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The Best Instant Pot In Canada for 2024
Convenience and efficiency are two main factors that each consumer considers when it comes to purchasing an Instant Pot. For a fair reason, Instant Pots had such an expansion over the market since their establishment in 2009. Only think of a reduced time of cooking butter chicken, hearty soups, pork shoulders and meatballs without leaving a stack of dirty dishes. More than the fact they are time savers and easy to clean gadgets, switching to an Instant Pot helps conserve energy and cut down food waste.
However, despite those obvious facts that are convincing enough to become an owner of a multi-cooker, the number of choices might be overwhelming. That is why we reviewed the best Instant Pots on the market. We compared price ranges for different budgets and observed all options that have the most required features from slow and pressure cooking to fancy versions that will make your cheesecake.
Our Top Picks
How to Choose an Instant Pot
There are some aspects you need to consider before selecting one particular model of an Instant Pot. It is an appliance that most likely will be in continuous use in your kitchen. Thus, it only makes sense to think ahead about whether you will cook for a family of six or yourself only, whether the feature of cake-making is important to you or focus on meat and vegetables is good enough.
Size: Some Instant Pots come in all sizes from three quarts to eight quarts. Some could only be found in six or eight quarts. Many customer reviews mention how they quickly outgrew their Instant Pots after a few days. I can say from experience that a six-quart Instant Pot is a perfect size for my husband and me. We usually have left-over for the next day, or if we are hosting guests, that size of the pressure cooker also allows us to cook for everyone.
Design: Speaking of size, we cannot leave the overall design behind. The way the appliance would look on your countertop, the way it would fit with other kitchen gadgets, all should be considered for further convenience. Most Instant Pots come in stainless steel and black, however, some Duo models are available in white and teal.
Features (built-in-programs): Pressure cooker can substitute such appliances as a rice cooker, warmer and sterilizer, can provide such functions as sautéing and steaming, and at some point, can even spare you from using an oven. With all those features in mind, you can decide if some of them are good-to-have-just-in-case, while others are must-haves.
Why Trust Us
We have spent about 10 hours researching, evaluating, and analyzing a variety of Instant Pots. Besides that, we compared customers’ reviews and other published reports.
We are a buying guide that specializes in the Canadian market. Out of all options available out there, we simply make sure that your shopping will be satisfying and convenient. For that purpose, we only pick products that are readily available to Canadian customers.
The Best Instant Pots in Canada for 2024
Best Instant Pot Overall
Features
Instant Pot 6QT Duo Evo Plus Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus is the latest, updated version from the bestseller Instant Pot Duo series. The device will easily substitute a stovetop in cooking rice, beans, mashed potatoes, ribs and more. You will have to deal with fewer pots and pans to clean after cooking because Instant Pot is easy to clean. The stainless-steel inner pot is dishwasher safe.
Instant Pot has a very convenient function of sautéing, which not only allows you to sauté vegetables but keep your food warm and ready in time for serving.
Pros
- 15 Smart Built-In Programs.
- Six quart – perfect for families of up to 5 people.
- Fully plastic top cover (to eliminate chances of accidental burning.)
- It comes in three/six/eight quarts size.
- Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating.
Cons
- Some customers say that lid pressure needed to be double-checked. Otherwise, the pressure cooker was in pre-heating mode, and the screen did not reveal that lid was not closed properly.
Best High-Tech Instant Pot
Features
Instant Pot Smart WiFi 6 Quart Multi-Use Electric Pressure
Instant Pot Smart besides many built-in programs, gives you the ability to connect it to your phone. You can control and monitor cooking progress through graphics. Other than that, it gives you access to a load of recipes with precise instructions on how to use your new smart device.
On review platforms, such as Amazon and Google, customers often highlight how the smart Wi-Fi feature makes things practical and enables them to control cooking times and temperatures via the app. Some even tried cooking when away from home.
Pros
- 13 Smart Built-In Programs.
- Remote control.
- Six quart – perfect for families of up to five people.
- Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating.
Cons
- Can’t add your recipes to the app.
- It only comes in six quarts size.
Best Instant Por for Large Families
Features
Instant Pot IPLUX80 Lux V3 Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Lux in eight-quart size is the perfect choice for a larger family. With such options as pressure/slow cooker, sauté, steamer and warmer, the pot allows to cook in bulk and save time. Your family’s favourite dishes now will take less time to prepare. The Instant Pot is ideal for New York-style cheesecake, banana bread, rice and eggs, meats and healthy soups.
The cooker has built-in safety programs that eliminate possible dysfunctions that could cause harm.
Pros
- 10 Smart Built-In Programs.
- It comes in three/six/eight quarts size.
- Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating.
Cons
- Some customers say that lid sealing needs to be double-checked before cooking.
Best Small Instant Pot
Features
Instant Pot Duo Mini 3 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot Duo Mini has all features of the Duo series, yet comes in a very compact size. It is a perfect choice for those who want to cook small meal portions. Use it for cooking rice, porridge, yogurt, different meats and soups. The Instant Pot is an ideal appliance for your busy lifestyle as you can prepare ingredients in the morning, and turn the cooker on as soon as you get home.
Pros
- 11 Smart Built-In Programs.
- Compact.
- Healthy, stainless steel (18/8) inner cooking pot made from food grade 304, no chemical coating.
Cons
- Some customers found temperature hard to customize.
- It comes in one size only.
Best Instant Pot Alternative
Features
Ninja FD401 Foodi 8-qt. 9-in-1 Deluxe XL Cooker & Air Fryer-Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker
Ninja Foodie pressure cooker will do what other pots can and more. It comes with an air fryer feature and makes your food tender crispy. Eight quarts size is a perfect option for large families and hosting. Other than that Ninja Foodie is the best Instant Pot alternative. The cooker was also mentioned in Rank-it.ca’s best air fryer guide.
Many customers praise this Instant Pot for its versatile usability. According to Amazon reviewers, it can cook rice, pasta, hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, veggies, whole chickens, soup, apple sauce, banana chips, wings, sweet potato fries, cinnamon buns, and more.
Pros
- It comes with a ceramic-coated Cook & Crisp Basket.
- Nine Smart Built-In Programs.
Cons
- Higher price.
- Heavy.
How We Picked the Top Instant Pots
For this particular guide, we chose only Instant Pots that had at least four-star ratings on Amazon. In order to select the best options, we went through many brands, reviews and products. It was also important for us to compare prices and features so the options we present could serve the needs of each customer.
Frequent Instant Pot Questions
What is an Instant Pot?
Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that cooks food much faster than a conventional method.
How does an Instant Pot work?
Instant Pot creates heat under a tight seal that makes the temperature of boiling water about 120C high, which allows food to cook faster.
What’s the best size Instant Pot?
Many people find the six quarts Instant Pot size the most convenient. If you are cooking for yourself only, it will allow you some tasty leftovers for the next day. If you are cooking for a family of five people it is still a perfect size to make every stomach full.
What is the best place to find Instant Pot recipes?
You can find plenty of simple and extravagant recipes on the official Instant Pot website: https://recipes.instantpot.com/. However, if you want to focus on a specific cuisine, experiment with recipes from world-famous chefs, then pay attention to cookbooks. (The Instant Pot Bible: More Than 350 Recipes and Strategies by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, The Step-by-Step Instant Pot Cookbook: 100 Simple Recipes for Spectacular Results by Jeffrey Eisner.)
What’s so great about an Instant Pot?
It is a device that is user-friendly, that is adaptable to many kitchens and lifestyles. More than that, it saves time that otherwise would be used in standing over a stovetop, stirring that lentil soup.
Can an Instant Pot work as a rice cooker?
Yes, indeed it can.
Magic Pot vs Instant Pot: What is the difference?
While Magic Chef Pressure Cooker is slightly cheaper than Instant Pot and most of the features are repetitive, it has many concerns and questions about material and safety. Also, its reputation is not as reliable as the Instant Pot’s is. Many customers note the constant malfunction, lid sticking, and timer not working.
Instant Pot Viva vs Duo: What’s the difference?
They are quite similar in their appearance, functions, and yet there are variations. Instant Pot Viva has nine appliances combines (including cake maker and sous vide), while Duo has only seven. The same happens when it comes to a number of smart built-in programs; Viva has 15 (additional are poultry and steam), Duo 14. Viva is also available in a few different styles and colours, but you would have to check the variety of stores to find something more unique than stainless still and black. Anyhow, Viva was originally designed based on Duo. While both appliances have only minor differences it is completely up to you to decide whether you need those extra functions of Viva or not.
Instant Pot Ultra vs Duo: What’s the difference?
The only difference between Ultra and Duo Instant Pots is that the former one gives you better control over settings. You can warm, slow cook and pressure cook based on your preferences. Other than that, Ultra has ten built-in functions, and Duo seven.
Where can I buy an Instant Pot in Canada?
You can buy an Instant Pot at any of the following retails as Canadian Tire, Walmart, some models are sold at Costco, and most definitely Amazon.
Can I make yogurt with an Instant Pot?
Yes, all models of Instant Pot except Lux come with a preset yogurt program. However, some recipes suggest ideas on how to make yogurt without that special button.
How to cook rice in the Instant Pot?
For a precise recipe check out the official Instant Pot website. However, if we summon it up in a few quick steps, the amount of rice and water will be the same. The only number that will vary is the time limit for different types of rice. Thus, select with manual button 4-8 minutes for Basmati, 3-5 minutes for Jasmine rice, 22-28 minutes for Brown rice, 25-30 minutes for wild rice mix.
What are the Instant Pot sizes?
Most Instant Pot models come in three sizes, like three/six/eight quart. However, such models as Smart WIFI and Max come only in six-quart size.
Is an Instant Pot worth the money?
Instant Pot is a kitchen appliance that saves energy, time, and allows healthy meals with limited effort. It is an appliance for those who seek those listed benefits. In that case, yes, it is definitely worth the cost.
What is a natural release Instant Pot?
Natural release is when the Instant Pot is allowed to let go of steam slowly. After the food was cooked, Instant Pot automatically starts releasing steam. It could take up to 30 minutes; however, some customers swear that such a practice changes the taste of food tremendously.
Is Instant Pot a Canadian brand?
Yes, Instant Pot is a Canadian brand established in 2009.
Instant Pot Accessories
Instant Pot Tempered Glass Lid for Electric Pressure Cookers with Stainless Steel Rim
The lid is an ideal accessory for when you are using the sauté program or if you leave it on ‘keep-warm’ mode. The dishwasher-safe lid has stainless steel rim and handle.
Genuine Instant Pot Sealing Ring 2 Pack Clear
TraderPlus 2 Pack Stackable Egg Steamer Rack Trivet for Pressure Cooker
Use the egg steamer rack to cook your hard-boiled eggs with ease. It is made of stainless steel material and oven safe up to 500F. Some people even use the rack to decorate cupcakes.
Steamer Rack Trivet with Handles Compatible
The rack works perfectly for a six- or eight-quarts pot. It is a must-have to have if you are making cheesecake in your Instant Pot. Also suitable for fish, chicken, and vegetables.
Instant Pot Official Round Cake Pan
Perfect addition for your Instant Pot experiments with baking. The pan will fit both, six- and eight-quarts cookers.
