Instant Pot changed the pressure cooking game when it was introduced in 2010. Since then, it has introduced various features and an array of sizes.
The Duo has grown in popularity recently because it is affordable without sacrificing the multi-features the brand is known for.
The brand is a multi-use pressure cooker that can bake, broil, dehydrate, and other features. The newer Instant Pot models even have a sous vide cooking option. But what is the smallest Instant Pot?
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The Instant Pot Duo Mini: The Smallest Option
3-Quart Capacity
The smallest Instant Pot is the three-quart Duo Mini. This size is perfect for 1-3 people and has seven multi-cooking features and the traditional stainless steel cooking pot Instant Pot is known for.
It is a durable model, as all Instant Pots are, and I love the convenience and space-saving capabilities. At an average price of less than 100 dollars, this is a great option for saving counter space and whipping up fantastic meals.
Features of the Duo Mini
The Instant Pot Duo Mini is a rice cooker, electric pressure cooker, yogurt maker, air fryer, and slow cooker. Just because it's mini does not mean it's different from its bigger family members.
It has over ten safety features and is easy to use. Like all Instant Pot Brands, it has smart programs and comes with the Instant Brands Connect App.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is twice the mini's size and more suited for larger families. It also takes up more counter space, an important consideration when shopping for kitchen appliances.
Besides the quart capacity, the Instant Pot Duo shares many of the same features as the bigger models. It has eleven touch features, a safe-locking lid, and an easy-release button.
Why the Smallest Instant Pot is a Great Choice
Space Saving
One of the biggest reasons the Instant Pot Duo Mini is so popular is because it saves counter space. It is perfect for small kitchens, dorm rooms, and RV traveling.
And if it is not going to be left on the counter, it is lightweight and easily stored in a cupboard or pantry. Instant Pot brands made a smart move by incorporating their best features into a smaller unit with the mini.
It is also an ideal option for slow-cooking individual soups or beans. Pressure cooking beans is also an option that will cook beans in less than half the time than the slow cook option, which is the point of a pressure cooker.
Perfect for Small Portions (and Side Dishes)
Another area where the Instant Pot Duo shines is as an individual pressure cooker and a side dish helper. One of my favorite features is its ability to cook rice.
Cooking rice for one or two people is no longer a sticky mess in a pot; I set up the Mini and let it pressure cook my rice to perfection with no mess while I prepare the meal.
In addition to my favorite rice dish, the Duo is great for making sides of broccoli, fries, or anything else you want to serve with your meal. As with all Instant Pot models, cooking in the Duo is a set-it-and-forget-it cooking process, so it frees up time for me to focus on the entree.
Travel-Friendly
Unlike traditional cooking methods, you can easily travel with the Instant Pot Duo, as I referenced with RV travel. My family and I take ours often on the road due to its portability and small size, which fits perfectly in the car.
Is the Smallest Instant Pot Right for You?
Consider Your Cooking Needs
Although I love the Instant Pot Duo Mini, it may not be the right size for your cooking needs. For instance, I also have the six-quart Instant Pot With Ultimate Lid (I love it!), but more often than not, I break out the Mini for a quick meal.
Before purchasing an Instant Pot, consider the cooking functions, inner pot cooking options, and various cooking techniques. I love pressure-cooking ribs, so a large-capacity model best serves my needs.
It would be best if you also looked at the different cooking features. My Ultimate Lid has a sous vide option, which is relatively new to the Instant Pot brand, but some people will not use it.
Meal Prep Considerations
Meal prepping and batch cooking are great reasons to use a large-capacity Instant Pot. Sundays are a great day to batch-cook rice, beans, or boiled eggs for the week ahead.
You can also prep and freeze meals so you do not have to cook throughout the week. This would be laborious with a small model, but it's not with a six-quart Duo or Duo With Ultimate Lid.
Desire for Certain Features
The more you cook with an Instant Pot and with the app, you will notice that, although all Instant Pots cook the same, the Instant Pot recipes vary depending on size. Always read the quart size on the recipe you are using.
The Instant Pot Duo Mini saves space and makes small meals. However, there is always a sacrifice. In this instance, certain features, like a dishwasher-safe lid, are missing.
Some smart programs are not on the smaller or older models. If you track the progression of the Instant Pot, you will see that the original was a 6 in 1, and it has evolved to a 13 in 1 model.
This does not mean that less is more, however. That is a personal choice and solely depends on your cooking priorities. Most larger models are designed for bigger proteins like ribs or the sous vide option.
If your Mini is missing a dehydrator function or the sous vide option, that is okay if you don't regularly cook with those techniques. One of the best things about Instant Pot is that while they share similar features, each model has unique features designed just for it.
Where to Find the Instant Pot Duo Mini
Online Retailers
There are plenty of online and brick retailers where you can purchase an Instant Pot, Amazon being the most common. Other reputable online retailers include Walmart and Best Buy.
All the models I have owned came from Amazon, and I have never been disappointed with them. Of course, you can also buy any model directly from the Instant Pot website.
The Instant Pot Website
I absolutely love Instant Pot's website. It is oriented toward the home and includes troubleshooting tips, a customer service phone number (that works!), and accessories.
You can also find useful information about the many groups that center around all things Instant Pot and get access to their cooking app with over 2,000 recipes. In short, you feel appreciated and like a new club member.
Tiny Pot, Mighty Meals
While most Instant Pots are rather large, Instant Pot has come up with a genius idea: the Instant Pot Mini Duo 7 in 1. It is ideal for smaller spaces or smaller meals and has most of the cooking functions of the larger models.
However, the size does not affect the quality of the meal. It still delivers a delicious one-pot meal, albeit in a smaller size.
While there are limitations like smaller meals and not having some of the newer cooking functions, these are only hindrances if they are what you want. I have used this model for a long time and have been repeatedly impressed by its features and ease of cooking.
Just like in a restaurant kitchen, home cooks have different cooking techniques and styles. For those cooks looking for an economical and space-saving pressure cooker, the Mini Duo is the way to go.
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