks like steaming and cooking rice. In reality, Instant Pot is the brand name of a multicooker that serves as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/searing pan, steamer and warming pot all in one convenient appliance. Skip the fast-food line and make all of your favorite foods with the Instant Pot pressure cooker. With a simple press of a button, you can instantly steam vegetables, cook meat, stews, and casseroles, or even treat yourself to homemade yogurt!
You will notice that when there is no pressure in the IP the valve is down. The float valve is what builds and maintains the pressure in the IP. Right away I was able to notice the size difference of the 8-quart vs my 6-quart. I liked the instant vortex idea that the buttons were the same on the Duo Nova as they were on the Duo. This sous vide upgrade of the Duo is interesting, but not widely available. With the Lux, Duo, Duo Plus, Ultra, and Smart Bluetooth being the most common models.
Whether an Instant Pot could make your life a hell of a lot easier is a no-brainer. What involves more thought is choosing the right Instant Pot for you. The Instant Pot Duo Nova model has a backlit display and additional safety features of the auto sealing lid. The auto sealing lid is a feature I love in the Ultra so it’s great to see it here. Though every Instant Pot has the same basic multi-cooking functionality that made the brand a household name, some are more versatile than others. If you’re in the market for an 8-quart pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp would be a really great choice.