Having blown up a old regular style pressure cooker, I would hesitate to use a 3 quart for beans. It was 60 years ago, but, believe me, the image of the split pea soup sticking to my mother's freshly painted kitchen has remained with me. If I get a 3 quart, I will keep the 6 quart at least until I move to a smaller home. By that time, I will know which one to keep.