By Mike Szostech Last updated
Instant Pot has become a kitchen essential in Canada, offering a myriad of cooking possibilities.
We’ve had ours for 6 years, and we actually have 2 now – one large capacity and a smaller one. We use them almost daily.
With an expanding product lineup, choosing the right Instant Pot can be overwhelming.
In this guide, we break down the key factors for selecting the best Instant Pot Canada in 2024, ensuring you make an informed decision.
The Instant Pot has taken over Canadian kitchens en-masse. If you don’t have one yet, you probably know someone who does. It’s an all-in-one cooking tool that can do everything from pressure cooking chili recipes, to steaming vegetables and even making yogurt or cheesecakes.
While Instant does also offer dedicated rice cookers and even blenders and toaster ovens now, this review will focus on the Instant Pot Canada options and available accessories in 2024.
Confused about choosing the best Instant Pot?
Don’t be! The whole purpose of this Instant Pot Canada review is to give you the best information to make the best choice. Choosing the best instant pot for you comes down to only a few things:
- how much capacity do you need – a large capacity Instant Pot or enough for 2?
- is there a special feature you need, or is it just a nice-to-have?
Discovering the perfect Instant Pot for your Canadian kitchen involves considering capacity needs and essential features.
This guide provides insights into the best options and accessories, and remember that any Instant Pot can make cooking more fun and more efficient!
Instant Pot Canada - Comparing the Best Instant Pots
Hey Canada! This section helps you compare the features of these products to help you choose the best option for you! Click on the product name to jump down to that specific review.
Functions
Even the lowest rated Instant Pot, the Duo, comes as a 7-in-1 which gives you so many cooking options. However, if you require a specific function (like Sous Vide or Air Fry), be aware that all models don't have all the functions.
Wattage
The wattage rating might not seem so important. We bought the Duo, which is 1000 watts, but when we have a 6 quart batch of soup in it (a full batch filled to the MAX line in the Instant Pot), it often can't get to pressure because it doesn't have enough power to boil 6 qts. That's likely why the higher powered Instant Pots are the only ones with the Sous Vide feature.
Capacity
In order to compare apples-to-apples and determine the best Instant Pot, we used the specifications from the 6 quart models (except the air fryer which only comes in an 8 quart version / 6 quarts when air frying). Some of the Instant Pot models do come in a smaller 3 quart version or a larger 8 quart version. In 2020, Instant starting making some in a 10 qt option as well - but they can be harder to find in store.
Poultry
The Poultry setting is a high pressure cook setting with a default of 15 minutes - it can be adjusted longer or shorter depending on what the recipe calls for. Even if the model you want doesn't have a poultry setting, you can still cook poultry by cooking on high pressure for 15 minutes. While it might be nice to have a button with the name of the food you are cooking, don't let this be a deal breaker.
Lid
The first models, and the more basic models, come with the original style lid. That has a valve that you set to pressure or vent depending on if you are cooking at pressure in your Instant Pot. Newer lid designs have an automatic sealing valve as well as a 'quick release' button to safely release steam. If you're new to the pressure cooking world, or if you want the easiest-to-use-with-fewest-steps-involved version, look for the EasySeal lid.
Sterilizer
Sous Vide
Canning
Air Fry
First released in November, 2019, the AirFry feature of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp allows you to air fry foods. If you need an all-in-one tool, then this is the Instant Pot to get. If Air Fry is the only extra 'function' you may want, there is an additional Instant pot Air Fryer lid you can add to any 6 qt instant pot. Plus, sometimes it's cheaper to get the simple Instant Pot Canada, and add the Air Fryer lid instead of buying the Duo Crisp.
Altitude Adjustment
WiFi Control
Instant Pot Lux
An Instant Pot replaces 6 Appliances in 1 including: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, saute, steamer, and warmer.
If you don't need any of the other extra features that the other Instant Pots offer, then this is the lowest price, fully functioned multi-cooker. Plus, it comes with all of the great features that makes Instant Pot the best in category including stainless steel inner pot and food grade stainless on all parts that contact your food.
The Lux model is now getting old, so we've replaced it with the similar (and newer and cheaper) Instant Pot Duo.
Get the best price Instant Pot Lux in Canada from:
Instant Pot Lux review details:
Instant Pot Duo
The Instant Pot Duo 6-quart is the first multi-cooker from Instant Pot that started the whole multi-function pressure cooker craze. It combines 7 kitchen appliances into an easy to use, computer controlled smart appliance that can pressure cook, slow cook, cook rice, steam, saute, make yogurt, and warm foods.
Everything that comes in contact with your food is made from food grade stainless steel with no chemical coatings.
Accessories include a stainless steel steam rack with handles, a rice paddle, soup spoon, measuring cup, and condensation collector and recipe booklet.
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Instant Pot Duo review details:
Instant Pot Duo Plus
The Duo Plus is the newest version of the top selling Duo from Instant Pot. It features 2 more cooking functions than the original Duo - egg cooking and sterilizing.
All parts that touch your food are food grade 304 (18/8) Stainless steel including the lid, the inner pot with 3-ply bottom and steam rack with handles.
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Instant Pot Duo Plus review details:
Instant Pot Duo Nova
Best for Beginners: An upgrade to the all-time bestseller Instant Pot Duo series, the Duo Nova combines 7 appliances in 1: pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, food warmer, and yogurt maker.
The new EasySeal lid gives you one less thing to worry about because it automatically seals your Instant Pot. Steam release is also a breeze with a fast, safe push of the quick release button.
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Instant Pot Duo Nova review details:
Instant Pot Viva
The Instant Pot Viva 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker includes three new programs - Cake, Egg and Sterilize.
The Cake Program has been designed to prepare soft and moist cakes, while, with the egg program you can prepare perfect eggs in just a few minutes. Sterilize program permits you to pasteurize milk, sterilize baby bottles, jars and utensil.
The Viva is also available in a few colors other than silver/stainless.
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Instant Pot Viva review details:
Instant Pot Evo Plus
The Duo Evo Plus builds on the features of the all-time best Instant Pot - the Duo.
With 20+ Enhancements, it is the fastest in the class, The easiest to use for new users and the most Customizable for experienced Instant Pot owners.
It comes with a 200W increase in cooking power to 1200watts total. The inner pot has easy grip handles, and a flat bottom surface that can be used on a cooktop if needed.
It also comes with the redesigned EasyLid to make pressurizing and letting off steam easy and safe.
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Instant Pot Evo Plus review details:
Instant Pot Max
Max features an industry-first 15 psi pressure cooking and NutriBoost technology - all controlled by a microprocessor for smart and easy cooking.
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Instant Pot Max review details:
Instant Pot Duo Crisp
With 11 functions, the Duo Crisp can do everything the regular Instant Pot does. And when you swap the lid for the air fryer lid you've got a whole new set of recipes you can make.
11 smart programs put cooking on autopilot with delicious results: the pressure cooker lid offers 6 wet cooking functions: use it to quickly pressure cook, sauté, steam, slow cook, sous vide and warm. The air fryer lid offers 5 dry cooking functions: use it to quickly air fry, roast, bake, broil and dehydrate.
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Instant Pot Duo Crisp review details:
Instant Pot Ultra
Unique to the Instant Pot Ultra is an altitude adjustment to cook perfectly each time. It also has a central dial with a simple turn and press, as well as a new steam quick release button to ensure safer handling of the release of pressure after cooking is complete.
The Ultra replaces 10 common kitchen appliances: it's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice/porridge cooker, yogurt maker, cake maker, egg cooker, saute/searing, steamer, warmer, and sterilizer.
With a 3rd generation embedded microprocessor, the Ultra monitors the pressure, temperature, and keeps time.
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Instant Pot Ultra review details:
Instant Pot Smart WiFi
With all the same features as the popular Instant Pot pressure cooker, this is a revolutionary kitchen appliance with Wi-Fi connectivity. With easy to use interfaces to control and monitor cooking progress through your phone even while you're away.
The Instant Pot APP gives you access to hundreds of pre-programmed recipes from slow-cooked meats, stews, and chili, to yogurt, grains, and cake. No stirring or watching over the dish as it cooks. Simply monitor the progress of your meal from your mobile devices, and get notifications along the way
Get the best price Instant Pot Smart WiFi in Canada from:
Instant Pot Smart WiFi review details:
Instant Pot Canada FAQs
Is Instant Pot Canadian?
Yes! Instant Brands, the company that makes the Instant Pot, is a Canadian company.
Why are the Instant Pots so popular?
The first reason that Instant Pot multi-cooker became so popular is because of their pressure cooking ability. Before the Instant Pot, pressure cooking required a specialized pot that you would put on a stove-top, and have to monitor fairly closely – but you couldn’t see inside, and you couldn’t open it, so it just seemed tricky. And many people didn’t pressure cook.
Most people already knew what a slow cooker was, but when you add in the pressure cooking power, foods cook faster, and certain foods – like dry beans – cook better than in a slow cooker. We have friends who were raised in Central America and they say the beans from our Instant Pot are creamier and better tasting than anything they learned to cook on a stove top while growing up.
Where can I buy an Instant Pot Canada?
Now that the Instant Pot has become so popular, they are available all across Canada. Everywhere from the big box stores, to smaller kitchen stores, to the biggest online retailers like Amazon have the Instant Pot for sale in Canada.
Is the Instant Pot worth it?
If you’re a fan of set-it-and-forget-it hands off cooking, then the Instant Pot is as good as it gets. It’s smart cooking features can handle anything you can throw in it – from meat, grains, and veggies – even from frozen!
Sure, a slow cooker is similar, but with the pressure cooker ability of the Instant Pot, cooking times are much shorter.
Is there anything the Instant Pot can’t do?
Yes – specifically dairy. Cream sauces cooked under high heat and pressure can cause dairy to curdle, clump, or separate. Plus, it’s super hard to clean off if it’s burnt to the bottom. Instead, add the dairy after the pressure cooking cycle is completed – that’s what Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipes call for.
What about other multi-function pressure cookers?
Since the popularity of the Instant Pot Canada, there have been other companies to come out with similar small appliances for your kitchen. In fact, shortly after we purchased an Instant Pot, I saw one of these imitations at Costco.
It was much cheaper, and I was about to get all worked up about it until I noticed the internal pot wasn’t stainless steel – it was non-stick coated aluminum.
That still seems to be the case – the Instant Pots all have the stainless steel inner pot – and other brands don’t.
Canada, did we miss something?
Did we forget something in our Instant Pot Canada review? Let us know! If you think there’s a piece of information missing, or if something has changed, send us a comment.
I have a IPDUO60 that I poach eggs in every day (set for 3 minutes) and today once the pressure was reached it blew (all steam escaped). Tried it a second time and it did the same thing. I have also noticed lately that when this pot reaches full steam (or just before) some steam is releasing from the valve. This continues and lessens until 1 minute remains then it seems to stop. Noticed eggs are not cooking consistently – sometimes one is quite sloppy while the other is much closer to done. This seems to be happening all the time now.
Have a slightly newer Instant Pot (IPDuo60V2) so used the gasket from the newer pot lid in my older pot lid and it worked fine. Also tried using the newer pot lid with the newer gasket on my older pot and it worked fine.
So, it seems that I need a new gasket for my older instant pot. Where can I purchase this? Also where can I get these pots serviced if the need arises? I live in the Calgary AB area
Thank you
Sandy
Hi Sandy,
I thought it might be your pressure release valve that needed cleaning, but if the new gasket worked on the old lid, then the Instant Pot needs a new gasket! They are available online from Amazon or you can buy them at your local Canadian Tire or Walmart too.
My pot has lost it’s ability to stay pressurized after it reaches the pressure. I think the o ring is gone under the valve on the post? I called and they said no part for that and I had to buy a new lid. $59 US plus freight. Any ideas?
Donna Evans
There are parts on Amazon that are compatible with the Instant Pot, and includes the pressure valve and seal replacement parts. While not Instant Pot parts, I’d try that before spending the $59US for a new lid! Depending on your Instant Pot model, you could buy a whole new pot from Walmart for about the same price – the 6 QT was on sale for $79 CAD last month.
I received an Instant Pot from a friend last Christmas. After only 4 uses I got a code that disable my pot. I inquired and was told that I must have spilled something into the electronics. As I have only ever cooked roasts, I knew that this was not possible. After checking and sending pictures, it verified the bottom is absolutely pristine. Since then I have been completely ignored. So disappointing. I will remember this for any future purchases and will also spread the word whenever possible. This is why foreign companies make a bad band fie themselves.
Sorry to hear that! Can you tell me how you were corresponding with Instant? Was it through their website or via phone or?
What air fryer lid goes with instant pot iplux 8quart model
Where are instant pots manufactured?
It’s manufactured in China. Designed in Kanata, Ontaria, there are at least 4 factories in China producing the Instant Pots.