What is the Difference Between an Instant Pot and a Crockpot?
You’re not alone if you’ve ever stood in the kitchen aisle debating which small kitchen appliance is best for you: an Instant Pot or a Crockpot / Slow Cooker. People often compare these two small kitchen appliances, but they serve different purposes and cater to different cooking styles. In this post, I’ll work on answering the question, “What is the difference between an Instant Pot and a Crockpot?” I’ll share some of the features of both Instant Pots and crockpots and answer some of the questions you may still have in the FAQ section to help you decide which solution is best for you. So Instant Pot vs crockpot – when you finish reading this, you should know which Instant Pot model is best for you, or whether you’re better off with crockpot cooking.
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Instant Pot vs. Crockpot: The Key Differences
Cooking Technology and Speed
The main difference between an Instant Pot and a crockpot / slow cooker is their cooking technology.
Crockpot / Slow Cooker:
A crockpot is designed for slow cooking. It uses low, steady heat over an extended period of time, making it ideal for cooking soups, stews, and roasts. Many crockpot recipes you find will give estimates for cooking and may say something like, “Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.”
A few of my favorite slow cooker recipes are Crockpot Mississippi Beef Stew (a twist on everybody’s favorite, Mississippi Pot Roast), Slow Cooker Cuban Pork Roast (I shred the citrus-flavored pork, and we have it on pork tacos), and Crockpot Chicken Creole served over rice.
Instant Pot:
An Instant Pot is a multicooker that allows you to cook in many different ways. It includes a pressure cook function for meals you can prepare much faster than in a crockpot. If you look at the picture above, you’ll see some other features on my Instant Pot, including sauteeing (so no browning meat and cooking vegetables in a separate pan anymore – that’s what I love!), slow cooking (so you won’t need a separate crockpot / slow cooker if you have an Instant Pot), roasting, and baking. Depending on the pot you select, yours may also have the features on my Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 (I have the 8-quart), including steaming, sous vide air frying, broiling, and dehydrating. It makes perfect rice and yogurt, plus you can sterilize or reheat foods.
For Thanksgiving this year, I cooked a turkey breast (from frozen!) in my Instant Pot, and it came out great! I use the air-frying lid on my Instant Pot to make Chicken Tenderloins, which I use with a sauce to make Zesty Lemon Chicken. One of our favorite soups is Stuffed Pepper Soup, plus we make an Instant Pot Beef and Guinness Stew in it—that’s good!
Versatility
After reading my description of an Instant Pot above, you should already understand that I consider it a Swiss army knife for your kitchen!
How Do You Like to Cook?
An Instant Pot can do so much more than a crockpot; it has a built-in feature for slow cooking. There are days when I prefer to slow cook, like when I know I’ll have a busy day, and I want dinner ready when I get home – I set it up in the morning, slow cook on low, and dinner is ready when I get home. But that’s not the only way I cook, and I’m sure it’s not the only way you cook! I can pressure cook to make a quick meal, use the air fryer, or steam rice or vegetables as side dishes. There’s an option to cook meats using the saute feature, and I can even use it to bake.
Can You Eliminate Appliances?
I had many small kitchen appliances before I took the plunge and got my Instant Pot. Once I decided to go for it in 2019, I held onto many of them for a while, convinced I might still want a separate crockpot, air fryer, rice cooker, and dehydrator. Guess what? I didn’t need any of them! They were posted for sale online, and I sold 4 items I no longer needed, which freed up room in my kitchen. I earned a good amount of what I spent on my Instant Pot by removing things I no longer needed!
A Crockpot Has Limits!
A crockpot’s functionality is generally limited to slow cooking, which is great if that’s all you do. Some, if they include features of a multicooker, will allow you to saute, but that depends on the model. I previously had a Cuisinart MSC-800, a 7-quart multicooker. I could slow cook, roast, saute, and steam in it. It had fewer features than my current Instant Pot, was 1 quart smaller, and when I got it, it cost more!
Here’s How I Decided
So, when deciding Instant Pot vs Crockpot, the choice was clear to me. I wanted the ability to do more than what a crockpot offered, so an Instant Pot was my best choice. I had set a New Year’s Financial Resolution of eating out less and cooking at home more, and having an Instant Pot was really helpful with that.
Meal-Prep Time
If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m big on meal planning and prep. I love making larger meals that I can use on multiple days, plus I also like to freeze portions so we can easily reheat meals on busy days. That’s why Instant Pot and also slow cooking work so well for me. When considering the Instant Pot vs crockpot question, remember that an Instant Pot can slow cook, so by getting an Instant Pot, you’re not missing out on being able to do that!
Crockpot / Slow Cooker:
A crockpot is perfect for those who like to set it and forget it! You prepare your ingredients in the morning, set up the crockpot, and come home to a fully cooked meal. Depending on the temperature you select for cooking, it may take between 4 and 8 hours. Many crockpots have a feature to keep your food warm after they finish cooking.
Instant Pot:
An Instant Pot is perfect for busy people who want to make their meals quickly. For example, making a pot roast could take 8 hours in a crockpot. That pot roast is ready in under an hour in an Instant Pot! Remember that you can still slow cook in your Instant Pot when that works better for you.
What Can You Cook in an Instant Pot?
It might be easier to ask what can’t you cook in an Instant Pot! Instant Pots take versatility to a new level by combining multiple cooking methods into one appliance. Here are just a few examples of what you can cook in an Instant Pot:
Pressure Cooking allows you to make beans, rice, or soups in a fraction of the time it would normally take. You can also quickly make roasts or stews. Another great idea is to cook and shred boneless chicken breasts, freezing individual portions for easy use on salads or meals.
Air-frying makes crispy French fries, chicken wings, shrimp, or roasted vegetables without excessive oil. If you like crispy or crunchy food, you’ll love the ability to air-fry in some Instant Pot models (both the Duo Crisp and the Pro Crisp offer models that provide two lids—one allows you to air-fry).
Slow Cooking allows you to make things like chili or pot roasts. Instant Pots are set up for slow cooking.
Sous Vide on certain models of Instant Pots lets you make restaurant-quality meat thanks to precise temperature control.
Steaming lets you quickly steam vegetables, fish, or dumplings to perfection.
FAQ Section
What is the difference between a pressure cooker and an Instant Pot?
A traditional pressure cooker is a stovetop appliance (pot) that builds steam pressure to cook foods quickly. An Instant Pot is an electric multi-cooker that includes pressure cooking as one of its features, in addition to sauteeing, steaming, slow cooking, roasting, and more.
Are Instant Pots safe?
Yes, Instant Pots are designed with safety in mind. They include lid locking, pressure control, and automatic temperature regulation to prevent accidents. When using an Instant Pot, follow the instructions to ensure safe use.
What are the pros and cons of getting an Instant Pot?
Pros: Versatility, speed, energy efficiency, and the ability to replace multiple appliances (freeing up counter or storage space).
Cons: There is a learning curve, and an Instant Pot may take up more counter space than a crockpot.
What size is best?
The 8-quart Instant Pot is a great option for families or meal preppers. It’s large enough to cook multi-day meals and freeze portions for future use.
Is an Instant Pot worth getting?
Absolutely! An Instant Pot can replace several small appliances, such as a slow cooker, rice cooker, air fryer, and dehydrator. It’s a space-saving and time-saving investment.
What does an Instant Pot do?
An Instant Pot is a multi-functional appliance that can pressure cook, slow cook, saute, steam, and more. Some models offer additional features like air frying and sous vide functions.
What is the most popular Instant Pot on the market?
The Instant Pot Duo or Pro series are the most popular due to their range of features. Make sure the pot you select has the features you want.
What model Instant Pot is best?
The best Instant Pot model depends on your needs. Some models include basic functions like pressure and slow cooking, while others include additional features like air frying and sous vide.
Can I use an Instant Pot as a crockpot or slow cooker?
Instant Pots allow you to slow cook, making them a great crockpot substitute.
How much counter space does an Instant Pot require?
An 8-quart Instant Pot is roughly the size of a large crockpot. Make sure you have enough space for storage and daily use.
Do Instant Pots come with accessories?
Most Instant Pots come with a trivet and sometimes additional accessories like an air fryer lid or steaming basket, depending on the model. Many are available if you’re looking for a specific Instant Pot accessory.
Are replacement parts available for Instant Pots?
Replacement parts are widely available, such as sealing rings, steam valves, float valve gaskets, pots, power cords, and lids.
How long does an Instant Pot last?
With proper care, an Instant Pot can last several years. Always clean and store your Instant Pot as recommended.
Final Thoughts on the Instant Pot vs Crockpot Debate
When deciding between an Instant Pot and a crockpot, it comes down to your cooking style and needs. If you are looking for speed, versatility, and the ability to replace multiple appliances, an Instant Pot is a fantastic choice! However, a crockpot may be all you need if you enjoy slow cooking and prefer simplicity. Both appliances can help you easily create delicious, home-cooked meals.
Now that you know the difference between an Instant Pot and a crockpot, which one will you choose? Let us know in the comments!
