Tired of waiting hours for a slow cooker to finish dinner?
The Instant Pot Duo Plus solves the weeknight dinner scramble. We tested its 9-in-1 functionality and found the new digital progress bar finally eliminates the stressful guessing game of pressure cooking. While its 12-pound frame takes up a lot of cabinet space, its ability to perfectly cook rice, stews, and meats in a single, dishwasher-safe stainless steel pot makes it an absolute must-have for meal preppers.
Table of Contents
If you are looking for the fastest way to get dinner on the table, our Instant Pot Duo Plus review will tell you exactly what you need to know.
In our main Ultimate Guide to the 5 Best Countertop Cookers, we established the Golden Rule of kitchen appliances: Pressure cookers only make “wet” food. If you want crispy chicken wings, you need an air fryer. But if you want to make perfect rice, rich stews, or fork-tender pulled pork in under an hour, you need a pressure cooker.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 (6-Quart) is currently one of the most popular multicookers on the market. It promises to replace nine different kitchen appliances, but does it actually simplify your life, or is it just another complicated gadget that will collect dust? We put it to the test to find out.
How We Tested the Instant Pot Duo Plus
To give you an honest verdict, we didn’t just read the instruction manual. We put the 6-Quart Duo Plus through two specific real-world kitchen tests:
- The “Tough Meat” Test: We timed how long it took the 1000W heating element to break down a tough, 3-pound pork shoulder.
- The Rice & Sauté Test: We tested the tri-ply stainless steel inner pot to see if it would scorch rice or spin around annoyingly while we tried to sauté onions.
(Want to know why pressure cooking breaks down meat so fast? Check out this fascinating breakdown on the science of pressure cooking from the culinary nerds at Serious Eats).
The “Tough Meat” Test: Pulled Pork in 45 Minutes
We wanted to see if the 1000-watt heating element actually lived up to the hype. We took a tough, 3-pound pork shoulder—a cut of meat that usually requires 6 to 8 hours in a standard slow cooker to become edible.
The Process: First, we used the Duo Plus’s “Sauté” function right in the stainless steel pot to brown the outside of the pork. The anti-spin pot design was a lifesaver here, as it didn’t slide around while we flipped the heavy meat. We then added our liquid, locked the lid, and set it to high pressure for 45 minutes.
The Result: Thanks to the visual progress bar, we knew exactly when it reached pressure. When the timer went off, we used the new whisper-quiet release switch. The pork was astonishingly tender. It shredded effortlessly with two forks, completely matching the texture of an 8-hour slow cook, but done in under an hour. This specific test proved that for busy families, the time-saving element of the Duo Plus is not a marketing gimmick; it is a reality.
Performance & Analysis: The Upgrades That Matter
If you are deciding between the classic Instant Pot Duo and this upgraded Instant Pot Duo Plus, there are three specific features that make the “Plus” worth the extra money:
1. The Digital Progress Bar (No More Guessing)
The biggest frustration with older pressure cookers is the guessing game. The machine says “On,” but you have no idea how long it will take to actually build pressure before the cooking timer starts.
The Duo Plus solves this completely. The upgraded LED display features a visual cooking progress bar showing you exactly where you are in the process: Preheating, Cooking, or Keep Warm. It entirely removes the kitchen anxiety of wondering when dinner will actually be ready.
2. The Whisper-Quiet Steam Release
A lot of home cooks are terrified of pressure cookers because of the steam release valve. Older models required you to manually push a hot, sputtering valve with a wooden spoon to release the pressure.
The Duo Plus features an upgraded “Easy-Release” switch. The switch is located far away from the actual steam vent, keeping your fingers completely safe from burns. Furthermore, the steam releases much quieter than older models, so it won’t scare your pets (or your kids).
3. The Anti-Spin Stainless Steel Pot
If you have ever tried to stir a thick stew in a cheap multicooker, you know the inner pot tends to spin around in circles. The 18/8 food-grade stainless steel pot inside the Duo Plus has an anti-spin design. It stays perfectly locked in place while you sauté or stir. It is also completely dishwasher safe, which makes cleanup a breeze.
Reality Check: Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Buy This?
Buy the Instant Pot Duo Plus If:
- You are a Meal Prepper: The 6-Quart capacity easily cooks a week’s worth of chicken, rice, or chili for a family of four.
- You want to consolidate appliances: Because it functions as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and sous vide machine, you can clear out your kitchen cabinets.
- You hate washing dishes: The stainless steel pot and the lid are both 100% dishwasher safe.
Skip It & Buy Something Else If:
- You want crispy food: As we mentioned, this machine uses steam. It cannot make crispy fries or crunchy chicken skin. If you want a crunch, you need to read our review of the Chefman Air Fryer Oven.
- You have a tiny kitchen: Weighing over 12 pounds and measuring 13 inches wide, it is bulky. If you live in a tiny apartment, you may want the smaller 3-Quart version.
Quick Comparison: Instant Pot Duo Plus vs. The Competition
How does this specific model stack up against the rest of our countertop cooker lineup?
| Feature | Instant Pot Duo Plus | Instant Pot Duo (Standard) | Crock-Pot 7-Quart |
| Functions | 9-in-1 | 7-in-1 | 1 (Slow Cook) |
| Capacity | 6 Quarts | 6 Quarts | 7 Quarts |
| Display | LED with Progress Bar | Basic Digital | Manual Dial |
| Steam Release | Whisper-Quiet Switch | Manual Push Valve | N/A (No Steam) |
| Best For | Upgraders & Meal Preppers | Beginners | “Set & Forget” Cooks |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does the Instant Pot Duo Plus differ from the standard Duo?
The “Plus” model includes an upgraded LCD display with a cooking progress bar, an easier and safer steam release switch, and additional cooking programs like Sous Vide and Sterilize.
Is the 6-quart Instant Pot Duo Plus big enough for a family?
Yes. The 6-quart model is the sweet spot for most households. It comfortably cooks enough food for 4 to 6 people. Unless you regularly host dinner parties of 8+ people, you do not need the massive 8-quart version.
Can the Instant Pot Duo Plus replace my slow cooker?
Yes. It has a dedicated “Slow Cook” function. However, because it heats from the bottom (rather than wrapping heat around stoneware like a traditional Crock-Pot), you may need to add slightly more liquid to your slow-cooker recipes to prevent burning.
Final Verdict
The Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker is easily one of the best kitchen investments you can make in 2026.
By taking the raw, reliable power of a standard pressure cooker and adding a digital progress bar and a modernized safety steam release, it completely removes the intimidation factor of pressure cooking. If you want to get tender, flavorful meals on the table in under an hour with only one pot to clean, this is the machine you need.
