In the modern age of technology gadgets, you can save a lot of time and effort by investing in an instant pot. However, this has been a great debate if you should choose an instant pot or a pressure cooker, which has been in our kitchen for a long time now.
So we have made a comparison of Instant Pots Vs. Pressure Cookers to help you find out which one is ideal for your kitchen.
What is an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot is a form of electric pressure cooker that cooks food without searing or browning it.
Similar to the traditional pressure cooker, it uses a combination of steam and pressure to cook more quickly and efficiently than other methods, including poaching and slow cooking.
You can use an Instant Pot as a rice cooker, yogurt maker, saute pan, slow cooker, and more. Instant Pot is also a good choice when you don’t have the space on the stovetop.
What is a Pressure Cooker?
A pressure cooker uses pressure and steam to cook food. The steam builds up and creates a greater pressure in the surrounding area, which then forces the pot to expand and seal the lid. This process results in faster cooking times than normal cooking methods like frying or boiling.
Since instant pots are now easily available in the market, using a pressure cooker for cooking is no longer practical. Users prefer to purchase an instant pot because pressure cookers are not considered to be a safe way to cook.
Difference Between Instant Pot Vs. Pressure Cooker
While both Instant Pot and Pressure cookers can cook a wide range of meals, they can also be used as slow cookers. The key difference between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker is that they both can cook different types of food.
Moreover, Instant Pot and Pressure Cooker both come with different types of accessories. Last but not least, both have a marginal amount of difference in terms of cooking time.
To assist you in making an informed choice, we’ve listed some of the primary differences between an Instant Pot and a pressure cooker below.
Cooking Capabilities
The first and major difference between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker is their cooking capabilities. It is ideal to use an instant pot as a soup pot, while a pressure cooker cannot be used as a soup pot.
You can also do browning of food like meat and other foods with the help of thick aluminium and stainless steel base with a pot. While the same is not possible with a pressure cooker.
Apart from this, you can use an instant pot to make pasta in just a few minutes, seal meat quickly, and even slow cook foods like stews.
Features
Apart from cooking capabilities, there is another important factor when choosing between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker.
The primary feature of an Instant Pot is that it can be used without placing it on the stovetop. In contrast, the Pressure Cookers take place on the stovetop to be utilized.
An instant pot is a more versatile machine as it comes with a wide range of functions. You can use different functions with the press of a button.
For instance, you can press the Slow Cook button to perform slow cooking in an Instant Pot. At the same time, you need to manually reduce the flame to do slow cooking when using a pressure cooker.
On top of everything else, an Instant Pot gives you all-in-one functionality, so you bake cheesecake, cook steamed rice, chicken, and much more. Also, if you can extend your budget a bit, you can opt for smart pots, which can be controlled using your smartphone.
Cooking Time & Efficiency
Cooking time and efficiency are two major factors to consider when deciding between an electric pressure cooker or an instant pot.
A pressure cooker offers great cooking time and efficiency, but it offers much longer cooking times and doubles up as an oven.
Most pressure cookers are able to hold up to 20-25 cups of food at one time, which means you can make multiple dishes at once in a pressure cooker.
An instant pot is much faster than an electric pressure cooker, but it cannot be used as an oven.
This makes it more suited for people who need quick meals on busy days or people who want to preserve the freshness of ingredients without having to worry about overcooking them.
The lower cooking time also means that you will not have to babysit your food as much with an instant pot.
Ease of Use
The Instant Pot is by far the easier of the two to use. It has a simple interface and is easy to understand, even for people who are new to cooking.
The Pressure Cooker is a bit complicated and is not very intuitive to use. It’s not something that most people are already familiar with when they begin cooking.
You need more instruction to use a pressure cooker than to use an instant pot, even though an instant pot has much more features.
Cleaning
Pressure cookers are easier to clean than electric Instant Pot pressure cookers. The lid of a pressure cooker can be easily removed, while it is not the same case with instant pots.
Cleaning an instant pot is more time-consuming than cleaning a Pressure Cooker because there are many parts involved.
First, disconnect the device from power, then take off the lid and inner pot, unscrew the steam vent in order to remove any remaining food particles or grease from inside the pot, then wash them carefully with warm soapy water.
Safety
Safety is a major concern for any pressure cooker or instant pot. Most Instant Pots have an auto-off feature, which will turn off the pot if it is left unattended for more than the selected time.
However, safety is a major concern with pressure cookers. This is the main reason why pressure cookers are not in demand anymore.
Price
Compared to an instant pot, a pressure cooker is far cheaper. A lot of accessories and components are included with an instant pot, which drives up the price significantly higher when compared to a pressure cooker. On the other hand, an instant pot is a fantastic long-term investment.
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Best Instant Pot and Pressure Cookers
If you have finally decided to get yourself a pressure cooker or an instant pot, then you should definitely consider any of these two options.
1. Presto Aluminum Pressure Cooker
The Presto 01282 8-Quart Aluminum Pressure Cooker is a great addition to any kitchen. The 8-quart capacity makes this model ideal for family cooking, while the sturdy stainless steel build ensures even heating.
The safety lid lock and ventless design are added safety features that help ensure your meals are always at the perfect temperature.
2. Instant Pot Duo Plus
With the Duo Plus Instant Pot, you can cook any imaginable dish with ease. It features a large 7-inch touchscreen display, advanced technology, and 20 preset programs, and that is all you need to prepare healthy meals in less than half the time.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus includes an app with over 800 recipes that allows you to make healthy meals without the hassle.
Alternatives of Instant Pots and Pressure Cooker
There are some great alternatives available in the market if you don’t want to spend too much on instant pots or if you don’t want to miss out on the modern features of instant pots and pressure cookers.
1.GoWise USA GW22700 Electric Pressure Cooker
The GoWISE USA GW22700 is a multifunctional electric pressure cooker that is suitable for all kinds of cooking. It can be used as a multifunctional steamer, pressure cooker, rice cooker, and slow cooker.
You can use your favorite recipes with it, such as soup or porridge, to make delicious meals. With a built-in monitoring system, it will keep track of cooking progress and let you know when food is fully cooked.
2. Cuisinart CPC22-8 Pressure Cooker
An excellent alternative to instant pots and traditional pressure cookers is the Cuisinart CPC22-8 because this pressure cooker combines the capabilities of an instant pot and a pressure cooker.
However, instant pot features are not included in this pressure cooker. The pressure cooker’s design makes it ideal for anyone looking for a low-cost alternative to the Instant Pot.
Conclusion
Even though traditional pressure cookers have been around for a long time, instant pots make it easy to prepare recipes quickly and efficiently.
Whether you’re preparing food for a family dinner or making a meal to freeze while you’re at work, they can both be extremely handy appliances to have on hand.
A pressure cooker is ideal when you are on a tight budget, while the instant pots are a great investment in the long run, as they save a lot of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a pressure cooker for cooking frozen meat?
Yes, you can easily cook frozen meat in a pressure cooker.
Which is a better option: Instant Pot Vs. Pressure Cooker?
Instant pots are better alternatives to traditional pressure cookers. Since traditional pressure cookers pose the risk of explosion or blast, which can result in injuries, instant pots are significantly safer to use because they include enhanced safety measures.
Is Sauteing possible in a pressure cooker?
Yes, you can do sauteing in a pressure cooker as well as in an instant pot. In Instant Pot, you need to press the saute button to saute the veggies, onions, sauces, and more.
