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Instant Pot IP Lux, a.k.a. Instant Lux, Instapot Lux, or simply the IP Lux, is one of the best multi-cooker of its time. It offers six cooking functions that will allow you to prepare a complete meal for the family.
Despite being an old product, most Instant Pot IP Lux models are still available at Amazon. It’s one out of two product lines from the brand which offer up to four cooking capacities.
Award: 6th Best 3 Qt Instant Pot
| Instant Pot Name | 3 Qt IP Lux | 5 Qt IP Lux | 6 Qt IP Lux | 8 Qt IP Lux |
| Picture |  |  |  |  |
| Price range | $ | $$ | $$ | $$ |
| Other name | IP Lux Mini / IP Lux 30 | IP Lux 50 | IP Lux 60 | IP Lux 80 |
| Capacity | 3 quarts (2.8 L) | 5 quarts (4.7 L) | 6 quarts (5.7 L) | 8 quarts (7.6 L) |
| Air Fryer Lid compatible | No | No | Yes | No |
| Number of programs | 10 smart programs | 10 smart programs | 12 smart programs | 12 smart programs |
| Wattage rating | 700 watts | 900 watts | 1000 watts | 1200 watts |
| Get at Amazon → | Get at Amazon → | Get at Amazon → | Get at Amazon → |
One of the pros of Instapot Lux is the multiple size options. Depending on your available counter-space or household size, you can go from their smallest (IP Lux Mini) or the biggest 8-quart model.
The second product line that offers four sizes is the Instant Pot Duo Nova. It’s the brand’s only collection that offers a 10-quart Instant Pot. The Nova family, by the way, is more up-to-date than the IP Lux.
Or you could also check the latest Instapots in this buying guide.
Otherwise, let’s continue discussing its pros and cons…
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- 6-in-1 appliance
- Multiple capacity and color options
- Faster than your average rice cooker
- Advanced safety protection
- Complimentary accessories
- Available in 3-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart model
- Up to 12 cooking programs
- Delay cooking + keep warm
- Durable stainless steel pot
- Compatible with Air fryer accessory
- BPA-free
- Dishwasher safe lid and pot for easy cleaning
- 1-year warranty
CONS
- Classic product, no touch interface
- Requires significant space on your countertop
- Sautéing in IP Lux is awkward
- No progress (preheat) indicator
- Manual pressure release
What can you cook with Instant Pot Lux Multicooker?
Let’s talk about IP Lux Instant Pot’s 6-in-1 cooking functions and as well as all its built-in automatic programs. You can pressure cook, slow cook, cook your rice, sauté in it, steam and last but definitely not the least, the handy dandy warm function.
Pressure Cook
Pressure cooking is useful on many levels—you can easily have tender, juicy meat with minimal time and effort. Tenderizing meat only takes 15 minutes versus 1.5 to 2 hours when doing it in a traditional pot.
You can make: Pulled pork, chicken curry, chili, mashed potatoes, etc.
Apart from tenderizing your protein, slow cooking infuses flavor to a higher degree than pressure cooking. However, since most dishes using this technique takes 4 hours or more, you need to cook your meal in advance.
What can you make: Beef stew, cobbler, pulled pork, curry, etc.
Slow Cook
Sear/Sauté
Sautéing and browning your protein prior to slow cooking or pressure cooking will give extra flavor to your dish. The only thing that I don’t like about this feature is it’s a little bit awkward. The pot is too tall, especially the bigger ones.
Yes, you can also make your favorite soup or broth with the Instant Lux. Some of the recipes you can make with this function are potato soup, Tomato soup, Minestroné, Bone Broth, etc.
Soup/Broth
Rice
Cooking with a rice cooker takes 30-45 minutes. With the Instant Pot, it’s just 15 minutes.
This is particularly useful when making any fried rice recipe. You’ll have your perfectly cooked rice in a few minutes.
The rice to water ratio of making the perfect rice for a fried rice is 1:1.
You’re welcome!
You can also keep your rice or any dish you made with the warm function. It’s pretty basic, but it’s a necessary feature to have.
Warmer
The bigger capacity models have 12 preprogrammed settings such as, soup/broth, meat/stew, cake, egg, sauté, rice, multigrain, porridge, steam, pressure cook, slow cook and keep warm.
If you opt for the 3 or 5-qt models, you won’t have a an automatic program for baking cake and cooking a mix of multi-grains.
*6-qt and 8-qt model only
Is Instant Pot Lux easy to use?
As I’ve mentioned a while ago, the Instant Pot IP Lux doesn’t have a touch screen feature. It’s quite old-school to be honest. However it’s not that difficult to use.
You just need to be careful when operating the pressure cook mode especially if you’re new to it. The steam is too hot, it can burn your skin.
For safety purposes, I highly advice going over the included manual to familiarize with the proper way of using each function.
So yes, any multi-cooker has a certain level of difficulty, it’s not as straightforward as smoothie blenders.
How to clean the Instapot Lux?
Here’s a quick video demo on how to clean your Instant Pot.
So far, I never have that much issue cleaning up my Instapot. If you find yourself dealing with burnt food residue, all you have to do is soak it in warm water for an hour or more. That always does the trick for me.
See the the 6-in-1 Instant Lux in Action
Here’s a quick video demonstration of the Instant Pot Lux 60, or the 6-quart model.
The Instant Pot IP Lux is a 6-in-1 multi-cooker. It can pressure cook, slow cook, cook rice, sauté, steam, and warm your food. Opting for the top of the line model will give you 12 automatic cooking functions. Furthermore, the Instant Pot Lux is available in several cooking capacities—3-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, and 8-quart option.
What accessories can I get with the Instant Pot Lux?
Here are some must-have accessories for your IP Lux Pressure Cooker.
Inner Pot
Model # IP-POT-SS304-60
I highly recommend getting an extra pot. I run into this trouble many times. Having a backup pot will allow you to cook two dishes without washing it for the next recipe. In short, it’s a huge time saver.
Instant Pot Transparent Lid
Model # 213-0201-01
Another great accessory for the Instant IP Lux is the transparent lid. It’s highly useful when slow cooking as you can observe clearly what’s happening inside.
Extra Sealing Ring
Model # 211-0007-01
Some odors, especially from intense recipes, stick to the sealing ring. Consequently, milder recipes might pick up some of the odor/flavors if you use the same sealing ring. Therefore, it’s ideal for getting extra sealing ring(s) for different tastes (mild and strong).
Steamer basket
Model # 5252247
Here’s the deal: Some ingredients don’t fit well with the included steamer rack. Therefore, if you’ll frequently steam, getting a steamer basket with small holes is more advantageous.
Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
Model # 140-3003-01
What if I told you, that you can turn your Instapot into an Air Fryer? Well, I guess that’s pretty obvious with the title. I have to mention though that it’s not the best in class, as the pot is not designed for optimum airflow.
Please note that the only Lux Instant Pot that is compatible with this accessory is the 6-qt model.
*Product Images and Video Courtesy of Instant Brands
Technical Specifications
| Type | Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker / Slow Cooker |
| Brand/Series | Instant Pot by Instant Brands |
| Model Nos. | Lux Mini, IP-LUX 50, IP-LUX 60, Lux Red 60, Lux Blue 60, IP-LUX 80 |
| Price | $$ |
| Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
| Pressure | 10.2–11.6 psi |
| Wattage | 3-Quart: 700 Watts 5-Quart: 900 Watts 6-Quart: 1000 Watts 8-Quart: 1200 Watts |
| Functions | 6-in-1: Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Sauté, Rice, Steam, Warmer |
| Pot | Stainless Steel |
| Capacity | Instant Pot Lux Mini: 3 quarts (2.8 L) Instant Pot Lux 50: 5 quarts (4.7 L) Instant Pot Lux 60: 6 quarts (5.7 L) Instant Pot Lux 80: 8 quarts (7.6 L) |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| BPA Free | Yes |
| Color | Silver, Red, Blue |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | IP Lux Mini: 11.4x10x11.2 in (29×25.5×28.5 cm) IP Lux 50: 13 x 12.2 x 11.8 in (33 x 31 x 30 cm) IP Lux 60: 13.2 x 12.2 x 12.5 in (33.5 x 31 x 31.7 cm) IP Lux 80: 14.8 x 13.3 x 14.2 in (37.6 x 33.8 x 36.1 cm) |
| Cord Length | 2.75 ft. (83.82 cm) |
| Application | Home and Personal Use |
| Warranty | 1 Year |
| Related Products | Instant Ultra, Instant Viva, Instant Pot with Wifi, Instapot Nova Plus, Instant Pot Duo Nova 60, Instant Pot Duo |
Is the Instant Pot IP Lux worth it?
If I was making this recommendation when the 6-in-1 Instant Pot Lux Pressure Cooker was launched, I would definitely make that call. However, since it’s an old product, I would point you to their newest and better models—The Instant Pot Max, Instapot Pro Plus—or if you want the classic buttons there’s the Instapot Duo Plus.
