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Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Qt Review — 6 Months of Weekly Meal Prep

★★★★½4.8(198,500 reviews)

By MikeUpdated 2026-06-15

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Instant Pot

$89.99$129.99

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⭐ Our Verdict

At under $90, the Duo Plus is the sweet spot in Instant Pot's lineup. You get all the key features of the $150+ models without paying for gimmicks. After 6 months, I use it 3-4 times a week for everything from hard-boiled eggs to pulled pork. If you only buy one kitchen gadget this year, make it this one.

✅ Pros

✓Replaces 9 appliances — pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and more
✓Stainless steel inner pot is durable and dishwasher safe
✓Clear display with progress indicator takes the guesswork out
✓Whisper-quiet compared to older models
✓Over 25 customizable smart programs

⚠️ Cons

✗Learning curve on pressure release methods
✗Lid can be tricky to seal properly at first
✗Takes up significant counter space at 12.5 inches wide

I resisted the Instant Pot craze for years. "I have a slow cooker and a stovetop pressure cooker," I told myself. "What do I need another gadget for?" Then my sister-in-law made pulled pork in 45 minutes that tasted like it had been cooking all day, and I was sold.

Six months later, my Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Qt is easily my most-used kitchen appliance after my coffee maker. Here's what you need to know.

What Makes the Duo Plus Different?

The Duo Plus sits between the basic Duo and the high-end Pro models. You get a better display with a cooking progress indicator, an extra sealing ring (huge for avoiding odor transfer), and a few extra smart programs like sterilize, cake, and egg. The 6-quart size feeds 4-6 people comfortably.

My Favorite Things to Cook

Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs (5-5-5 Method)

5 minutes high pressure, 5 minutes natural release, 5 minutes ice bath. These eggs peel like a dream — the shells practically slide off. I make a batch of 8-10 every Sunday for the week.

Ribs in 25 Minutes

Dry rub on baby back ribs, 25 minutes high pressure, 15 minutes natural release, then 5 minutes under the broiler with BBQ sauce. They're fall-off-the-bone tender. The same result would take 3-4 hours in the oven.

Rice That Actually Works

1:1 water-to-rice ratio, 4 minutes high pressure, 10 minutes natural release. Perfect fluffy rice every time. I donated my dedicated rice cooker.

Things to Watch Out For

The sealing ring absorbs odors — especially from heavily spiced dishes. This is why the Duo Plus comes with two rings (one for savory, one for sweet/delicate foods). The lid alignment can be finicky until you get used to it — listen for the chime.

Who Should Buy the Duo Plus?

If you cook for 3-6 people and want one appliance that replaces your rice cooker, slow cooker, and steamer, this is it. The extra features over the base Duo are worth the $20 difference. Skip if you already have a 6-Qt Instant Pot — the upgrades from older models are incremental.

💰 Best Price I Found

I paid $89.99 on Amazon. It occasionally drops to $79.99 during Prime Day events. At either price, it's a steal considering it replaces multiple appliances.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Instant Pot Duo Plus worth it vs the regular Duo?▼

Yes, for the $20 difference. You get a better LCD display with cooking progress, an extra sealing ring, and additional programs like sterilize and cake. The progress indicator alone makes it easier for beginners to know where they are in the cooking cycle.

What size Instant Pot should I get?▼

6-quart is the sweet spot for most families of 3-6. It fits a whole chicken, a 4-lb roast, or enough chili for a week. The 3-quart is good for 1-2 people but limited. The 8-quart is better for meal preppers and large families.

How long does it take to come to pressure?▼

Typically 5-15 minutes depending on the liquid volume and temperature. Cold ingredients take longer. The actual cooking time under pressure is what the recipe states — the come-to-pressure time is extra.

Can you put frozen meat in an Instant Pot?▼

Yes! That's one of the best features. Frozen chicken breasts cook in about 12-15 minutes at high pressure. Just add 50% more cooking time vs fresh, and avoid stacking thick frozen pieces.