The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a highly popular and versatile pressure cooker that has taken the world by storm. With its impressive features, user-friendly interface, and cooking capabilities, it’s no wonder why this device has become a staple in many kitchens. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into the details of the Instant Pot Duo Plus and explore its strengths, weaknesses, and overall performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Instant Pot Duo Plus boasts a sleek and compact design that fits neatly on most kitchen countertops. The stainless steel construction is durable and resistant to scratches, while the digital display provides easy access to settings and cooking times. Weighing in at 14 pounds, this device is relatively heavy due to its robust build quality.

Key Features

The Instant Pot Duo Plus offers a wide range of features that make it an excellent kitchen companion:

• Pressure Cooking: The core function of any pressure cooker, the Duo Plus can reach pressures up to 30 PSI and cook food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods.
• Slow Cooking: Perfect for tenderizing tough cuts of meat or cooking beans from scratch, the Duo Plus features a slow-cooking mode that allows you to set the cooking time up to 24 hours in advance.
• Saute/Browning: This feature allows for quick sautéing and browning of ingredients before pressure cooking or slow cooking.
• Rice Cooking: The Duo Plus has a dedicated rice cooking function, which makes cooking perfect white and brown rice a breeze.
• Yogurt Making: Create your own homemade yogurt with the built-in yogurt making function.
• Steam Function: This feature allows for gentle steaming of vegetables and seafood.

Performance

The Instant Pot Duo Plus excels in its performance, consistently delivering high-quality results. Pressure cooking is where this device truly shines, allowing you to cook tough cuts of meat or beans quickly and evenly. Slow cooking also performs admirably, tenderizing even the toughest ingredients with ease.

The sauté/browning function works well for searing steaks, browning vegetables, or making sauces. However, we did experience some minor issues with temperature control, resulting in slightly overcooked or undercooked food. Rice cooking is a breeze, and the yogurt making feature produces excellent results every time.

Accessories and Additional Features

The Instant Pot Duo Plus comes with several accessories to enhance your cooking experience:

• Cooking pot: A stainless steel inner pot that’s easy to clean and resistant to scratches.
• Lid: A durable lid with a steam release valve and pressure regulator.
• Accessories kit: Includes a measuring cup, soup spoon, and ladle for convenient cooking.

The Duo Plus also features several additional settings and modes, including:

• Manual mode: Allows you to set custom cooking times and pressures.
• Preset modes: Offers pre-programmed settings for specific types of food, such as soups or stews.
• Delay start: Set the cooking time in advance, allowing you to schedule meals with ease.

Technical Specifications:

• Dimensions: 13.3 x 12.2 x 7 inches
• Weight: 14 pounds
• Capacity: 6-quart inner pot
• Materials: Stainless steel and food-grade plastic
• Pressure range: Up to 30 PSI
• Temperature range: 0°F to 250°F (-18°C to 120°C)
• Cooking time: Up to 24 hours in slow cooking mode

Conclusion

The Instant Pot Duo Plus is an exceptional kitchen companion that offers a wide range of features and functions. While it may not be perfect, its performance and versatility make it an excellent choice for home cooks and professional chefs alike. With its user-friendly interface, impressive cooking capabilities, and durable build quality, this device is sure to become a staple in any kitchen.

Recommendation

For anyone looking to upgrade their kitchen with a versatile and reliable pressure cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is an excellent choice. Its impressive features, ease of use, and high-quality performance make it an investment worth considering for home cooks and professional chefs alike.

However, if you’re on a tight budget or prefer a more compact device, there are alternative options available in the market. The Instant Pot Mini 7-in-1 is a smaller, more affordable version that offers many of the same features as the Duo Plus.

Price

The Instant Pot Duo Plus typically retails for around $149-$179, depending on the retailer and any sales or promotions. While this may seem steep for some, we believe its impressive performance and features justify the price.