If you don’t already have an Instant Pot, my best guess is that investing in one is on your mind!
Which Instant Pot to get will depend largely on how often you think you’ll be using it and also yogurt. Right. Obviously yogurt.
There are model names for each, but we can put the models on different levels to help determine which is best for our specific needs:
- Level 1: Instant Pot LUX60 V3 6-in-1
- Level 2: Instant Pot DUO60 7-in-1 (< What I have)
- Level 3: Instant Pot DUO Plus 9-in-1
- Level 4: Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth (Million-in-1)
These levels are based, in ascending order, off of features and pricing.
What’s your budget?
If you’re on a super tight budget, the Instant Pot LUX60 will be just fine for you, especially within the context of this book. If your budget is a lot looser and you think you’ll use it a lot, go for the Smart Bluetooth (So cool!) or DUO Plus.
How often will you use it?
I didn’t think I’d use my Instant Pot all that often, so I went with the pretty standard Instant Pot DUO60 V3 6QT. It’s big enough to make a variety of dishes, anywhere from a single chicken breast to big batches of bone broth. I have ambitions of making coconut yogurt, though I tried it for this cookbook and failed. I feel terrible; don’t rub it in.
However, if I were buying an Instant Pot now, I’d absolutely go straight for the top: the shiny, shiny Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth. So many options! If I didn’t love tech as much as I do, the DUO Plus is fantastic, and it’s more fingerprint-resistant, too.
If you’re not sure yet just how often you’ll use it, the DUO60 is a great model.
How many are you cooking for?
Consider this when picking the size of your Instant Pot; there are volume variations for each model. That said, even if it’s just you, the ability to make large batches of soups and broths is so useful. Consider getting at least a 6-quart version of your model for this reason.
Will you make yogurt?
If you have yogurt-making dreams, skip the Instant Pot LUX60 V3 (the Level 1). The DUO60 has one-touch yogurt-making settings, although you can hack it with the LUX.
How much do you love tech?
For me, the answer to that question is easy: more than I love my husband. Wait, no, maybe not that much, but I love it a lot. I’d be happy if everything had apps, even my, like, toilet paper or something. Just think about it: we’d never run out!
My bizarre quirks aside, if you love tech, consider getting the Instant Pot Smart Bluetooth 6QT. With unlimited cooking modes (They’re writable and downloadable – how cool is that?) and an app for your phone, it’s really, really cool. This one has the cake-making, egg-cooking, and sterilization features, just like the Level 3 DUO Plus. The Smart version retails for about $159.
Oh, and if you hate tech and are constantly cursing your apps for not working (Mom, it’s user error)? Opt for one of the other versions; it’ll be just fine.
Ready to buy?
When you’re ready to buy, click this link, and it’ll take you to a page on my site that lets you purchase through Amazon. We’re Amazon affiliates, meaning we get a small portion of any sales that come from our link, but at no cost to you. We are so, so grateful if you use our page to direct your purchase!