What Sizes Do Electric Pressure Cookers Come In?
I bet you’re asking yourself, which Instant Pot is right for me? You can get Instant Pot Brand in 3, 6, or 8 quart sizes. Other electric pressure cookers come in those sizes and up to 12 quarts!
If you’re a family of 2 or 3 you can get a 3 quart or a 6 quart. A household of 4 would do great in a 6 quart and if you are 8 or more I’d think about the 8 quart.
Which Instant Pot Is Right For Me?
In addition to the original 6-quart 7 in 1 Instant Pot, there is a smaller 3-quart, a larger 8-quart, and the latest 6-quart 10 in 1.
The first thing to decide on is the size you want. Of course, you may end up having 2 or more. If you do I recommend get 2 different sizes.
Below I’ll describe more about the different Instant Pots so you can pick one that’s a fit for you.
There are other brands of multi-cookers and you can scroll all the way to the bottom of this page to get more info on a few of them. The most important thing to look for is a pressure cooker function as all appliances called multi-cookers don’t have a pressure cooker setting.
The Instant Pot LUX
In the photo above is an older Instant Pot model in the Lux Series.
- does not have a yogurt setting (only important if you want to ferment in yours)
- no lid holder/handle (nice, but not necessary)
- does not have a low pressure setting (used to cook delicate veggies)
They come in 3, 6, or 8 quart sizes just like the later models. It is less expensive than the latest models so if price is your guide this model may be for you.
If you need all the things the Lux doesn’t have then move on to the Instant Pot DUO model.
The Instant Pot DUO
Above is the Instant Pot DUO Series and it comes in 3, 6, and 8 quart versions. test
The 6-quart from this line is what I used for the recipes in The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot. It has a yogurt setting, lid holder, low and high pressure and does everything that I need.
Some of the newer models have more bells and whistles, so if one catches your eye you may end up shelling out more cash for yours.
The Instant Pot Ultra
The Instant Pot Ultra has more buttons and a fancy screen. If you can get it on sale fine, but if a DUO is cheaper I would still go with it.
Note: I do not recommend the Max, but if you have it you can use it in the recipes in my books and on this site.
The Ultra has a new digital interface and altitude adjustment, cooking indicator, and a steam release reset button, plus custom programming.
I recommend the Ultra for people cooking at high altitudes to get your timing just right and for those of you who like to have the latest gadget.
Are There Other Brands of Multi-cookers Similar to Instant Pot?
Indeed there are! In fact some were around before Instant Pots even came out. You’ll hear all of them called multicookers, but as long as they have a pressure cooker setting they will work for most of my recipes.
When you’re asking which Instant Pot is right for me, remember that you might end up with a different brand electric pressure cooker.
Again, the most important thing to look for is a pressure cooker function as all appliances called multi-cookers don’t have a pressure cooker setting.
Next be sure to read the reviews on Amazon on any new-to-you brands to make sure they are a good choice. I will be adding some more in the future, but there are over a dozen brands out now, so it’s impossible for me to try them all!
Here are some I have tried out:
Fagor Electric Pressure Cookers
The Fagor brand of multi-cookers came out before the Instant Pot and has a large group of fans. They also have a line of stove-top pressure cookers that are popular.
Just like the Instant Pots you want to check the buttons on the model you’re looking at – especially if you want to make yogurt. Older models may not have everything.
The Fagors have a ceramic coated pot instead of Instant Pot’s stainless steel. I know this is a deciding factor for many of you.
Go Wise Electric Pressure Cookers
There’s a new Go Wise electric pressure cooker. They comes in 6, 8, or 10 quart sizes and have a nonstick coated pot. They also come with a stainless steel rack and steamer.
The latest Go Wise model has 2 superpowers:
- Canning Setting
- No touch manual pressure release
There are also older models, so again check the buttons out and read carefully to make sure you’re getting what you need.
Multicookers with No Pressure Cooker Setting and One to NEVER Buy!
Below is a kind of multi-cooker that people often mistakenly buy and a Ninja Slow Cooker is the same. It is still called a multi-cooker without a pressure cooker. And most recipes that call for an Instant Pot use the pressure cooker feature.
Please note that the Gem model below has been recalled so DO NOT BUY IT!
More Instant Pot Articles & Recipes
Vegan Instant Pot Bean Recipes
Looking for some awesome bean recipes to make in your Instant Pot? Here's the list you've been looking for!
These beans remind me of the refried beans you get in Mexican restaurants only without all the oil. I love the richness that dried chilies give these beans. If you use only ancho or guajillo chilies these beans will be mild enough for kids.
The jackfruit gives this white chili the perfect texture combined with the Great Northern beans. It's seasoned with mild ancho chili powder, green chilies, and ground cumin.
Get ready to make the creamiest refried beans you've ever had.
You can make this with any white bean. I've made it with cannellini beans and in the photos, I used Rancho Gordo's Caballero Beans. The only difference is you made need to cook an extra 5 minutes if you're using old beans, because those take longer to cook.
This is one of my favorite recipes from my book, The Ultimate Vegan Cookbook for Your Instant Pot. It's a one post meal that's just as great in a burrito or taco as it is with a salad and a piece of homemade bread.
This Quinoa Black Bean mix with zucchini and carrot is a natural fit for a taco or the base of a dinner bowl.
Today’s recipe is simple and delicious! I’ve been hoarding Rancho Gordo heirloom beans from being in their bean club the past year. This is a great recipe to try a new bean in or to use some of the inexpensive ones in your pantry.
I love this soup! It uses ingredients that are probably sitting in your pantry, and you just throw everything together and cook. It's perfect for weeknights or make a large batch and freeze some for later.
Celebrate New Year's Day with these healthy black-eyed peas. Southerners eat them for luck, but you can eat them just because they are healthy and delicious!
Healthy, light, and refreshing, this Mediterranean-style chickpea salad is tossed with red wine vinegar dressing.
It’s perfect for spring and summer picnics, but I also make it year round. Cook a large batch of chickpeas over the week- end, and make this your go-to weekday meal.
Tarka Dal, if you understand the meaning, might sound like an oxymoron. Tarka, or the process of tempering with spices at the end of cooking, is what makes Indian lentils the magical soft pools of goodness that we all love. The process of making dal is incomplete without the tarka, so listing it in the name almost sounds redundant. But the Tarka Dal for the Punjabi table actually reverses this process, instead of finishing with the tarka we start with it, making this dish perfect for fix-and-forget cooking. On a busy evening, you can whip up this amazing pot of goodness, serve it with homemade or store-bought parathas, and you are in business. - Rinku Bhattacharya
SandyP says
Your in depth layout of all the pros and cons of purchasing an IP is most helpful. Thank you for the information. It will make my decision much easier. I’m also pleased to learn that your IP cookbooks are based mainly on using the 6-quart. Would it be simple to adapt a recipe to an 8-quart pot? I am curious if the recipe would need changes for the larger surface area. Thank you!