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Overall for both machines they are very easy to use once you know how, it was hard for me when I first got the 5.7l as I had never used a pressure cooker before, once you get the hang of it they will save you so much time.
I started out with the 5.7l as I thought the 8l would be too big, and the 3l way to small (for sure, I am single person but with two dogs which I cook for and the 3l would still be too small, i wouldn't waste you time with it. I would suggest to go for the 5.7l minimum, however after using he 5.7l for over 12 months now (and loving it) I think I should have started out with the 8l. You can always cook a smaller portion of food, but if you are filling your 5.7l and want to cook more then there is no option but to do a few separate cooks. I cook a lot of bone broth using large bones or fish heads which fill the 5.7l and need to be cut up. However I guess if you'll only be sticking to whole chickens and leg roasts or soup and veggies the 5.7l might be enough.
I guess if you wanted to make small side dishes the 3l would be suitable for that use and would conserve energy by not using a huge bowl for nothing.
No matter how stuck on the food gets to the pot its still easy to clean as its hard thick stainless steel, just soak with hot water and then scrub with scrubbing brush, then metal wire wool, then sponge.
I have cooked boiled eggs in 6 minutes, fresh mussels in 1 minute, whole pork roasts (to make moist pulled pork for my dogs) in 55 minutes, whole chickens in 1hour (i like mine cooked well, remove bones pop them back in the pot with the juice from cooking and 1.5hours later you'll have bone broth), also if you like bone broth this is your kitchen appliance, you can make bone from from sardine heads, lamb bones, beef bones, any bones really, just pop them in with a little water, splash of lime juice and pressure cook for a few hours.
It is also great for making yoghurt. Unfortunately I don't get to try it out for other types of foods due to severe food intolerances but I am sure it would make amazing soup and veggies.
Oh for the newbies like I was, when they talk about "Natural release" it just means to let the hot pot release its own pressure over time. How ever long that may take (sometimes about 15-20minutes) apparently it can give different texture to meat. So a "NON natural release" is if you flick (Duo nova) or turn (Duo) the release valve to vent straight away (so as not to overcook stuff). Generally i find if the pot is really full OR if you are cooking meats like whole chicken or pork roasts to let it naturally vent for at least 5-10minutes to avoid getting a mess on your counter top, as it spits a lot of water out. If your just cooking eggs or a small amount of something, or a very short period of cooking (under 20 minutes) it wont really spit much water and doesn't make a difference.
The hard stainless steel basket in the video (shown in the 8l Duo) was purchased separately from an Amazon seller, it is a wonderful basket and much better than the think mesh type ones as it is much easier to clean. The mesh ones are a nightmare.
In the video I show how you can remove the steam valves, pressure release valves & rubber lid rings (red) for a good clean.
Also when you are pressure cooking, never put your food in the pot without at least 1/2 cup of cold water and the use of either a trivet or basket to keep your food off the bottom or you will get a "Burn" message. Even if your only cooking boiled eggs or a few mussels you always need to put water in your pressure cooker and keep the items off the base.
In the video I also show how to easily put the lids on, just align the large protruding section on the lid with the left open plane on the pot housing rim and turn right.
They can both cook from 1minute up to 4 hours in one cook and you can change from low to high pressure (I have only used high pressure).
It take about 5-10 minutes to pressurise before or will start pressure cooking and about 10-20 minutes to depresurise after coming ( depending on how long you have been cooking and how much foid is in there).
While it is pressure cooking it will count Down, from your time to zero and will then start counting Up when it's finished.
Never move your pressure cooker while it's Pressurised. Even just slamming the drawer or cupboard below the counter where your pressure cooker is sitting can make some of the pressure shoot out of the steam valve ( bit scary if you're standing next to it).
If you are new to pressure cooking and want to try the manual steam release Stand very far back with your face and arms far away, and use a spatula or stirring spoon to move the valve to venting position. You will learn what to expect and be able to do it swith your hand.
For those of you wishing to make yoghurt on the duo Nova 5.7l you need to press the yoghurt button twice to get it to the boil.
Happy Instant Potting : )
