Do I want a slow cooker or an instant pot?

[Puppermint]

My much loved and well used slow cooker is on the blink so the time has come to replace it. I've seen lots on here over the years about instant pots and am wondering if I'm better going for one of them or sticking with a slow cooker. Any opinions?

I just commented on the other IP post today but I had the same decision and went with the IP. I far prefer it. And I've had a lot of different slow cookers!

I’m veggie and hardly use my slow cooker now. It was great for meat though.

I’d love an instant pot.

Instant pot all the way.

Get a Ninja foodi. Works like a slow cooker or an IP, and is an air-fryer too!

What's the difference? I've always used a slow cooker so am interested to know.

Instant pot. The only thing I use my slow cooker for now is keeping mulled wine warm.

Instant pot!
Join the instant pot Facebook page, there is loads of amazing recipes on there and they’re very helpful if you get stuck.

Instant Pots are the new name for pressure cookers (just a bit more modern with extra settings).

Ive got an Instant Pot with a slow cooker function.

So best of both worlds!

@chocolatesaltyballs22, an Instant Pot is a pressure cooker with a heating element in the base. So you can truly do things in one pot - you can fry off onions and veg, or sear meat, and then pressure cook it. The pressure cooking gives similar results to slow cooking, but in less time, and then you can leave it on keep warm for 16 hours or eat it. You don't have to watch it either unlike stove top pressure cookers - it is safe to leave.

I'm not an IP user that thinks everything is better in the IP (there are people out there like that). It is better for some things - gammon, red cabbage, par boiling potatoes/mash, quick dinners after school. It is a pretty indispensable bit of kitchen kit once you have it though.

Thank you! Feel like I might need one...

I don’t use my IP anywhere near as much as I thought I would 🤨

Slow cooker has been relegated to melting beeswax since I got my IP - it's a very versatile bit of kit and I use it several times a week.

@chocolatesaltyballs22 they're ok, im not someone that would rave about it either

@Puppermint you can have my slow cooker for free if you want. I never use it.

I have a Pressure King Pro (similar to InstaPot). It does slow cooking and pressure cooking. The best bit is the timer; I can just set and forget it in the morning.

I have had an IP for 10 months and still too scared to get it out and try it 😬

@cruellada

I have had an IP for 10 months and still too scared to get it out and try it 😬

Christmas present last year, was it?

@OrtamLeevz yes and a much wanted one! I hadn't looked into all the steam releasing business beforehand though and need to just give it a go at some point...

I love my instant pot and it a lot more versatile than just a slow cooker. Mine has a yoghurt setting which I use quite often as well as the usual things. I made my Christmas pudding last week and it took an hour.

I’ve taken my instant pot on holiday three times this year!!

I love my instant pot, I was never organised enough to use my slow cooker much. The instant pot cooks a casserole that would take hours to cook in the oven in 20 minutes.

So I use my slow cooker twice a week usually. What annoys me about it is when I have to brown everything first, eg if you're making a chilli. Would the instant pot overcome that?

Yes, you can sauté in the Instant Pot before putting the liquid in and pressure cooking. I use the IP far more than I ever did my slow cooker which I got rid of once I had the IP.

Instant pot, I use it much more than a slow cooker as you can get slow cooker results in a far shorter time.