The Instant Pot Duo is a 7-in-1 multi-use pressure cooker, so it can also make yogurt, cook rice, stew, steam, and more. It's the most popular version of the Instant Pot because it's reasonably priced, comes in three size options, and you'll often find it on sale somewhere.
Find downloadable PDF user manuals for our full line of Instant Pot cookers including the Duo, Ultra, Lux, Viva and Smart series of products. Duo Nova Manual. Smart Wifi Manual. Ultra Manual. Duo Plus Manual. Nova Plus Manual. Smart Bluetooth Manual. Max manuel d’utilisation. Instant Sous Vide Accu Slim. The Instant Pot® Accu Slim Sous Vide Immersion Circulator is designed for the gourmet who strives to create ‘restaurant quality dishes’ in the comfort of their home. Professional chefs and high-end restaurants have been relying on Sous Vide cooking to achieve that perfect tenderness for decades. Nov 13, 2019 If you like to read manuals, the full Instant Pot Duo Crisp user manual is only available online. Even in the online user manual, they have detailed charts for pressure cooking and sous vide, but very little about air frying. The link the user manual refers to doesn’t currently have any Air Frying recipes either. However, most instant pot models don’t have a pressure cooker option. The new Duo Plus caters for this need by incorporating the pressure cooker option in its programs. With the addition of pressure cook button as opposed to the manual button, you can now use the instant pot as an electric pressure cooker. Clear and Easy To Understand User Manual.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Includes seven functions
- Comes in three sizes
- Easy-to-use buttons
- Features stainless steel pot
- Goes on sale often
Cons
- Manual pressure valve release
- Can't sterilize or control temperature
The Instant Pot Ultra does everything the Duo does, except with these added functions: Sterilize, Cake Maker, Egg Cooker, and Ultra. The display looks a lot nicer and the auto-closing pressure valve means one less step between you and delicious meals. However, the knob is a tad sensitive and hard to use compared with regular buttons.
Pros
- Features 10 functions
- Larger and fancier display
- Auto-closing pressure valve and safer pressure release button
- The 'Ultra' program allows users to manually control the temperature for precise cooking, similar to Sous Vide.
Cons
- Uses a knob instead of buttons, and it's less intuitive.
- More expensive
For most people, the Duo is enough to get the job done. After all, there's a reason why it's the most popular Instant Pot model. However, the Ultra does have some very nice functions that make cooking even more convenient. It's just $50 more.
It boils down to features and price
Honestly, the Duo is the most popular model, and for good reason: it gets the job done and the price is reasonable, so it'll be good for most people. However, if you're the type of person who wants the fancy high-tech stuff and cost does not matter, then the Ultra is nice to have for the extra features.
Instant Pot Duo | Instant Pot Ultra | |
---|---|---|
Built-in Functions | 7 | 10 |
Price | $100 | $150 |
Sizes | 3, 6, or 8 Qt | 3, 6, or 8 Qt |
Custom programming | No | Yes |
Cooking Progress Indicator | No | Yes |
Pressure Cook | Yes | Yes |
Rice Cooker | Yes | Yes |
Steam | Yes | Yes |
Meat/Stew | Yes | Yes |
Soup/Broth | Yes | Yes |
Bean/Chili | Yes | Yes |
Poultry | Yes | Yes |
Multigrain | Yes | Yes |
Yogurt | Yes | Yes |
Sauté | Yes | Yes |
Slow Cook | Yes | Yes |
Sterilizer | No | Yes |
Egg | No | Yes |
Cake | No | Yes |
Ultra | No | Yes |
While the Duo is missing several functions, after using my Duo for over a year, I've come to realize that I really just need the Pressure/Manual and Sauté functions, with the occasional Steam for vegetables. Plus, the buttons are easier to use, since the Ultra knob is a tad finicky and sensitive, so you may waste some time just getting the knob on the right setting.
After using my Duo for over a year, I've come to realize that I don't need any of the Ultra's extra functions.
Instant Pot Ultra Sous Vide
However, the Ultra is definitely nice with the auto-closing pressure valve. This means that you just lock the lid and the Ultra takes care of the sealing. With the Duo, you'll need to manually check to make sure that the pressure valve is in the 'Sealing' position, otherwise, the pressure won't be able to build up. If you go with just the Duo, checking the valve is just something you need to make sure you do and it's only a small, extra step.
For those who like to see a visual representation on the display of how their food is coming along, the Ultra's progress indicator is a nice touch. You'll see what stage of the cooking process the food is in and even see the temperature rising.
The Ultra setting allows you to maintain water at a specific temperature, which you need for Sous Vide cooking. However, if you already have your own Sous Vide Circulator Stick, then you don't need the Ultra's pseudo-sous vide controls.
Both the Instant Pot Duo and Ultra are great products, but if you are solely wanting to pressure cook (and that's the most the majority of customers will probably want to do), then the Duo is enough to get the job done for a fair price. However, if you want more high-tech bells and whistles, and the cost isn't an issue, then go for the Ultra.
Our Pick
Instant Pot Duo
The most popular Instant Pot model
The Instant Pot Duo is a great multi-use pressure cooker that will get the job done. It has seven built-in programs, but you'll end up using Sauté and Pressure/Manual the most, leaving the rest alone for the most part. It comes in three sizes for all of your cooking needs and is on sale often.
High-tech
Instant Pot Ultra
Instant Pot Sous Vide Function
The pressure cooker with a lot of fancy bells and whistles
Profiles sales assessment user guide manual. The Ultra does everything the Duo does, and a lot more, including Sterilizing and Sous Vide. It also auto-closes the pressure valve, so that's one less thing to worry about. However, the knob is a bit finicky and a lot of the extra features are unnecessary if you're solely looking for a way to pressure cook your food. Plus, this model is a bit on the pricier side, but it does go on sale occasionally.
We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.
Accessorize your Fitbit Versa 2Trick out your Versa 2 with these cool products
Get even more out of your Fitbit Versa 2 with some of these awesome accessories.