While both countertop cookers have their uses, there are important differences when considering Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot. In this guide, you’ll find out exactly how Instant Pots and slow cookers differ and the best applications for each.
By the end of the post, you’ll have all the information you need about crock pots vs. Instant Pots to decide whether you want one or the other (or both!) in your kitchen.
Table of Contents
What Is An Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. There are other electric pressure cookers on the market, but the Instant Pot is unique because of its additional features. (For instance, you can sauté foods right in your Instant Pot using the “Sauté” function. Most other electric pressure cookers don’t have a feature like this.)
Not only is the Instant Pot packed with features, but it’s also safer than a standard stovetop pressure cooker. The Instant Pot has 10 different safety mechanisms and fail-safes, which ensure that the pot doesn’t get overly pressurized. The Instant Pot website has plenty of details about safety that you can read.
How An Instant Pot Works
Like many other cooking methods, the Instant Pot produces a lot of steam during the cooking process. But rather than allowing the steam to escape, it is sealed inside to pressurize the pot.
Under pressure, many foods cook faster and retain more moisture, resulting in tender, moist food in less time than other methods.
What Is A Slow Cooker Or Crock Pot?
Slow cookers, or crockpots, are also electric cooking appliances, but they don’t become pressurized during the cooking process. The lid keeps steam somewhat contained, but no pressure buildup means more evaporation, less moisture, and a longer cooking time (hence the name “slow cooker!”)
Instant Pot Vs. Crock Pot: Comparing Cookers
An Instant Pot has several useful features, including steam, sauté, and warming options, and can even be used for specialized processes like yogurt making. It also has a slow cooker function, which heats the pot but doesn’t pressurize it, just like a slow cooker. (Feasibly, an Instant Pot could replace several small cooking appliances, including a slow cooker!)
Slow cookers are quite useful for easy, “set-it-and-forget-it” meals. However, you do have to have the forethought to set it up in the morning to cook throughout the day. If you’re like me and struggle to think that far ahead, you may be better suited to the speed and convenience of an Instant Pot.
However, one great thing about slow cookers is how simple they are. You just toss your food inside, turn it on, and that’s it! The Instant Pot has several buttons that control different functions, and it can take time to learn what they all do. And the Instant Pot needs to pressurize before cooking and de-pressurize after cooking, which can take some getting used to.
Another edge that slow cookers have over Instant Pots is that they’re inexpensive. An Instant Pot will run you between $80 and $150 depending on the model, so it’s more of an investment. (But with how frequently I’ve used my Instant Pot since I bought it a few months ago, I consider it worth every penny!)
More Instant Pot Resources
- This Is The “Cheat Sheet” That Every Instant Pot Owner Needs
- 43 Of The Best Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Find
- How To Make 5 Everyday Foods In Your Instant Pot
- Make Homemade Chicken (Or Veggie) Stock The Lazy Way
- How To Make Fresh Strawberry Jam In Your Instant Pot
- 10 Surprising Things You Can Make In Your Instant Pot
More Crock Pot Resources
- The Best Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Easy Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
- Cheesy Crockpot Meatloaf Recipe
- Foolproof Crockpot Yogurt
- Crockpot Conversion Chart For Oven-Baked Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Main Differences Between Instant Pot Vs. Crock Pot?
Instant Pot is a brand of electric pressure cooker with multiple cooking functions, including slow cook and pressure cook. Crock Pot is a brand of slow cooker used to cook meals at lower temperatures over a longer period of time.
Can I Use My Instant Pot As A Slow Cooker?
Yes! All Instant Pot models feature a Slow Cook program, which makes them an extremely versatile cooking appliance. However, crockpots are heated from the bottom and sides, while the Instant Pot is only heated from the bottom, so your results may vary.
Is An Instant Pot Or Crock Pot Better For Saving Time?
The Instant Pot is a better choice when you want to save time, as pressure cooking is often significantly faster than other cooking methods. (However, a Crock Pot does give you the option “set it and forget it” — you can start it in the morning and dig into a hot meal as soon as you get home!)
More Ideas You'll Love
Can I Sear Meat In An Instant Pot Or Crock Pot?
Many Instant Pot models offer a Sear program that makes it easy to sear or brown meat before pressure cooking it. Traditional slow cookers don’t have this option, so you would need to sear meat on your stovetop before putting it in your Crock Pot.
Is An Instant Pot Or Crock Pot Better For Cooking Roasts?
Both Instant Pots and Crock Pots can be used to make roasts. An Instant Pot can cook roasts quickly, while a Crock Pot would be better suited to cooking a roast “low and slow.”
Conclusion
For versatility, it’s hard to beat the multiple functions of an Instant Pot. Despite how much I love mine and how often I use it, I haven’t had the heart to part with my Crock Pot! Rather than pick a side in the Instant Pot vs. Crock Pot debate, I choose both. :-)
Which appliance do you prefer?
JILLEE, do you have a duo or lux instant pot? So duo-60 or lux-60? I’m thinking of getting one and just wondered. The cute new pioneer woman instant pots are duo-60, but don’t have a yogurt button. The models very confusing.
I have a DUO-60 with the yogurt button – this model: https://amzn.to/2RErZoY :-)
I just received my instant pot over the weekend, I ran a test then cooked carrots to go with my leftovers. So fast and easy. Now I look forward to searching your blog for lots of recipes!
I’m so glad – have fun Linda!
What is it like to clean the Instant-pot? I use the slow-cooker bags and with 5 kids, 2 jobs, and NO time It has got to be easy after dinner just as much as before dinner!
You can’t use slow-cooker bags, but it’s pretty easy to clean! The inner pot can go in the dishwasher :-)
How large a turkey will the l0 quart instant pot hold?
You an fit a turkey up to 13 pounds in a 10 quart model :-)
Hi Brian, The points you listed are very practical. I think the most important thing is to find the customer in the first step.
How will it work when cooking for 1 or 2? My daughters can use something like this to encourage them to cook at home rather than eat fast food!
Works just fine for smaller amounts of food. :-) Or you can always freeze leftovers!
I just bought a pressure cooker yesterday. It is not the instant pot brand, it is the power pressure cooker xl. I was wondering if I can use the same cook times and recipes in this brand instead of the instant pot brand. I have a busy family of 5 and was hoping I could cut down on my cook time while still providing healthy meals to my family. Please help!!!
You can absolutely cook these recipes in your Power Pressure Cooker XL :-)
And the same times would be applicable? Thanks Jillee!!!!
Yes! I haven’t tried it myself, so you might need to do a little adjusting, but they are very similar appliances. :-)
I love my Instant Pot, but I won’t be getting rid of my slow cooker since the Instant Pot took more than double the time it usually takes to slow cook a batch of marinara in my vintage Crock-Pot, even though I turned it up to high instead of low at the end of the expected cooking time. The Instant Pot is awesome, though, for cooking beans, steaming hard-cooked eggs, and making yogurt.
I love love my Instantpot. Weekly I use it to make steel cut oats for the week for breakfast.
“One of the most common questions people seem to have is how an Instant Pot compares to a slow cooker. ”
hmmm. …lets see if there is a clue.
INSTANT…..SLOW…..INSTANT……SLOW
yep i got the difference
I don,t have an Instant Pot but do have an Elite Electric 4 quart pressure cooker. It has a sauté browning function. I’ve made chili, corn beef, short ribs and pot roast.
Works great! My daughter has a 2 quart which she has made chicken soup, chili, pot roast and. a few other things. Her husband travels, so she mostly makes small meals for herself.. The Elite has a Slow Cooker function. Haven’t tried the Slower Cooker
yet.
Saw a You Tube that if you use a glass lid instead of the the pressure release top you can use the pressure cooker as a slow cooker.
Instant Pot is the best elecrtric pressure cooker in my opinion. I absolutely had to have one with the yogurt button! The very best deal I found for one was at Target, and this was for the 6 quart model. I liked the reviews on it, and the customer service. I also went store to store and checked the quality of the materials used to make it. For me Instant Pot is the highest quality out there. I can also see me buying a 10 quart model in the near future, I don’t know how I ever lived without one!
I make Greek yogurt now and save a ton of money. Costs me $2.00 or less compared to $10.96 I used to spend on my favorite brand. I think mine tastes better too.
I believe an electric pressure cooker is a must have for every kitchen.
I’m able to quickly cook meals for families who can’t cook due to serious health issues, and they are able to choose what to eat and what to freeze. It allows me to offer them more than the standard casseroles.
I’m also making my own grain free dog food. I used to speak at least $25.00 for 3 days worth of high quality grain free canned dog food. I now make higher quality dog food that lasts 4-6 days, for about $7.00 -$9.00. I can also eat it myself! One of my dogs has Lupus and is now in remission. My veterinarian asked what I was doing different, and then asked for some of my recipes. It’s also helping my senior dogs with arthritis issues. A big difference I have noticed is when my dogs eat that expensive high quality canned grain free food, they act like children on a sugar high when finished. They don’t do that on the homemade food. They also eat less of their crunches, that I give them in a free feeding style. (Also grain free)
I can’t recommend enough the joy of having an Instant Pot. It’s fast, easy, and everything tastes better, plus food retains more nutrients!
Do your self and your family, and you pets a favor and go get yourself one. I don’t believe you will regret it.
Hi Lea,
I think your comments were very interesting and helpful. I could my own dog food too. In a slow cooker. Do you have a blog or someway of sharing your dog food recipes? Our dogs are 100% grain free too, it changed our old Irish Red Setter’s life. He was in bad shape before the change of diet. He lived to be almost 14, which is quite extraordinary for a dog his size. Thanks for sharing.
I have a 12 year old Yorker and would also like to make her food if you would share your recipes or direct me to where you got them. Thanks in advance if you can help me
wloona82@gmail.com
Hi Leona, no I don’t have a blog or website. I’m just very passionate about my animals. I’m disabled and 1 of my dogs is my certified handy dog/ service dog m while 2 of my other dogs have learned how to also help me by watching her. The biggest issue I face is my left side will lock up with no warning, and I will go down. My Poohie Baby will help me get up off the floor or ground. She’s my always loyal be all. She also allows me the freedom to hike. She provides a massive amount of support going up or down hills. This way I can kind of fake it, and pretend the accident never happened. Often times she can tell me when a lock up is going to happen and if I pay attention to her, I won’t be falling. So nothing is to good for my baby! I also seem to have a large neon sign stuck to my head that Rescue Organizations see. I have 6, yes 6 dogs because of this, and I love each one.
Yes I will happily share my recipes. I’m still perfecting them, so feel free to adjust anything to fit your dogs needs. My German Shepherd has Lupus, my Yorkie spent the first 2 years of her life in a puppy mill, and as close as the vet and I can figure someone kicked her, resume in the last 2 vertebrae to be damaged and very arthritic now, as well as both back knees having serious issues. My Jack Russell/ Dachshund mix has weed allergies, some mindless idiot threw him out of a moving car. My Poohie Baby, she’s a Rottweiler, and my Bird, a Jack Russell, are both seniors and I want to make sure they have as few health issues as possible. My last dog Karma, a Rottweiler, is just coming 2, and awesome nutrition means less vet bills. She’s a rescue also. A very diligent military man bought her as a tiny puppy, he did an amazing job with her beginning, basic training and very obviously loved her to pieces. He had a surprise deployment and left Karma in the care of his wife. Within a couple of days she turned Karma in at the local animal control, claiming she didn’t want a puppy. A few days after she tried to adopt a German Shepherd puppy. Thank God she was put on a do not adopt list! I often wish I could find Karma’s original person and let him know she’s loved, trained, and not kicked out in a yard and forgotten. For me, if I came home to that, it would be grounds for a divorce! He’s off making sure we stay free and defending our country and his wife couldn’t care for his puppy! Makes me crazy!
My standard recipe is I make beef bone marrow broth to use as my base. Then I will cook up either beef roast or chicken or venison for the meat. After it’s cooked, I put it in a food processor and grind it up. In the broth I cook sweet potatoes and carrots in half of it, and lentils with the other half of the bone marrow broth. Depending on what is in season and on sale I will add spinach, kale, mustard greens, green beans to the mix. I always add oregano, for natural antibiotics, thyme for antioxidants, and turmeric for natural pain relief and swelling reduction. After all is cooked, I add flax seed to the mix for Omegas. When I brown the meat I use Olive Oil. Then I mix everything together in one giant pot, let it cool and then feed. They love it! I do too, I do taste and eat everything I cook for them. With an electric pressure cooker, all this cooking doesn’t take as long as it sounds.
I’m very blessed to have a carneceria, meat store, not far from me, that has awesome one day sales and very high quality meats. I can also get a 10 pound bag of chicken leg quarters for $5.87 at Walmart. The pain there is making sure all bones are removed, but it’s worth it to me. The best thing I can say is read the ingredients on your canned dog food and go from there. It’s not well known that the manufacturer of dog food really over cooked all of it to make sure the bad things are dead. Not good. You lose nutrients and then they are added back with chemicals.
I have noticed a huge improvement in all my dogs health, I am sure the stock values for Blue Buffalo has dropped dramatically and I figure I should be getting a letter any day from them for me to come back and give them my money !
I hope this helps you, and that I haven’t chewed your ear off or strained your eyes with all I had to say!
I’d love to have the recipes for what you’re making your dogs. I buy grain free as well. Thanks in advance! Christina. Ourk9z@hotmail.com
Lea! Thank you for such a detailed post! Like the others I’m very interested in your dog food recipe(s). I’ve got three fur babies and feed them grain free also (commercial brand food). Not only expensive but I feel I could be feeding them much healthier. I think you sold me with the yogurt feature….sounds like we both eat a lot of it
JILLEE!!!!! Thank you for this post and please forgive us “hijacking” it with all the dog food questions for Lea!!
Lea if you are able to share my email is tammyloro@sbcglobal.net Thanks again!!
Is it possible to get dog food recipes. I have an older dog that I think would really benefit. Thanks
I have a dachshund that is a very picky eater. Would you share you dog food recipe? I would love to try making her food. Thanks kmhawes88@gmail.com
If I want to put a whole chicken in this Instapot…will it brown it?? I do not want nasty non-crisp skin.
Use the Sauté button to brown and sear first, then cook it following the recipe. You will have crispy skin. It might take you a couple of times to get it perfectly the way you want it.
You’ll have to use the sauté function to brown it first, and then pressure cook to finish it :-)
What brand do you recommend I read good, better and best and get confused which would be good for me. It is only my spouse and I suggestions???
I really want to try one.
I went store to store to look at lots of different brands and to be able to feel them in person. For me Instant Pot, with the yogurt button won hands down. I bought the 6 quart model and love it. I’m also going to buy a 10 quart model soon. The best price I found was at Target, they even beat Amazon. They had it on sale at the time, so shop around for the best price.
The Instant Pot is the original and the only one that I’ve tried – I absolutely love it!
Thanks!!! I love your blog!
Can you use crockpot recipes but just cook for shorter time span? Have a lot of 20 crockpot freezer meals in 4 hour recipes. But would rather use the instapot as the meat is moister.
Absolutely! All the crockpot recipes that I’ve tried in my Instant Pot have turned out perfectly – some just need a couple of adjustments :-)
Can you roast whole chickens in the Instant Pot? I usually have to cook two for my large family. Will 2 fit in an 8qt model?
Yes, you can! I’ve cooked one chicken in my 6-quart, and it fit pretty snuggly – I don’t know if you could squeeze two in to the 8-quart.
I’ve had my Instant Pot for about a month and a half and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I wish I could say that I am organized enough to get up in the morning and get something in the slow cooker…but I’m not lol. I can safely say I’ve used my Instant pot at least 3 times a week since I got it. My hubby and I are empty nesters and we still use the 8 quart one. (So it’s big enough when the family DOES come home.) My Instant Pot has allowed me to get rid of three other major appliances – Slow cooker, rice cooker and veggie steamer). If time is in short commodity, you can’t go wrong with an Instant Pot :)
I bough one and returned it. It was too intimidating for me and unsure about recipes to use with it. This article has sparked my interest in getting one again. Hope that I find more recipes to use with it.
Instant Pots and other multi-cookers may be the future! I remember when microwaves were new and no one had the right dishes for them, or knew how to cook more than hot water. That industry has changed all our lives. But Instant Pots might need to get a little bigger, the way Crock Pots did. And perhaps soon food companies will give us meals that come ready to dump into them, the way microwave meals come in ‘complete’ meal servings. There’s a big trend away from cooking so Instant Pots could easily ride that wave.
I love my instant pot. I have used the stove top ones for years, but now with the electric it make it so much easier. you can set it and walk away, you don’t have to stand and watch on the pressure and heat. It is great for a small family or a large family. I love it and trying all types of different things
I absolutely love my Instant Pot! But I also love my crock pot! If I had to pick only one, it would have to be the Instant Pot. I use it a lot. More than any other appliance, except for maybe my convection/Microwave. It does get used daily for one thing or another.
Yeah for the Canadian invention!! The Instant Pot is the original–others are just trying to jump on their bandwagon of success. Glad you love it. I have an 8 qt one.
Does the Instant Pot come in different sizes? If yes, what size do you recommend for a family of 5!
Gloria, the do come in different sizes. I’m not sure of the sizes, but mine is a 6 quart. If I were you, I’d buy the biggest one I could afford. Although I bought mine from Amazon, check at Walmart or other stores first. We have a discount store here (Fred’s), they have a different brand of Instant Pot for considerably less than what I paid for mine. I don’t regret buying mine from Amazon, but do some price checking first. I didn’t. I hope this helps some.
It comes in 6 quart or 8 quart – the 8 quart is probably best for a family of five, especially if you want leftovers!
Just as one Dawn, been wondering about whether or not buy one and am now going to shop this weekend. Thanks!
This was the most informative report I have read on the way the instant pot works with pressure. I have been “on the fence” for some time. My fear has been safety. I think I am ready to get on with a new way to cook.
Love your blogs!
That’s great, thank you Dawn!
Thanks for doing what you do on this blog. I greatly enjoy your posts and the fellowship of the posting readers. We just moved to a different state and now that I have internet again, I can take a break from unpacking to get lost in familiar, fun topics!
Welcome Margaret! :-)
Is the Instant Pot the same thing as a pressure cooker? In other words, can I use an Instant Pot recipe the same in my pressure cooker? I still have not found a definitive answer.
Yes.
As Jillee says in the article above, “The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker.”
Of course! :-)
I love the fact that my instant pot has a slow cooker feature. One way I use it is to start a beef roast as a 3-hour slow cooker meal, then 45 minutes or so before I want to eat, I switch it over to pressure cooker for 10 minutes. The meat comes out tender, but the veggies still have some “tooth”, not mushy like they would be if cooked all day in the slow cooker. Yummy! We also love chicken noodle soup in the instant pot.
Any problems with using the Instant Pot at altitude? My altitude is 4200 feet; I seem to have read a caveat about
using the Instant Pot above a certain altitude…
Hi, Maureen. I live at almost 6000 feet and use my Instant Pot regularly. The only advice I can give you is that it will take some trial and error on your part to learn what cooking times work best at your altitude. What I’ve found is that standard cooking times work fine for meat or meat-based recipes, but there’s no one size fits all when it comes to other things like beans. I especially love my Instant Pot for beans but I had to work out the cooking time.
I almost never use the factory set buttons but tend to cook everything with manual.
Another thing is that I use the sauté function frequently.
I live at 5,600 feet and I haven’t had any problems! :-)
Thanks to both you and Jane for the confidence boost…will give it a go!
Hi Jillee…I am preparing to move into an RV full time and definitely need to downsize my cooking elements. I use my stovetop pressure cooker a lot along with my crockpot – I am hoping the Insta-Pot will help me combine both items into one very useful one. Any other functions this item provides that I could find useful for my situation? Thanks so much for this informative post! Jenn
I do not have an Instant Pot … YET. But the word I get from several of my friends who are still RVing full time in their 40′ motorhomes is that the Instant Pot is their new Best Friend! (2 of them have given me their Crock Pots to store in my garage! I now have 3!)
Hope this helps!
Yes, the Instant Pot can definitely replace both your slow cooker and your pressure pressure. It’s also a rice cooker, a yogurt maker, and it has a sauté button! :-)
I love my insta-pot, but am wondering how to get the odor out. My last batch of yogurt had a definite bean essence. Any ideas?
You need to wash the white plastic sealing ring that is around the inside top of the cover. Carefully take it out and wash it well. Maybe soak it in some lemon juice or wash with baking soda. Or buy a new one to use for yogurts.
I’ve run into this because I love curries and they’re great in the Instant Pot. I finally bought several different-colored sealing rings. My curry ring is red.
It’s definitely the seal around the lid. Most people buy an extra and use one for yogurt/desserts and the other for rice, savory foods. Although you can just give it a good scrub, and soak it in equal parts vinegar and water for 20 minutes or so :-)
So is an insta pot a pressure cooker?
Yes.
As Jillee says in her article above, “The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker.”
Yes :-)
Thank you for this blog. I’ve tried getting answers about Instant Pots on Facebook and other than faster than a slow cooker was the only answer I received. This is an investment and right now it would only be for cooking for myself but since I’m a Diabetic 2 it gives me options of how my food is prepared. Try to stay a little bit health conscience, even if it just gives me the chance to be naughty on something else.
In a slow cooker the chicken tends to come out stringy like pulled pork. What is the texture like in an instant pot? Also, how long does the instant pot take to pressurize and depressurize? Thank you for the rest of the information. I am thinking of getting an instant pot but want to know how chicken comes out first.
Food comes out so tender. Love chicken in the instant pot.
10-15 minutes to come up to pressure.
If you heat your water (or liquid) before you put it in the IP, it will come to pressure faster. It takes a while to heat up the liquid.
disagree that slow-cooker chicken is stringy; that may be your experience if you use an old soup hen. my chicken paprika and any chicken dish in one of my FOUR slow cookers is tender and succulent. i got so many slow cookers as gifts, but should really get an Instant Pot. PS Jillee, I have an electric water “kettle” with the self-turning off safety – I find it indispensable and a relief not to be worrying about forgetting to turn off the tea kettle.
It takes anywhere from 5-30 minutes. It will only take 5 minutes if you add hot water and have a small amount of food to cook. If you’re cooking a frozen chicken, though, it will take closer to half an hour to pressurize.
I love how the chicken turns out – I don’t think it’s stringy at all!
Thank you!
Thank you, Jillee. This is very valuable information. I think that keeping an out eye out for a sale on Instant Pots will be a good project for me this fall. My rice cooking is iffy and I’m missing out on tender, juicy chickens, too. I didn’t realize these were so problematic until I started watching PBS cooking shows. Lol