Instant Pot Pro 10‑in‑1 (8 qt) vs Instant Pot Duo 7‑in‑1 (6/8 qt) vs Aroma ARC‑914SBD Rice & Grain Cooker
Why Multi‑Cookers Matter for Bakers & Pastry Lovers
A reliable multi‑cooker proofs enriched doughs at a steady 30 °C, steams crème caramel without oven fuss, cooks perfect sushi rice for mochi, and sterilizes jam jars in minutes. But which model earns a permanent place on your counter?
1 · Instant Pot Pro 10‑in‑1 (8 qt)
Quick Specs
| Functions | Pressure, slow, sous‑vide, sauté, rice/grain, yogurt, sterilize, cake, steam, keep‑warm (Amazon) |
| Inner Pot | Tri‑ply stainless w/ stay‑cool handles |
| Heating Power | 1 400 W — fastest of the trio |
| App Support | 800+ guided recipes; firmware via Wi‑Fi |
Hands‑On Highlights
- 20 % quicker pre‑heat and noticeably quieter steam release than older Duos (Tom’s Guide).
- Serious Eats crowned it best overall electric pressure cooker after side‑by‑side bean, risotto & brisket tests (Serious Eats).
- The tri‑ply pot lets you caramelize sugar on the stovetop before pressure‑steaming a perfect Basque cheesecake (no extra pan = less cleanup).
Drawbacks
- Hefty ≈ 7 kg and 38 cm tall—measure cabinet clearance.
- Highest upfront cost (list \$199; see banner for today’s price).
Ideal for: batch bakers, meal‑preppers, anyone who wants a single appliance to replace sous‑vide sticks, yogurt maker, slow cooker, and rice cooker.
- 10 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sous vide, sauté, sterilize, cook yogurt and rice, bake, steam…
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 28 one-touch options covering all essential meals.
- Good Food Done Faster: Preheat 20% faster and cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
- Convenient & Easy Steam Release: Gentle steam release switch and diffusing cover allow you to confidently and …
2 · Instant Pot Duo 7‑in‑1 (6 & 8 qt)
Quick Specs
| Functions | Pressure, slow, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, keep‑warm (Amazon) |
| One‑Touch Programs | 13 presets (soup, beans, poultry, dessert…) |
| Housing | Stainless steel; 11 safety lockouts |
Why It Still Rules Entry‑Level
- Named “Best starter Instant Pot of the year” by Tom’s Guide—and was 33 % off (\$59 for 3 qt) just five days ago (Tom’s Guide).
- Lighter (≈ 5 kg) and shorter than the Pro; perfect for apartments.
- Same durable stainless inner pot, dishwasher‑safe lid & seals (Tom’s Guide).
Trade‑offs
- No sous‑vide or sterilize modes.
- Old‑school manual steam lever = “oven‑mitt moment.”
- LED panel looks dated next to the Pro’s touchscreen.
Ideal for: newcomers to pressure cooking, college students, families of 2‑4 who want core functions at the lowest Instant Pot price.
- Easy-to-use programmable digital controls complete with an automatic Keep Warm mode after each cycle
- An array of preset functions for every kind of meal: White Rice, Brown Rice, Steam, Flash Rice
- Steam meat, vegetables and more with the provided Steam Tray all while rice cooks below
- Perfectly prepares 2 to 8 cups of any variety of cooked rice or grains
3 · Aroma Housewares ARC‑914SBD Digital Rice & Grain Cooker (4 cups uncooked)
Quick Specs
| Capacity | 4 cups dry / 8 cups cooked (≈ 2 qt) (Amazon) |
| Modes | White, Brown, Flash Rice (50 % faster), Steam, Keep‑Warm |
| Extras | Steam tray, rice paddle, 15 h delay timer |
Budget Gem
- Praised by Epicurious as a solid budget choice under \$40 when you just need fluffy grains (Epicurious).
- Tiny 22 cm × 21 cm footprint—fits dorms, RVs, studio lofts.
- “Set‑and‑forget” rice; >4 600 Amazon reviewers average 4.5 stars (Amazon).
Limitations
- No pressure = slower rice vs Instant Pot rice mode.
- Non‑stick pot requires gentle utensils and hand‑wash.
- Steam tray holds two servings of veg—fine for sides, not mains.
Ideal for: singles, students, or anyone wanting fool‑proof rice and oatmeal on a shoestring budget.
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one…
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 13 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes.
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods.
Side‑by‑Side Cheat Sheet
| Instant Pot Pro | Instant Pot Duo | Aroma ARC‑914SBD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functions | 10‑in‑1 | 7‑in‑1 | Rice/Steam |
| Sous‑Vide? | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Sterilize? | ✔️ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Capacity | 8 qt | 6 or 8 qt | 2 qt |
| Inner Pot | Tri‑ply stainless | Stainless | Non‑stick |
| Steam Release | Auto push‑switch | Manual lever | N/A |
| List Price | \$199 | \$129 | \$49 |
| Best For | Power‑users | First‑timers | Tight budgets |
(Prices fluctuate—check banners for today’s deal.)
Which One Should You Buy?
- Choose the Pro if you batch‑cook, value sous‑vide, and want the safest steam release.
- Choose the Duo if you need 80 % of the Pro’s versatility at roughly half the cost.
- Choose the Aroma if countertop space and cash are tight but you still crave perfect jasmine rice every time.
FAQ
Can these proof bread dough?
Both Instant Pots ⇢ set Yogurt (Low) for a steady 30 °C rise. Aroma lacks a low‑heat hold.
Are the pots dishwasher‑safe?
Instant Pot stainless pots + lids are top‑rack safe (Tom’s Guide). Hand‑wash Aroma’s non‑stick pot.
Do I need special recipes?
All three include free app or booklet recipes, but any electric‑pressure‑cooker recipe converts 1:1 between the Pro and Duo.
Happy cooking—and even happier baking!