Instant Pot Duo Plus Review: 50+ Meals Later, Is It Worth the Hype?
Few kitchen gadgets have achieved the cult status of the Instant Pot. The Duo Plus 6-Quart is the latest iteration, combining pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sauteing, yogurt making, sterilizing, sous vide, and warming into one appliance. After cooking over 50 meals — from 30-minute butter chicken to overnight bone broth — here's whether it deserves a permanent spot on your counter.
What Can It Actually Cook?
The question isn't what it can cook — it's what it can't. In our testing: fall-apart pulled pork in 45 minutes, perfectly fluffy basmati rice, creamy risotto without stirring, yogurt that rivals store-bought, hard-boiled eggs with shells that slip right off, and chili that tastes like it simmered all day. The sous vide function (new on the Duo Plus) maintains temperature within 1°F — impressive at this price point.
Ease of Use
The Duo Plus features an improved display with a blue LCD and status icons that actually make sense. The 15 preset programs cover the most common cooking methods, and the pressure cook button allows manual time adjustment. There's a learning curve with pressure release methods (natural vs quick release), but after a week of regular use, it becomes second nature.
Cleaning & Maintenance
The stainless steel inner pot is dishwasher-safe and develops a nice seasoning over time. The sealing ring absorbs odors — a known Instant Pot quirk. We recommend having a second ring ($10) for sweet dishes. The steam release valve and float valve need occasional deep cleaning, but overall maintenance is minimal.
✅ Pros
- Truly replaces 9 kitchen appliances
- Consistent results across cooking methods
- Significant time savings on tough cuts, beans, grains
- Sous vide function is surprisingly accurate
- Dishwasher-safe inner pot
- Large recipe community online
❌ Cons
- Learning curve for pressure release timing
- Sealing ring absorbs strong food odors
- Not a true slow cooker (less evaporation)
- Counter footprint is substantial
- Saute function takes time to heat up
Our Verdict
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is the most versatile cooking appliance we've tested. It won't replace every pot in your kitchen, but for busy home cooks, the time savings alone justify the purchase. The 6-quart size serves 4-6 people comfortably.
Buy if: You cook regularly and want faster, hands-off meals. Skip if: You enjoy the process of traditional cooking or have minimal counter space.