How to Choose a Pressure Cooker: 5 Questions That Find the Right Model

6-quart holds 4 quarts of usable solid-food capacity, enough for a full chicken, 2 to 3 pounds of beef chuck, or a double batch of soup for 4 people with leftovers. For beans (fill limit half-full for foaming): a 6-quart holds approximately 1.5 to 2 pounds of dried beans per batch, yielding approximately 4 to 5 cups of cooked beans. For a family of 4 eating beans as a side dish: this is borderline, consider the 8-quart for weekly bean cooking at family portions.

Instant Pot Duo (7-in-1): pressure cook, slow cook, rice cook, saute, steam, yogurt, keep warm. The standard recommendation for most households. Instant Pot Duo Plus (9-in-1): adds sous vide and sterilize modes. The sous vide function cooks protein at precise low temperatures (130°F to 160°F) for precision cooking. Sterilize is useful for baby bottle sterilization. For most households: the base Duo covers everything needed. For households interested in sous vide cooking: the Duo Plus.

Yes, with one adjustment: Instant Pot recipes are written for 10 to 12 PSI. If using a brand that operates at a different PSI (the Breville Fast Slow Pro at 15 PSI), reduce cook times by 10% to 15%. For all other brands operating at 10 to 12 PSI (Ninja Foodi in pressure mode, Crock-Pot Express, GoWISE): Instant Pot recipes transfer directly with no adjustment.