When you start to look into the benefits of using an Instant Pot, you may notice that there’s quite a bit of overlap with the benefits of using a slow cooker. Both appliances are good at cooking large, inexpensive cuts of meat like pork and beef roasts, for example.
Both are great at cooking beans, soups, stews, chilies and the likes. Both are also great for busy home cooks, since they allow you put everything in, turn it on, and let the food cook itself. No stirring pots and watching the stove required.
In addition, both are electric appliances that sit on your counter top and plug into an available outlet. You can move them around as needed, they use up approximately the same amount of space, and you can take them with you to family get-togethers, vacations etc. They even both excel at keeping food piping hot until you’re ready to eat.
The biggest difference between the Instant Pot and the Slow Cooker is cooking time. The slow cooker is designed to cook your meal low and slow. The average slow cooker dish takes six to ten hours to cook. The instant pot on the other hand will cook most meals in under an hour from start to finish.
Another big difference is that while a slow cooker is just that, a device that cooks your meals low and slow, the Instant Pot can replace your rice cooker as well as your slow cooker since it has a slow cooker setting. Depending on the model you choose, you can even replace your yogurt maker with it.
If you want more versatility in one appliance and the ability to cook a wholesome home cooked meal in a very short time, the Instant Pot is the way to go. I encourage you to give it a try and see if it becomes one of the most used kitchen appliances in your house like it has in mine.
If on the other hand you are comfortable with your slow cooker and good about planning ahead long enough to start your dinner in it, you may find that you have no need for an Instant Pot.
Similarly, if you think the hissing and steaming, or simply the idea of having a pressure cooking device in your kitchen scares you then you’re probably better off sticking to your slow cooker.
That being said, with the safety features built in and the easy to use digital display, using an instant pot is just as simple and easy as your favorite slow cooker.
If you’re feeling a little intimidated, I encourage you to get one and give it a try. After preparing your first two or three meals in it, you’ll be wondering what you were worried about in the first place.
