Instant Pot vs Crock Pot
Verdict: An Instant Pot cooks under pressure in a fraction of the time, while a slow cooker simmers gently for hours at a lower temperature. Choose by how long you want to wait and what you are cooking.
The two appliances cook very differently. A pressure cooker seals the pot so steam builds, raising the temperature well above boiling. At about 15 psi water reaches 121 degrees Celsius, which cuts cooking time to roughly a quarter of conventional boiling. A slow cooker holds its contents at about 174 to 199 degrees Fahrenheit for many hours.
Many Instant Pot models also slow cook, so the choice is partly habit. The converter below turns a stovetop simmer time into an estimated pressure cooking time using the time ratios published for 10 and 15 psi. It ignores heat-up and pressure release, so treat results as a starting point.
Instant Pot vs Crock Pot side by side
| Trait | Instant Pot | Crock Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking method | Sealed pot, steam pressure | Low heat over many hours |
| Temperature | Up to about 250 F (121 C) at 15 psi | About 174 to 199 F (79 to 93 C) |
| Time versus conventional boiling | About 33% at 10 psi, 23% at 15 psi | Longer, designed for unattended hours-long cooking |
| Pressure rating | Only the Max model is listed at 15 psi | Not pressurized |
| Settings | Pressure plus other modes such as slow cook and rice | Low, medium, high and sometimes keep warm at about 160 to 165 F |
| Highest temperature | Pressure cookers can reach up to about 266 F (130 C) | Stays below boiling, 174 to 199 F |
| Dried kidney beans | Pressure cooking is a safe alternative | FDA warns slow cookers do not reach temperatures high enough to deactivate the toxin |
| Energy | Pressure cookers can cut energy up to 70% versus pan cooking | Draws little energy |
Last verified October 2026. Typical values; individual animals, products and local prices vary.
Which one fits you
Instant Pot
- You decide late in the day and want dinner in a fraction of the usual cooking time.
- You cook dried beans and want a safe method that reaches high temperatures.
- You want one appliance that also slow cooks and cooks rice.
- You want to cut energy use versus long pan cooking, which can drop by up to 70%.
Crock Pot
- You want to load it in the morning and come home to dinner at a gentle simmer.
- You want a simple pot with low, high and keep-warm and nothing to seal.
- You like very low, steady heat for stews that cook unattended for many hours.
- You already own one and mainly make soups, pulled meats or dips for gatherings.
How this works
This page compares the two appliances using published descriptions of how pressure and slow cooking work. It does not rank brands, and it does not give recipe times because those vary by food, size of pieces and model. Sources are listed below, including one general encyclopedia entry on pressure cookers.
The converter uses published pressure-time ratios for boiling-style cooking. Real pressure cooking adds minutes to come to pressure and release it, so add that time, and check the recipe for foods that do not follow a simple ratio. Always follow your manufacturer's instructions for liquid amounts and pressure release.
Ratios are published pressure-to-time relationships (about 33% of conventional cooking time at 10 psi and 23% at 15 psi, per Wikipedia's pressure cooking table). They ignore heat-up and release time and apply to boiling-style cooking, not to every recipe, so use a tested recipe where possible.
Where these numbers come from
The figures and defaults on this page are based on:
- Wikipedia: Pressure cooking, Temperature at 15 psi and cooking time ratios at 5.8, 10 and 15 psi. (checked October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Slow cooker, Slow cooker temperature range, settings, energy draw and kidney bean warning. (checked October 2026)
- Wikipedia: Instant Pot, Multi-function models and the Instant Pot Max at 15 psi. (checked October 2026)
- Britannica: Pressure cooker, Pressure cooker temperatures and faster cooking. (checked October 2026)
Estimates only. Follow your appliance manual and a tested recipe for food safety.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Instant Pot faster than a slow cooker?
Yes. At 10 to 15 psi, pressure cooking can take roughly 23% to 33% of conventional cooking time, while a slow cooker holds about 174 to 199 degrees Fahrenheit for many hours.
Can I cook dried kidney beans in a slow cooker?
Not safely. The FDA, as cited on Wikipedia, warns that slow cookers do not reach temperatures high enough to deactivate the toxin in raw kidney beans. Canned beans or pressure cooking are the safer options.
Does an Instant Pot use less energy?
Often. Wikipedia notes pressure cookers can reduce energy use by up to 70% compared with conventional pan cooking, while slow cookers are described as drawing little energy over their long cooking times.
Does an Instant Pot reach 15 psi?
Only some models. Wikipedia lists the Instant Pot Max as a 15 psi cooker and does not give ratings for the others, so check your manual for your model's pressure.
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