Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6 QT): The Seven Functions, and What It Is Not

The Duo 6-quart is $109.99 on Instant Pot’s own site. It does seven things, and air frying is not one of them — a distinction worth making before you buy, because the Instant Pot range now includes models that do.

The seven functions, precisely

Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, keep warm. That is the complete list as Instant Pot publishes it. There are 13 customisable one-touch programs layered on top of those seven core functions.

There is no crisping lid and no air fry function. If a comparison chart has led you to believe otherwise, it is describing a different model in the range.

A price correction

This page previously said $89. Instant Pot’s own site lists $109.99. Best Buy showed $89.99 but marks the item as no longer available in new condition, which is likely where the lower figure came from.

Note also that the lineup has moved on: instantpot.com’s 6QT collection now also lists the RIO 6QT 7-in-1 at $109.99, so the Duo is no longer the only thing at that price point.

Build and safety

• Inner pot: 18/8 stainless steel with a tri-ply bottom — no non-stick coating to wear off
• Over 10 safety mechanisms including overheat protection and a lid safety lock
• UL and ULC listed
• Steamer rack included in the box
• Inner pot is dishwasher safe; the steam rack, lid and lid accessories are top-rack dishwasher safe
• Maximum pressure in PSI: not published
• Weight: not published

The consumable nobody mentions

The silicone sealing ring is a wear part. It absorbs odours, it hardens over time, and a tired ring is the most common cause of a pot that will not come to pressure. Instant Pot publishes no replacement interval and no price for it, so we cannot give you a figure — but budget for spares, and keep separate rings for savoury and sweet cooking if that bothers you.

The warranty, and what it excludes

One year limited. The warranty explicitly excludes commercial use, unauthorised parts, misuse, and incidental or consequential damages. This is a domestic appliance and the paperwork says so.

Which functions people actually use

We are not going to invent a survey. What we can say from the spec sheet is that pressure cooking, sauté and slow cook are the three that justify the counter space for most households — sauté in particular, because browning in the same pot is what makes it a one-pot appliance rather than a second pan plus a pressure cooker.

The yogurt function is genuinely useful and genuinely niche. Be honest with yourself about whether you will use it before paying extra for a model that does more.

Sources: Instant Pot: Duo 6QT · Instant Pot: 6QT collection