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

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

While there are many electric pressure cookers on the market, the Instant Pot has garnered a cult following. Pressure cookers drastically reduce the cooking time on tough meats, dried beans, and sturdy vegetables, and Instant Pots go above and beyond by offering the versatility to make desserts, casseroles, yogurt, (perfect) risotto, slow-cooked meals, sous vide items, and more. The Instant Pot has evolved from a single pressure cooker to a range of multifunctional models in different sizes—we tested over a dozen of them and evaluated each on design, ease of use, performance, ease of cleaning, versatility, and value.

Best Overall

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker, V4
What We Like
  • Precise temperatures for sous vide
  • Extremely versatile
  • Excellent performance
What We Don’t Like
  • A bit more expensive than other models

We are so in love with this Instant Pot that it is hard to find anything we didn’t like about it. The clear, intuitive controls allow you to choose between pressure cooking, slow cooking, making rice, making yogurt, steaming, sautéing, sterilizing, sous vide, and keeping food warm. The manual setting gives precise control over the cooking process, and the 25 customizable settings include ribs, soup, beans, poultry, desserts (you can make cake and other baked goods in this!), and more. The display clearly shows where your food is in the cooking process.

The stainless steel pot is designed to disperse heat more evenly than older models, and it locks in place to avoid spinning while sautéing. The meat cooked in this model came out perfectly tender, the beans were just right, and the meat and veggies browned evenly without burning. It’s dishwasher-safe and very easy to clean. This model comes in 6-quart and 8-quart sizes.

Though this is a bit on the expensive side, we feel like it warrants the price tag. Performance, functionality, and ease of use are all at a superior level, so this is an investment well worth making. An Instant Pot should be a ‘one-stop shopping’ kitchen tool in my view, and this fits the bill nicely.

Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions: 13.43 x 13.55 x 12.76 inches | What’s Included: Stainless steel steaming rack, 2 sealing rings

Best Budget

Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cooker V5

instant-pot-6-qt-duo-pressure-cooker
What We Like
  • Remembers previous settings
  • Three temperature levels
  • Precise temperature control
  • Solid versatility and performance
What We Don’t Like
  • No sous vide function
  • Inner pot spins while sautéing

This is one of Instant Pot’s more classic models that earned the brand its fame: It has programs for soup and broth, meat and stew, beans and chili, poultry, sautéing, steaming, rice, porridge, multigrain, slow cooking, yogurt, and keeping food warm. If you don’t want to use a program, you can choose two levels of pressure, three sauté temperatures, or three slow-cook temperatures. Cooking can be delayed for up to 24 hours, while manual cooking can be set for up to two hours. The controls are easy to navigate, and the dishwasher-safe pot is easy to clean.

We especially love the yogurt setting and never had to click on the sauté button to get it to reach the optimal temperature. A few of the newer Instant Pot models offer slightly more versatility (like air frying and sous vide cooking) and slightly better performance (this model didn’t get meat and veggies as evenly browned as a couple of pricier models), but it’s still a high-quality and effective multitasker at a reasonable price point.

This model comes in 6-quart and 8-quart sizes.

Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions: 13.38 x 12.2 x 12.48 inches | What’s Included: Steaming rack, rice paddle, soup spoon

Person pulling meat out of instant pot v5 with metal tongs
 

Best for Avid Home Cooks

Instant Pot 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker
What We Like
  • Comes up to pressure quickly
  • Remembers your favorite recipe settings
  • Extremely customizable
What We Don’t Like
  • Browning performance could be better

One of the newest Instant Pot models, the Pro has five programmable presets where you can input your own favorite settings for recipes that you make often. This has familiar buttons for pressure cook, rice/grain, steam, sauté, slow cook, yogurt, bake, and even sous vide. It also has a whopping 28 customizable programs for things like chicken and pasta. A diffuser over the steam release reduces the noise and splatter. The cooking pot has side handles that make it easy to remove, carry, and drain, and the pot is stovetop-safe.

The display panel clearly indicates preheating and warming, and the controls are very intuitive. An optional quick-cool tray is available separately that speeds the cooling and reduces pressure faster, so the pot can be opened more quickly. This is available in a 6-quart size, but for sous vide cooking in particular, the larger 8-quart model offers more space for water circulation around the food. This model didn’t brown pork as well as other models we tried, but it cooked green beans perfectly.

All of the design features make this one a breeze to set up and use. Instructions are clear and detailed and give useful information about the exact temperatures and times that the presets operate at, it really turns into a customizable machine with little effort.

Capacity: 8 quarts | Dimensions: 14.4 x 13.9 x 14.2 inches | What’s Included: Steamer rack, spare sealing ring

Best With Air Fryer

Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer

Instant Pot Pro Crisp & Air Fryer 8-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker and Air Fryer
What We Like
  • Best versatility of all options we tested
  • Excellent performance
  • Every step is programmable ahead of time
What We Don’t Like
  • Pricey

Air frying is an incredibly versatile cooking method in and of itself, so when you combine that with pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, steaming, sous vide cooking, warming, baking, broiling, and dehydrating, you have the most capable kitchen tool out of all 13 Instant Pot models we tested. Having all of this versatility saves space, money, and electricity, which is amazing for home cooks of all levels.

The display is clear, concise, and easy to read, with a time bar that shows where your food is in the cooking process. The inner pot has handles to lock it in place while sautéing. There are three types of steam release which can be set ahead of time, and there’s a quick-cool freeze tray to help release pressure more quickly. The air fry settings are customizable up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit—making this also a truly functional air fryer. We found that the machine performed beautifully and was easy to clean whether by hand or on the top rack of the dishwasher.

This appliance isn’t cheap, but it’s much cheaper than buying several appliances to do even half the jobs this can do. In fact, we kept this 8-quart option after our initial testing and have continued to get good use out of it. The extra two quarts are great for making bone broth or larger batches of soup or stew. Sure, it’s not always needed, but it handles medium-size batches as well. It’s also nice to have a larger capacity for air frying, which typically requires foods to be in a single layer. While we don’t always pull out this larger cooker, it’s great to have it available when it’s needed.

Capacity: 8 quarts | Dimensions: 14.78 x 14.24 x 14.17 inches | What’s Included: Stainless-steel rack, multi-level air fryer basket with base and broil/dehydrating tray, protective pad and storage cover

Best for Small Spaces

Instant Pot Duo Mini 3-Quart Pressure Cooker

instant-pot-3-quart-duo-7-in-1
What We Like
  • Very space-efficient
  • Reasonably priced
  • Excellent performance
What We Don’t Like
  • Inner pot spins while sautéing

This is a mini version of our budget pick, and it comes with all the same features. Typically, mini and budget-friendly appliances come with fewer features, less functionality, and compromised performance—this is not the case here. The display is still user-friendly and straightforward, the same safety features are present as with the larger versions, and it performed incredibly well in each of the tests we put it through.

This model was by far the best at adding color to the vegetables in the beans and rice test. The beans were really nicely cooked without being overdone. This Instant Pot was also the best in terms of searing the pork with that deep caramelization. The pork had a springiness to it as well.

Like the 6- and 8-quart versions of this cooker, this mini model also lacks a sous vide function (not that you’d have enough space for sous vide water circulation in such a small unit, anyway) and doesn’t have a locking feature to keep the inner pot from spinning while sautéing. That said, it’s still a powerhouse of versatility and functionality in a space-efficient package, and is easy to clean with or without a dishwasher.

There’s a lot to love about this small option: A 3-quart cooker isn’t great for cooking dinner for a large family, but it’s great for cooking for singles, couples, or for side dishes, and it is very easy to store. We certainly wouldn’t try to jam the bones from a Thanksgiving turkey into this one to make bone broth, but it’s just what we need for the carcass of a rotisserie chicken to make a more petite amount of stock.

Capacity: 3 quarts | Dimensions: 11.42 x 10.04 x 11.22 inches | What’s Included: Steamer rack, extra sealing ring

Best Smart

Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 6 Quart Pressure Cooker

Instant Pot Pro Plus Wi-Fi Smart 10-in-1 6 Quart Pressure Cooker
What We Like
  • App contains 800+ smart recipes
  • Lets you control and monitor cooking remotely
  • Pot is stovetop-, oven-, and induction-safe
What We Don’t Like
  • Pre-set cook times are slightly off

Smart appliances with Wi-Fi and app connectivity allow you to control your cooking from anywhere, so if you’re busy and out of the house a lot, this Instant Pot can make your life much easier. While more expensive, this model’s “set it and forget it” approach allows you to come home to a good meal with little effort. The sleek touchscreen display is high-tech but still easy to navigate, and the handles on the inner pot keep it locked in place. A cooking time bar on the appliance and on the app lets you know where you are in the process; you can even program a quick or delayed steam release for when your food is done.

The inner pot’s aluminum core offers faster, more even heating that sears beautifully and is safe on the stovetop, on an induction burner, or in the oven. We did find that the pre-programmed cook times for beans and rice led to the overcooking of both (which can be impacted by the types of rice and beans being cooked, and whether or not they’ve been soaked first), so you may need to adjust your cook times for certain foods. That said, the machine cooked meat perfectly.

If you want to be able to pressure cook, slow cook, make rice and grains, steam, sauté, make yogurt, warm food, do at-home canning, cook sous vide, and do all of it with the help of automatic recipe programs that let you control the machine from anywhere, this is a worthwhile purchase.

Capacity: 6 quarts | Dimensions: 13.2 x 13 x 12.7 inches | What’s Included: Stainless steel cooking rack, extra sealing ring

Final Verdict

We were absolutely in love with the Instant Pot Duo Plus Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V4, which is modern but affordable, high-performing and precise but humble, and extremely versatile but not at all overwhelming. The Instant Pot Duo Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V5 is a budget-friendly pick that still can do almost as much as the fancier models, with full reliability and precision.

Person placing cooked meat on baking tray after removing from 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.
Person emptying contents of plastic container into Instant Pot 6-Quart Max 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker
 

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.

Display on the Instant Pot Ultra 10-in-1 Pressure Cooker

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.

Hand using a spatula to stir meat in Instant Pot Lux Mini 6-in-1

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.

Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart Multi-Use Pressure Cooker V5 displayed with accessories on wooden table

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