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6 Qt vs 8 Qt Instant Pot – what’s the difference? Get the scoop on the 6 Quart vs 8 Quart Instant Pot in this 2024 review and comparison. You’ll learn what is an Instant Pot, the dimensions of an Instant Pot 6 qt vs 8 qt, features, how many they can feed, and more. I’ll also tell you what size Instant Pot I’d pick, so you can make an educated purchase.

6 qt vs 8 qt instant pot

What is an Instant Pot? An Instant Pot is a multifunctional kitchen appliance designed to make your cooking experience more convenient and efficient. It combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more to help you prepare delicious meals with ease.

Today, we’ll cover 8 qt vs 6 qt Instant Pot sizes to help you choose the right one for your needs.

6 Qt vs 8 Qt Instant Pot

In short, choosing the right Instant Pot size depends on your specific cooking needs and the number of people you plan to serve. The 8-quart size can cook larger batches to cater to larger families and gatherings, but it’s more expensive. The 6-quart size can accommodate most households, but it unable to make certain types of dishes (like whole roast chicken).

Make sure to consider the dimensions of each size and the types of dishes you frequently cook to make your choice. Also note when comparing 8 quart vs 6 qt instant pot types, that different sizes offer the same special features regardless of size. For example, the Instant Pot Duo Plus can sous vide at both the 6 or 8 quart size.

How big is 6 quarts?

6 quarts equals 1.5 gallons, 24 cups, or 5.68 Liters. Keep in mind that the actual capacity of the Instant Pot is less than its listed size, since you shouldn’t fill it to the top. A 6-quart Instant Pot is a versatile size that can comfortably serve meals for 4 to 6 people.

If you have a smaller to a moderately-sized family or typically host few guests, this size can be an excellent option for your kitchen. It will save money compared to the 8 quart Instant Pot, and takes less counter space. However, it can’t fit larger food items (such as big roasts), and you can’t make big batches of bone broth in it.

How big is 8 quarts?

8 quarts equals 2 gallons, 32 cups, or 7.57 Liters. Again, the Instant Pot shouldn’t be filled to the tip top, so its actual capacity is about 2 quarts less, or 6 quarts. An 8-quart Instant Pot can feed a large family of 6-8 or more with its substantial cooking capacity.

If you need an Instant Pot for potlucks or meal prep, the 8-quart Instant Pot is a great choice. Like the 6-quart size, the 8-quart model is also available in multiple Instant Pot types. It can do everything the 6-quart size can do and more, including large roasts or a whole turkey.

Instant Pot Size Comparison

Here’s a quick comparison table of the Instant Pot 6 qt vs 8 qt. In the next section, we’ll compare specific Instant Pot models.

6-Quart Instant
Pot
8-Quart Instant
Pot
Number Fed (max) 4-6 6-8
How Long to Come to Pressure* 5-10 minutes 10-15 minutes
Actual Maximum Capacity 4 Quarts 6 Quarts
Minimum Liquid Needed
for Pressure Cooking
1-2 cups 2-3 cups
Pressure Release Time shorter longer
*estimated values, will vary by recipe

The stainless steel inner pot of the Instant Pot is dishwasher safe in both Instant Pot sizes. You can also purchase various Instant Pot accessories, such as a steamer basket, to fit either size.

6 Quart vs 8 Quart Instant Pot Comparison Chart

Learn more about the difference between 6qt and 8qt Instant Pot options here:

ModelInstant Pot SizeDimensionsCheck PriceSpecial Features
Instant Pot
Duo*
6-Quart 12.2″D x 13.38″W x
12.48″H,
Weight: 11.8 lbs
Amazon Price
Walmart Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, make yogurt, warm
Instant Pot
Duo
8-Quart 13.18″D x 14.8″W x
10.4″H,
Weight: 10.14 lbs
Amazon Price
Walmart Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, make yogurt, warm
Instant Pot Duo
Crisp
6-Quart 14.75″D x 13.58″W x
15.28″H,
Weight: 23.2 lbs
Amazon Price
Kohl’s Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, air fry,
roast, steam, sauté, bake, broil, warm
Instant Pot Duo
Plus
6-Quart 12.2″D x 13.4″W x
12.5″H,
Weight: 12.35 lbs
Amazon Price
Kohl’s Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, make yogurt, warm,
sous vide, sterilize
Instant Pot Duo
Plus
8-Quart 13.5″D x 14.8″W x
14.5″H,
Weight: 15.56 lbs
Amazon Price
Macy’s Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, make yogurt, warm,
sous vide, sterilize
Instant Pot Pro 6-Quart 13″D x 12.7″W x 12.8″H,
Weight: 16.92 lbs
Amazon Price
Macy’s Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, mini oven, yogurt,
warm, sous vide, sterilize
Instant Pot Pro 8-Quart 14.37″D x 13.9″W x
14.17″H,
Weight: 15.83 lbs
Amazon Price
Walmart Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, mini oven, yogurt,
warm, sous vide, sterilize
Instant Pot Pro
Plus (with wifi smart)
6-Quart 13.2″D x 13″W x 12.7″H,
Weight: 15.54 lbs
Amazon Price
Best Buy Price
Pressure cook, slow cook, rice,
steam, saute, yogurt, warm,
canning, sous vide, nutriboost
Instant Pot
Pro Crisp
8-Quart 12.57″D x 15.35″W x
14.78″H,
Weight: 26.2 lbs
Amazon Price
Target Price
Pressure cook, air fry, slow cook,
steam, saute, warm, roast, mini oven,
broil, sous vide, dehydrate
Instant Pot
Max
6-Quart 12.2″D x 12.6″W x
13″H,
Weight: 15.7 lbs
Amazon Price Pressure cook, slow cook, saute,
soup, rice, canning, sous vide, yogurt
Instant Pot
Ultra
6-Quart 12.5″D x 13″W x
12.5″H,
Weight: 11.83 lbs
Amazon Price Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide,
sauté, rice, sterilize, yogurt maker,
food warmer, cake baker, steam
* Formerly known as Instant Pot Rio. Other older 8 and 6 quart models include the Instant Pot Lux, Instant Pot Nova, Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus, Instant Pot Max, and Instant Pot Ultra.

Instant Pot 8 Quart vs 6 Quart (My Top Pick)

My winner for the best 6 or 8 Quart Instant Pot is the Instant Pot Pro 8 qt with the air frying function. This Instant Pot can take the place of a pressure cooker, air fryer, sous vide machine, slow cooker, food dehydrator, stovetop cooking, and more. Plus, with the generous 8-quart size, this highly-rated Instant Pot can also roast a whole chicken or make big batches of soups and stews.

Though it has a higher upfront cost than some of the other Instant Pot sizes and types, it will save space and money compared to buying all of these kitchen gadgets separately. Of course, if you don’t need the air fryer lid or don’t want to sous vide, one of the other Instant Pots may be a better choice for you.

In general, for a basic Instant Pot multicooker without extra bells and whistles, choose the Instant Pot Duo (Instant Pot 7-in-1). To add sous vide, choose the Instant Pot Duo Plus (Instant Pot 9-in-1). For an Instant Pot multi-cooker that does all of the above, plus functions as a mini oven, choose the Instant Pot Pro.

Also, if you aren’t tied to a particular brand, check out the multi-cookers from Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot, and other brands too. The cheapest option I’ve found was the Farberware electric pressure cooker at Walmart.

6 qt instant pot

FAQs

Is an 8 quart Instant Pot too big for 2 people?

No, the 8-quart Instant Pot is actually a great choice for 1-2 people depending on your personal needs and what you plan to cook in it. For example, if you like to meal prep or cook large batches of food to freeze for later, then an 8 quart Instant Pot may be useful.

What is the difference between 6L and 8L pressure cooker?

Sizes of Instant Pot are typically listed in quarts in the US, but what about liters? A 6L pressure cooker can cook for six people or less, and an 8L pressure cooker can cook for eight people or less. The 8 liter pressure cooker has a greater capacity than a 6 liter pressure cooker, so it’s more versatile.

What is the largest size Instant Pot?

The largest Instant Pot commonly available is the 8 quart size. The older Instant Pot Duo Nova offered a 10-quart size, but it is currently unavailable. The most common Instant Pot sizes are 3-quart, 6-quart, 6.5-quart, and 8-quart.

What size pressure cooker do I need for canning?

The USDA doesn’t offer recommended practices for canning in small pressure cookers. The smallest pressure cookers they recommend hold at least 4 quart-size jars on a canner rack. Research and recipes for canning were developed in pressure cookers with a 16-quart capacity. None of the Instant Pot multicookers are this large, so can in them at your own risk.

How many people will a 6 quart Instant Pot feed?

A 6-qt Instant Pot feeds a maximum of 4-6 people. If you have big eaters, it’s better for singles or couples.

8 quarts feeds how many?

An 8 quart Instant Pot will comfortably feed up to 6-8. Remember when comparing the 6 qt vs 8 qt pressure cooker that the 8 quart can also accommodate a wider variety of dishes.

More Reviews

After you purchase an Instant Pot, here are some other kitchen gadget reviews to check out:

Instant Pot 6 Quart vs 8 Quart Video

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