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Instant Pot Duo Review

A fairly priced top performer with the functionality of seven different devices in one machine
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Instant Pot Duo Review (The insulated handles and locking lid are just two of the many safety features on the feature-rich Instant Pot.)
The insulated handles and locking lid are just two of the many safety features on the feature-rich Instant Pot.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Price:  $100 List
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Manufacturer:   Instant
By Genaveve Bradshaw and Ruth Bruckbauer  ⋅  Aug 1, 2024
87
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 10
  • User Friendliness - 35.0% 9.0
  • Cooking Performance - 30.0% 8.0
  • Cooking Features - 25.0% 10.0
  • Ease of Cleaning - 10.0% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Instant Pot Duo 6-Quart is a 7-in-1 cooking appliance and earned top accolades for its amazing range of features and options. The Duo had consistently great results no matter what we cooked. This slow cooker does it all, from pressure cooking and a sauté function to rice, yogurt, and more. And it's pretty reasonably priced. The one downside we noted was that cleaning the pot and lid was a fairly tedious job. However, if you're not afraid of a little dishwashing, the Duo's many options provide you with far more flexibility than you get with other slow cookers, so if you like buying a quality product that will provide you with endless cooking options at a reasonable price, this is it. Compare it to top competitors in our slow cooker review.
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely feature-rich
Locking lid
Delicious rice and veggies
Offers much more than just slow cooking
REASONS TO AVOID
Lid involves careful cleaning
Steeper learning curve
Pot scratches and scuffs easily

Compare to Similar Products

 
instant pot duo
This Product
Instant Pot Duo
Awards Top Pick Award
Most Versatile Slow Cooker
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Slow cooker
Best Buy Award
High Value Cooking Performance
Best Buy Award
Best on a Tight Budget
 
Price $100 List
$99.95 at Amazon
$150 List
$129.96 at Amazon
$75 List
$74.99 at Amazon
$70 List
$69.99 at Amazon
$40 List
$16.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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Bottom Line The features and options in this reasonably priced pot make it much more than a slow cookerWith eight easy-to-use cooking functions , this is the most versatile slow cooker we testedConvenient and dependable, this slow-cooker can be left all day on the counter or easily taken with youThis simple, easy-to-use classic Crock-Pot has all the performance and capacity you wantAn OK pot if you're only cooking for yourself, but when cooking for multiple people, it misses the mark
Rating Categories Instant Pot Duo Ninja Foodi Possibl... Hamilton Beach Temp... Crock-Pot 6-Quart C... Crock-Pot 2-Quart
User Friendliness (35.0%)
9.0
9.5
8.0
8.0
5.0
Cooking Performance (30.0%)
8.0
8.0
9.0
7.0
7.0
Cooking Features (25.0%)
10.0
9.5
8.0
6.0
4.0
Ease of Cleaning (10.0%)
6.0
9.0
5.0
5.0
9.0
Specs Instant Pot Duo Ninja Foodi Possibl... Hamilton Beach Temp... Crock-Pot 6-Quart C... Crock-Pot 2-Quart
Pot Material Stainness Steel Nonstick Aluminum Stoneware Stoneware Stoneware
Measured Weight 1.8 Ibs

(pot only, lid not applicable)
5.0 Ibs N/A N/A 3.1Ibs
Capacity 6 qt 8.5 qt 6 qt 6 qt 2 qt
Programmable? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Measured Temperature on High 203.9 F 199 F N/A N/A 188.4 F
Measured Temperature on Low 200.8 F 161.3 F N/A N/A 152.9 F
Locking Lid? No No Yes Yes No
Lid with Gasket? No No Yes Yes No
Steam Release Valve or Holes in Lid? Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Features -Functions: Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Rice, Yogurt, Saute, Steam, Food Warm, and 14 customizable Smart Programs

-Pot can be used to sauté on stove top or Instant Pot base

-10 safety features like a locking lid and overheat protection

-Includes stainless-steel steamer rack

-Beeps to indicate on / off / finish.
-Functions: Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Steam, Keep Warm, Sous Vide, Braise, Bake, and Proof.

-Removable cooking pot can be used on the stovetop or in oven.

-Pot can be used to bake in the oven up to 500 degrees

-Includes integrated detachable spoon-lade and recipe guide

-Digital screen to display selected settings and timer count-down

-beeps to indicate end of timed cycle
-Probe Functions: four probe locations, probe storage area, set and maintain temp for up to 24 hours, Keep Warm or Hold Temp feature (adjustable setting) for after cooking timer goes off

-Digital screen to display selected settings, temp from probe, or timer count-down.

-Beeps to indicate on / off / finish.

-Includes steamer rack
-Programmable time (30 min increments)

-Temp Settings (high, low, auto warm)

-Pot can be used in oven up to 400 degrees
-Temp Settings (high, low, warm)

-Pot can be used in oven up to 400 degrees

Our Analysis and Test Results

With 14 customizable Smart Programs and seven different cooking functions, the Instant Pot Duo is a highly versatile cooking machine.

Performance Comparison


instant pot duo - if you're looking for an affordable all-in-one cooking appliance...
If you're looking for an affordable all-in-one cooking appliance, this is it.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

User Friendliness


No slow cooker is good or useful if you get frustrated by trying to figure it out and get it to work. We initially felt overwhelmed by the plethora of options the Duo provided, but found the manual to be sufficiently helpful with the learning curve.


The temperature settings on the Duo are very simple — Less, Normal, More, and Warm. This may not seem like much, but further choices come into play with the programming. For all its different functions, this slow cooker is easy to use even though you may feel overwhelmed at first glance. The timer shuts off automatically when it has come to the end of the cooking cycle, and it will sing — yes, sing — if you lift the lid before the cycle has finished. That's one way to catch those sneaky fingers trying to snitch an early taste.

instant pot duo - we appreciate the safety warnings on this model.
We appreciate the safety warnings on this model.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

In a slow cooker with this many features and options, you might worry that the programming will be convoluted and hard to learn. But it's not at all complicated and is actually very straightforward. The manual has some required reading, but it's helpful and easy to understand. Getting set up and cooking is a breeze.

The pot is light and easy to lift.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Another great feature of this cooker is the locking lid and the long insulated handles — a huge help when carrying it to your cousin's house for the pre-game food fest.

instant pot duo - the carrying handle and compactness of this model make it easier to...
The carrying handle and compactness of this model make it easier to take in and out of the cabinet.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Cooking Performance


A slow cooker can have options and features and bells and whistles, but it's useless if it doesn't cook your food well. And we've all dealt with buying something we think will be amazing only to have it end up sitting in the cabinet. In this metric, we tested the Duo, as we did all the slow cookers, with meat, grains, beans, and veggies. We then rated the outcomes based on color, texture, taste, and whether the food was cooked evenly.


We began with a traditional meat dish of pot roast and vegetables. We used the same kind of meat in the same proportions for all the slow cookers to ensure accurate comparisons. We found the circular shape of the Instant Pot Duo seemed a little smaller than the typical oval shape, so it was tricky to stir things up without fearing some spillage. The results were OK, with the meat being nice and moist but too chewy for a top score.

instant pot duo - the meat was juicy but chewier compared to the meat prepared in...
The meat was juicy but chewier compared to the meat prepared in other premium slow cookers.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

The results of the grains and beans were better. They retained excellent color and had great texture.

instant pot duo - the rice and beans produced by this cooker were delicious.
The rice and beans produced by this cooker were delicious.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Now we come to the veggies, which frequently can come out of a slow cooker on the raw side or mushed up beyond use. But the Duo really shined here. We used a number of fresh garden veggies to make a scrumptious lunch, and they came out beautifully. Or, as one of our testers expressed, the Duo “crushed it.” It's not too often that a slow cooker earns that kind of praise with vegetables, but it was well-deserved. The carrots were firm, the zucchini melted in our mouths, the potatoes were soft but not squishy, and everything had great flavor.

instant pot duo - vegetables were cooked to near perfection.
Vegetables were cooked to near perfection.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

Cooking Features


With so many functions and options, it's no surprise that there are great features for cooking on the Duo. Because this cooker offers so much more than just slow cooking, it wasn't even really a fair fight.


First of all, we looked at safety. No one wants a child (or anyone) to accidentally bump the lid and be scalded by burning hot food. The Instant Pot Duo lists ten safety features: overheat protection, a locking insulated lid, insulated handles and bottom perimeter of the cooker, among others. Those features in and of themselves are worth the price if you have children living with you or if you tend to get distracted while cooking.

instant pot duo - this device is also a pressure cooker that comes with an intuitive...
This device is also a pressure cooker that comes with an intuitive release valve.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

But the Duo offers much more than just safety features. The indicators on the screen are many and helpful, showing “Lid” if the lid isn't on correctly or “Food Burn” if there is insufficient liquid in the pot. Other indicators include “On,” "End," and “Keep Warm” for when the program is finished. But the thing that really impressed us is the 7-in-1 functionality; sauté, pressure cook, even a yogurt setting — this cooker will do anything except the laundry.

instant pot duo - we love all the options and clear instructions that come with the duo.
We love all the options and clear instructions that come with the Duo.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Ease of Cleaning


So we come to the job that no one really likes to do — cleaning up after dinner. And trying to get dried or burned food off of a stoneware crock is a pain in the neck. This is, unfortunately, where the Instant Pot Duo fell a little short. Food smells tended to linger in the pot after cleaning, and after only two uses, we were unable to clean the pot to spotlessness. But on the flip side, the stainless steel pot is far lighter and easier to maneuver than the older, heavier stoneware cookers.


Because the Duo is also a pressure cooker, the lid is much more complicated. There's a gasket and little nooks and crannies to contend with. It's still decently straightforward to clean, but it's certainly not as simple as a less involved option.

This device is moderately easy to clean.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Should You Buy the Instant Pot Duo?


The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 was a big hit with us. With many features, functions, and options, we think this slow cooker is a great value. Though it might not be the best for a novice, almost any other cook will love to have this sitting on their counter.

What Other Slow Cookers Should You Consider?


You can't go wrong with so many outstanding features and improved safety features of the Instant Pot Duo. On top of that, there are entire recipe books and websites dedicated to Instant Pot cooking and techniques. This cooker really can open up a world of culinary delights. If you can afford this cooker and don't feel the extra features will be lost on you, this is absolutely the one to get. That said, if you don't mind spending a little more money for added ease of cleaning, be sure to check out the Ninja Foodi PossibleCooker Pro 8.5-Quart. And if you are on a budget and don't need all those extra bells and whistles, take a look at the Crock Pot 6-Quart Cook & Carry and the Hamilton Beach Temp Tracker 6-Quart.

instant pot duo - we tested the top slow cookers on the market to find the best so...
We tested the top slow cookers on the market to find the best so that you won't waste your hard-earned dollars.
Credit: Matt Lighthart

Genaveve Bradshaw and Ruth Bruckbauer
 

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