We Cooked 50 Pounds of Meat and 20 Pounds of Rice To Find the Best Instant Pots

How We Tested Instant Pots

We tested 13 models of Instant Pots in our Lab by evaluating their design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, versatility, and value. Tests included recording data about the display panels, durability, and inner pot cooking options, then pressure cooking a black bean and rice dish, then making a barbecue pork shoulder recipe to evaluate how the pot handled larger cuts of meat. Both recipes put the pots through the paces in evaluating various cooking techniques.

The Instant Pots tested ranged in size from three to eight quarts and ranged in price from $80 to $270, with an average price of $161. Overall scores spanned from 2.3 to 5.0, with an average score of 4.2.

We Observed

Testing Instant Pots involved cooking over 50 pounds of pork, 6.5 pounds of dried beans, and 19.5 cups of long-grain rice. These were just part of the supplies, which also involved vegetables and spices, to cook recipes that a typical home cook might attempt. Manuals were read for safety and operational instructions, and they were assembled for cooking. Testers paid attention to things like the displays and controls, the steam valve design and how to release the steam, and all of the features that affect the use of the Instant Pot in an average home kitchen. In the end, information was compiled, and each pot was rated to determine the best of the best.

We Rated

• Design: While aesthetics plays a part, design also encompasses whether it’s easy to assemble and use, whether it’s easy to close and seal the lid, and whether it’s not overly bulky for easier lifting and storage. We also looked at the construction materials, as well as the layout of the display and controls. Design features like handles that can hold the lid, as well as audible alerts are a plus.
• Performance: This was assessed based on how well the pot cooked the test recipes, which included both meat and vegetables. It also looked at how effective the steam release was, and how efficiently it and sauteed onions and seared chicken.
• Ease of Use: This assessment includes the ease of using the control panel, the steam release valve, and the ease of handling and removing the inner pot.
• Ease of Cleaning: This includes whether the cleaning instructions in the manual were clear and whether parts were easy to remove for cleaning. It also looked at whether the parts were dishwasher safe, and if not, whether they were easy to wash by hand. It also looked at cleaning the non-removable parts of the machine.
• Versatility: We know that Instant Pots are cooking a lot of different foods, but this rating is all about having useful presets as well as manual customizations. It also looked at whether the machine could do more than just pressure cook. For example, can it slow cook, air fry, or cook using sous vide?

Long-Term Testing Takeaways

This is such a versatile kitchen tool, that we had to keep some in our kitchen to use in the long run. Using them so often has revealed some interesting things. Here’s what we’ve learned:

• They all have one thing in common: Instant Pot has a wide variety of models, which can sometimes make it confusing to choose between them. Let’s be honest here: if you’re only going to use the manual pressure cook and slow cook modes and nothing else, you can buy whichever model you like.
• Have no fear: Many cooks fear the pressure release valve. Newer models have an auto-release feature, so you don’t need to stand near the pot. If yours doesn’t have that, you’re perfectly safe approaching the valve from the side—just stay away from the top, where the steam is released.
• Be careful where you put it: While you can place your Instant Pot anywhere stable for cooking, it’s best that it’s not under a cabinet since the releasing steam can damage upper cabinets.
• Cleaning is easier than ever: While earlier models of Instant Pots said that the lid was not dishwasher safe, many new pots have dishwasher-safe lids. Read the manual.
• Keep tabs on your ring: The sealing ring can absorb scents. After cleaning, leaving the lid upside-down can allow the scent to dissipate. Placing in silicone ring in the freezer can also make the scent disappear. While many cooks have separate rings they use for sweet and savory foods, we’ve used the same ring and have never had flavor transfer because of the scent.
• Make new friends: If you’ve never used an electric pressure cooker before, there are plenty of resources. Instant Pot has a Facebook group that can be very helpful for new cooks.
• Perfect meat is one step away: When cooking any kind of meat, it’s best to use a natural pressure release, which means you don’t turn the valve until the pressure has subsided on its own. This keeps the meat from seizing and becoming tough.
• Better to be safe than sorry: Foods like rice, beans, oatmeal, and some soups can get frothy during cooking. If you release pressure too soon, that froth will spew out of the valve, creating a rather impressive mess. It’s best to wait a while before releasing pressure. If you’re not sure it’s safe yet, the valve can be opened momentarily, and then closed, to see if it’s safe. It is not, however, safe to put a cloth over the top of the valve, since this could cause dangerous clogs.

Other Options We Tested

• Instant Pot Lux 6-in-1 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker: This almost feels like a relic from another era of Instant Pots. It has the old-fashioned valve that you have to push to one side to release the steam (i.e. the one folks are scared of). You’re stuck with the basic presets, and it doesn’t give you an indication of how far along you are in the process. The instructions are just a fold-out sheet with a bunch of crammed-together tiny print. Buying this would be like buying a flip phone—it gets the job done, but it’s closer to belonging in a museum than it is to truly making your life easier. This model didn’t perform particularly well and was the only one that wasn’t easy to clean.
• Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker: We had mixed reviews of this model: Its design is fairly basic, but it does have some nice features such as sous vide and dehydrate mode. The inner pot doesn’t lock into place for sautéing, and the performance was decent, but not great. Overall, we concluded that it’s well worth paying the extra $50 to get the improved performance and versatility that the Pro Crisp model offers.
• Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6-Quart Multi-Use Electric Pressure Cooker: The design of this model is basic and old-school but well laid-out, besides the pressure release valve that isn’t as safe as others that don’t require you to get your hand close to the steam. We found this to not be quite as easy to use as other models, and it was slow to heat up and come to pressure. While this is a fairly versatile Instant Pot at a decent price, the newer Pro Plus model is a much better option if you’re looking for smart features.

What to Look for in an Instant Pot

Size

Size is one of the most important factors to consider in your Instant Pot, which will be determined not just by how much counter and storage space you have, but also by how much you plan to cook at once. If you are frequently cooking for large parties or any sort of big-batch cooking, an 8-quart Instant Pot might be the right choice for you. If you’re short on storage space or only cook for one or two people, then a smaller version could be a cheaper and more practical option. Some mini Instant Pots only hold 3 quarts, while larger ones will hold up to 8 quarts.

If you have the room in your kitchen and your budget, always go for the bigger volume. Across the board, the 8-quart models handled tasks better in our Lab testing than smaller models.

Versatility and Special Features

What sets different models of Instant Pots apart from each other is the different features that they offer. While some Instant Pots just offer basic pressure cooker, slow cooker, and sauté functionality, others have modes for making specific foods (such as yogurt, rice, porridge, beans, soup, cakes, or eggs) or various cooking methods like steaming and roasting. Other features include delayed cooking, keep-warm settings, temperature controls, Wi-Fi connectivity for cooking remotely, high-altitude adjustments, sterilizing features, air frying, and sous vide cooking.

Clearly, there’s no shortage of special features available, and these can add a huge amount of value if you use them. That said, there’s no need to buy an appliance with a laundry list of features if you’re only looking to do basic pressure and slow cooking.

Price

Instant Pots can come at a wide range of price points. You can find older, more basic models on sale for as low as $50, but newer releases with all the bells and whistles can cost over $200. It’s a good idea to consider how much you’re willing to spend before purchasing. If you’re planning to use your Instant Pot frequently and utilize a variety of settings and features, then making an investment is not a bad idea. You’ll definitely get your money’s worth if you use it even somewhat frequently.

If there is a specific feature like air frying that you have your heart set on, opt for one of the more equipped models. If you’re just dipping your toes into the world of Instant Pots and only cook rarely, you may want to start with a basic, more affordable model.

Maintenance

One of the many beauties of the Instant Pot is that the sealing ring, lid, and steam rack are all dishwasher-friendly. The most important thing when it comes to cleaning your Instant Pot is to first make sure that it is unplugged and completely cooled down. You can keep the exterior of the pot clean by wiping it with a warm, damp towel. If there are bits of caked-on food accumulating in tough-to-reach spots around the lid, you can use a toothbrush to loosen any particles off the machine. If the stainless steel pot has any stains or has lost its shine, you can always soak it in some white vinegar and then rinse. When it comes to the lid, one way to prevent any lingering odors is to place the lid upside down on the pot until it has completely dried. If using the dishwasher, make sure to be aware if your Instant Pot’s parts are specified for the top rack only.

The sealing ring is probably the most difficult part of the pot to keep clean. It’s recommended that you wash it with warm, soapy water or place it in the dishwasher. These rings should last you anywhere from 18 to 24 months—they can crack, acquire odors, or get discolored, so don’t plan on keeping them around for a lifetime. If you’re planning to do savory and sweet cooking in your pot, it’s not a bad idea to have a ring designated for each. If the sealing ring has any sort of leak, this is going to disrupt the pressure cooking process, so it’s imperative to always check your ring after cleaning it to make sure that it’s still in good shape.

Instant Pot Accessories

There are tons of accessories to choose from, but you’ll want to be sure that you only buy accessories that are compatible with your particular model. Below are some of the main accessories you can purchase to upgrade and add even more versatility to your device.

Springform pans

Springform pans are available in loaf and cake shapes. This way, if you’re making cakes, breads, or cheesecake, you just cook them in the pot with these. They fit on the steam racks, and when you’re cake has cooled, you can easily unclip the pan for a stress-free removal.

Silicone Steamer Basket

If you’re wanting to replicate classic bamboo steamers, this silicone steamer is a great tool for gentle steaming. If you have a 5-quart pot or larger, you can stack two steamer baskets on top of one another. You can also get a steamer set, which includes a basket, cake pan, and rack.

Sealing Rings

As mentioned above, the sealing rings are not going to last you a lifetime. Plan to replace them every 18 to 24 months, as they are prone to cracking, leaking, and absorbing odors. You can buy them in different colors (which is helpful if you’re designating one for sweet cooking and the other for savory cooking), and you can also buy them in packs of two so that if one breaks, you always have a backup. Make sure to buy the correct size that corresponds to your Instant Pot capacity.

Yogurt Cups

If you’re looking to utilize the yogurt feature on your appliance, stocking up on yogurt cups to cook the yogurt in will make the job much easier. These cups are also great for sterilizing if you’re going to be using that feature.

FAQs

How do you clean an Instant Pot? 

The good news is that most Instant Pots have dishwasher-safe components. The stainless steel cooking pot and silicone sealing ring are dishwasher-safe, at least on the top rack. On many models, the entire lid is dishwasher-safe. The lid has a few parts that should be removed and cleaned, but the process for that is different depending on the model, so it’s best to check the user manual to see which parts are removable and how to clean them.

Can you can in an Instant Pot?

The National Center for Home Food Preservation says that multi-cookers and pressure cookers do not meet the standards for use as a pressure canner.1 So while some models may advertise canning features, use them at your own risk.

Can you cook frozen chicken in an Instant Pot? 

Yes. There are a number of recipes (and entire cookbooks) devoted to cooking all kinds of foods from frozen in an Instant Pot. For some recipes, a little extra time is required to fully cook the meat, but in other cases the only additional time required is in coming up to pressure.

What’s the difference between an Instant Pot and a Crock Pot? 

Both Instant Pot and Crockpot are brand names, and both brands sell a variety of cooking appliances. In generic use, though, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker while a Crockpot is a slow cooker.

Can you make bread in an Instant Pot? 

An Instant Pot doesn’t have the hot, dry environment that’s typically used for baking standard loaves of bread. However, there are specialty types of baked goods, like steamed buns, that can be cooked in an Instant Pot. It’s also possible to “bake” cakes, but they will have a different exterior and texture since they will be steamed rather than baked. However, for the models of Instant Pot that can hold a precise low temperature of about 90 degrees, the Instant Pot can be used for proofing bread dough.

How do you make yogurt in an Instant Pot?

For all of the models that include the yogurt feature, which most do, the yogurt setting automatically keeps the yogurt culture at the proper temperature for incubation without any user intervention. You just add your ingredients (which can be as simple as a culture and your milk of choice), press the button, and that’s it.

What is NutriBoost?

The NutriBoost feature available on some models is meant to mimic the effects of boiling by releasing steam to agitate the food during pressure cook settings. It helps keep ingredients like grains from sticking to the bottom of the pan and helps break down certain starches and outer layers more efficiently. We don’t have any data on whether or not it actually helps to release more of the food’s nutritional content, but users do report that the feature helps get even better results when cooking dishes like grains and legumes.