Instant Pot vs Chef IQ: Battle of the Cookers

Instant pot vs Chef IQ… There’s no doubt that pressure cookers are becoming increasingly popular, with both the Instant Pot and Chef iQ models gaining a lot of attention. However, when it comes to choosing between these two pressure cookers, which is the better option?

To answer this question, we need to consider a few factors: size, features, price and performance. and in this article, we are comparing Chef iQ vs Instant Pot side by side for you to figure out which one of these two will make it to your pretty kitchen. Let’s start with a detailed comparison of the two models and see how they are different.

Instant pot vs Chef IQ Comparison Table

FeaturesChef iQ Smart Pressure CookerInstant Pot Duo 7-in-1
Dimensions13x13x13 Inches12.2×13.3×12.5 Inches
MaterialAluminum, ABS & PP PlasticStainless-steel/Plastic
ColorBlackStainless-steel/Black
Weight10.4 lbs12 lbs
Size6 Quarts6 Quarts
OperationAutomatic / ProgrammableAutomatic / Programmable
Control PanelTouch screen / Dial / AppPush Buttons / Digital Display
Cooking Functions10 Cooking Functions:7 Cooking Functions:
Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Sear/Saute, Steam, Sous Vide, Ferment, Keep Warm, Sanitize, Delay timer, & FavoritePressure Cook, Slow Cook, Rice Cooker, Yogurt Maker, Steamer, Sauté Pan & Food Warmer
Cooking Presets1,000+ Cooking Presets13 Cooking Presets
Safety Measures3 pressure release methods (Quick, Pulse, Natural), Auto steam release10 safety measures such as overheat protection, safe locking lid, and more…
Companion AppYesYes
Wireless OperationYesNo
Built-in ScaleYesNo
Smart CookingYesNo
AccessoriesCooking pot, Silicone lid, Steam backet, Gasket, & Steam rackCooking pot, Steam rack, Plastic rice paddle, Small plastic ladle, & Condensation catcher
Warranty1 year (extra warranty time is added when connecting to the app)1-year limited warranty
User Rating4.5/5 Star (1.3K Reviews)4.7/5 Star (141K Reviews)
Best Price TodayCheckCheck

With side by side comparison done, let’s explore more about both Chef iQ and Instant Pot one by one and see what special features they have to offer.

instant pot vs chef iq
Image credit: canva.com

Chef iQ Smart Pressure Cooker Review

Pressure cookers have become popular due to their ability to cook a wide range of meals in just a matter of minutes. Chef iQ smart pressure cooker takes pressure cooking to a whole new level with its super smart features such as remote control, touch screen control, 1000+ cooking presets, and many more features that you might not have seen or experienced in any other pressure cooker in the world.

Design

Chef iQ smart pressure cooker comes in a sleek, modern and enticing, its dark black exterior looks absolutely stunning sitting on the counter. When unplugged, it looks absolutely dark and handsome with a black rectangular black shiny control panel. Once plugged in, the LCD wakes up and displays whatever is happening inside. A larger-than-life LCD and a handy dial make controlling the appliance as easy as it gets.

Besides its gorgeous design and black exterior, the accessories that come in the box are also well-designed. The basket has a single handle while the rack has two handles that make it easy to get them in and out of the cooker.

You also get an extra sealing ring. Although, sealing rings don’t wear out so quickly, however, since they acquire food odors so you can use one for certain types of foods while the 2nd for another different types of foods. Also included is a silicone lid which can be used to cover the inner cooking pot while storing food but it can also act as a trivet when you take the hot cooking pot out of the cooker.

Cooking Functions

Chef iQ smart pressure cooker is packed with an array of feature which are easy to access thanks to smart interface which makes navigation super-easy. Also, there is a downloadable app which also lets you use all the cooking functions.

The pressure cooker offers 10 cooking functions, all accessible through its large LCD touch screen control panel. The main screen displays pressure cook, sear/sauté, steam, slow cook, favorite and more. Selecting pressure cooker brings you more options such as manual, chicken, beef, pork, egg, beans, rice, pasta, grains, seafood and veggies.

The favorite option contains recipes saved by the user himself so it is totally controlled by you. You can save your favorite items, recipes under ‘Favorite’ option. You’ll also see ‘More’ option which gives you access to ferment to make yogurt and similar recipes, keep warm, sanitize and settings.

Once, cooking cycle completes, the display shows a release option and that’s when you can release the pressure with a touch or manually turn the valve. You can also go for quick release, pulse release or natural release, whichever suits you more.

Performance

Chef iQ pressure cooker handles basic pressure-cooking, steaming, slow cooking and sauteing all as promised. However, it shines when the smart features come in play. What we like the most is its built-in scale to measure ingredients as required.

Moving on, the cooker is easy to clean thanks to ceramic coated inner cooking pot. The lid, silicone, gasket and pot are all dishwasher safe making cleaning a breeze.

Pros

  • The smartest pressure cooker ever
  • 10 cooking functions, 1000+ presets
  • Bluetooth connectivity with companion app
  • Touchscreen control panel
  • Wireless operation via app
  • Built-in scale to measure the ingredients
  • Dishwasher safe accessories

Cons

  • Available in only one size
  • Lesser-known brand
  • Slightly Expensive

Instant Pot Duo 7 in 1 Pressure Cooker

When you think of electric pressure cookers, word instant pot immediately comes to mind. It’s a household name in the US and you will hardly find a kitchen which doesn’t have an instant pot. Instant pot Duo is the first electric pressure cooker by the brand and after so many years have passed, this amazing appliance remains the bestseller on Amazon with over a hundred thousand reviews.

Design

The Duo features instant pot’s most simple yet iconic design. It has large stainless-steel pot with black lid, stainless-steel housing, black bottom, and a touchpad with digital display. The new instant pot models have sleeker displays, with progress charts, dials and more smart cooking functions but instant pot duo is one of the most affordable option in the market.

Measuring 12×13.4×12.5 inches and weighing about 12 pounds, it will blend right in. It is not the most compact yet it is small enough to fit on any kitchen counter.

Cooking Functions

The appliance packs functionality of 7 cooking appliances in single machine to serve the purpose. It will easily replace all those extra cooking appliances on your counter to save you some valuable kitchen space. It’s 7 cooking functions include Pressure cook, slow cook, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, sauté pan and food warmer.

Besides, the appliance also offers 14 cooking presets “smart programs” which are Soup/Broth, Meat/Stew, Bean/Chili, Poultry, Rice, Sauté/Simmer, Multigrain, Porridge, Steam, Slow Cook, Keep Warm, Yogurt, Pasteurization, and Pressure Cook.

A benefit of the program buttons is that they will remember your most recent settings so you don’t have to consult the manual every now and then. They rather will become one touch feature, just press and forget! You can also get back to the default setting by pressing the program button you’d want to go back to default. Keep warm works for about 10 hours which comes in handy for anybody who doesn’t want to reheat their food again and again.

All in all, the instant pot duo offers enough functions to cook a wide variety of delicious meals effortlessly. No wonder it is bestseller for many years now.

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Accessories

Instant pot duo comes with multiple useful accessories to help you out in the cooking. Out of the box you get a Cooking pot, Steam rack, Plastic rice paddle, Small plastic ladle, & Condensation catcher. Apart from included accessories, the company sells a whole range of accessories separately such as ceramic nonstick coated inner cooking pot, glass cook pot, glass lid, cake pan, loaf pan, steamer basket, pot gripper, yogurt cups, and colored gaskets.

Pros

  • 7 cooking functions
  • 13 customizable one touch functions
  • Remembers your last settings
  • Precise temperature control
  • The bestseller on Amazon

Cons

  • Minimum accessories included

FAQ: Instant pot vs Chef IQ

Is CHEF iQ worth it?

Determining whether CHEF iQ is worth it depends on individual preferences and needs. CHEF iQ offers smart cooking appliances with features like guided cooking, recipe library, and precision temperature control, which can be valuable for those seeking convenience and precision in their cooking. However, it’s important to consider factors such as budget, specific cooking requirements, and personal cooking style before deciding if CHEF iQ aligns with your needs and is worth the investment.

Is Instant Pot better than other brands?

The superiority of Instant Pot over other brands depends on individual preferences and needs. Instant Pot has gained popularity for its versatility, reliable performance, and wide range of models, making it a popular choice for many. However, other brands such as Ninja Foodi, Crock-Pot, and Breville also offer high-quality multi-cookers with unique features, so it’s essential to consider specific requirements and compare features before determining which brand is better suited for your cooking needs.

Is CHEF iQ a slow cooker?

CHEF iQ offers multi-functional smart cooking appliances, but it does not have a dedicated slow cooker mode or function. However, some CHEF iQ models may have cooking modes that can achieve similar results to slow cooking by allowing for longer cooking times at lower temperatures, providing a slow cooking-like experience with added features and technology.

What does the CHEF iQ do?

CHEF iQ offers a range of smart cooking appliances that aim to enhance the cooking experience. These appliances are equipped with features such as guided cooking, precise temperature control, recipe library integration, and connectivity options, allowing users to achieve consistent and delicious results in their cooking endeavors while utilizing modern technology for added convenience and control.

Verdict: Instant pot vs Chef IQ

So, Chef iQ vs Instant pot battle comes to an end and its time to choose the one. If you are a fan of smart appliances, Chef iQ smart pressure cooker will appeal you more than anything. It has tons of cooking functions, thousands of presets and smart cooking algorithm with many more smart functions such as built-in scale, touch screen display, and automatic steam release. Moreover, it can also guide you while you cook and you won’t require to set the timer as its smart algorithm will get it done right.

On the contrary, if you are looking for something affordable and dependable, Instant pot duo it is. It is the bestseller on Amazon with more than a hundred & fifty thousand reviews and incredible 4.7 out of 5-star reviews. With 7 cooking functions and 13 smart programable settings, it will definitely be able to cater to all your cooking needs. We hope this comparison has helped you clear any doubts that you might have previously. Let us know if it did help!

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