Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova: Which is Better? As with the chili ,we used the saute function to brown chicken legs before adding all the other ingredients and pressure cooking on high for 20 minutes. Add to that the seven-and-a-half-minute heat up time and we were pleased with the fast cooking time which produced perfectly cooked chicken that fell off the bone with a temperature of 198 F/ 92 C. The pressure release was a slightly louder 79dB and while the sides of the pot and all the handles stayed cool, the metal part of the lid reached a high temperature of 187 F/ 86 C. Every Instant Pot has different cooking programs, but you can typically expect to see features such as a slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and more. An Instant Pot has the ability to replace a number of the appliances in your kitchen. As we mentioned above, Instant Pots are a learning curve and they can be quite confusing when you first start using them. The Duo Nova is actually one of the simplest Instant Pot products to use, which is definitely a big benefit. Despite the Instant Pot Duo Nova and the Instant Pot Duo sharing many features and benefits, there is a range of differences that make them both unique. The Duo Nova does everything that the Duo can but adds some nice quality of life improvements. In addition, the Duo Nova comes with two sealing rings, rather than the usual one. Sealing rings are one of the most important parts of an Instant Pot, and the company recommends that you change your ring every months. It’s nice to know that you won’t have to worry about buying a new sealing ring in the future. When you’re shopping for a new Instant Pot you need to decide which features and size make the most sense for your needs. In 2019 the company added several new models including the Duo Nova. They’re not overly expensive but they’re not cheap either, so it’s definitely a benefit to have an extra one included in the package. One of the biggest upgrades on the Instant Pot Duo Nova over the Duo is the inclusion of an automatic seal and steam release valve. The Instant Pot Duo does not have these features and instead relies on more traditional, manual seals. This is especially true if you’re cooking for a family and need something that is going to be big enough for all the hungry mouths in your house. Conversely, there’s no point buying a more expensive, larger capacity pressure cooker if it’s just for one or two people. If you’re looking for the Cake Setting or egg program, neither of these models have that feature at any quart size. Don’t worry as you can still make hard-boiled eggs using the steam button and cakes using the pressure cook button. All you need to do is adjust the time based on the recipe you’re following. If you’re trying to decide between the Instant Pot Duo vs Duo Nova here is a side by side comparison of the key differences between the two electric pressure cooker models.