I have received a lot of questions about which Instant Pot is best! I wish I could respond to everyone individually, but for the sake of time I am going to post my answer here.
What Model?
The biggest difference between the 6in1 Instant Pot (the cheaper model) and the 7in1 is the yogurt making function. This comes in handy for making dairy and non-dairy yogurts alike. I absolutely believe this function is worth the extra cost so I do recommend the 7in1. If you do not want the yogurt making function the 6in1 will suffice.
Instant Pot LUX 6qt 6in1: http://amzn.to/2jC0PPg
Instant Pot DUO 6qt 7in1: http://amzn.to/2jDxNPA
There is also a 9in1 (I have this model as well), the Instant Pot Duo Plus. It has a couple additional functions (egg, sterilize, and cake) but I generally don’t feel like those functions are worth the extra cost as you can manually program your pot to do these things.
Instant Pot DUO PLUS 9in1: http://amzn.to/2nlnO6q
NOW if you want to get REALLY fancy! There is a 6quart 7in1 SMART BLUETOOTH Instant Pot that you can control with your phone.: http://amzn.to/2BBvd4v
AND
The 10in1 ULTRA Instant Pot has 21 preset temperatures, almost double what the other pots have, allows you to pressure cook for up to 6hours, and has a super swanky display panel: http://amzn.to/2zVIGH6
What Size?
There are three different size Instant Pots. There is a 3 quart, a 6 quart and an 8 quart.
Your families size and what you’re going to be making is going to dictate what size pot will work best for you!
The 3qt is best for singles and small side dishes. The 3qt is available as the 6in1 and the 7in1 with the yogurt making function.
3qt LUX 6in1: http://amzn.to/2jDay87
3qt DUO 7in1: http://amzn.to/2i5pmMl
The 6qt is the perfect size for families sizes 5 and under. It’s great for cooking pot roasts in the 2-4lb range and small chickens. If you like to cook pieces of meat that are larger you’ll want to consider the 8qt.
Instant Pot LUX 6qt 6in1: http://amzn.to/2jC0PPg
Instant Pot DUO 6qt 7in1: http://amzn.to/2jDxNPA
The 8qt is perfect for families sizes 6+. It’s handy for cooking double or triple batches and cooking larger pieces of meat. Because the 8qt has a larger surface area it takes longer for it to come to pressure, the only downside.
Instant Pot 6in1 8 quart: http://amzn.to/2jDcflR
Instant Pot 7in1 8 quart: http://amzn.to/2nlcGqf
My favorite pot is still the 6qt 7in1 Instant Pot: http://amzn.to/2zUfLDF
It’s the best pot for my family and what I use primarily. Feel free to ask questions or post your own opinions as I’m sure I’ve missed things!
Thank you, Brittany! Taylor and I are so inspired by you. So proud of your accomplishments. Taylor wants to begin a healthier lifestyle, as do I. You’re our inspiration.
We spent last evening pricing out Instant Pots at various stores around town. We were unsure which pot to buy. This info is very helpful. The 6 quart 7in1 it is!
what’s the difference btwn an instant pot and a crock pot?
I want to start this amazing journey. How do I begin? I’m a single grandmother of 3, and about 230Ibs.
Feeling horrible about myself, I can feel the weigh in every I do, wear and turning in bed at night.
I am a family of 2. 1 child, 1 adult. If I am using the 3qt do I cut your recipes in half?
Do all of them have the manual setting? I just purchased the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 Stainless Steel 6-Quart 7-in-1 Multi-Functional Pressure Cooker.
I thought it was just like yours but I don’t have a manual button? Should I return it?
Hi Stephanie,
Instant Pot just changed the name of the Manual button to Pressure Cook so all the new pots say Pressure Cook instead of Manual. 🙂 Same function, different name.
Hello and Happy New Year!
How about the 5qt LUX? It’s much more affordable for our family but will it still work for your recipes? You’re an amazing, beautiful mom and so inspirational! 🙂
I want to be sure I understand your comment: “There is also a 9in1 (I have this model as well), the Instant Pot Duo Plus. It has a couple additional functions (egg, sterilize, and cake) but I generally don’t feel like those functions are worth the extra cost as you can manually program your pot to do these things.”
So you’re saying a 7in1 pot can be programmed to “(egg, sterilize, and cake)”?
I’m wondering if programming these function myself (in a 7in1) might even be *preferable since not all cakes are alike and could need different treatment / timing.
The appeal of “biggest and best” is strong, but being reasonable is also appealing…the older I get. haha. As long as there are recipes with sufficient instructions for programming a 7in1 to bake a cake, for example, I can be content.
Hi, Brittany!
Just purchased your cookbook and the recipes look wonderful. I have the IP Ultra 6 quart model with the super swanky display. In many of your recipes, you say, “When the cooker beeps to let you know it’s finished, let it naturally come down from pressure until the display reads LO:10,” (or 20 or 30, etc.). What exactly does LO:whatever number mean? I don’t think my IP ever displays that particular message. I’ve only ever done quick release or natural release. Color me confused.
Thanks,
Shara