Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

Curated from 103 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 23, 2025

Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker

Brand: Instant Pot
Price: $149
Snoop Score:
6.9
Sentiment
7.3
Popularity
6.6
Technical
6.7

Snoop's Take

The Instant Pot Duo Plus is an 8-quart electric pressure cooker that serves as a versatile 9-in-1 kitchen appliance, allowing users to pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, and more. Designed for convenience and efficiency, it features a whisper-quiet steam release and an easy-to-read LCD display, making it user-friendly for cooks of all levels. Consumer sentiment around the Instant Pot Duo Plus has been overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its energy efficiency and time-saving capabilities. Many appreciate its durability, with one user stating, "Stainless steel lasts forever," while others noted how it simplifies cooking with features like the automated settings and self-cleaning pot. However, some users mentioned that it may not perform as effectively as a traditional slow cooker, with feedback indicating that "the Instant Pot is NOT a slow cooker." Given the feedback and the product's strengths, the Instant Pot Duo Plus is highly recommended for those seeking a multi-functional cooking appliance. Its versatility and user-friendly design make it a great addition to any kitchen, especially for busy families or individuals looking to save time on meal prep.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Electric Pressure Cookers

Pressure cookers are actually extremely good in terms of energy efficiency.

Positive Feedback

FYI, the Instant Pot is NOT a slow cooker Just use a slow cooker.

Negative Feedback
Product
6.9
Instant Pot Duo Plus 8-Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Family Meal Prep
9 / 10
One-Pot Cooking
9 / 10
Homemade Yogurt & Desserts
8 / 10
Pressure Canning & Preserving
4 / 10
See how this compares to all Electric Pressure Cookers

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.
Energy efficient compared to slow cookers
Pressure cookers are actually extremely good in terms of energy efficiency.
My experience cooking the same meals in crockpot vs instant pot is the IP uses considerably fewer Watt-hours.
Effective for fast cooking
Use the high pressure setting for my pulled pork and it works great and only takes an hour
slow cooked a pork shoulder in it and it turned out amazing
It’s been a champ. Even though pressure cooking will do the same meal a lot faster, sometimes it’s nice not to worry about quick releasing and cleaning the lid.
Self-cleaning feature
the pot will have basically loosened anything and mostly cleaned itself.
Durability of stainless steel
Stainless steel lasts forever.
Increased safety with electric pressure cookers
Electric appliances like InstantPot alleviated or appeared to alleviate a lot of safety concerns regarding the existing stove top pressure cookers designs when they were used incorrectly.
Durable and effective performance
I would buy the duo, it’s durable and works great.
Easy to use with automated settings
easy to use: set your settings and leave the kitchen, you can set a timer, make yoghurt
Confused! Which Instapot to buy? I’ve been confused because of there are models called Max and Dua Crisp with Ultimate Lid.
Cooks food quickly
Instant pot is just an electric pressure cooker with options.
Energy efficiency for cooking
Incredible power use efficiency of instant pots. 125 watts per hour.
They’re super efficient.
Versatile cooking functionality
Honestly, in my experience (and it seems to be a common theme) is that most of us rarely use any of the fancy features, so the more basic model is more than enough.
Versatile cooking modes
It also has other cook modes like sauté and yogurt
Instant pot style cookers will do a lot of different things. Saute, slow cook, make yogurt, pressure cook, boil, steam, etc. Some will do sous vide. They're quite useful.
Easy to use for average consumers
An Instant Pot is just an electric pressure cooker with presets to make it easier for the average consumer to use.
Versatile size options for different cooking needs
I do use it for sure and make a bunch of things in it but it’s a lot to pull it out so I don’t use it as much as I guess I could.
I ended up loving it and later got the 6 qt one to be able to make larger quantities of food.
I almost never feel restricted with the mini.
I’ve been using my 3qt fairly often, waaaay more than I’ve used my 8qt.
Useful for cooking for small households
Thanks! This is helpful. Sounds like the mini might serve me good for now and then I’ll still have the 8 quart for when more people come over.
User-friendly for average consumers
the Instant Pot is intriguing, because I would like to try new things, and appreciate the way it takes the guesswork out of cooking.
The insta pot is designed to be user friendly and used by everyday, average consumers.
Convenient sauté function reduces cookware
I like the saute function. It really cuts down on the amount of cookware you have to use and clean.
Appreciated safety features
While it is a pressure cooker, I appreciate the safety features and ease of use.
Saves time in cooking
Don't feel like spending 18 hours making tonkotsu? Use a pressure cooker and spend 6 hours instead.
I'm buying a pressure cooker...
Effective for making broth
neither myself nor my taste testers can tell which is which and that's good enough for me
This is awesome!
Versatile for various recipes
I'm gonna have to buy a pressure cooker.
Depends on your needs and your mood. Sometimes I'm happy with something that gets me 90% of the way there in 25% of the time.

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.
Ineffective as a slow cooker
FYI, the Instant Pot is NOT a slow cooker Just use a slow cooker.
America's Test Kitchen tested different brands of electric pressure cookers and determined that Instant Pots perform poorly as slow cookers.
Difficult to clean non-stick pots
the lack of a non-stick inner pot option is problematic
Concerns about brand stability
there are plenty of noname nonstick coated pressure cookers around now under $40, while "instant" brand is going bankrupt.
Not as effective as traditional pressure cookers
A pressure cooker is a manually operated Instant Pot.
An instapot is a pressure cooker.
Unreliable pressure cooking performance
Suddenly stopped venting but still no countdown for the time set.
it sounds to me like steam was escaping from the seal, which then failed when the vent closed.
Not new or innovative, just an electronic version
it's just an electronic pressure cooker.
Broth quality not as good as traditional methods
it's not the same.
you simply get better, creamier results than in a pressure cooker.
Pressure cooking may not achieve desired texture
It is very porky, but not in a bad way, I think the 40 min blanche and 15 minute attack with a scrubbing brush REALLY helped!
Yes, it’s definitely porky. Add water to dilute the flavor, and make sure you add plenty of tare/MSG for balance.

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

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Fullwill Electric Pressure Cooker Uni 6qtFullwill Electric Pressure Cooker Uni 6qt$69
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COMFEE’ 9-in-1 Electric Pressure CookerCOMFEE’ 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker$69
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Nesco CAREY DPC-9SS Smart Electric Pressure Cooker and CannerNesco CAREY DPC-9SS Smart Electric Pressure Cooker and Canner$158
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DUMOS 12-in-1 Electric Pressure CookerDUMOS 12-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker$79
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Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.
Comparison of features between Instant Pot models
Hi everyone, need help with a purchasing decision. Can you guys tell me which is better ? instant pot or duo plus.
I got the Pro over the duo because of the handles on the inner pot.
The handles are *really* helpful, I watch videos of people using the other models and the way the inner pot spins when they stir, makes me glad I got the pro.
The inner pot of the Pro can also be used on a regular stove top for sauteing (as opposed to sauteing in the instant pot)!
Electric pressure cookers as clean cooking alternatives
We specifically measured because with the electricity getting cut off and potentially gas as well, we were thinking of alternatives if everything goes down.
Honestly, having access to affordable old school pressure cookers would be a huge boost to nutrition in rural communities.
Seems kind of bougie to have these fancy pressure cookers, but if they can help people that's awesome.
Between electric pressure cookers and solar battery flashlights, you could nearly eliminate kerosene use which is a significant greenhouse gas emitter.
Instant Pot as a brand of electric pressure cooker
Instant Pot is just a brand name of electric pressure cooker
Functionality as a slow cooker
It can function as a slow cooker too, which comes in handy sometimes.
Discussion about stainless-steel inner pots
Aside from Instant Pot, what other brands come with a stainless-steel inner pot?
Works like a charm.

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.
Recipes for Instant Pot can work for stovetop pressure cookers
Pressure cooker recipes for the Instant Pot will usually work for a stovetop pressure cooker without modification.
Yes - recipes that are for instant pot also work for stove top pressure cookers.
Difficulty in finding recipes not involving Instant Pot
impossible to find a recipe that does not involve the bulky instant pot.. those things does not even exist where i am from
Experiments with pressure cooking methods
I always have issues with it either getting too hot or cooling too much.
Been wanting to try it for a long time but wasn't sure how to go about it, just a couple of questions!

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’
Price trends for Instant Pot
Is this a good deal for the price?
The price has gone up so I see it as a good deal.
Price comparison and features discussion between Duo Plus and Pro
the Duo and the Pro's inner-pot handles
I'm very happy with my Pro so far, anyways.
Comparison to other brands like Ninja
Not to be a shit-stirrer, but why not a Ninja?
Comparison of Instant Pot and traditional pressure cookers
I was wondering if I need just a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot like device.
my traditional cookers are fine.
Discussion about using different sizes for various needs
Love the 6 qt and debating over a second or the 3. Hopefully there are a bunch of people out there that have the 3 qt willing to share their opinion
Time conversion between stovetop and electric pressure cookers
time conversion from stovetop pressure cooker to electric pressure cooker My mom uses a typical Indie stovetop pressure cooker and is staying with me for the week, where she will be using my instant pot.
https://www.hippressurecooking.com/pressure-cooking-times/
Www.Hippressurecooking.com has a chart with times of electric and stove top pressure cookers.
Most people find there's actually no or little difference, perhaps because the IP and it's lower *sustained* pressure is offset by other factors.

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.
Possible issues with sealing ring and pressure
Make sure your venting hole is clean of any oil and crap.
Discussion on traditional vs pressure cooking
I haven't done it extensively. I should definitely revisit!

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