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
- 44 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?
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