I just bought an Instant Pot a couple of weeks ago (half price at amazon $65!). I've wanted one ever since I heard of them about a year ago. I have a couple of stovetop models and only used them occasionally. They are so heavy and I sometimes have trouble maintaining a specific pressure. I love that with the Instant Pot, you set the pressure and time and it takes care of itself. My husband cooks on weekdays and I get to cook on weekends, so I've only used it twice, but I look forward to using it regularly. My husband had a mindset that everything cooked in a pressure cooker would just be mush and has been pleasantly surprised. Last weekend it was pot roast and vegetables. Tonight was baby back ribs. Now he wants to start using it during the week. He NEVER suggested he use the stovetop ones. No tending or monitoring.

Thanks, Donna! Glad to hear the Instant Pot is working well. I was hoping to get a comparison. I would rather get her an 8 qt. but think I have to go with Fagor to get that and I don't know how well it compares to the Instant Pot.

I have the Fagor 6 qt multi cooker. A few years old now and I love it, use it often. I haven't used the Instant Pot though to be able to give you a comparison, I've never even seen one in person. Raven at Kitchen Table forum I think has more than one IP that she seems to like and cooks in frequently.

I bought my Fagor from Amazon. I've had no reason to contact Fagor customer service so I don't know how buyer friendly they are. I'm trying to think how old...We've been in this house 4 years and I bought it a couple of years previous to that when I had a much smaller kitchen, needed a multi function appliance that took up as little kitchen real estate possible ;0) But my enjoyment of it hasn't decreased now that I have excess storage space.

8 qt sounds large to me. I can do pot roast, a whole chicken, meals with planned leftovers a second night for 2-4 or servings for 6-8 at the table in the 6 qt. That's if price is a consideration for you, although I can't see how 2 more quarts would make it cook any differently should your daughter require larger amounts.

Like Donna, I bought my Instant Pot on Black Friday on Amazon. I have the DUO which I think is 6 or 7 qt. There is a Facebook forum specifically for IP's too. There are many who sing its praises and own multiple IP's to use for different purposes. There are websites such as "This Old Gal" who have many recipes for electric pressure cookers. Check them out for more reviews.

We have a friend who has the Fagor and loves it. That said, I've never used a pressure cooker previously, my mother's stovetop one scared the heck out of me! So far I like the IP- though in all honesty, I've only used it a few times.

Morz8, Thanks for replying. Am glad to hear you like your Fagor. I was thinking of the 8qt because of needing the extra headspace in a PC and she is cooking for five. She also loves cooking once and eating twice. Maybe a six qt. would be sufficient.

Compumom: Thanks for the FB address and the electric PC website. I love my stovetop, but remember when I first got a PC and was scared it would explode!

Cookebook: Glad to hear the IP gets such good reviews. My DD has been afraid of PC's and is just now requesting an electric PC. I think it would certainly be an asset with her busy lifestyle.

For dinner last night, I needed some boiled chicken for chicken and dumplings. When the chicken was finished, I decided to put the bones back into the pot and make some stock for the freezer. How I wish I had thought to use my Instant Pot! I got busy in the sewing room and didn't notice that the house had filled with smoke because my dutch oven had boiled dry. Of course, I ruined the pot. But I would never had that issue if I had thought to use my Instant Pot, because it would not have cooked dry and would automatically stopped cooking at the correct time. Lesson learned, hopefully

Lizbeth, IMO, an 8 QT cooker would be the preferred size for someone who is cooking for 5.

Oh, Donna, that sounds like me. I multi-task too often and forget something that I'm supposed to be watching. I have done that with the water running in the sink and walked off to do one little task and almost flooded the kitchen. Sorry about your pan!

Ci-lantro: Thanks for the suggestion about size. I really think she could use the 8qt. and if she doesn't always need that large, I don't see a downside.