My jumbo Instant Pot is here!
I’ve only had it since last Friday, but I want to share my excitement. The Instant Pot IP-DUO80 is the big brother of my favorite pressure cooker, the IP-DUO60. The main difference between the two cookers is size - they look almost exactly alike, but the 80 is scaled up. This is a good thing - the 80 has all of my favorite extras from the 60, including the one piece lid and silicone gasket holder, and the lid holder built into the handles. The only visible difference is the fancy red pressure valve, marked with lines so it is easier to tell when the cooker is pressurized. (With the 60, I had to use it a few times to know just by looking if the pressure valve was up or down.)
Dimensions:
Size differences
8 quart dimensions: 15 inches wide x 14.5 tall x 13 deep
6 quart dimensions: 13.5 inches wide x 12.75 tall x 12.25 deep
(Width is from side handle to side handle. Height is from counter to top of top handle. Depth is from front of control panel to back of drain.)
8 quart inner pot: 7.25 inches high x 10.3125 diameter
6 quart inner pot: 6.25 inches high x 9.5 diameter
(Size includes lip)
Why is bigger such a big deal? The extra large pot makes my favorite cooker even easier to use. That extra width has already come in handy; I store used chicken carcasses in the freezer, after we’ve picked all the meat off of them; when I want to make chicken stock, I pull the zip-top bag out of the freezer, open it, and dump the frozen bones into the cooker. This is where the size comes in - a lot of times, the frozen bird is just a little too long for my pot - the chicken’s pygostyle 1 is poking up above the max-fill line. I have to break apart the frozen carcass to get it to fit. As a test, I grabbed my bag of frozen carcasses from the freezer and made stock. The bones fit well under the max fill line in the wider pot of the IP–80.
The other advantage, of course, is I can fill the 8 quart cooker with more stuff when I’m cooking. That really helps when I’m making a big batch of broth, but…most of my other recipes fit just fine in a 6 quart cooker, even cooking for my family of five. If you already have the 6 quart cooker, and it’s working for you, don’t rush out and get the 8 quart. If you’ve been eyeing a second pressure cooker for side dishes, or you’re looking at your first cooker (and cook for bigger groups), get the 8 quart. I have multiple cookers, and in a couple days the 8 quart replaced my 6 quart as the “keep under the kitchen island for easy access” cooker. 2
One more difference I noticed: the IP-DUO80 remembers your last timer setting. For example, the first thing I did with the cooker was do a water test - 2 cups of water, set it to Manual, 5 minutes under pressure. Everything worked fine, so I took it apart, cleaned it, and put it in the dish drain to dry out. The next day, I wanted to make some beef broth. When I hit the Manual button, 5 minutes was back - not like the old DUO60, which always reset back to 30 minutes as the starting time. I think this will be a change for the better…but I’m not sure. If I cook in the same general range of temperatures this feature is a good thing - but if I jump around, cooking a 4 minute mac and cheese one day, then a 75 minute beef broth the next, this won’t be as useful. (Both options - remembering the last time set, or defaulting to 30 minutes, work better for me than some other pressure cookers that always start at zero and force you to count up. I make a lot of 30 to 60 minute recipes, so starting higher than zero means less button pressing.)
I have a new day-to-day pressure cooker.
I’ve used the IP-DUO80 every day since it arrived3, and I love it. I’ll keep using it, and report back if anything changes, but my old DUO60 has been rock solid, and I expect the same from this one. Highly, highly recommended.
[Update 2016-09-29...]
I still use my 6 quart IP-DUO60 day to day
I was excited about this cooker when it first came out, but over time, I drifted back to my 6 quart Instant Pot. Turns out, I don't need the extra space (in my day to day cooking for a family of 5.) The 8 quart now lives on my pressure cooker shelf in the basement4, where I go get it if I need the extra space. I still recommend the 8 quart if you're cooking for larger crowds on a regular basis. Or, if you want a second PC, then it's great to have the flexibility of the larger size. (That's what I use it for, primarily - when I want to pressure cook two things at once.) But, for most people, the 6 quart IP-DUO60 is a better fit.
(More thoughts on this: Longer Term Testing Notes: Instant Pot IP-DUO60 vs IP-DUO80)
What do you think?
Questions? Other ideas? Leave them in the comments section below.
Related Posts
Which Pressure Cooker Should I Buy?
Instant Pot FAQ
My pressure cooker recipe index
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Kim E. says
Almost the end of August. I just got the 8qt IP and am in love! Have made 2 large batches of ribs for cookout and dinner. But I want to make yogurt, without having my new fav toy tied up all day/night. Anyone know if/when/where to buy accessories (inner pot, glass lid, etc.) for the 8qt yet?
Katie says
Just wondering if you could share your broth recipe. I have been making broth weekly on the stove. I just got the 8 quart Instapot thanks to your review. Now I just need to learn how to make broth in it. Thanks Mike!
Mike V says
Look for "Stock" and "Broth" recipes in my pressure cooker recipe index: https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-recipe-index/
J Yuma says
Hi, I'm curious about the float vale on the lid. It would seem to be a safety issue with it sticking up like that. Does it get hot from the steam and pressure?
Thanks
Mike V says
All pressure cookers have some variation on that valve. It doesn't get hot - the rest of the lid does, but the valve and plastic parts are safe to touch. That said, it is the pressure release valve - if you turn it while the cooker is under pressure, boiling hot steam will come pouring out.
Angela says
Hi. Just found your site - love it! I have a family of 7 adults/teens (5 male/2 female) and am contemplating getting the Instant Pot. Just trying to decide between the 6 qt. and the 8 qt. I'm leaning toward the 8 qt. but wonder if there are reasons to stay with the 6 qt.
Mike V says
I'd go with the 8 quart for 7 people. The 6 quart is large enough for my family of 5 most of the time - but with the extra people, I would want the 8 quart.
Angela says
Thanks! That's what I will do then.
Scott says
I've heard the Duo80 has a removable power cord, can silence beeps, can cook for 240 minutes, and can turn off after cooking (vs. having to "keep warm." Are these features true? Thanks!
Mike V says
Yes on "can cook for 240 minutes". No on removable power cord - my cord is permanently attached. I think "no" on silencing the beeps and turn off after cooking - I don't see any way to do either in the manual.
Jocelyne says
You kindly provided a photo of the two IPs 60 and 80 side by side to show the difference in size. I am curious to see what they both look like on a counter. I am single and live alone, and the only thing stopping me from buying the 80 is if it is so massive that it becomes a nuisance to leave out on the counter. I do plan to use it OFTEN... so I will for sure leave it out and ready-for-use. Any recommendations?
Mike V says
Since you live alone, I think the 60 is the better size for you.
Mike says
The 6qt is on sale for 69.99 on Amazon today if you are Prime member.
Mike V says
Yes it is! https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2016/07/ip-duo60-sale-amazon-prime-day.html/
Mike says
Debating between the 8qt and 6qt. The biggest things I would ever do in it are a whole chicken, pork picnic roast or a couple slabs of ribs. (Things that normally fit in a 4qt slow cooker - although sometimes have to move to a bigger one)
The 8qt seems massive sitting next to the 6qt.
Mike V says
The 2 slabs of ribs would be a tight fit in the 6 quart - everything else would fit in the 6 easily. Hope this helps!
Mike says
Thanks, is the minimum water requirement different between the 6 and the 8? I think the 6qt requires 1.5 cups?
Mike says
I guess a more direct question is, can you make your beets recipe with the same measurements in the 8qt slow cooker or is it too little food and water. (6 beets and 1 cup of water)
Mike V says
I use the same measurements- 1/2 cup of water seems to be enough liquid for either the 6 or 8 quart cooker.
Mike says
Thanks,
That is the answer I was looking for. 8qt it is. Maybe I'll get into making my own stock instead of buying the canned stuff since it won't be an all day ordeal to make it now.
Mary says
I love my 8 quart version, but I am still waiting for the accessories - I am a bit worried because I don't have a spare sealing ring and the 6 quart sealing rings do not fit the 8 quart pot. Have you seen any 8 quart accessories/sealing rings yet?
Mike V says
Not yet. Email Instant Pot support - they said inner pots would be available around now.
Jennifer says
Hello Mike, Thank you for your review. I am contemplating taking the leap and buying an IP after my co-worker has raved about hers, but am torn between the 6 and 8 quart. We are a family of 4, soon to be 3 and occasionally cook for larger crowds and like to cook extra for leftovers. My concern is cooking smaller amounts in the 8 quart. Could there be issues with cooking smaller quantities in a larger pot?
Mike V says
No issues cooking smaller amounts in the larger pot. It's not that much wider - just a little - so smaller amounts fit fine.
Kenny Embry says
Hey Mike, have you found any accessories for the 8 quart? I've got one coming and would like a glass lid to use it as a slow cooker.
Mike V says
I have not. I talked to Instant Pot support about a spare 8 quart inner pot, and they said "end of May, keep an eye on InstantPot.com/store ". I don't see anything there yet.
Kim says
Hi Mike. I've had the 6qt for a couple of weeks now and decided to buy an 8qt because I occasionally cook for a crowd and liked having the larger pot. I wish I had simply ordered the 8 to begin with since I assume it can do everything the 6qt can do, but can also do it in a larger quantity. Do you find the 8qt takes longer to come to pressure than the 6?
Mike V says
It takes about the same amount of time...if it is the same amount of food. Heating up 2 cups of water for my first pressure test took almost exactly the same amount of time in both the 6 and 8 quart.
But, when I use the 8 quart pot, I'm using it for the extra space, andtakes longer to heat up the extra quart or two of liquid.
Jenn says
Thank you for pictures of size comparisons. I've been searching for them. I have a family of six and the 5 quart IP. We are taking a month long road trip and an IP will be our main cooking device for dinners most nights. What size would you take on the trip? I'm willing to buy a bigger IP if it will make our trip easier.
Mike V says
Jenn, my 6 quart is enough for my family of five under most circumstances. It's only when I'm trying to cook extra - like I want leftovers, or have a crowd showing up - that I really like having the extra 2 quarts. That said, if the option is 5 quart or 8 quart, I'd go with the eight. 5 just seems...small for 6 people.
Jenn says
Thanks so much for your reply. I'm leaning toward taking the 5 quart on the trip but see an 8 qt in my future.
Lola says
Hi Mike, thank you for this article! Vet useful! I also have a family of 5 (a small kid and twin toddlers) and am debating between 6 and 8qt. I like cooking meals that are for 2 days (cooking daily just takes too much time for me). Do you think 6 qt would fit the bill? I'm sort of leaning toward 8qt but can't make up my mind... Thank you!
Mike V says
For 2 days, you probably want the 8 quart. I get enough for a meal and some leftovers out of the 6 quart, but not enough for a whole second meal.
Lola says
Thank you!
Eric says
I also love my DUO80. I have a large family (5 kids) so, I found myself fighting the size of the DUO60. As soon as I received my DUO80, I gave my DUO60 to my in-laws.
Another new feature of the DUO80 is the increase cook time. It can now cook for 240 minutes.
Howard Thompson says
I want, I want! I've had trouble with a "LoPr" message on my ip-duo60 when I overload it for chicken stock. I'm trying to determine if the 80 will fit in any of my cabinets. Can you tell me how tall it is with the pot inside but the lid off? If it's less than 12" then I think I can store it with the lid off - putting the lid beside it or behind it.
I know it's work for you to pull it out to measure for me but I've been unable to find out the minimum shelf height I need to store it.
Thanks Mike.
Mike V says
With the lid off, it is 11" high. With lid on: 15" high by 16" wide (handles are widest part) by 13.5" deep. It just barely fits under my kitchen island - but my problem is the width - I have to turn it slightly sideways so the handles and the programmable display don't keep the cabinet door from shutting.
Howard says
Thanks, Mike! I guess some allowances must be made for awesomeness
I think I can get it to fit
Yahoo!
Mike V says
🙂
Mike V says
With the lid on, the entire 8 quart ip is 15 by 16 by 13.5. With the lid off, the entire up is 11 by 16 by 13.5.
Mike V says
As for which one to get, if you make large batches of broth and soup to freeze, get the 8 quart. I still use the 6 quart for almost everything, and only pull out the 8 quart for large batches of broth.
Barbara says
My second instant pot is a duplicate IP duo50. It also remembers my previous setting on the timer. My first IP duo50 does not. Bought the first in Nov.and the second in Feb.
Mike V says
Ah! Must be an update they added after I bought my DUO60.