Available to buy here:
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Let’s talk kitchen efficiency and compact power with a device tiny yet mighty enough to change how you cook right on a countertop. Welcome to Reviews inside tv—today I’ve got something small but promising: the Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 in the 3-quart size.
This 3-quart model aims to clear space in your kitchen by replacing nine appliances—from pressure cooker to slow cooker, rice maker to yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan, sterilizer, sous vide, and a food warmer too. It packs 13 one-touch smart programs, status lights that whisper what stage your meal’s at, and claims to speed things up by as much as 70 percent versus traditional slow cooking. Built around a stainless-steel inner pot with a tri-ply bottom, it’s designed for even heat and useful searing. Cleanup promises to be easy—both lid and pot are dishwasher safe. It’s compact, powerful at 700 watts, and comes with safety features to spare.
Setting it up was refreshingly simple. Unboxing, I plugged it in, rinsed the pot, and was ready within minutes. Testing pressure-cooked chili, I was struck by how quiet it stayed until steam release—then the status lights helped me follow along effortlessly. For slow-cooked stews, I stretched that function overnight—aromatic and tender. I whisked yogurt with the preset, and even tried a bit of sous vide—surprisingly steady temperature control for a small unit. In each test, it delivered what was promised: fast, consistent results. That said, the 3-quart capacity means it’s best for one to two people or side dishes—not a full family meal, so keep that in mind.
There are plenty of things it does right. The build feels robust, with a solid stainless bowl that heats up evenly and browns nicely. The control panel is intuitive, and seeing those status indicators glimmer offers real reassurance when you step back from the counter. Cleanup was genuinely quick—the dishwasher-safe parts make a difference. Yet, there are caveats. The pot lacks handles—so lifting it when hot takes some care. And that 3-quart size, while space-saving, limits batch size noticeably; for bigger meals you’ll need a larger model.
Price-wise, if this hits around £80–£100, it’s holding its own. Compared to, say, the Rio model or the standard Duo, you’re paying a bit more for the sous vide and sterilize extras and a cleaner stainless finish. But if you just want reliable multifunction cooking without air frying or fancy touchscreen, it stacks up well. On the flip side, models like the Duo Nova offer a bit more user-friendliness and safety tweaks for similar money—but they might not include some of these functions.
In comparison, the Instant Pot Duo Nova is a snug neighbor: same basic reliability with a gentler steam release and more safety-centric design, though fewer cooking options. The Rio tends to look sleeker and costs around the same, but swaps out sous vide and sterilizing. The Duo Plus sits in the middle—more feature-rich than the basics, less flashy than the high-end models.
Talking about build, that tri-ply bottom inner pot is a real plus—treating your food better and standing up to frequent searing. Over time I would expect it to hold up well, especially compared to coated or thinner alternatives. Instant Pot’s general reputation for long-term reliability remains solid, with users seldom reporting mechanical issues in this class.
I haven’t needed to reach out for support yet, but Instant Pot’s customer service is generally regarded as responsive. The unit comes with a one-year warranty, so it’s reassuring to know you’re covered if something goes sideways.
No software updates to discuss here—it’s strictly hardware-based simplicity, and that’s fine. No need to clutter the experience with app connectivity or firmware patches.
So, when it’s all cooked and served, here’s the verdict: this little Instant Pot Duo Plus 3-quart nails the brief for small households or kitchens tight on space. It delivers solid performance, smart presets, strong safety, and sensible design. Yes, it’s limited by size and could benefit from handles, but if you want a compact, dependable, multi-function cooker that blends value with versatility—this does it well. If you need larger capacity or advanced features like air frying, you may want to look at bigger siblings. But for its niche, it’s a thoughtful companion.
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Thanks for sticking with me—I really appreciate your time. You’ll find a link to grab this Instant Pot in the comments below. If you already own one, or you’ve cooked something crazily good in one, drop your thoughts and questions—let’s chat community-style. Goodbye till next time—and remember, keep it cooking smart here on Reviews inside tv.
Available to buy here:
