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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Arlene Dizon
What is the diameter of the liner pot on 8 quarts? I found a steamer basket in my kitchen and it's 9.5" wide. I hope it fits. My 8 quart IP shd be coming this week. Thank you!
Mike V
9.5 inches - see the picture with the measuring tape.
Mike Lemoine
Hi Mike,
Noticed on your second photo of the SS pot and it looks like the highest fill mark says only 6 qrts, but its states it is a photo of the "new pot height", can you confirm, please.
Thank you,
Mike
Mike V
That's correct- you cannot fill a pressure cooker all the way to the top. It needs head space to build up pressure. So, the 8 quart pot's max fill line is about 6 quarts. (The 6 quart can hold about 4 quarts).
Mike Lemoine
Thanks Mike, I already have a 6 qrt slow cooker so this pressure/slow cooker (DUO80) will not be any bigger size in terms of capacity with what I already have? 🙁
A bit misleading no? It does state it can hold 8 qrts but that is not entirely true.
Mike V
It can hold 8 quarts as a slow cooker - just not as a pressure cooker. Pressure cookers need the headroom.
Linda Bates
I have read through the questions and didn't find the answer to mine (unless I skimmed past it). I have a 6qt and recently bought an 8 qt. My question is: Is there any time difference in cooking in the 8qt, what with it being 1200 watts and the 6qt being 1000 watts?
Thanks, Linda B
Mike V
No - they cook the same.
Rich B
Glass lid for the IP DUO-80 (8 qt) is now available on the instant pot store website:
https://instantpot.com/store/product.php?productid=39&cat=0&page=2
The site shows 641 in stock.
Linda
I just got my 8 qt and I have a 6 qt. I was doing the water test. I put 2 cups of water in for 2 mins. Coming to pressure and had it on sealing. Steam really came out of the spout on top.. I thought it would stop when getting to pressure but didn't. Tried it twice. Same thing. Can you please help me? I was excited to get this by surprise from my husband and wanting to use it. So disappointed. Do you think I have a problem? I need to know to send it back or not. Was wondering if this would happened with food in it. Thanks Mike!
Mike V
I'm sorry, but I think you have a problem. Get in touch with Instant Pot support to see if they can get you fixed. (I've had good experiences with them, so I think they will take care of you. )
Vivian Maddox
So far I have searched to see if I could find the 8 quart IP on sale and I cannot find one.
I just unpacked a 6 quart IP and it does not seem like it is large enough to cook an entire chicken without having to dismember the parts. It does look like it would be more than adequate for making beans, chili, stew, soups and rice in it. I'm also looking forward to making yogurt in it.
At this point since I haven't used it, I could send it back and exchange it for the 8 quart from Amazon. I would just have to pay the difference.
Could you steer me in the right direction for a sale price for the 8 quart?
Thank you.
Mrs. Maddox
Mike V
Sorry, but I don't know of any sales in the 8 quart.
Laura worsham
Like the rest, I am contemplating between the 6 or 8 qt. I already have 3 six quart crockpots , and when I use them, they are full. I am preparing for a family of 5. I plan to use it for roast, chicken, soup, sauces, chili. I have also heard you can can garden veggies. When cooking these foods, I want leftovers. I do have a small regular pressure cooker as well. Which one would you recommend?
Mike V
I'm cooking for a family of 5, and the 6 quart is large enough for most of my cooking - I only pull out the 8 quart when I'm making an extra-large batch of something. That said, if you are filling 6 quart slow cookers to the brim, then it sounds like you're making large batches on a regular basis. I think you want the bigger, 8 quart pot. (For more thoughts on the difference: https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2016/09/longer-term-testing-notes-instant-pot-duo60-vs-duo80.html/)
Laura
Thanks Mike.
What are your thoughts on getting a cheaper 6 quart to start with to see how much I will use it? Walmart has one that will be $40 ( regular $60) on Black Friday. Belk has one for $50. Instant pot is still rather expensive.
Mike V
I don't know anything for sure - but there have been major Black Friday sales on the Instant Pot on Amazon the last couple of years, with it selling for $79. I'd wait until Friday morning, and see if you can get an IP for cheap.
Tara Kluth
I have recently been introduced to the IP world and am contemplating the 8 or 6. We have 6 people, soon to be 3 teen boys (yikes!). My 6 quart Crock Pot has always been more than adequate, even if I'm cooking for 8-10 (shredded meat sandwiches, soups etc). For a multiple-times-a-week user should I stick with the 6 or in the pressure cooking world would I need the extra space that I don't use in the Crock? (In other words, I may fill the crock nearly full, do I need to worry about over filling in the IP?)
Mike V
I think you should go with the 8, if you are filling a 6 quart crock pot right up to the rim. You need to leave room for pressure to build, so the useable space in a 6 quart pressure cooker is more like 4 quarts (and in an 8 quart pressure cooker is more like 6 quarts.)
SANHEDRIN
I am single, so I guess I will skip the pressure cooker...never used one to begin with..if I did buy it, it would be a high priced dust catcher
Elizabeth
How often do these go on sale? (Have the 8 qt. ones ever gone on sale at all?)
Mike V
I have not seen a sale on the 8 quart Instant Pots. I think they're too new. Earliest for a sale would be this Christmas, but my guess would be more like Black Friday 2017.
Susan
I would not discourage people from buying the Instant Pot Smart, just because you had a bad experience with it. I am able to access my Smart from just about anywhere in my house (a one level ranch house, about 1500 ft.², built in the mid-1970's). I am also able to store my favorite recipes in the IP Smart app, including ingredients list, cooking directions, and the programmed cooking times, as well as use it as a sous vide device, since I am able to set the temperature with the app. I have both a DUO60 and a Smart; I rarely use the DUO, but it does come in handy when I want to,cook two things at once.
Mike V
Susan, I'm glad it is working for you, and thank you for the second opinion. But, I stand by my statement - it doesn't work for me, so I can't recommend it.
Detox Kristin
Any word on getting a glass lid for this cooker?
Mike V
None yet. The last anyone's heard about the spare pots is "check back at the end of October" - so maybe then? - but I'm not expecting the lids any time before that.
Camping Chick
This has been a very helpful site, thank you for all of the detailed information and the Q & A's are great follow-ups. I, like many others, am debating on the 6 vs 8 and I'm a Texan and everything is bigger in Texas, so the 8 seems like a natural choice!! The one thing that is keeping me from buying the 8 now is that it does not have bluetooth just the 6 and will they come out with a 10qt? Thoughts? I enjoy cooking and my mom taught me how to use a MPC as a child, but this is dreamy! Once I finally make my purchase I am looking forward to making all the favorites and yogurt!
Mike V
Don't let the bluetooth make your decision. It's not worth it. My experience with it is not good. It won't stay connected to my phone if I leave the kitchen - and if I'm in the kitchen, why do I need an app? The cooker is right there.
If you're cooking for a large group, get the 8 quart IP-Duo. The 6 quart IP-Duo is good enough for 90% of my cooking for my family of five, and is the cooker I recommend for most people.
Martha Mackay+Smith
Mike,
What would you need to cook in an instant pot 6 quart for more than 2 hours? And what would you need to cook in an 8 quart for 3-4 hours?
Mike V
My longest recipes go 90 minutes:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2012/03/pressure-cooker-corned-beef-and-cabbage.html/
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2016/03/pressure-cooker-7-hour-leg-of-lamb-in-90-minutes.html/
...so, I don't know why you would need to go longer. I guess the feature is there just in case someone wants it, but I wouldn't use it as a reason to pick one cooker over the other.
Jarrod
Hi all!
Been debating for several days between the 6 & 8qt DUO. I was going to grab a 6qt after talking with Mike. After re-reading his post regarding the DUO80, decided to go with it for two reasons: a) it's only slightly larger than the 6qt and will be a little more versatile. (b) Given my poor vision, Mike's comment regarding the safety valve being a different color etc. Had issues when the owner replaced an electric stove of the place I'm in. Had a "B" of a time trying to see the burner locations with its glass top.
Thought about the 60 for the wide range of accessories but figured safety first!
I sent an email to Instant Pot a few days back regarding accessories for the 8L and received a reply today, 8/23/16:
Hi there,
Unfortunately, the accessories for our 8-QT model is not yet available. We deeply apologize for the delay. Please check back in at the end of October.
Thank you for your inquiry.
Kind Regards,
Diana K.
Instant Pot Company, http://instantpot.com/
Tel: +1 800 828-7280 ext 2. Fax: +1 613 800-0726
So it looks like we're going to have to wait at least another month or two before anything comes along.
JAS
Mike V
Thanks for the update directly from the company!