You want dishwasher safe parts
All the removable parts including the lid can be cleaned in the dishwasher, taking the hassle out of cleaning up. You should clean the float valve periodically, especially after cooking frothy or starchy foods. For more information about safety precautions, please read the user manual. However, being an upgraded version of the Duo, the new Duo Nova has some improvements, allowing it to provide users with better cooking experiences. On the whole, though, the classic LCD of the old Duo is still elegant enough to intuitively indicate the cooking process in its own right. Offering a higher level of convenience, the Nova’s intuitive status indicator also keeps you informed at every step of the cooking process.
It has an easy-seal lid that gives you one less thing to worry about because it automatically seals your Instant Pot. The simple, safe push of the quick-release button ensures minimal mess and easy clean-up. At around 10% cheaper, the basic Duo, meanwhile, is not a very fancy pressure cooker (at least as far as Instant Pots go).
In summary, in the Instant Pot Duo vs Instant Pot Duo Nova battle, you could say the latter is a bit more prepared for beginners. As a plus Duo Nova has bot the 3 quart and the 10 quart size – the latter is not similar to the Duo Classsic model (or any other instant pots for that matter). And, when the food is done, you can use the Keep Warm module to keep it ready for eating until everyone is seated at the dinner table. We used the Instant Pot Duo Nova for several recipes to try out its performance across different functions.
The main difference is that it gives the cook custom control over all settings, so you can warm, slow-cook, and pressure-cook based on your own preferences for meat, veggies, grains, desserts, and more. Though the Max (below) is supposed to be the fastest, in a side-by-side comparison, we found that the Ultra was faster at both reaching pressure and cooking chickpeas. The Pro Plus Smart also features a premium inner pot with easy-to-grab handles and instant pot duo nova comes with NutriBoost, a function that mimics the motion of boiling by moving food in the pot. The 8-quart Instant Pot Pro Crisp + Air Fryer is the Duo Crisp turned up to 11. This large pro model has all the same functionality of the Duo Crisp, plus an upgraded lid with advanced heat protection, auto-sealing, and gentle quick release. The sturdier stainless-steel inner pot is made to handle anything; it’s stovetop friendly and oven safe up to 450ºF.
Tidying up after cooking can sometimes take as long as making the food itself. If you have a busy lifestyle, then this is yet another thing that you have to make time for during your day. An Instant Pot can save you a ton of time, and give you more chance to rest and relax. Now that I’ve given a brief overview of the key similarities and differences between the Instant Pot models, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of each one.
However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Looking at the Smart Programs in the Duo Nova vs Ultra side by side, there are some differences. We help you find your perfect kitchen kit which frees you to get on with making wonderful food memories with your family and friends. If the answer’s not there get in touch and speak to our knowledgable staff, we love chatting with our fellow foodie community.
You may also want to read up a bit about the differences between the Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova.
If you have a small family (2-4 members) and do not want to make a lot of food, the 3-quart Instant Pot is typically a great choice. Portable, compact, and lightweight, this model is great for those with space constraints as well. By explaining how the Instant Pot Duo and Duo Nova compare in terms of size, capacity, price, and functionality, we hope to provide everything you need to know in order to choose the right cooker for your household. For example, some Instant Pots include a rice cooker, whereas others swap that out for a yogurt maker. It’s important to think about which features and cooking modes you are going to use when choosing which is best for you. That said, the Instant Pot Duo is still completely safe to use – you just have to make sure that you follow the instructions carefully, especially when releasing the chamber after pressure cooking.
There is also a Manual module, but I only recommend it for more experienced users. In Manual mode, you get to select your own settings (like manual pressure setting), but if you don’t know how the pot works, there’s the risk of the food coming out over- or under-cooked. Although there are cook times and plenty of recipes available online, they don’t always work the same for all the Instant Pot models. They’re a good starting point but you’ll need to be comfortable with a bit of trial and error in the first few weeks of using any Instant Pot. The smart design inner pot is made of food-grade stainless-steel with tri-ply bottom to ensure even cooking when sautéing, and dishwasher-safe making clean up even easier. After all, the best pressure cooker for you is the one that’s most conducive to your lifestyle and budget.
If you’re a novice to the world of the best Instant Pots, or are looking to feed a crowd, the Instant Pot Duo Nova 7-in-1 Cooker could be your best bet. Unlike the classic Duo, the Instant Pot Duo Nova is designed with a lid that automatically seals the release valve when closed. This way, you don’t have to wonder if the Duo Nova is building pressure or not. Also, there is a quick-release button that you can use to release steam faster, without getting your hands near the hot steam.