The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a versatile and affordable multi-cooker that can pressure cook, slow cook, rice, steam, sauté, yogurt, sous vide, cake and keep warm. It has a few notable upgrades from the previous Duo model, such as the quiet steam release, the easy seal lid, and the clearer screen. It also comes in three different sizes: 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart, making it suitable for different household needs.
Design and Features
The Instant Pot Duo Plus has a sleek and simple design, with an angled control panel that has a large LCD display and 15 cooking programs. The display shows the cooking progress, the temperature, the pressure level, and the time remaining. It also has a handy alert when it’s safe to open the lid after pressure cooking.
The lid has an easy seal feature that automatically seals the pot for pressure cooking when closed. It also has a quick steam release button that can be remotely pressed to release the steam safely and quietly. The steam release is designed to diffuse the steam and reduce the noise.
The cooking pot is made of stainless steel with a tri-ply bottom for even heat distribution and durability. It has an anti-spin design that keeps it in place for easy sautéing. The pot and the lid are both dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus comes with two sealing rings and a stainless-steel steam rack. It also has 11+ proven safety features, including overheat protection and a safe locking lid.
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Performance and Ease of Use
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is easy to use and performs well in various cooking functions. The 25 smart programs are customizable and have step-by-step instructions on the display. You can also adjust the time, temperature, and pressure level manually to suit your preferences.
The pressure cooking function can cook up to 70% faster than traditional methods and save energy. It can handle various types of food, such as meat, poultry, beans, grains, soups, stews, and more. The pressure level can be set to high or low depending on the recipe.
The slow cooking function can cook food at low temperatures for longer periods of time, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes. It can also keep food warm for up to 10 hours after cooking.
The rice function can cook white or brown rice perfectly with no need to measure water or monitor the pot. It can also cook other grains such as quinoa, oatmeal, millet, etc.
The steam function can steam vegetables, fish, eggs, dumplings, etc. in minutes with minimal water and nutrients loss. It can also sterilize baby bottles, jars, utensils, etc.
The sauté function can brown meat, sauté onions, garlic, spices, etc. before pressure or slow cooking. It can also simmer sauces or reduce liquids after cooking. It has three temperature settings: low, medium, and high.
The yogurt function can make homemade yogurt with milk and starter culture. It can also pasteurize milk or make fermented foods such as cheese or natto.
The sous vide function can cook food at precise temperatures in a water bath for consistent results. It can create restaurant-quality dishes such as steak, chicken breast, salmon, eggs benedict, etc.
The cake function can bake cakes, cheesecakes, breads, etc. in the pot with moist and fluffy textures.
The keep warm function can keep food at serving temperature for up to 10 hours after cooking. It can also reheat food without overcooking or drying out.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Safer and quieter steam release
- Easy to use controls and display
- Available in more than one size
- Versatile and customizable cooking functions
- Durable and easy to clean cooking pot and lid
Cons:
- Fewer recipe presets than some other Instant Pots
- Top of lid can get very hot
- No steam cook function
Conclusion
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is a great choice for anyone looking for a multi-cooker that can do it all in one pot. It has all the features of the Duo model with some improvements that make it safer and easier to use. It cooks well in various functions and has a large online community that offers recipes and tips. It’s also reasonably priced and comes in different sizes to fit different needs.
