Touted as the do-it-all appliance for good reason, an Instant Pot is a multi-function pressure cooker that easily doubles as a slow cooker. The difference between pressure cooking and slow cooking is substantial, so we love that one appliance can do both, along with a slew of other cooking methods. Read on to learn how to use an Instant Pot as a slow cooker.
Yes, Pressure Cookers Are Safe! They basically work like slow cookers, except everything happens much, much faster.
What Is an Instant Pot?
An Instant Pot is a popular brand of electric pressure cooker that is designed to make cooking easier, faster, and more convenient. It is a tabletop kitchen appliance that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker and more. When used as a pressure cooker, the Instant Pot can create and maintain significant pressure and temperatures in a short period of time. This allows for great efficiency in time consuming preparations like tenderizing tough meats or dry beans. Added bonus: the Instant Pot has an automatic pressure release and a locking lid to prevent accidents, eliminating a lot of the intimidation around pressure cookers. All of this means the Instant Pot has quickly become a popular kitchen tool for busy home cooks.
How to Use an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker
Amongst many other functions, an Instant Pot can easily be used as a slow cooker. This feature is fantastic for those who want the convenience of a slow cooker but dont have space or interest in an additional appliance. Heres an overview of how to use an Instant Pot as a slow cooker:
- Place the ingredients in the insert of the Instant Pot.
- Press the “Slow Cook” button to select the slow cooking function. Set the cooking time and temperature. The Instant Pot has three temperature settings for slow cooking: low, medium, and high. Use the “Adjust” button to choose the temperature and then use the “+” and “-” buttons to adjust the cooking time.
- Seal the Instant Pot. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam release valve is in the “Sealing” position.
- Press the “Start” button. This will begin the slow cooking process. When slow cooking, you can also use a clear lid for the Instant Pot.
- Wait for the Instant Pot to turn off. When the cooking time is up, the Instant Pot will automatically switch to the “Keep Warm” setting.
Try these classic slow cooked recipes in your Instant Pot: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup and Instant Pot Keto Chili.
How to use your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker: Spoiler Alert–it is NOT as easy as you think!
FAQ
Can you use a pressure cooker in place of a slow cooker?
How long does a pressure cooker take compared to a slow cooker?
Why is a pressure cooker better than a slow cooker?
Should you buy a pressure cooker or a slow cooker?
Slow cookers are perfect for soups, stews, and other dishes that require long, slow cooking times. Plus, they allow you to set it and forget it, freeing up your time for other activities. On the other hand, if you’re looking for speed and nutrient retention, a pressure cooker may be your go-to appliance.
How can I increase my blood pressure if I have low blood pressure?
Blood pressure usually becomes less when you are extremely dehydrated. Make sure to stay hydrated with plenty of fluid intake and well-balanced electrolytes. Try not to stay in hot places like a sauna for too long as they can cause heat-induced vasodilation, medically termed heat syncope. Exercise regularly and maintain healthy body weight and BMR.
Can you convert a slow cooker recipe to pressure cooker?
You can absolutely convert your slow cooker recipes for pressure cooking. (Or electric pressure cooker such as Instant Pot .) Let me tell you how… Keep these 9 tips in mind for easy conversion of your favorite Crock Pot recipes. Is the recipe a good candidate for converting? Know which ingredients to omit.
What is the difference between a pressure cooker and a slow cooker?
Pressure cookers and slow cookers seem similar, but they are actually very different methods of cooking food. A pressure cooker uses hot steam and pressure to quickly cook food, such as dried beans, faster than conventional cooking methods. Slow cookers use lower temperatures and longer cooking times to slowly cook food, such as meat and stews.