Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova: Completely Different or Almost the Same?

The Instant Pot Duo and the Duo Nova are two of the most popular electric pressure cookers on the market today. While they share many similarities, there are also notable differences between the two models. In this article, we will explore the Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova and determine if they are completely different or almost the same.

Similarities between the Instant Pot Duo and Duo Nova

Both the Instant Pot Duo and the Duo Nova are 7-in-1 electric pressure cookers that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, and food warmer. They also have the same cooking capacities with 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart models available.

Both models come with 14 built-in smart programs that make it easy to cook a variety of different dishes with the touch of a button. These smart programs include soup/broth, meat/stew, bean/chili, poultry, rice, multigrain, porridge, steam, slow cook, sauté, yogurt, pressure cook, keep warm, and sterilize.

Differences between them

Design

One of the most notable differences between the Instant Pot Duo and the Duo Nova is their design. The Duo Nova has a larger and more user-friendly LCD display compared to the Duo. The Duo Nova also has a sleeker design with a more modern look compared to the Duo.

Lid Design

The Duo Nova features a new easy-seal lid that automatically seals the pressure cooker while cooking and releases steam when done. This new lid design eliminates the need for manually adjusting a pressure release valve, making the Duo Nova more user-friendly and safer to use. The Duo Nova also has a new steam release reset button that allows you to quickly and safely release pressure if needed.

Cooking Progress Indicators

Another major difference between the two models is the addition of cooking progress indicators on the Duo Nova. These indicators show you the progress of your cooking and let you know when the cooker is preheating, cooking, and releasing pressure. The Duo Nova also features a cooking status icon that shows you whether your cooker is in pressure cooking, sautéing, or warming mode.

New Cooking Programs

The Duo Nova has a few new cooking programs that are not available on the Duo. These include cake, egg, and sterilize programs. The cake program allows you to easily bake a cake in your Instant Pot, while the egg program makes it easy to cook perfect eggs every time. The sterilize program is great for sanitizing baby bottles, jars, and other utensils.

Pressure Level Adjustment

One feature that the Duo Nova lacks compared to the Duo is the ability to adjust the pressure level during cooking. The Duo allows you to adjust the pressure level to high or low, while the Duo Nova only has a high-pressure setting. However, this may not be a significant issue for most users as high pressure is typically used for most recipes.

Price

In terms of price, the Duo Nova is slightly more expensive than the Duo. However, the additional features and improvements in the Duo Nova may be worth the extra cost for some users.

Pros and Cons of Instant Pot Duo

The Instant Pot Duo is a popular electric pressure cooker that offers a variety of features and functions to help users prepare delicious meals quickly and easily. However, like any kitchen appliance, it has its advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we’ll explore the pros and cons of the Instant Pot Duo.

Pros:

1. Versatility: The Instant Pot Duo is a 7-in-1 appliance that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker, and food warmer. This versatility makes it a great investment for anyone looking to streamline their kitchen appliances.
2. Convenience: The Instant Pot Duo is designed to save time and effort in the kitchen. It can cook food up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods and can be programmed to cook a variety of dishes with the touch of a button. This convenience makes it ideal for busy households or anyone who wants to spend less time cooking.
3. Energy efficiency: The device uses less energy than traditional cooking methods, which can help lower energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Easy to clean: The Instant Pot Duo is designed with a non-stick interior that is easy to clean. The removable inner pot is dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.

Cons:

1. Learning curve: While the Instant Pot Duo is designed to be user-friendly, there is still a learning curve involved in using it. Users may need to experiment with different cooking times and settings to get the best results.
2. Size limitations: The Instant Pot Duo is available in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart sizes. While this range should be sufficient for most households, larger families or those who like to entertain may find the smaller sizes limiting.
3. Manual pressure release valve: It has a manual pressure release valve that can be difficult to operate for some users. This can be a safety concern if the valve is not released properly.
4. Limited pressure settings: The Instant Pot Duo only offers two pressure settings: high and low. This may be a limitation for more experienced cooks who prefer more control over the cooking process.

Duo Nova pros and cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of the Instant Pot Duo Nova:

Pros:

1. Easy to use: The Instant Pot Duo Nova is designed to be even more user-friendly than the Instant Pot Duo. It features a new easy-seal lid that automatically seals the pot, and a new progress indicator that shows you the cooking progress.
2. Improved safety features: The Instant Pot Duo Nova has an upgraded safety lid that prevents accidental opening while the pressure is still high. It also has more safety features such as overheat protection, safety lid lock, and more.
3. More preset programs: The Instant Pot Duo Nova comes with more preset programs, including cake, egg, and sterilize programs. This makes it even more versatile than the Instant Pot Duo.
4. Easy to clean: Like the Instant Pot Duo, the Instant Pot Duo Nova has a non-stick interior that is easy to clean. The removable inner pot is also dishwasher safe.

Cons:

1. Higher price: The Instant Pot Duo Nova is more expensive than the Instant Pot Duo. While it has some improvements and additional features, this may be a factor for some users.
2. Limited size options: The Instant Pot Duo Nova is currently only available in 3-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart sizes. This may be a limitation for those who need a larger or smaller size.
3. Limited pressure settings: Like the Instant Pot Duo, the Instant Pot Duo Nova only offers two pressure settings: high and low. This may be a limitation for more experienced cooks who prefer more control over the cooking process.