topic Slow cooker or insta pot? in Kitchen

Slow cooker or insta pot?

qvcaddition — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:44:06 GMT

I only cook for me and am home retired. Insta pot seems the rage, but would a nice slow cooker work better for me? I don,t need a meal cooked quick or huge portions. Just once in a while for chicken breast that always seem dry or stew, etc. I know the insta lot has a slow cooker with it, but it seems like the rest would be a waste for me. Need thought. Thank you.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

karlam — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:46:14 GMT

Instant Pot is both a pressure cooker and a slow cooker.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

karlam — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:48:36 GMT

I posted too quickly and forgot to mention that the instant pot has a pretty small foot print and cost wise it probably isn't any more expensive than other slow cookers. Plus it does saute in case a recipe requires it. My old slow cooker didn't do that.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

ECBG — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:52:41 GMT

I have 2 crock pots. I prefer flavors to have time to develop. I don't want any more kitchen appliances.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:57:48 GMT

I thought about an instapot & decided against it. I personally am not a fan of pressure cooking.So in my case I'm sticking with my slow cooker.I love it. I make the best chili, chicken cacciatore & beef stew.

I love throwing the ingredients in in the morning & setting the cooker on low for 8-10 hours. The aromas come together & permeate the house. I think the food tastes better simmering all day.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

Daysdee — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:58:18 GMT

I only cook for one and I have two (different sizes) crock pots. Never got interested in InstaPot as I don't need food to cook faster. Maybe I am missing out on something.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

tucsongal — Thu, 28 May 2020 19:59:18 GMT

An Instant Pot is also great to cook rice and hard boil eggs.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

GenXmuse — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:31:49 GMT

I never use the instapot anymore. Too much hit or miss and food doesn't taste as good. Cleaning is also a lot harder as certain food odors stick around. I use my crockpot a lot though.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

LonestarBabs — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:32:03 GMT

You might get the 3 qt InstantPot - known as "the mini." A variety of functions (including slow cook) and smaller servings might meet your needs.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

qvcaddition — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:50:40 GMT

Thank all of you. I see you are on the same page that I was thinking. Keeping it simple. I had given my old ones away , but saw some on Amazon with a temperature probe for meats. I think you all really helped me decide. Thank you. I love bean dishes, but forgot how to cook in crock pot, so I will invest in a good simple cookbook..

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

qvcaddition — Thu, 28 May 2020 20:57:13 GMT

@NicksmomESQ

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
I thought about an instapot & decided against it. I personally am not a fan of pressure cooking.So in my case I'm sticking with my slow cooker.I love it. I make the best chili, chicken cacciatore & beef stew.
I love throwing the ingredients in in the morning & setting the cooker on low for 8-10 hours. The aromas come together & permeate the house. I think the food tastes better simmering all day.

After I get the pot, can I come back and ask how you do the stew, chili and chicken? I am going to get a recipe book, but it has been years since i,ve used a crockpot. I had family at home. Now in my 80,s and still like to cook, but get tired standing at stove for hours and my oven doesn,t work. I use to make the best stew in the oven.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

godi — Thu, 28 May 2020 21:08:10 GMT

Small crock pot for me.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

RedTop — Thu, 28 May 2020 22:35:29 GMT

I don’t own a slow cooker.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

LilLadyNJ — Thu, 28 May 2020 22:50:12 GMT

If you would do any pressure cooking, I would recommend the instant pot. Its great for making stews and soups and reduces the cooking time significantly. I still use my stove top pressure cooker, but find that I use the instant pot more often. I do not own a crock pot.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

haddon9 — Thu, 28 May 2020 23:13:18 GMT

I got an Instant Pot two years ago for Christmas. I don't use it as much as I thought that I would but have used the slow cooker feature probably more than the pressure cooker.

Instant pot also has an optional attachment top that turns it into an air fryer which might be nice to have.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

sann — Thu, 28 May 2020 23:17:49 GMT

I have both so it depends on how fast I want the food. Slow cooker is 4 to 6 hours approximately. Insta pot takes minutes.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

NicksmomESQ — Thu, 28 May 2020 23:30:57 GMT

@qvcaddition wrote:
@NicksmomESQ
@NicksmomESQ wrote:
I thought about an instapot & decided against it. I personally am not a fan of pressure cooking.So in my case I'm sticking with my slow cooker.I love it. I make the best chili, chicken cacciatore & beef stew.
I love throwing the ingredients in in the morning & setting the cooker on low for 8-10 hours. The aromas come together & permeate the house. I think the food tastes better simmering all day.
After I get the pot, can I come back and ask how you do the stew, chili and chicken? I am going to get a recipe book, but it has been years since i,ve used a crockpot. I had family at home. Now in my 80,s and still like to cook, but get tired standing at stove for hours and my oven doesn,t work. I use to make the best stew in the oven.

@qvcaddition Just page me on the boards & I would be happy to help.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

cindyNC — Fri, 29 May 2020 02:51:27 GMT

There are 2 of us and I have a wonderful but heavy 6 qt slow cooker. I was thinking of trying the 3 qt instant pot rather than getting a second slow cooker. But I'm also finding that I can use my large scanpan on the stovetop and can simmer items at a low temp with minimal stirring and no burning. Just depends on what I'm cooking

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

ncmama — Fri, 29 May 2020 09:27:48 GMT

I only cook for two. The large crockpots were just too big. Found a small, oval shaped, Nesco pot on WM online. Inexpensive and I love it. I have two Instant pots but this small crockpot is my go to. And it doesn't take up much space in a cabinet.

Re: Slow cooker or insta pot?

Toppers3 — Fri, 29 May 2020 18:10:08 GMT

@qvcaddition wrote:
Thank all of you. I see you are on the same page that I was thinking. Keeping it simple. I had given my old ones away , but saw some on Amazon with a temperature probe for meats. I think you all really helped me decide. Thank you. I love bean dishes, but forgot how to cook in crock pot, so I will invest in a good simple cookbook..

If you decide on a slow cooker or a Crock Pot instead of an Insta-Pot, there are many of us here who would be glad to help you use your slow cooker.

I love to use a slow cooker. I like to be able to just let the cooker do the work for me, where the food can cook all day after doing some preparation.

It's just my husband and me in our home, and I like to make a large enough amount of a meal in my cooker, and then have enough for leftovers.