Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker: Which One Should You Buy?

Are you confused with Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker facts? Have you ever wondered what the difference between them is? Is an instant pot the same as a pressure cooker? Which one should you buy?

You need to know about the Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker:

What is a Instant Pot?

The instant pot was designed by Robert Wang, a computer scientist. He wanted to develop an automated cooking product that could cook food faster, with minimal supervision.

What had started as a tiny business, the instant brand company is now worth billions.

The instant pot craze has taken over the world and has amassed a dedicated fandom. It is preferred by amateurs and professionals alike, it’s easy to see why.

An instant pot is an all in one electric cooker. It provides multiple cooking options like slow cooking, warming, pressure cooking, steaming, yogurt making, sautéing, etc.

The key characteristic of the instant pot is its technology of burn protection. No more worrying about your cooker exploding, a common concern. It makes use of heat and pressure sensors.

Being a tightly sealed pot, it creates a pressurized, high-temperature environment enabling food to cook faster.

Instant pots regulate the temperature and pressure inside the pot and if they exceed a certain limit, the cooking process is automatically suspended.

They are designed as an all-in-one product where you can choose the cooking method. The instant pot has a few buttons to perform different functions.

It has a timer as well. the countdown begins after high pressure is reached. You don’t have to stand around overseeing it.

After the cooking is done, you will hear a beep. Open the lid and bask in the delicious aroma of the perfectly cooked food. It’s as easy as that. Here in below, we’re going to briefly present the major facts on Pressure Cooker Vs Instant Pot:

Which Is the Best Instant Pot?

Did I mention the cult-like following of instant pots? Unless you have been living under a rock, you might have come across at least one friend or relative who swears by them.

The ‘word of mouth’ marketing is one of the biggest reasons why it has been a huge success, as said by Robert Wang, the inventor himself.

Instant pots are everywhere, from dedicated cookbooks to several seasons of Masterchef.

Convinced of the power of instant pots, you start looking for one, only to end up feeling overwhelmed seeing so many options in the market.

But worry not, if you want an instant pot matching your needs, look no further than Cooks Essential’s brand.

Cooks Essential Instant Pot:

Cooks essential provide many features that make them different from the rest.

• Non-Stick:

Isn’t it infuriating when food bits stick to the bottom? Instant pot of Cooks essential brand comes with a non-stick surface. The coating makes washing the cookware easy as well; you won’t need to scrape it off.

• Heat Distribution:

Many times generic cookwares are hotter in the middle section than it is around the corners. But in this instant pot, heat is distributed, so everything cooks evenly and is all done at the same time.

• Durable Quality: Cooks essential is sturdy enough and lasts years. Even if it is used daily, it will work as efficiently as the first time.

• Aesthetic Design:

The instant pot comes in a modern look, gorgeous colors, and different sizes. Moreover, the buttons and functions are easy to use.

• Safe:

 It makes use of highly developed technologies, so there is little to no risk of explosions.

• Affordable: Cooks Essential instant pots are very reasonably priced for high-quality cookware.

3 Best Buy Instant Pot and its Features:

Other than Cooks essentials, here are three other brands you may want to take a look at:

1. Instant Pot brand:

The company was founded by Robert Wang himself. This brand is the most famous, it can be said. The instant pots come in different models like LUX, DUO series, ULTRA, etc.

It has 4 sizes ranging from small to large: 3 quarts, 5 quart, 6 quart, and 8 quarts. During the production stage, they are treated with a finish, so they are dishwasher safe.

Detergents won’t cause it to damage. This brand provides good customer service. They often replace or fix defective pots for customers. Every 12 to 18 months, they introduce an updated version in the market.

2. Insignia:

It is a Best Buy store brand. Insignia is well known for its TV and other appliances. But their instant pots are pretty good as well. Plus, they are very affordable.

Even though it’s cheaper, it has similar functionalities as other instant pots. However, it doesn’t have a yogurt function. The inner pot is non-stick and made up of Teflon, rather than stainless steel.

For further convenience and easy operation, 12 one-touch preset programs are provided in them. Delay, keep warm and start are the primary functions in it.

Other options include rice, meat, slow cook, cake, steak, and more. You can cook a variety of delicacies in this multi-functional pot.

Insignia doesn’t have a vast variety of models like the Instant pot brand does. It comes in 6 quarts and 8-quart size. Their instant pots can be bought from best buy.

3. Breville:

Breville is well-known in the world of kitchen appliances. Besides instant pots, they produce a variety of appliances like mixers, cookers, etc.

The design includes a brushed stainless steel exterior pot, a large screen, and fewer buttons. So, the interface is easy to use.

Breville instant pot includes an automatic steam release valve. It is available in 6qt size. There is no yogurt function in the model.

Pros of Using an Instant Pot:

• Programmable timed settings:

No need to keep a watch over the cooking process like a hawk. The instant pot will automatically stop once the food is cooked.

• All-in-one-cooking:

It can perform many functions like slow cooking, pressure cooking, sautéing, etc. Instead of using 5 appliances to cook 5 different foods, you can use an instant pot instead.

So, it will save space as well. From boiling rice to making a cheesecake, it can make a vast variety of foods. There are 1000’s recipes available for/to your help.

• Safe:

There is very little chance of it exploding, unlike a cooker. It makes use of the burn protection mechanism. 

Cons of Using an Instant Pot:

• Learning curve:

 There are several buttons and functions in an instant pot. So, it might be confusing for first-time users. Especially if it is a model having features like Bluetooth etc.

• Cost:

It’s more expensive than a cooker.

Now, let’s talk about pressure cookers. Is an instant pot the same as a pressure cooker?

➥ Visit Instant Pot Store and See It’s All The Latest Devices

What is a Pressure Cooker?

A pressure cooker is a device used to cook food faster. As the name says, it cooks with the help of pressure. When you boil water it releases steam.

However, if you seal the vessel, the steam can’t escape, generating pressure within. This results in increased temperature, making the food to cook faster.

In a pressure cooker, the temperature can reach more than 100 degrees. After building steam for some time, the pressure will then lower and slowly release.

Whistle cookers are provided with a calibrated weight for the purpose of regulating pressure. If the pressure is too high, it releases steam, making a hissing sound.

 Pressure cookers can make a lot of one-pot meals. Just throw all the ingredients together. They are great for cooking beans, lentils even if they are not soaked prior.

Usually, it takes beans that have not been soaked around 2 hours to get right. But the pressure cooker reduces the cooking time making the beans cook so much faster. 

Pressure cookers cook delicious meat dishes as well. Due to high pressure and locked condition, the flavors and aroma develop.

Plus, meat doesn’t dry out due to the moist environment.  Is an instant pot the same as a pressure cooker?

In the past, there used to be a risk of cookers exploding. A single mistake in operating it and boom splattered food on the ceiling. But modern cookers are safe and have tons of anti-multifunction features.

Which is the Best Pressure Cooker?

If you intend to buy one, look for a pressure cooker that matches your needs.

They can be of two types: Traditional cookers and digital display pressure cookers. 

Old fashioned pressure cookers make a hissing sound while the steam escapes. You often hear phrases like ‘cook it for 4 whistles’.

 Modern pressure cookers do not whistle they have dials. Few have a clear indicator on top showing the pressure inside. They don’t release steam in loud bursts. They are very quiet. 

Doesn’t matter which one you use. They all have the same function, to quickly cook things that would otherwise take forever with boiling.

Cooks Essential Pressure Cooker

Cook’s essential cookers are fast compared to standard cooking methods. They come in different capacities. If you are a two-person household, you can opt for one with a smaller capacity. If you need to feed a big family, opt for 6qt.

Here are a few features:

• It has an enamel exterior
• Constructed using durable aluminum or stainless steel
• Non-stick interior.
• Distributes food evenly.
• Long-lasting performance.
• Offers reasonable warranty.

3 Best Pressure Cookers and its Features: 

1. Presto Pressure Cooker:

The company was founded in 1905 and has vast experience in manufacturing appliances.

• The pressure cooker is available in 6qt, 8qt sizes.
• Constructed using strong, heavy-gauge aluminum for quick heating.
• Cooks food three times faster than other methods.
• It has a quick steam release system.
•  Dishwasher safe. 
• Kuhn Rikon

It is a Swiss-based company with a rich history. They are well known for their design. Their most famous model is Duromatic 

• The Duromatic pressure cooker uses up to 70% less energy than conventional pots.
• It looks different in terms of design. 
• Very quiet and little to no splutter.
• Costlier than others

2. Hawkins Pressure Cooker

Hawkins pressure cooker is known for its interesting design and simplicity.

• Available in a couple of sizes.
• Comes with a clever gasket system.
•  Affordable

Pros of Using a Pressure Cooker

• A time-saving device, more efficient than simply boiling
• Shorter time means more retained nutrients
• Saves money due to less energy consumption
• It’s easier to operate than instant pots

Cons of a Pressure Cooker

• A pressure cooker can make the food watery if not supervised correctly.
• Even though modern cookers have made a huge advancement, the possibility of an explosion is not nil.
• You can’t stir, taste, or check the food midway through the cooking process.

3. T-fal Pressure Cooker

T-fal is one of the most popular and quality stainless steel pressure cooker and dishwasher safe. It saves cook time by it’s a faster cooking specialty.

Easy to handle it, also has a steam release valve in all the pressure cooker of T-fal brand.

Even the T-fal brand producing all kinds of kitchenware & cookware. All the products are of high quality & durability.

This is one of the most selling cookware brands in the United States. So, you can have their products without any hesitation.

➥ Visit Pressure Cooker Store and See It’s All The Latest Devices

Difference between an Instant Pot and a Pressure Cooker:

Is an instant pot the same as a pressure cooker?  It is a multipurpose all-in-one product. You can cook food using different cooking methods like pressurizing, sautéing, slow cooking, etc. while a pressure cooker is used solely for pressurizing purposes.

Instant pots make use of electricity, while pressure cookers are of two types- stovetops and electrical cooker.

The pressure cooker reaches higher pressure and heat levels. So, Instant pots generally cook food at a slower rate than pressure cookers.

Conclusion:

Is an instant pot the same as a pressure cooker? The general answer is No. They have many differences. The former is better than the latter.

Instant pressure cookers being an all-in-one appliance, performs more functions than a pressure cooker. If multifunction is what you are looking for, opt for an instant pot.

If not, go for a pressure cooker. Some home cooks do not need so many functions. So for them, an instant pot is not worth the extra cost.

Both instant pot and pressure cooker will inspire you to try out new recipes. 

Craving for spaghetti Bolognese, biryani, or risotto? Make the dishes thatyou have always wanted to try out. Go ahead; let the inner Gordon Ramsay in you shine.

 FAQs:

• Is this article about Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker?

Yes, this article all bout Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker with example and a comparison table.

• Does an instant pot use a lot of electricity?

Instant pots approximately use less energy than an oven. They cook food faster, which further saves electricity. That being said, if you use the slow cooking function for overnight cooking often, it may use a considerable amount of energy.

• How dishes are hard to cook in an instant pot/pressure cooker?

Sometimes, you want food to become caramelized, crispy, or roasted, which searing does. In instant pots, takes some effort to nail foods that require browning.

• How long do they last?

Most pressure cookers and instant pots last for more than 6 years of regular use. Even if you accidentally cause damage to them, replacement parts can easily be bought

• Why is a pressure cooker faster than an instant pot?

Stovetop cookers reach higher pressures and cook food slightly faster. Instant pots generally have a pressure of 10psi, while pressure cookers can reach 15 psi.

• How to use the yogurt function in an instant pot?

Pick a starter culture like Greek yogurt. Press the BOIL function to heat your milk. Cool it down and add the starter. Then put the pot back on the instant pot. Press the YOGT button. Wait for 8-15 hours or overnight. The yogurt is ready to use.

Instant Pot Vs Pressure Cooker Video Review: