The Instant Pot Duo Mini is the perfect little appliance for someone with limited counter space, a student living in a dorm room, or a small household with 2-3 members..
When the brand first launched their pressure cookers, there wasn't a huge amount of choice. Now there are many variations of the Instant Pot multi-cooker in the market!
The Duo mIni is my favorite Instant Pot because I am not someone who uses it daily and therefore I can store it away easily when not needed.
The Instant Pot Duo Mini is 3 quarts which is less than the more popular 6 quart Instant Pot. Despite being “fun size” the Duo Mini can do everything its bigger siblings can, and maybe even better.
Keep reading to find out more the size of the Instant Pot Duo Mini and other Instant Pots from the same collection.
How Big is the Instant Pot Duo Mini?
Instant Brands describes the Duo Mini as the perfect appliance for whipping up side dishes or cooking for one or two individuals.
As far as exact dimensions go, we measured the Instant Pot Duo Mini and found that its dimensions are: 7.8 inches x 5 inches or 18.8 cm by 12.7 cm.
This is about the same area space of a small cutting board.
Its compact nature makes it perfect for small homes, recreational vehicles (RVs), hotel rooms, and dorm rooms. You can take the portable device anywhere you go.
As someone who both travels a lot and works hectic hours, the Instant Pot Duo Mini has come in handy when it comes to batch cooking and having food for the week.
Check out the price of the Instant Pot Duo Mini on Amazon now.
What Does the Instant Pot Duo Mini Come With?
This Instant Pot potentially replaces seven cooking appliances (hence the 7 in 1 slogan incorporated in the product description). Although the appliance doesn’t come with as many features or cooking settings as other Instant Pot multi-cookers, it still has a decent setup:
- 11 standard “one touch” cooking settings
- Saute setting
- Keep Warm setting
(which contains heat in the food even after its done cooking)
As for cute accessories, this Instant Pot comes is bundled with a steam rack, rice paddle, and condensation container. I also have an authorized Instant Pot cookbook tha you have to purchase separately.
If you’re wondering about compatible accessories, you have more options that fit the Duo Mini than other Instant Pots out there.
Important note:
The Instant Pot Duo Mini does not come with the Poultry and Multi-grain program functions.
How Many Quarts is the Instant Pot Duo Mini?
We’ve mentioned the measurements of the Instant Pot Duo Mini pot, but what about the volume – the amount of food it can hold?
The Duo Mini is able to cook up to three quarts of food.
Now, I know what you’re thinking! How can three quarts be enough food?
I cook for a household of three, and mine does more than get the job done. We even have leftovers!
New to using an Instant Pot? Have no fear, and read our guide on How To Use Your Instant Pot Duo Mini For The First Time [Complete How To Guide].
What Size Are Other Instant Pots?
Instant Brands have a lot of other Instant Pots on the market with each different from others. Is the smaller multi-cooker not the right fit for you? You’re in luck because Instant Brands has a few larger sized models.
Instant Pot Size Comparison Chart
Our little chart goes into greater details about the specifications of various Instant Pots you can purchase.
Which Instant Pot Duo Is the Best?
You may be aware of this, but the Instant Pot Duo is a series of multi-cookers designed in different sizes. The smallest is the Mini (3 quarts) and then you have the 6, 8, and even a 10- quart model. The bigger models have more features and even different accessories.
To determine which is the best Instant Pot for you, think of how you plan to use it.
How often do you cook? If you cook often, is it normally just for you or for other people too?
What type of food do you like to cook?
Do you prefer batch cooking?
What's your budget?
Insider tip: By the way, the Instant Pot Duo Mini is a very economical kitchen appliance. You can save money in the long term.
Once you’ve thought about your requirements and what’s realistic, then choosing the perfect Instant Pot becomes easy.
Before you book the order, you need to know what your Duo Mini is capable of and the features it lacks.
Instant Pot Duo Mini – Pros
One of the biggest benefits of the Mini version is the fact that it fits in very small sinks, making it a versatile and desirable appliance.
It also makes a great additional meal maker, if you already own a bigger model. Its small size makes it a stellar appliance for cooking finger food and mini meals for “Game Days” and special occasions.
There are various scenarios where the Duo mini can come in handy. Keep on reading to find out more.
Useful For Potluck Lunches
The device is perfect to take for potluck dinners/lunches. You don't have to go to the potluck with not-so-warm food, but you can cook your food on the spot! The device is unobtrusive and keeps food warm after you cook it.
Perfect for the RV Sink
RV sinks are known for being especially tiny. Because the Duo Mini doesn’t take up much space, it can fit perfectly in a small sink. You can easily hand wash in the basin without creating a giant mess in the meantime.
Bring to Friend’s House
Want to have a fun “night in” with your best buddy? Maybe you want to watch the Friday football game and are looking forward to “set and forget” with your multi-cooker. The Instant Pot Duo Mini is small enough to carry in a car to your friends house!
Use in Dorm Rooms
The Instant Pot Duo Mini, like the air fryer, is perfect for a college dorm room. And like the air fryer, your Instant Pot needs something placed underneath it to protect your countertop. There is some intense cooking going on inside the Instant Pot, so you’ll want to protect it from any mishaps.
Makes A Thoughtful Gift
My Mini multi-cooker was actually a gift from a friend! I enjoyed receiving it so much, and I am sure others will too. Think of a friend who is always short on time or worried about cooking for the family when they get home. People like them would really benefit from the Instant Pot Duo Mini.
Carry Along On Vacations
Because of its size, the Duo Mini is easy to travel with. You can put it on the floorboard of your vehicle and take it to a cabin or holiday home. It will fit right in.
Additional Information:
Did you know that care and keeping of the Instant Pot Duo Mini is the same across all Instant Pots?
Refer to this article which troubleshoots one of the issues that may arise from owning an Instant Pot.
Cons of the Instant Pot Duo Mini
After owning an Instant Pot Duo Mini for a couple of years now, I can honestly say the only downside I saw was size related. I want to stress that this issue arose when I had to cook for a large group of people, six or more.
Other ( minor) downsides include:
Ingredients Need Chopping
For certain recipes, you may need to chop or slice the food so that it can cook properly. I have struggled to line my pressure cooker with chicken breast, and had to cut and slice them down to fit inside.
Speaking of recipes, a great one to try in the Instant Pot is the full-of-flavor Beanie Weenie Casserole.
Some Accessories Unusable
You cannot use all accessories with your Duo Mini. The Instant Pot air frying accessories will not work with this model. The smaller Instant Pot has a few missing settings, however the essential and common cooking settings are available.
Recipe Adjustments Required
Because you’re working with a smaller cooker, some of the recipes (usually created with the 6 quart in mind) will need to be amended. This could mean reducing the amount of liquid specified in the recipe, cooking lesser quantities of meat, or even reducing the recipe quantity by half.
Kitchen Care Tip:
Be careful when placing your Instant Pot Duo Mini on delicate surfaces like glass top stoves. Multi-cookers can be heavy and you don’t want to break or scratch your nice kitchen surface.
Is the Instant Pot Duo Mini Too Small?
Absolutely not. Just because this Instant Pot is the smallest in the collection doesn’t mean it is not adequate for your kitchen! In fact, the 3-quart Duo Mini can make food for up to three people, maybe even more than that (especially side dishes).
If size is your main concern, trust me when I say this model will definitely surprise you with its cooking ability.
Final Thoughts
The Instant Pot Duo Mini is the smallest of the multi-cookers, and that is particularly why I love it so much. II can palace it anywhere in my kitchen and it gets the job done. I usually cook a good meat stew or chili inside the Instant Pot and cook my rice in a different appliance altogether.
This actually makes the room in your 3 quart pressure cooker go a long way! You can even mix the two dishes together when you’re done cooking and store the pot in the fridge for leftovers.
At the end of the day, if you prefer a bigger model there is a 6-quart, 8-quart, and 10-quart available on Amazon.
After playing around with your Duo Mini, you may be inspired to buy a bigger one and double the fun. I am already thinking about what my next one will be.
Do you have an Instant Pot? If so, which one? Let us know your favorite recipe to cook in the comments below.
Food has been a staple in my professional life for quite some time. I worked in a cupcake bakery in my hometown for 2 years, I worked in digital marketing for food brands such as Hellmann’s and Knorr within Unilever, and now I am writing food articles about the best cooking appliances for your home and how to cook some of my favorite recipes.
- Can You Use Aluminum Foil in the Air Fryer? [Five Tips & Tricks] - January 23, 2024
- How to Cook Frozen Onion Rings in the Philips Air Fryer [Step By Step] - July 20, 2023
- Why Does My Philips Air Fryer Keep Turning Off? [Solutions & More!] - June 8, 2023
Last update on 2024-12-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API