I was all excited when I got my Instant Pot IP-Duo 8 quart pressure cooker. It pushed my IP-DUO 6 quart out of the location of honor, under my kitchen island, ready to be pulled out at a moment’s notice. My IP-DUO 6 moved to the basement, on the shelf of backup pressure cookers. (Next to the Fagor Lux 8 quart, the Instant Pot Smart, the Kuhn-Rikon, and the Cuisinart.) I loved the extra space in the 8 quart; I didn’t mind that it barely fit under the kitchen island. That’s how things stayed for a few months. The IP-DUO 6 quart would come upstairs when I needed a second pressure cooker for a side dish, but otherwise was relegated to the minor leagues.
Then, one night, the kids did not clean out the 8 quart pot. (Darned kids!) It was crunch time, and I had to get dinner started right away. I don’t have a spare pot for the 8 quart yet - Instant Pot says they are coming, but keeps pushing off the date - so I went downstairs and grabbed the IP-DUO 6. When we were cleaning up the kitchen, out of habit, I put the 6 quart back under the island, and moved the 8 quart downstairs.
That was it. Without really paying attention, I switched back to my old standby, the 6 quart cooker. Turns out, for a family of five, I don’t really need the 8 quart size, except for special occasions. The 6 quart does fine, and slightly smaller size, and availability of spare pots and a lid, make it a more versatile cooker day to day. I still bring up the 8 quart when I need it - large batches of stock, or chili for a crowd - but the 6 quart is back as my regular cooker.
Now, I’m glad I have both - I love the day-to-day usability of the 6 quart, with the size of the 8 quart available if I happen to need it. And, it’s great to have a second cooker. If I want a main course and a side dish, both under pressure, I can pull out my backup. Now, the fact that I also have a third, fourth, and fifth pressure cooker available? I may have a problem. (And I’m thinking about the high-end Breville Fast-Slow Pro pressure cooker. I want to try the auto-pressure release, but I can’t get over the lack of a stainless steel pot. Ok, Ok. I admit it. I definitely have a problem.)
Why am I sharing this? Because, I have been asked in the comments a lot recently: 6 quart or 8 quart? If you can only have one, the 6 quart is more than enough to cook for my family of five. If you have bigger needs, the 8 quart is also an excellent cooker - and they’ve got to have spare pots eventually, right? - but I don’t think most people need the extra size. Stick with the 6 quart to start, and when you fall in love with pressure cookers and have to get a second one, go for the 8 quart for the extra space and versatility it adds.
In the end, there can be only one. (Or, in my case, five.)
What do you think?
What is your go-to pressure cooker? Talk about it in the comments section below.
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Nancy says
Hi Mike, I am new to your site, and I can't wait to make many of the recipes. Would I be safe by increasing any of the recipes, meant for the 6 qt. Instant Pot, by 1/3 to use in the 8 qt model? Thank you.
Mike V says
Yes, absolutely.
Linda says
Hi, I'm thinking of asking for an Instant Pot for Christmas, and am trying to decide between the 6 and 8-qt pots. I have a family of four. The kids are a older teen and a young adult. Will a turkey carcass fit in the 6-qt model? You mentioned using frozen chicken carcasses for your 8-qt. How many chicken carcasses will the 6-qt hold?
Also, what are advantages of the glass lid?
Thank you!
Mike V says
A turkey carcass just fits in the 6 quart if you break it up enough. I can fit 2 chicken carcasses in the 6 quart. The glass lid is useful when you are not pressure cooking - if you want to use the pot as a regular pot, or a slow cooker.
Linda says
Wonderful! Thank you SO much!
Crystal says
I have a large family...8 of us, and I like to cook enough for leftovers. I'm considering the 8 qt or 2 6qt. Thoughts? Would filling 2 pots be cumbersome?
After so many recommendations I am taking a leap of faith with the instant pot. I found your blog researching pressure cookers. I appreciate all the information here.
Thanks for responding
Mike V says
I don't think the 8qt is big enough for 8 people if you want leftovers - I'd go with 2 6qt. Using 2 pots is like using 2 pots on the stove; I do it all the time when I'm pressure cooking, say, the main course and a side dish.
DM says
Great information! Have you seen HipPressure Cooking's recipe for Hasselback Pork Roast? I've tried to make it before and have trouble fitting it in my 6qt. Also whole chicken seems like would benefit from the larger 8 at?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Mike V says
Yes, if what you're cooking is too large fit in the 6 quart, the 8 quart is a good answer. That rarely happens to me, though. (I haven't tried HipPC's hassle back pork recipe, and I fit 4 pound chickens in my 6 quart - my most common size.)
Emma says
Great! Thanks Mike.
Emma says
Hi again Mike, did you get your hands on the Breville one yet? I have also been interested in that one. I went with Instant Pot but Breville Fast/Slow was next on my list. And btw, did you ever use a Redmond Multicooker? (You know, incase I need a second… ha ha)
Mike V says
No, never got the Breville - I'm weakening, but really, I should have enough pressure cookers to last me for a while. The Redmond looks too small (5 quart) for my uses.
Emma says
Hi there! I found your site a while back when researching. It helped. Anyway, I put in purchase for the Pot via Amazon yesterday... (I definitely recommend waiting for Black Friday or the like!) I also ordered the glass lid. I still find myself debating the lid and still have time to change order. So my question: Do you have / use the glass lid at all? Or wish you had?
Mike V says
I use the glass lid all the time. Definitely recommended.
Mary McK. says
I found this blog today while agonizing over whether to get the Black Friday deal on the 6 qt IP or hold out for the 8 qt. Think I'm going to get the 6 qt. I love it that you knew the word pygostyle (avian anatomist here). Thanks for the help!
Mike V says
You're welcome! And...avian anatomist - wow!
Eric Finkel says
I'm ready to get an IP using Amazon gift cards I received, so essentially free. Trying to figure out whether to get 8qt for the times I wish I had it, or get the 6qt and enjoy the extra $50 for something else on Amazon with my "free" money. If you could tell someone which one to give you as a gift, 8qt, or 6qt?
thanks,
Eric
Mike V says
If I didn't have a pressure cooker at all, I'd say the 6 qt - it covers 95% of my needs. I only pull the 8 quart out on rare occasions - I love having it as a backup, but I wouldn't spend the extra $$$ unless I knew I needed it.
Eric Finkel says
Even if it's a gift...good to know. Thank you. I had some friends say to get the bigger one for the times I wished I had more room. -E
MFoster says
You initial review sold me on the 8qt based on frozen chicken carcasses. I also do a lot of lamb shanks and I wonder if the bone would be too long. Do you still break out the big IP for stock, or have you found the 6qt does just as well?
Mike V says
Frozen carcasses and lamb shanks are two instances where I do break out the bigger pot.
makettle says
Thanks for the quick response. I'm doing everything I can to convince her that the electric pressure cooker makes dinner waaaaay easier.
makettle says
I'm trying to convince my sister to get a Instant Pot 6 quart. She has a very tall 15 year old and a 12 year old who both eat a lot. She's still hemming and hawing about getting a pressure cooker. I can't seem to convince her that it'll be the best thing she's ever done. How much do your kids eat? I only cook for my husband and I, so I can't help with 4-5 mouths and the 6 quart.
Mike V says
It depends on the meal for my kids - when they love it, we clean out the pot; when they don't, we have leftovers. In general, I think the 6 quart would be enough for her. If she's really worried about it, though, the 8 quart is also a very good cooker - just not the one I reach for first.
Tamara Doerschuk says
I feel the same as Lisa about needing a bigger pot several times a month. Because it wouldn't be used as often as the Duo 6 Qt, I'm considering getting the GoWise 8 qt. It seems to get good reviews and is less than 100$. It comes with a stainless steel pot and the front panel gives a pressure reading while cooking. I love my IP and would like to stay with the brand, but it might not be practical unless there is some deep price cut on Black Friday. I'll hold out until then and see what Amazon does.
Sue C says
Just an FYI...the inner pots for the 8qt came out awhile ago. You can get them directly from Instant Pot. (they haven't listed them on Amazon yet, though) They're $37.95 with free shipping: https://instantpot.com/store/product.php?productid=32&cat=0&page=&featured=Y
Mike V says
Thanks for the update!
Lisa Cee says
At least 2x/month, I wished I had an 8 quart model but have not yet sprung for it. I did check out Fagor's 8 quart model & Amazon does have a regular insert (not nonstick). But I really like how my 6 quart has performed over & over so I think I'll stick with IP when/if I stop being cheap!
Mike V says
Lisa, one thing about the Fagor Lux - the insert it comes with is nonstick. (It's a good nonstick - blue ceramic - but still a nonstick.) Fagor does have a stainless insert, but it's an accessory that you have to buy separately.