The Instant Pot is one of the few kitchen appliances that’s held up after the hype settled. The people who use theirs consistently tend to become quietly evangelical about it — and that’s entirely justified once you understand why. It’s not a trendy gadget. It’s a pressure cooker with a modern interface that can replace four or five other appliances if you let it.
What an Instant Pot Actually Does (And Doesn’t)
The core function is electric pressure cooking — the bit that changes how you cook. Dishes that take two hours on the hob are done in 30–45 minutes. A whole chicken from raw, a beef stew that tastes like it’s been cooking all day, dried chickpeas from scratch without soaking — all roughly a third of the time. It’s also a slow cooker, rice cooker, yoghurt maker, steamer, and sauté pan. Most people primarily use pressure cooking and sauté, and that’s already worth the counter space. What it doesn’t replace: a good frying pan for quick weeknight cooking, or an air fryer for crispy textures.
Which Model Should You Buy in the UK?
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 (6-litre) — around £79–£99: This is the one most people should buy. Seven functions, 6-litre capacity for families of up to six, refined over multiple iterations. Regularly under £80 on Amazon UK deal. Start here. Instant Pot Duo Plus — around £99–£119: Adds sous vide, cake function, and a clearer display — worth the extra £20 if you meal prep regularly. Instant Pot Pro — around £129–£149: Larger touch display and improved sauté performance. Genuinely better but hard to justify the premium unless you’re a confident cook. For size: the 6-litre is the UK sweet spot — the 3-litre limits you too much, the 8-litre is worth it only if you regularly cook for six or more.
Given UK energy bills, pressure cooking uses significantly less energy than a conventional oven for the same dishes. Check our Kitchen Appliances section on rationalpicks.com for current UK prices across Amazon, Argos, and Currys.
