Crockpot Vs Instant Pot: What’S The Difference?

I can not count the number of times a day I get an email asking what is better, the CrockPot vs. Instant Pot.

(also, side note, maybe I should hire someone to answer emails for me?)

The Instant Pot is the hot new craze.

It is EVERYWHERE.

Here is a 209° F, even on low, it just takes longer at the low setting. (209° is right around the boiling point at sea level.)

I would love to see the actual science about the 75% electricity savings claim.... from what I understand a low draw (think nightlight) is better than a quick large draw (think blender).

I think the "lost" nutrients thing is bunk. From everything I have ever read (and trust me I DREAM about this kind of thing!! ) since the slow cooker seals and everything "rains" back down into the pot you are not losing vitamins. 

There's no where for them to go! (whereas in a dry panggangan or on the stovetop with no lid things could evaporate away)

The Instant Pot will also cause the moisture to "rain" back down into the pot -- so in this case they are exactly equal, but I do think that the marketing is misleading.

The Raw Kidney Bean thing -- yes. This is a for real thing and something I've written about before. Raw red beans need to be brought to a rapid boil for at least 10 minutes before being added to the slow cooker to kill a naturally-occurring potential toxin.

A Slow Cooker that is DESIGNED to be a Slow Cooker works better as a Slow Cooker.

I know, I know, I know. There is a "slow cooker" feature on the Instant Pot --- but it will not work as well as a slow cooker as it does as a Pressure Cooker.

That is because it's in the shape of a cylinder (like a coffee can) and not oval like a traditional slow cooker. Slow cookers heat evenly, from the sides and the bottom, and are made to be left alone for hours upon hours.

Pressure cookers work GREAT as pressure cookers. But in my not so humble opinion, when you get too many things in one appliance they don't all work as well as you think they should.

So. Should You Get An Insta Pot?

If you are not a meal planner and don't like the idea of getting your dinner ready before you leave the house for the day then it might be a very valuable cooking tool.

The food will taste the same and will have the same texture as it would if you used a slow cooker.

Your food will cook faster.

That is it. It's no better, no worse, no anything ----

BUT THE INSTANT POT HAS A SLOW COOK FUNCTION!

yes. But from all the anecdotal testimonials I have found it doesn't seem to cook as a slow cooker as well as it does as a pressure cooker.

here is a great article from Dad Cooks Dinner about the slow cooking function.

BUT THE INSTANT POT CAN COOK YOGURT!

so can your slow cooker.

BUT THE INSTANT POT CAN COOK RICE!

so can your slow cooker.

BUT THE INSTANT POT CAN COOK OATMEAL!

so can your slow cooker.

:-)

So. All in all, my best advice would be:

if you like kitchen gadgets and you like being part of a ekspresi dominan then you should totally buy one.

Otherwise, stick to your tried and true and very-well-tested crockpot slow cooker.

These are the Slow Cookers that I use DAILY in my home.

BUT I ALREADY HAVE ONE AND DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE IT!

Okay. Then this is my best suggestion:

learn from an expert (that is not me!) My friend Erin, has an Instant Pot / Electric Pressure Cooker resource she made just for you.

Because Erin is awesome, if you sign up I do get a tiny bit of the sale.

I've known Erin for 8 years and trust her judgement and her teaching. (also, she's just as (if not even more so!) frugal as I am.

If you've got an Instant Pot and need help, this is for you.

So.... what are your thoughts? Do you have an Instant Pot? Do you like it?
Am I way off base and it's the best thing in the history of the world and I'm missing out?

:-)

xoxo happy slow cooking (or instant potting...) ;-)

steph

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