Instant Pots have become incredibly popular in recent years as a convenient way to cook meals quickly and easily. Two of the most popular models are the Duo and the Crisp. Both offer multi-cookers with pressure cooking and other functions, but there are some key differences between the two. This article will compare the Duo and Crisp Instant Pot models to help you determine which is best for your needs.
Duo Instant Pot Overview
The Instant Pot Duo is a 7-in-1 multi-cooker that offers pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, yogurt making, and warming. It comes in 3 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quart sizes.
Some key features of the Duo Instant Pot include:
– Stainless steel inner pot: The inner pot is made of food-grade 304 stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning.
– Up to 70% faster: Pressure cooking speeds up cooking times by up to 70% compared to traditional cooking methods.
– 14 smart programs: The Duo has 14 built-in smart programs for recipes like ribs, chili, rice, yogurt, and more.
– Dual pressure settings: Choose between high pressure (10.2-11.6 psi) and low pressure (5.8-7.2 psi) settings.
– Large LCD display: The control panel has a large and intuitive LCD display for programming and monitoring.
– Delay start time: You can use the delay start time to postpone cooking up to 24 hours.
– Automatic keep warm: The keep warm function automatically kicks in after cooking is finished up to 10 hours.
– 3 temperatures in sauté for browning, simmering, and thickening.
– Overheat protection for safety.
– UL certified with 10 proven safety mechanisms.
Duo Instant Pot Sizes
The Duo Instant Pot comes in 3 different size options:
– 3 quart: The smallest Duo model, great for singles, side dishes, and appetizers. It can hold up to 3 quarts or 2.8 liters.
– 6 quart: The most popular size, good for most families. It can hold up to 6 quarts or 5.7 liters.
– 8 quart: The largest model, good for big families or meal prepping. It holds up to 8 quarts or 7.6 liters.
The 6 quart Duo is the best seller, catering to most household cooking needs. The 3 quart is great if you just need a small cooker, while the 8 quart is ideal for large batches and meal prepping.
Crisp Instant Pot Overview
The Instant Pot Crisp is an 8-in-1 multi-cooker that offers pressure cooking, air frying, roasting, broiling, dehydrating, slow cooking, rice cooking, and steaming. It comes in a 6 quart size only.
Some key features of the Crisp Instant Pot include:
– Stainless steel inner pot: Like the Duo, the Crisp has a 304 stainless steel inner pot.
– Air fryer lid: The unique Crisp lid has an embedded air fryer with powerful 1500W heating element and convection fan.
– Air frying: The air fryer function allows you to air fry right in the Instant Pot with little to no oil.
– EvenCrisp technology: This ensures your food gets crispy with no flipping needed.
– Dehydrate function: You can make fruit leathers, jerky, dried fruit, and more with the dehydrate setting.
– Crisping lid storage: A storage cover protects the crisping lid when not in use.
– Large color display: Crisp has an advanced color display panel for programming and monitoring.
– 13 smart programs: Includes air fry, roast, bake, reheat, and more customizable programs.
-Temperature range: The Crisp model offers a wider temp range from 120°F to 400°F for more cooking flexibility.
– Dishwasher safe lid and accessories: The inner pot, Crisping lid, and accessories are dishwasher safe for easier cleanup.
Crisp Instant Pot Size
The Crisp Instant Pot only comes in a 6 quart size. This is a good middle-of-the-road size suitable for most families and cooking needs. The Crisping technology requires a specific pot shape and size, which is why only the 6 quart option is available.
Cooking Functions Comparison
Here is an overview comparing the main cooking functions on the Duo and Crisp models:
| Cooking Function | Duo | Crisp |
|---|---|---|
| Pressure Cooking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Slow Cooking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Sauté/Brown | ✅ | ✅ |
| Steam | ✅ | ✅ |
| Make Yogurt | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bake/Roast | ❌ | ✅ |
| Broil | ❌ | ✅ |
| Air Fry | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dehydrate | ❌ | ✅ |
As you can see, the Crisp model offers a few extra cooking functions like air frying, broiling, baking/roasting, and dehydrating. However, the Crisp lacks a yogurt making function. Both models provide classic pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, and steaming.
Design Comparison
In terms of design, the Duo and Crisp Instant Pots share some similarities but also have some major differences:
– The Duo has a simpler streamlined design with just a stainless steel inner pot and a basic lid with pressure valve.
– The Crisp has a more complex design with the detachable air fryer lid and special crisping insert pan.
– They both feature stainless steel front housing and fingerprint resistant matte finish.
– The control panels vary quite a bit. The Duo has a simpler LCD panel while the Crisp has a large color touchscreen.
– Both lids contain a pressure release valve, but the Crisp also has an air vent for air frying.
– The Duo has a stronger clamp-style lid, while the Crisp has a lighter lid that sits in place.
– The Duo is available in 3 sizes, while the Crisp only comes in 6 quart capacity.
– The Duo has a more compact, capsule shape, while the Crisp is slightly taller with a rounded trapezoid shape.
So in summary, the Duo has a more minimal, pared down design focused just on pressure cooking. The Crisp has a busier design to accommodate the extra functions like air frying, but this gives you more versatility in one appliance.
Ease of Use Comparison
The Duo and Crisp models are both designed for simplicity and ease of use. Here is how they compare:
– The Duo is extremely simple to use. Just add ingredients, select a smart program, and pressure or non-pressure cook.
– The Crisp requires slightly more work to use the air fryer lid and insert, but is still fairly simple.
– Both have large, clear displays and control panels for easy programming. The Crisp display is larger and more advanced.
– They have the same lid closing mechanism – just align and turn to lock into place.
– The Duo has fewer cooking options and accessories to keep track of.
– Delay start, keep warm, and pressure release are identical on both models.
– Duo cooking programs require just one touch. Crisp air fryer programs have some optional settings to choose.
– The Duo lid fits on either way. The Crisp lid only fits on one correct way.
– Duo automatically seals when pressurized. Crisp you must manually close the air fry vent.
– The Crisp comes with a baking/broiling pan and multi-level air fryer basket for more versatility.
Overall, the Duo will be simpler for most people to operate straight out of the box. But the Crisp isn’t hugely more complicated, as long as you read the manuals and get to know the functions.
Pressure Cooking Capabilities
Since pressure cooking is a key function, how do the Duo and Crisp models compare in this regard?
– Both reach up to 11.6 psi pressure on high setting for very fast cooking.
– They have the same pressure release methods – natural release, quick release, and 10-minute natural followed by quick release.
– The Duo and Crisp have identical pressure safety mechanisms and certifications.
– They operate nearly the same when pressure cooking. The buttons and process for programming are very similar.
– Pressure cooking times will be virtually identical on the Duo and Crisp.
– You can open the lids safely once pressure is completely normal on both models.
– They both have stainless steel inner pots well-suited for pressure cooking.
– Accessory-wise, you can use the same extra silicone rings, glass lids, and steaming racks in both.
– The Duo provides a yogurt-making setting, but pressure cooking is otherwise the same.
So the Duo and Crisp are equally great pressure cookers overall! You really can’t go wrong with either if you plan to mostly use the pressure function.
Price Comparison
There is a significant price difference between the Duo and Crisp models.
– The Duo ranges from $79.99 – $119.99 depending on the size.
– The 6 quart Crisp costs $199.99 (often on sale for $169.99).
– So the Crisp costs about $70-$120 more than the Duo.
– You can often find both models on sale, but the Duo tends to see lower sale prices.
– Replacement parts, accessories, and extra silicone rings cost about the same for each model.
– The Crisp comes with more accessories like the air fryer basket and baking pan.
Overall, the Duo offers excellent value and great price points for shoppers on a budget. The Crisp costs considerably more, but you are paying for the extra functionality of the air frying, dehydrating, and crisping lid. It’s worth the higher price if you’ll use those unique features.
Common Replacement Parts
Over time, some of the common parts may need to be replaced on both the Duo and Crisp models. Here are the core replaceable parts:
Duo Replacements:
– Sealing Ring – choose from silicone or ceramic coated options
– Inner Pot – stainless steel pot for cooking
– Lid – includes pressure release valve
– Glass Lid – clear tempered glass lid for slow cooking
Crisp Replacements:
– Sealing Ring – red silicone ring fits Crisp lid
– Inner Pot – specially designed for Crisp model
– Pressure Cooker Lid – contains the pressure valve
– Air Fryer Lid – unique crisping lid with heating element
– Inner Pot Crisping Insert – sits inside pot for air frying
– Protective Storage Lid – for air fryer lid
As you can see, the Duo has fewer common replacements parts. The Crisp has additional unique components like the air fryer lid and crisping insert. All replacement parts are readily available for both models.
Accessories
There are lots of fun and useful Instant Pot accessories you can buy separately to enhance these multi-cookers. Here are some of the most popular add-ons:
Accessories compatible with BOTH models:
– Extra silicone sealing rings – have back ups ready
– Stainless steel steam racks for lifting food off water
– Glass lids – lets you watch food cooking
– Ceramic non-stick and stainless steel inner pots
– Tempered glass cookware dishes – fits in inner pot
– Silicone egg racks and cake pans
– Stainless steel trivets for pot removal
– Silicone gloves or mini mitts – protects hands
Crisp-Specific Accessories:
– Air fryer basket – comes included but can buy extras
– Baking pan set – makes oven baked dishes in Crisp
– Grill pan – adds grill marks and char
– Cookie sheet pan – bakes up to 12 cookies
– Double layer rack – adds more air fryer capacity
So you’ll have lots of accessory options for both the Duo and Crisp that enhance cooking and convenience. The Crisp offers extra air frying specific accessories.
Conclusion
To wrap up, here are some key takeaways to help you decide between the Duo and Crisp Instant Pot models:
– The Duo is ideal for simplicity, budget-friendly price, and pure pressure cooking ability.
– The Crisp is the best choice if you want to air fry, broil, dehydrate, and roast right in your Instant Pot.
– Both excel at pressure cooking mainstays like soups, stews, rice, beans, and more.
– Duo has more size options while Crisp only comes in 6 quart capacity.
– Duo has a basic and streamlined design. Crisp has more detachable parts and accessories.
– Crisp costs considerably more but offers extra cooking functions.
– For quick weeknight meals, the Duo gets the job done with minimal fuss.
– If replacing most countertop appliances with one device, the versatile Crisp is worth the investment.
So in the end, it depends on your budget and cooking needs. The Duo is perfect for simpler pressure cooking at lower prices. For an all-in-one cooking powerhouse, the Crisp takes Instant Pot to new levels with its air frying and dehydrating abilities. Hopefully this comparison helps provide clarity on choosing the best Instant Pot model for your home!