The difference between a standard pressure cooker and the Instant Pot comes down to usability, technology and control. While old-time pressure cookers were often subject to explosion, causing mess and often injury, the Instant Pot is designed with safety mechanisms that make it much safer to use. There are currently four generations of the Instant Pot out in the world, each more advanced than the last. By incorporating digital controls into the design of the Instant Pot, users have a seemingly endless amount of control over their breakfast, lunch or dinner. So, what specifically can one do with one of these ingenious devices? Anything. According to the product description, with the push of one button, users cans make "ribs, soups, beans, rice, poultry, yogurt, desserts and more" at the rate of up to six times faster than a standard method of cooking.
While both are still used widely at home and in restaurants, there's no denying that the level of control you get from an Instant Pot is second to none — especially with newer editions which include Alexa integration and WiFi connectivity. Once you read the instructions — and we urge that you do so — making anything from stew to yogurt is ridiculously easy. For instance, making pulled pork is as simple as adding meat and spices into the pot, pressing a button and waiting 40 minutes. When you compare that to the four to eight hours it can take to prepare in a slow cooker, one can understand the popularity of this device.
When it comes to choosing an Instant Pot over a pressure cooker, it's all about preference.
"It's a really great piece of equipment," says chef and Redditor, CricketPinata, also known as Wesley S., who is the kitchen manager at Rosemary in Nashville, Tennessee, in an email interview. "I used to have a rice cooker and a pressure cooker, and now I just use the Instant Pot to schedule everything." The chef says that the gadget not only cuts down on prep time but he's able to keep his space free from clutter in the kitchen.
"I like all of the different things it can do, and the Instant Pot being automated means I can work on prep-work elsewhere in the kitchen while setting something up to finish on its own. It's a really useful tool that makes my life easier," says Wesley.
While it always depends on personal preference, the user-friendly features of the Instant Pot give it a certain air of approachability and innovative intelligence not matched by many other kitchen devices.
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Now That's Interesting
Of the many concoctions you can easily make with an Instant Pot, homemade wine may be the most fun.
FAQs
An instant pot and a pressure cooker are both cookers that use pressure to cook food. They are similar because they have a sealed jar with a valve that releases the tension. The main difference is that an instant pot has an added feature that allows it to be used as a slow cooker, rice cooker, and steamer.
Which is better Instant Pot or pressure cooker? ›
Overall, if you want a device you don't have to monitor too much, go for an electric multicooker like the Instant Pot. Stovetop pressure cookers are still great options, they just take a little more finesse and know-how to use.
What is the disadvantage of Instant Pot? ›
Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.
Can I use an Instant Pot as a pressure cooker? ›
At its core, an Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker, which means it uses hot steam and pressure to cook food.
Is steam the same as pressure cook on Instant Pot? ›
The main difference is that pressure cookers cook with high-pressure water vapours at a higher temperature (up to 120 degrees Celsius). The temperature can be adjusted, which can change the cooking time. Steam cookers, on the other hand, always cook at 100 degrees Celsius, which is water's boiling point.
Why are pressure cookers better? ›
We're by no means food scientists, but it's proven from scientific research that pressure cooked food retain more nutrition value than boiling and steaming. Not only because the cooking time is shorter, but it's able to trap the nutrient from escaping through the steam.
What exactly does an Instant Pot do? ›
An Instant Pot, also called a multi-cooker or electric pressure cooker, is an appliance that can do the job of a rice cooker, a yogurt maker, a steamer, a pressure cooker, a saute pan and a slow cooker (some features vary depending on the model you buy — there are several).
What foods should not be cooked in an Instant Pot? ›
6 Things You Should Never Cook in an Instant Pot
- Creamy Sauces. If there's one food group you should avoid in the Instant Pot, it's dairy. ...
- Fried Chicken. The best fried chicken is crisp on the outside, juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown. ...
- Cookies. ...
- Burgers. ...
- Pie. ...
- Steak.
They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.
Why not buy an Instant Pot? ›
They're never as good as individual appliances — Instant Pots may be versatile, but they will never be as good as the appliance designed for that cooking purpose. Cooking rice in the Instant Pot was never as fluffy as my trusted rice cooker, while steaming broccoli often ended up an overcooked and soggy mess.
Instant Pot FAQ
An Instant Pot is a multi-cooker that combines the functions of a pressure cooker, slow-cooker, rice cooker and yogurt maker in one. It has a manual program, a stainless steel cooking pot and a range of cooking functions to cook different foods.
Is Instapot an air fryer? ›
An Instant Pot CAN be used as an air fryer, but not without an additional attachment, such as an air fryer lid or crisping lid.
Can I put my Instant Pot on the stove? ›
If becomes warped or damaged it will not connect with the heating element within the cooker base to cook your food properly. We do not recommend you using it on the stove top or placing the Instant Pot near any heat source, as per the 1 year warranty.
Why is Instant Pot better than pressure cooker? ›
Instant Pot: The Modern Marvel
It's a multi-functional device that combines the features of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, and sauté pan. Its digital interface and pre-set cooking programs make it a user-friendly option, especially for those new to pressure cooking.
Should Instapot be on sealing or venting? ›
When starting your cook, you want this lever pointing toward "sealing" and not "venting." Sealing means the Instant Pot is going to hold all the pressure created inside the pot, while venting is what you'll likely do to release the pressure when the food is finished cooking.
Do you seal or vent when steaming in an Instant Pot? ›
Look on the top of the lid to find the vent switch. Shift it in either direction to close off the vent. This traps the pressure and steam inside the Instant Pot. If you don't put the vent in the sealing position, the steam will escape from the vent, and your food won't cook right.
Do professional chefs use Instant Pot? ›
They are most commonly used in industrial settings to quickly prepare meat or stocks. However, in most scenarios, Elite Chefs avoid using pressure cookers because they provide less control over the final dish. Chefs often prefer slow cooking techniques that accentuate and pull out the flavors of the food.
Is it healthier to cook in pressure cooker? ›
Research, including a study from the 1990s, suggests that pressure cooking retains about 90 to 95 percent of food nutrients, outperforming other methods like steaming, roasting, and especially boiling.
What is the best advantage of using pressure cooker in cooking? ›
Reduces Cooking Time: The biggest advantage of the pressure cooker is the reduction in cooking time, often by up to two-thirds. Pressure cooking expedites the process by effectively trapping steam within, opposite to traditional woks and pots where energy dissipates.
Is the Ninja pressure cooker the same as an Instant Pot? ›
Ninja Foodi 11-in-1 Pro Pressure Cooker features:
Pressure cooks, steams, slow cooks, makes yogurt, sous vides, air fries, bakes, roasts, broils, dehydrates, and warms. Both the Instant Pot and the Ninja Foodi offer the same functions with the exception of yogurt making and dehydrating.
