Do you need to cook more food with less cooking appliances and minimum countertop space? The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker combines the cooking functions of seven different kitchen gadgets into one affordable appliance with a small countertop footprint.

Instant Pot IP-DUO60: Overview

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 7-in-1 multi-cooker has a stainless steel pot with a 6-quart capacity. The appliance has a rated wattage of 1000 watts. It is roughly 12 inches long, wide and high and weighs almost 15 pounds.

You might be pleased to know that the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker has a food grade quality stainless steel cooking pot, steam rack and lid. The pot and rack are dishwasher safe. The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 looks professional with its brushed stainless steel finish that is also fingerprint resistant.

What can this multi-function pressure cooker do? It can function as a pressure cooker or a slow cooker. It can cook rice, steam vegetables, sauté meat, make yogurt or act as a food warmer. The only thing it cannot do is make toast like a toaster oven!

You might get a better idea of what it can do by looking at the food preparation menu options that are selected from its control panel:

• Bean or Chili
• Keep Warm
• Manual
• Meat or Stew
• Multigrain
• Porridge
• Poultry
• Pressure Cook
• Rice
• Sauté or Simmer
• Slow Cook
• Soup
• Steam
• Yogurt

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker has two pressure settings: low or high pressure. It has three temperature settings for searing meat or simmering dishes: less, normal or more. You can also adjust the temperature when you are slow cooking food.

Will it explode under pressure?

You might be worried about safety concerns because the food is cooked under pressure. Do not worry, the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 has a safe design which incorporates ten different safety mechanisms. It is UL certified.

A pressure regulator keeps the pressure within safe limits. The anti-blockage vent is designed so that food cannot block it. A safety lid lock prevents the cooker from being opened while its contents are still under pressure. An electrical and temperature fuse shuts down the pressure cooker if the current or temperature exceeds a maximum safety limit. These features and more make the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker a safe kitchen appliance. It performs well under pressure!

What is included with the IP-DUO60?

The following accessories should be included with the pressure cooker and stainless steel pot:

• Condensation water collector
• Measuring cup
• Recipe booklet
• Rice paddle
• Soup spoon
• Steam rack
• User manual

How high is the pressure?

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 has a two pressure settings. On its low pressure setting, it operates at a maximum of 7.2 psi (50kPa). It works at a maximum of 11.6 psi (80kPa) when on its high pressure setting.

Can it be used for canning?

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker is not recommended for pressure canning food. It does not provide you with the actual pressure and temperatures inside the pot. You should buy a specific food canning appliance if you want to can foods, because the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 cannot pressure can foods.

Can it prepare yogurt?

Its yogurt program has three settings. Use the normal mode for making yogurt. The temperature ranges between 96 and 109 °F. The timer can go up to 99 hours for the yogurt function.

Does the pot clean easily?

The cooking pot is made from stainless steel, which is dishwasher safe. However, food might stick to the bottom of the pot. Not to worry, just pour some warm water and dishwashing liquid into the pot and let it soak. Wipe and rinse it clean. The cooking pot is easy to maintain, unless you have never cleaned a pot before in your entire life.

IP-DUO60 vs. IP-DUO50/80

The model numbers refer to the capacity of the pot. The IP-DUO60 has a 6-quart pot, while the IP-DUO50 has a 5-quart pot. Therefore, the dimensions of the appliance also differ slightly between models. The Instant Pot IP-DUO80 has an 8-quart pot, and it is also the biggest appliance: it measures 14.8 x 13.3 x 14.2 inches.

The weight of each unit differs due to the size of the stainless steel pot and appliance. For example: the IP-DUO60 weighs 14.57 pounds, while the IP-DUO80 weighs 19 pounds.

The rated power of the appliance is another small difference. The IP-DUO50 uses 900 watts, the IP-DUO60 uses 1000 watts and the IP-DUO80 runs on 1200 watts. The safety features, buttons and functions are the same.

Your choice between these Instant Pot pressure cooker models will depend mostly on how much cooking capacity you need. There might also be a small price difference between the appliances. The IP-DUO60 pressure cooker seems to be the most popular and is therefore available at the lowest price because so many people buy it.

Verdict

Most of the reviews for the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 pressure cooker are positive. It works really well for cooking food fast and tasty. There are a few minor annoyances such as the silicone ring in the lid which retains food smells. Some people would also like better instructions and more information from the product manual.

The Instant Pot IP-DUO60 might have a steep initial learning curve for some people, but with experience you will master its multiple cooking functions and manual operation. The many safety features will prevent any harmful mishaps.

It seems like the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 is a good kitchen gadget that is worth its affordable list price (view price and details on Amazon).