Whoever said that cooking for two is a waste of time, effort, and energy may not be eating well at home. While portioning can be a challenge for such households, there are ways how you can make it work. All it takes is the right information, some dedication, and the right appliances to get it done.
For this purpose, the Instant Pot IP-DUO50 has been made. This is the smallest model in the Instant Pot DUO line, making it a compact choice for small kitchens. Despite the small size, though, it is packed with great features that will definitely add functionality to your kitchen.
Its main selling point is the fact that it has seven functionalities in a single package. This means that this unit can serve as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, sauté/browning appliance, yogurt maker, warmer, and steamer.
It’s pretty astounding, really, that a simple electric pot can do so much. With its small size, it can also be the perfect equipment for cooking for two, letting you properly control your portions and enjoy a nice homemade dish regularly.
Features
Interested in the Instant Pot IP-DUO50? Here are some of its features that might help you decide if it’s the perfect fit for your needs.
- 7 functions in 1 unit. It offers versatility, allowing you to get more use out of a single product.
- Anti-Block Shield protects the unit from food blockage, guaranteeing its safe use.
- Equipped with a 5-quart, 3-ply bottom, heavy stainless steel pot, this unit is perfect for cooking small portions.
- A large control panel will let you select the right settings for your dish. It has a timer display and light indicators, as well as 14 pre-programmed settings allowing you to easily use the unit.
- With a 24-hour delay timer, you can also set the time you want the appliance to start cooking your dish, so it’ll be ready right from the moment you wake up or you get home.
- With 10 safety mechanisms (Safety Lid Lock, Leaky Lid Smart Detection, Magnetic Sensor for Lid Position Detection, Automatic Pressure Control, Excess Pressure Protection, Anti-Blockage Vent, Automatic Temperature Control, High Temperature Monitoring, and Fuse Cuts Off Power) in place, your safety is guaranteed when using its pressure cooking function.
- A recipe booklet is included so you can try a few different dishes as you get the hang of using this kitchen appliance.
Pros
- It has a small footprint so it’s perfect for small homes.
- Its small size is great for controlling portions so you don’t cook too much for just a few people.
- It’s very easy to use and clean.
- It guarantees your safety, which is a primary concern for most folks who are hesitant to use a pressure cooker.
- It will let you cook more dishes, allowing you to enjoy a wider range of delicacies at home.
- It saves you time in cooking beans and other meats because pressure cooking will cut your cooking time in more than half.
- It saves energy since you don’t have to leave the meat simmering on low heat for hours on end. You also don’t have to be in the kitchen for hours to supervise the stove.
- It can help you learn how to cook without having to deal with pots, pans, and the stove.
- You can eat healthier and better with the help of this Instant Pot product. Since you can now do more than just fry stuff in your kitchen, you can explore healthier means of making some good food.
Cons
- While it is easy to use, you still need to know how to use a pressure cooker to ensure best results.
- It has lower PSI (6 and 10 PSI for low and high pressure settings respectively) compared to stovetop pressure cookers.
Comparison
Before you decide whether to get the Instant Pot IP-DUO50 or not, it’s best if you find out how well it fares with other similar products. Some of the most commonly compared items are the IP-LUX50 and the Instant Pot IP-DUO60.
Both are from the same manufacturer and the IP-DUO60 is from the same range as the IP-DUO50 so they all share great similarities that might confuse you a bit.
For example, the IP-DUO60 is only very slightly different from the IP-DUO50. Their main difference is the pot size as the IP-DUO60 has a 6-quart capacity versus the IP-DUO50’s 5 quarts. Other than that, they already offer the same features, so it’s really up to how much space you need when choosing between the two.
As for the IP-LUX50, they have a few glaring differences that might make you choose the IP-DUO50. The IP-LUX50 is an older model and has actually inspired the creation of the DUO series, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the IP-DUO50 has more features.
While they do have the same 5-quart capacity, the IP-LUX50 only has six functionalities (it can make yogurt) and you can only use the high pressure setting for pressure cooking.
Verdict
With all of its capabilities in a compact unit, the Instant Pot IP-DUO50 is a great kitchen appliance that will make cooking a lot easier and quicker for you. If you’re the type who are always thinking whether you should just have something delivered for you and your partner, this appliance can change all that and help you cook more at home.
It’s not just an investment for your home, but it’s also a great way to start eating healthy.