One of the most frequent questions I receive is which Instant Pot Should I Buy? I have a 6 and an 8 quart Instant Pot and use both on a regular (at least once a week) basis. My go-to recipe for cooking frozen chicken in the Instant Pot is the only way to cook chicken quickly for use in dozens of recipes!
I most frequently use my 6 quart pot, but when I have larger jobs, such as making double batches of Chile Verde for a crowd, I use my 8 quart pot. If you have the room and money to buy both, and you cook a lot, I highly recommend 2 Instant Pots. The reasoning? I often times want to cook two dishes at the same time, such as Instant Pot Roast and Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes. I also use both at the same time when I’m cooking Chile Verde and ABK’s No-Soak Instant Pot Black Beans!
The Instant Pot is a one pot wonder, in my opinion. Dishes that used to take hours and hours to cook are now cooked and ready to serve in an hour or less. I’m a huge fan of cooking that takes less time and doesn’t compromise taste!
If you have a family of 6 or more, I recommend the 8 quart Instant Pot. The size difference is not significant and you’ll be glad you have the larger pot.
My Instant Pot Now What post addresses many common questions about cooking in the Instant Pot. Also, my list of Instant Pot recipes are growing daily! Our favorites are the Chile Verde, Beef Stroganoff and the Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes.
Leave a question here or send to [email protected] where I answer questions in the ABK newsletter!
This 6 quart Instant Pot is on sale today for Cyber Monday! Great deal. I’m ordering a few for gifts.
Vicki Davidson
HUBBY BOUGHT ME THE GOWISE 6 QT INSTANT POT PRESSURE COOKER. IT SAYS BAKES CAKES ETC… BUT I HAVE LOOKED FOR PANS TO BAKE CAKE AND MEATLOAF IN BUT THE LADY AT GOWISE SAID THEY DO NOT CARRY THE BAKING PAN. DO YOU KNOW THE SIZE SO I CAN GO BUY AT STORE? I ASKED SEVERAL TIMES FR JUST THE SIZE BUT SHE DID NOT ANSWER ME EVERY-TIME I ASKED FOR.
Si Foster
Vicki, I’m not familiar with this brand and haven’t baked in the Instant Pot. I do know the cake pan has to be quite small to fit into the IP though! Take your IP insert to the store with you when purchasing a baking pan to make sure the pan will fit inside of the instant pot insert.
Thanks for reading ABK,
xo
Si
Kim
I have the opposite problem….My cute daughter-in-law bought a 3 qt instant pot for me because there are usually just the two of us. It looks like a medium size sauce pan which I use for side dishes. I always use a large pan for main dishes. I am thinking the 3 quart will be too small. Have you tried the 3 quart size?
Si Foster
Kim,
3qt IP can hold more than you might think. 8 cups of soup, 4 1/2 cups uncooked rice, 2 cups of dry beans and 4 cups water, a half gallon of yogurt, or 2 pounds of meat. If you’re cooking for a crowd often, you may want to consider the 6 or 8 quart. Let me know how the 3 quart works for you.
Thanks for reading ABK!
xo,
Si
Emily Gardner
So my husband went to buy me the instant pot and the 6quart was all sold out, but got me the 8 quart instead. Since its just the 2 of us for now (hopefully we’ll have children to feed down the road), does it change anything by cooking it in the instant pot or not? I mean generally we usually double our meals to have plenty of left overs so we should be okay right?
Si Foster
Emily,
What a nice husband! The 8 qt will be great – and you’ll have an instant pot that will grow with your family!
Let me know what recipe you try and how you like using your IP.
Thanks for reading ABK,
Xo,
Si
Sarah
Thank you!! You answered all my questions!