Which is Better: Slow Cooker or Instant Pot? A Chef Weighs In

Slow cookers have long been popular for making time-consuming, yet hands-off dishes like pot roast, pulled pork, and stew. Since the 1950s, they have helped home cooks create dinners for busy weeknights and have made entertaining easier thanks to their ability to create an entire meal in one pot.

But when the Instant Pot was introduced in 2010, many home cooks ditched their slow cookers for this new, versatile kitchen appliance. But is there really a difference between these electric pots? In short, yes. Read on to learn what sets the slower cooker and Instant Pot apart—and how to know which one is best for you.

What Is a Slow Cooker?

A slow cooker cooks food at a low temperature for an extended period of time to develop flavors without much hands-on cooking time. "A slow cooker is an electrical appliance that usually consists of a ceramic enamelware insert that conducts heat and a glass lid," says Olivia Roszkowski, chef-instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education.

While slow cookers are best known for slow cooking and tenderizing big pieces of meat, they're also handy for cooking hearty vegetable sides, and can even be used for making some desserts. Most recipes cooked in a slow cooker will take four hours on high, or eight hours on low.

What Is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot, also called a multi-cooker, has multiple functions. It resembles the capabilities of a pressure cooker, where the atmospheric pressure inside the cavity is elevated to cook foods more quickly and at a higher temperature because of the trapped steam build-up, says Roszkowski. In addition to pressure cooking, this appliance can also act as a rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, and more.

Benefits of a Slow Cooker

Both appliances offer ease and convenience, but there are some benefits of using a slow cooker over an Instant Pot. "A slow cooker allows you to cook a substantial amount of food without much effort or active cooking time," says Roszkowski. "The extended cooking at a low temperature allows for a great deal of deep flavor development." What's more, a slow cooker allows you to lift the lid at any point to stir and season.

Benefits of an Instant Pot

If you want to get dinner on the table fast, an Instant Pot is your best bet. "The benefits of an Instant Pot include being able to cook food at a greater speed and take advantage of enhanced flavor development that takes place at higher pressure and temperature levels," says Roszkowski. "Using an Instant Pot also results in a relatively easy clean-up because the machinery utilizes moist-cooking techniques, which results in less sticking and residue on the insert."

Which One Is Better?

The choice between an Instant Pot or a slow cooker (or both!) is entirely up to you. A slow cooker is ideal for people who make a lot of meals that involve slow cooking, such as slow-simmered soups, stews, and roasts.

However, if you want an appliance with multiple functions or you don't usually have time for meals that need all day to cook, an Instant Pot is ideal. Roszkowski is in camp Instant Pot. "I recommend an Instant Pot because it has capabilities that cannot be replicated as easily on a stovetop. To replicate a slow cooker, placing items in a covered pan in a low-temperature oven can generally get similar results," she says.