Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart: What Reddit Owners Actually Think

What Reddit Actually Says

The Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart has a devoted fanbase — but the loudest voices in recent threads aren't the new converts. They're the long-time owners warning that the company behind the product is not what it once was. One commenter on r/deals put it bluntly:

> Nothing like this is revised to make it better, only cheaper to make.

That's the tension running through every current discussion: the cooker itself still performs, but trust in the brand has eroded.

The Good

Owners who picked one up recently report the core value proposition holds. Beef stew in roughly 40 minutes, one-pot meals that slash washing-up time, and a stainless steel inner pot that cleans up easily — these come up repeatedly. One Redditor who documented their first week with the Duo wrote:

> The 6-quart size is perfect for my small family. Stuff just wipes off, and it's dishwasher safe. Huge plus for someone who hates scrubbing pots.

The 15 one-touch programmes and easy-read display get credit for making weeknight cooking less mentally taxing, even if most experienced users end up ignoring the presets and adjusting time and pressure manually.

The Bad

The steepest complaints aren't about cooking performance — they're about corporate trajectory. Instant Pot was sold to Corelle Brands in 2019, went through bankruptcy, and was acquired again by a private equity firm. Redditors with older units are openly skeptical of newer builds. One commenter on r/instantpot was direct:

> I'm still rocking my v.2 6qt duo from Black Friday 2016. It pre-dates the 'Burn' notice firmware that started in v.3 and also pre-dates the sale of the company to Corelle Brands in 2019 (the beginning of the decline). Since then they have had a bankruptcy and been resold to a private equity firm. If I needed to replace it I would be scouring yard sales and thrift stores for another v.2 6qt duo over any new.

Beyond brand concerns, newer owners flag the learning curve — the manual is dense, YouTube tutorials are basically required for first-time users — and the loud steam release during quick-pressure venting, which rattles pets and light sleepers alike. Counter footprint is also a recurring gripe for smaller kitchens.

Who Should Skip It

Anyone who follows Instant Pot's ownership history closely and has concerns about post-acquisition build quality may want to look elsewhere or hunt for an older unit secondhand. If your kitchen counter space is already maxed out, this isn't a tuck-away appliance. Solo cooks or couples who rarely batch-cook may find the 6-quart capacity more than they need.

Bottom Line

The Duo Plus 6-Quart still does what pressure cookers are supposed to do, and owners report genuine time savings. The real question Reddit keeps raising isn't about the appliance — it's about whether the company making it today is the same one that earned the original reputation.

Check the current price on Amazon.ca