If you are familiar with the most popular pressure cooker brands on the market, then you surely know about the Instant Pot DUO series. Their products proved, times and times again, reliable durable, and incredibly useful, in spite of their incredibly reasonable price!
If you read some posts on my blog, you may noticed I frequently use the DUO series in comparison with different pressure cooker brands. This is because, in my honest opinion, this model is the best Instant Pot out there.
As such, in this article, I will be presenting another challenger that seeks to unseat the Instant Pot DUO as the favorite jack of all trades pressure cooker.
This time, you get to read the Instant Pot vs Power Pressure Cooker XL comparison and their individual reviews. As usual, I’ll first look at what both contenders have to offer, weigh the pros and cons, and then see which one comes out on top.
Table of Contents
DUO 60 vs Power Pressure Cooker XL Comparison Table
Instant Pot DUO Review
The DUO is the flagship of the series, which comes with three different products: the Mini (3qt), the 6qt (also the most popular out of the three), and the large (8qt) cooker. They all have the same characteristics, which is why I chose to review only the 6qt size.
Now, if you prefer the Mini or the large version, this is your option, but you should know the 6qt is perfect for small and medium families as it can serve up to 6 people in one cooking. Some people prefer getting this version, even if their needs are currently lower. Since the multicooker is durable, it’s only natural to plan for the future, when the family may get bigger.
But enough about the size! Let’s talk about the fact that this is a pressure cooker with seven functions. When you get the IP-DUO 60, you also get a rice cooker, a steamer, a warmer, a slow cooker, a sauté dish, and a yogurt maker.
The device is not very big in size, but you should know that the top lid doesn’t completely come off. So, if you want to sauté something and keep the lid open, you’ll need plenty of space above the pot to cook comfortably. Otherwise, the IP-DUO can sit on the countertop, on the table, or it can be stored away in the cupboard.
Since it can do both pressure cooking and steaming, the lid is equipped with a steam release valve that needs to be operated manually. The pot also comes designed with ten safety mechanisms (the standard for Instant Pot products) and is quite easy to clean since the 3-ply bottom inner pot (made from food-grade steel) can be removed and washed.
On the outside, the pot features a brushed stainless steel design that doesn’t retain prints or smudges.
But the IP-DUO 60 is not just an electric pressure cooker with some fancy functions! It’s a modern pot equipped with a third-generation microprocessor that constantly monitors the food and adjusts the temperature, pressure, and heat intensity for ideal results (in taste and texture).
Lastly, the pot lets users decide between any of the 14 built-in smart programs (for soup, rice, porridge, poultry, and so on) and a customized cooking experience by offering the possibility to adjust setting such as pressure or temperature.
There is also a 24-hour timer that lets you delay when the cooking will start and a Keep Warm function that keeps the food ready for serving.
Pros
- Cooks food 70% faster than regular stovetops
- User-friendly control interface with one-touch buttons
- An LCD screen that displays valuable cooking information
- Access to over 1000 recipes using the companion app
- 14 smart programs to start cooking right away
- Extremely well-appreciated by users
- Accessories are dishwasher safe
- The inner pot doesn’t have any coating
- Seven appliances in one pot
- 24-hour Delay Start and Keep Warm functions
- Yogurt maker module
Cons
- The cable is a little short
- The steam release valve needs to be operated manually
- The sealing ring is known to catch some smells
- The lid doesn’t come off entirely
- 7-IN-1 FUNCTIONALITY: Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer.
- QUICK ONE-TOUCH COOKING: 13 customizable Smart Programs for pressure cooking ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more.
- COOK FAST OR SLOW: Pressure cook delicious one-pot meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods or slow cook your favorite traditional recipes – just like grandma used to make.
- QUICK AND EASY CLEAN UP: Finger-print resistant, stainless-steel sides and dishwasher-safe lid, inner pot, and accessories.
- SAFETY FEATURES: Includes over 10 safety features, plus overheat protection and safe-locking lid
Power Pressure Cooker XL Review
Just like the Instant Pot DUO Series, the Power Pressure Cooker XL is available in three sizes. Only, this time, we have the 6qt, the 8qt, and the 10qt (it can cook an entire turkey in one go).
As such, it is clear that this brand is more focused on medium-sized and large families who enjoy cooking succulent, wholesome meals that bring everyone around the dinner table.
To even the odds, I decided to review the Power Pressure Cooker XL 6qt, with the mention that all the other features remain the same.
This is a digital pressure cooker that promises to cook even the most inexpensive cuts of meat to perfection. The secret stands in the special air-tight lid, which seals the heat, steam, flavors, and nutrients inside the pot and into the meat and ingredients inside.
Unlike the IP-DUO, the lid is detachable, which gives you more freedom when working with the pot. Also, the non-stick inner pot is removable and dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning a breeze.
Because the pot creates a super-pressurized environment, you get the same results you would with a slow cooker, but ten times faster. This means that meat will be tender, vegetables will remain colorful and tasty, and there’s no need to add fat to cook delicious meals.
Just like the DUO, the Power Pressure Cooker XL can replace seven common kitchen appliances. As such, you can use it to cook rice, make soup, steam vegetables, slow cook or pressure cook, and even can your food for the winter!
Lastly, the digital display panel is well-organized and easy to understand featuring one-touch buttons and an LCD screen. There’s also a Keep Warm mode and a Delay Start mode, and the lid locks in place with a specially-designed safety mechanism.
Pros
- Available in larger sizes
- Elegant design with brushed stainless steel exterior
- A non-stick inner pot that is dishwasher safe
- User-friendly interface with one-touch buttons
- An LCD screen that displays information
- The lid locks safely in place and is detachable
- Cooks even inexpensive cuts of meat
- Can be used for home-canning
- Cooks food 70% faster than most stovetops
Cons
- The inner pot is difficult to clean
- The Teflon coating peels off after a while
- The lid can be a bit difficult to clean
- There are only a few recipes
Which One Should I Buy?
After you’ve seen the reviews and pros & cons, it’s time to draw the line and see which brand managed to make pressure cooking more interesting.
Choose the Instant Pot DUO if…
- You want a reliable and well-liked product
- The yogurt function is important to your kitchen routine
- You want a multicooker with impressive safety mechanisms
- You want a pot that’s easy to clean and use
- You are open to learning how to use the interface
Choose the Power Pressure Cooker XL if…
- You really need the extra space offered by the 10qt size
- The home-canning feature is mandatory for you
- You like the over-simplified interface
- You want a pressure cooker with a detachable lid
- You’re OK with Teflon coating
Overall, the Instant Pot DUO series offers everything you would need in a small appliance, and it comes with the added option of making yogurt. The added focus of safety in the construction of this pressure cooker is a bonus as well. Besides the fact that the interface has a bit of a learning curve, the Instant Pot DUO series leaves little more to be desired in a standard pressure cooker.
On the other hand, the Power Pressure Cooker XL fails to surpass the Instant Pot DUO in both form and function. While they attempt to include additional features to appeal to consumers (such as home-canning), the product lacks the extent of safety features seen with Instant Pot and features a non-stick coated pot that is prone to peeling after several uses.
The bottom line is that there is no other reason to choose the Power Pressure Cooker XL over the Instant Pot DUO unless the optional 10-quart size is an absolute necessity.
I've had the XL pressure cooker for years. I did buy a duo after about 10 years. I prefer the XL It's over cooking performance is faster and better. The insta pot I can handle it, but I have to extend the cook time for most meats. The duo misses in a few areas. They both also slow cook. P'S. I don't care if a non stick says dishwasher safe. Any Non-stick frying pans, will not do as well if placed in a dishwasher. I only recommend if you like throwing them away.
I too have had the power clean for about 9 years love it I even canned so green beans it is great especially today for those who do not want to cook every day canning can definitely help and will last a long time on the shelf. Power coni’s my choice it’s like the old school way of cooking with fresh vegetables jams jellies fruits etc.
I have the power xl
And I take these insta-pot recipes
And do them all the time.
Plus all the great recipes that came with it. Plus I can do canning which is a plus
That's great! You are using your pressure cooker to its full potential 🙂
I am confused as to why you say the instant pot duo lid is not totally removable?? Mine is??
I had the Power Cooker XL 6 quart for about 4 years until it died...sadly... Anyway, I replaced it with an Instant Pot and so far I am NOT IMPRESSED!!! The instant pot takes much longer to come to pressure, and it seems to boil loudly for a long time before coming to pressure which leaves an almost burnt taste to the food. Also, I get the burn notice even with the recommended liquid amounts and recommended layering of items. This was something that never happened with the Power Cooker XL, and I was able to cook things like barbeque ribs in the bottom of the pot with bbq sauce and an onion and barely any water (prevents watered down food that seem inevitable with the instant pot) and I never had any burn issues! I am on the hunt to now replace my brand new instant pot with another power cooker XL ASAP!! I am afraid to even try my favorite chicken tikki masala in the instant pot because I am sure it will burn!
We had the exact same thing happen. I can’t stand the Instant Pot and am currently looking for another Power XL to buy. The Instant pot is a huge pain.
You mentioned that just a few recipes come with the Power Cooker. They have more than a few and more online. My daughters insta pot was slower cooking the same thing, almost twice as slow.
I am incredibly impressed with the XL power cooker. I don't use it much as a single person. The reason I am impressed is that after only 2 uses after I cleaned it I tripped over the cat. I went down the pressure cooker went up bounced off the stove and crashed to the floor, then bounced down the basement stairs. Naturally I thought the worst , but by some fluke of the Universe, instead of blowing the city lights when I plugged it in,it works perfectly, despite a dent in the inside pot!
I have the power cooker and love it, use it daily. This article is very jaded. I was hoping to learn sonething. Not a cheerleader for insta pot