Today’s article discusses the differences between two instant pressure cookers in the Instant Pot line of products, the Instant Pot IP-DUO60 and the Instant Pot IP-DUO60-ENW.
From both models' names, it is implied that the IP-DUO60-ENW is an upgraded version of the IP-DUO60 & the smaller IP-DUO50, which it is. However, what upgrades are present in the IP-DUO60-ENW and ultimately, is it worth getting it over the IP-DUO60?
Before we begin the discussion, it's worth noting that the regular IP-Duo60 is a lot cheaper than the ENW version and it's availability is a lot higher so let’s take a look back at how great the IP-DUO60 is.
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Why the IP-DUO60 is the Best Electric Pressure Cooker in the Market
In the previous article, we discussed the specifications of two models in the Instant Pot IP-DUO line, the IP-DUO50 and the IP-DUO60. To begin with, the IP-DUO is definitely a much better model than the IP-LUX model. For starters, the IP-DUO models have 7 cooking modes while the IP-LUX models only have 6. The addition of a yogurt making feature for the IP-DUO only increases the versatility and use of the product.
Not only that, the IP-DUO models have 14 built-in programs, four more than what the IP-LUX models offer. Again, this really makes this instant pressure cooker very useful and a sort of do-it-all appliance. Let us not forget the dual pressure sensor of the IP-DUO wherein the pot has two sensors to monitor internal pressure. This is safer and helps the pot regulate pressure more effectively - this results in more uniform pressure throughout the cooking process.
Amazingly, just like the Instant Pot Viva, the IP-DUO60 takes it a notch higher thanks to its energy-efficiency in which it is able to reduce energy use of its predecessor, the IP-DUO50. When you can cook 20% more food at a time while using only 11% more watts your energy efficiency increases. Furthermore, the IP-DUO60 can still cook 2 to 6 times faster than regular cooking methods as a result of the maximum 70% increase in cooking speed brought upon by maximum pressure in the cooking pot.
What can the IP-DUO60-ENW offer?
For starters I should say that across the board all the ENW models by Instant Pot were originally made for Walmart. Anyone selling them under that model number elsewhere is likely a second hand seller which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
What you should remember as a consumer is that (as I noted above) the ENW model number was rolled out for Walmart but the same features were added to the regular IP-DUO multi-cookers starting in 2016. These days when you look at a new model that is not notated as an ENW model you should assume all of those upgrades are still present. The price is also usually better for the regular models too.
As you can see, the IP-DUO60 is very impressive and it brings so much to the table that it would probably be very difficult to come up with a better instant pressure cooker but again, Instant Pot never fails to keep pushing the envelope. All of their ENW models are after-all upgrades to their regular non-enw counterparts and with the 2017 release of the Instant Pot Plus 60 better appliances are sure to come for a while yet.
In a nutshell, there are not many differences to point out between the two models in terms of design and features. But they say the devil is in the details and the IP-DUO60-ENW improves on even the smallest quirks that give the user a completely different experience.
The IP-DUO60-ENW’s power chord is detachable. This doesn’t mean that the pressure cooker is portable. What it does mean is that it makes cleaning and packing so much more convenient for users. This model also runs in silent mode which means that starting from now on, you won’t hear any noise coming out of this awesome piece of equipment.
The most significant upgrade the IP-DUO60-ENW offers is that its cooking time has been increased 200% from its previous model. This means that the IP-DUO60-ENW now has a cooking time of over 4 hours (240 minutes).
How is the Instant Pot IP-DUO 60 ENW Different From The (Older) Regular Version
The ENW models have the most recent firmware updates. Here are the additions to the DUO60-ENW:
* Pressure cooking time in all programs are extended to a max 240 minutes.
* Soup in More mode has default 240 minutes for making broth
* Slowcook temperature adjustment
- More mode: 93~99°C/200~210°F (High in a common slow cooker)
- Normal mode: 87.8~93°C/190-200°F (Medium in a common slow cooker)
- Less mode: 82-87.8°C/180-190°F (Low in a common slow cooker)
* Audible beeps on/off.
- Beeps are On as in factory settings. To turn beep off, press and hold "-" for 3 seconds and the LCD screen will display "SOFF"; "+" to turn on beeps, and LCD will display "S On".
* Beeps will still be "On" in error scenarios, such as temperature sensor failure.
* Auto keep warm on/off:
- The Auto Keep-warm state is On in factory settings; when a cooking program button is pressed.
- Auto Keep-warm can now be toggle On and Off by a second press on the same function key, before cooking program starts. During this period the keep warm button indicator becomes on or OFF corresponding to the toggling action.
* Memorizing previous program settings: time, pressure, temperature, but not auto-keep-warm
* Press and hold Adjust button 3 seconds to reset to factory default
* DUO-ENW only (not LUX-ENW): Has a detachable power cord
So as you can see the ENW models really are better and since they are priced roughly the same as their predecessors you really should consider buying them over at Walmart to get the most bang for your buck otherwise buy the non-ENW unit elsewhere to get the same features.