Are you curious if there is a difference between the LUX 50 and the LUX 60 other than size? You are not alone especially when Instant Pot calls one the IP LUX 60 V3!
What the heck is that, you ask. Read on I'll break it down but do know the differences are far less than the differences between the LUX 60 and the DUO 60.
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There Are a Few Major Differences Between the IP LUX 50 and the IP LUX 60 V3
These days Instant Pot electric pressure cookers are some of the most sophisticated kinds of pressure cookers on the market. In this article as we compare the Instant Pot IP-LUX 60 and the Instant Pot IP-LUX 50 hope to make it clear to you that these two units (although they seem so similar) have quite a few subtle important differences.
The main difference is that the LUX50 is 5 quarts and used 900 watts of power while the LUX60 is 6 quarts and uses 1000 watts.
But it doesn't stop there.
If you are looking at the LUX-60 V3 then you also get two additional cooking programs that are unavailable on the smaller model - a cake program and an egg program.
If you are looking to compare to units that have more differences then see this post comparing the DUO 60 ENW to the regular DUO 60, which is another subtly upgraded unit.
Lets Look at the Features of the The IP-LUX50 More Closely
This pot uses a 3rd generation microchip helping it cook 6 different ways and and differentiating the 10 different cooking programs. The interior cooking pot is made of a stainless steel composition. The six different cooking functions are:
- Pressure cooking
- Sauté and browning
- Slow cooking
- Rice cooking
- Steaming
- Thawing
The features can be activated through the use of a control panel located in the front of the pot. Also, the pot comes with 10 built-in programs specifically made to prepare 9 different kinds of food such as soups, congee, rice, multigrain, beans, chili, poultry, stews and meats. Furthermore, the pot has 3 pressure settings for when cooking rice and slow cooking; low, medium and high.
This pot also has a delay-cooking feature of up to twenty four hours. This means that you could set your cooking a day before in case you forget. The pot also has an automatic keep-warm feature which comes in handy when one leaves food inside the pot.
Manual cook time is up to 2 hours. The IP-LUX50 also comes with ten proven safety mechanisms with one being that the pot won’t start until the lid is securely locked in place.
Lastly, the pot can accommodate 5.28 quarts worth of food and liquid. A stainless steel rack comes with the model.
The Features of The IP-LUX60 are Similar
This pot is the next generation of the Instant Pot IP series. The LUX50-V3 is a truly upgraded unit over the LUX-50. It is made of a stainless steel composition and offers six different functions exactly like the IP-LUX50. The control panel is also placed in the front but has been redesigned to provide more convenience for users. The pot also comes with 12 built-in programs for 9 different kinds of food.
The cooking delay and automatic keep-warm features are also present in this installment of the IP-LUX. Manual cook times are also the same. The pot though can accommodate 6.33 quarts worth of food and liquid.
Just like the IP-LUX50, the IP-LUX60 is an energy efficient beast, Instant Pot states these pots are 70% more energy efficient than standard cooking and can reduce cooking times significantly.
Are There any The Differences Between the LUX 50 & LUX 60?
Based on the descriptions above, both models do not differ much in terms of capabilities as both are able to cook the same types of foods using the same pre-set settings. The design of the two pots is also the same, too similar that one will have difficulty telling apart which model is which. Size would be the visual indicator of which model is which. Also, safety features are the same.
Ultimately, what sets these two apart are two things; size, power, and two additional cooking programs. The better unit is obviously the IP-60-V3 but it does cost a little bit more.
The IP-LUX60 is a full quart larger than the smaller version and also, its power is a greater. The addition of the cake and egg programs make this a nice upgrade too and Let’s not forget that the IP-LUX60 is also more efficient in channeling heat more thoroughly through the food, thus helping it cook food faster.
Which IP LUX Pressure Cooker is Best For the Money?
Needless to say, you would be better off with the IP-LUX60-V3 because it can do everything the IP-LUX 50 can do plus a little more and at a higher level of power. Is it worth it for the small increase in price? I think so; I think it's a great value for the upgrades but do check pricing and decide for yourself.
I'm not sure about the LUX60, but the LUX50 V3 does not have a float valve (or at least the red button thingy) and builds pressure without it. [We thought it was missing, but when we took it back to the store, we were told it doesn't have one.] It seems to cook fine without it, so far.
When it comes to the lids, is the float valve the same on both the LUX50 and the LUX60?