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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Bryant
Hello! Since most Instant Pot recipes on the web seem to be written for the 6qt, do you need to adjust the cook times if making the same recipe in the 8qt? Thanks!
Mike Vrobel
No adjustment is needed for cooking times.
Cyndi
I am also trying to decide between the 6 & 8. Based on the name of nine in one on the 6Q it seems as though there might be three functions not available on the 8Q? I have a family of 4 but I like to plan for leftovers and vacuum seal to freezer so leaning towards the 8Q. Thoughts? Thank you!
Mike Vrobel
Get the 8 quart, and don't worry about functions. I only use the "Pressure Cook/Manual", Saute, and Keep Warm functions.
Vicki Chossek
I think I will like the 8 quart for making my double batches of soup. My question is how SMALL of a batch can you do in an 8 quart? For example could you put in 1 cup of rice to cook in the 8 quart, or is that too small for it to handle well?
Mike Vrobel
The 8 works fine with small recipes. If a recipe would work in the 6 quart, it will work in the 8 quart.
Kathy
Hi. New to the IP world and purchased the IP DuoPlus60. Then I started thinking that maybe I should have the IPDuoMini 3 Qt. I am newly widowed and thought maybe the 3 qt would be better for everyday for me and then the 6 qt for cooking for myself, son and daughter-in-law or even bigger groups. But then, I saw something that said the 3 qt mini has less power. Do you know if the 3 qt mini would be good for everyday cooking for one or is it a compromise on power and options. I haven't opened the box yet and can return if it's not a good option. I also thought it would be good for making side dishes - potatoes, rice or boiled eggs. Your advice is appreciated. Kathy
Mike Vrobel
I have not tried the Mini, so this is just my opinion based on the size, but:
Return it and get the 6 quart. 3 quarts is too small for a pressure cooker to be useful.
The 6 will do everything the 3 does, and you will have extra space if you need it.
Amanda Cropsey
Hi! So I received the 8 qt. pressure cooker as seen on tv from my kids for Christmas. My Mom helped them with the purchase and told me that she originally bought the 6 qt. instapot but then saw the 8 qt. off brand on sale and decided I may need it for a family of five so is letting me choose which one to keep. So should I go with the instapot brand and get the 6 qt. or do you know anything about the as seen on tv pressure cooker in 8 qt size?
Thank you! Also, do you have recipes for newbies?
Mike Vrobel
It depends on the off brand. I have good experiences with Instant Pot and Fagor Lux pressure cookers, and have heard good things about the Breville pressure cookers as well. If it's the Power Pressure Cooker XL, I've had complaints about the lack of a saute mode, no "pressure cook or Manual pressure cook" mode, and no true high pressure setting. That one I'd return for an Instant Pot. Other than that? I can't say.
Anne
I am looking to buy my first IP. We are a family of 4 but I entertain quite a bit. I read your whole article and all of the comments and I am still unsure what size IP I should get. I only plan on buying one (i know that is what they all say). I make chicken soup in my slow cooker (that I just got rid of) and plan to start using the IP for that as well as stews, ribs, etc.... How much stock does the 6 qt. IP yield when you have veggies and chicken taking up some of the room while cooking? Also, I have read that most IP recipes are geared towards the 6 qt and that the 8 qt requires more liquid which could change recipes. Have you found that to be a problem when using the 8 qt?
Mike Vrobel
6 quart yields about 2 quarts of broth; 8 quart yields about 3, once you strain the solids out. 6 quart recipes work the same in the 8 quart - I don’t agree that they need more liquid. (Unless you change the recipe and scale it up to use the larger size of the 8 quart. Then it needs more liquid.)