I was looking at Instant Pots and was considering getting the mini (3qt) because I live alone but several reviews said (and I confirmed with a few searches) that most of the accessories available only fit the 6qt or 8qt sizes. Since I wanted to maximize the Pot's utility, that was important. Then, when I saw an Amazon Warehouse deal on a 6 qt Ultra -- top of the line! -- for less than the regular price of the Mini Duo that had fewer features, I jumped on it. It said it had significant visual flaws on the lid, but I didn't really care as long as it functioned properly. Well, the flaws are on the inside of the lid and are barely noticeable, so I feel like I got a terrific bargain. It doesn't take more than a couple minutes to get to full pressure and start the cooktime, and the steam release button works very rapidly. Though i haven't yet decided on what accessory set[s] to buy, I know at least I want a springform pan: I kluged a form to make a cheesecake in this device, as it is the easiest bain marie, and I was amazed to find it came out really well (it looked pretty wobbly right out of the pot, but it firmed up nicely in the refrigerator). I have cooked 3 pounds of chicken breast on the bone in less than 8 minutes, it was moist and tender, and the bones remained soft enough to give them to my dog - he's a terrier who gnaws everything to dust and doesn't gulp his food, but I don't give him bones from roast chicken, only boiled. Because pressure cooking uses less water than regular boiling, more of the flavor stays in the meat. I also cooked a big pork chop on the bone for 3 minutes after browning it a bit (using the saute setting, then adding water and sealing) and it was nicely tender despite being not a bit pink inside (i used a salty solution rather than plain water). I have yet to make yogurt, but i used the yogurt setting to foster a rapid ferment of fruit wine (found IP instructions on the internet) that turned out great (alternate between venting and not venting the developing CO2); I'm thinking it might also work for other ferments that a low heat promotes, such as kimchi, sauerkraut, tofu misozuke, etc -- i'm not into kombucha but maybe it would work for that too. I'm looking forward to using it for water-bath canning (the pressure is not high enough for true pressure canning, you need the Instant Pot Max for that), but it can sterilize empty jars and lids, and then substitute for a canning kettle waterbath for jams and pickles. Maybe the 8qt is a better choice if you do *a lot* of canning jams, fruit, pickles and sauerkraut (high acid foods don't need pressure canning), but for the amount I do the 6qt will suffice, and it takes up enough room on the counter, I can't imagine how big the 8qt's footprint is. I'm also looking forward to doing beans in it in a much shorter timeframe than with a slowcooker (tho there is also a slowcooker setting on this pot), because dry beans are cheaper but previously took a lot of planning to use. Now if I want to make sweet red bean baste steambuns, I can do it all in one day without a pot on the stove to watch. i'm notorious for getting distracted and burning pots with beans or rice on the stove, that's why I bought a ricecooker and a crockpot -- both of which can now be retired, since the Instant Pot also did 2 cups of a wild and brown rice mixture, normally at least a 40-minute project in the rice cooker and inevitably if the wild rice is fully softened, the brown rice kernels have exploded, but if the brown rice is done perfectly the wild rice is still a bit too tough... in the IP they *both* came out perfectly cooked, in just 25 minutes, with only 2 cups of stock to 2 cups of dry rice! This has quickly become my favorite kitchen gadget, especially in the hot summer when I don't want to turn the oven or even rangetop on. The Instant Pot contains virtually all its heat until you release the pressure, and even then it's not nearly as warming of the kitchen as traditional cooking, and its easy to just position it right under the ceiling vent so the steam rises up and out of the house! It doesn't do everything, of course -- you'll never make a pizza, a baguette, or a crackly-skin roast bird in an Instant Pot -- but there is so much it does, in such a short time. I doubted I would ever buy one when I first heard about them, but I'm sold now. I might even get a mini to have for smaller meals, just so I use less electricity.