Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, Dutch Oven or Instant Pot—Which One’s Best for You?
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019To help you find the right kitchen gadget for your family, we're looking at the pros and cons of four popular appliances.
It seems like we’re caught up in a modern kitchen battle with these four appliances at the center. It’s slow food vs. speedy food, flavor-building vs. convenience, tradition at war with technology. Not that I want to choose sides… I can see the benefits of all four cooking methods.
Each of the appliances has its pros and cons for cooking methods like braising, simmering and stewing. We took a closer look at each device to give you the lowdown on what makes it great (or what challenges lay ahead).
Slow Cooker
The slow cooker is one of the most popular appliances in the U.S. (and one of the most popular searches on our website). You can find a staggering number of slow cooker cookbooks, and an equally impressive number of free recipes.
Pros
It’s easy to use. The slow cooker defines kitchen convenience. Most times you dump in your ingredients, set it and let it go. Lift the lid to add new ingredients if you choose (but not to peek—that loses heat) and unplug when you’re done.
It holds in heat. Nothing compares to the slow cooker’s ability to keep that cheese dip or chili warm for several hours. There’s almost no chance your potluck dish will reduce too much or burn from the heat.
Cons
The flavor can be iffy. f you’re hoping to sear ingredients to build layers of flavor, forget about it. You can use a cast-iron skillet first, but that creates an extra dish to wash.
It cooks at low temps. Even on the high setting, slow cookers don’t get as hot (or as quickly hot) as a Dutch oven or pressure cooker. This means starches don’t break down fully, even after 6-8 hours of cooking time.
Excess moisture builds up. Moisture evaporates from the ingredients as they simmer, creating all that condensation on the lid. This can cause your food to turn out thin and watery.
Plus: Check out 40 kitchen organizing ideas for storing all of your stuff.
Dutch Oven
The chef in me wants to use a Dutch oven for everything—it’s the original braising machine. This heavy pot is the perfect way to transform tough cuts of meat into a flavorful stew or make traditional bone broth at home.
Pros
It’s so versatile. Use the Dutch oven on the stovetop or in the oven (or a combination of both). In the oven, the food will be heated from all directions, improving browning and developing superior flavor.
It does one-pot cooking. You can sear, sauté, soften, simmer and boil all in the same vessel. No extra dishes to wash.
Cons
It requires time. Like the slow cooker, the Dutch oven requires time. It might achieve hotter temperatures, but it still takes as much time to braise a lamb shank.
It’s hands-on. You can’t walk away from a Dutch oven as easily as its electric competition. Most people feel comfortable setting the slow cooker and going to work, but not leaving the oven on while they’re away.
Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Pressure cookers work by sealing steam inside the pot to create pressure, raising the boiling point of water and speeding up cooking times. Older models were well-known for spewing hot water (and sometimes exploding), which freaks us out. But the newer models are safer, with fail-safe backup vents and overpressure release plugs.
Pros
It’s fast. Pressure cookers work faster than conventional cooking methods, so the same recipe for beef brisket or chicken cacciatore that would take 6-8 hours in your slow cooker will be ready in 45 minutes.
It’s healthy. Pressure-cooked foods retain more heat-sensitive vitamins and minerals than boiled food does. Since liquids don’t reduce in a pressure cooker, less water is required and nutrients are less likely to dissolve.
Cons
The lid can be tricky. We’ve all watched those episodes of reality TV where professional chefs fumble with pressure cooker lids. They’re tricky and, while newer models are more user-friendly, the thing won’t work if the cover isn’t seated correctly.
Once it’s sealed, it’s sealed. Unlike the Dutch oven or the slow cooker, you can’t open the lid to add new ingredients in the middle of cooking. When the cook time is up, you have to wait for the pressure to naturally release (typically 5-20 minutes).
Electric Pressure Cooker (Instant Pot)
The Instant Pot craze is far from over. While this seven-in-one appliance has many functions, its greatest role is as an electric pressure cooker.
Pros
You can set it and forget it. There’s no need to set the oven, monitor the burner heat on your stovetop or keep an eye on anything at all. Like the slow cooker, you set the function and let it do its thing.
You can use it to sauté. The Instant Pot’s sauté function allows you to brown ingredients (and build flavor) before simmering them. This makes it as functional as a stovetop pressure cooker or a Dutch oven.
It’s quick. Like the stovetop version, the Instant Pot transforms your best low-and-slow recipes into a meal ready to eat in an hour. Your favorite risotto is done in 7 minutes, and short ribs take 40 minutes instead of being an all-day project.
Cons
You have to wait. It can take 10-30 minutes for this thing to preheat. Then, once the food is cooked, you have to wait for the pressure to release (which can take up to 30 minutes). A quick release function is available, but not for all types of foods (some dishes can clog the vents).
