Slow cooker vs pressure cooker are both cooking appliances that you can use for making the process of cooking convenient. The slow cooker is a dish-like container with a long-lasting heating element on the bottom and it cooks food slowly. The pressure cooker is a pot that is used for cooking food quickly and in elevated temperatures. They both come with their pros and cons and choosing between them can be tricky. Read below to know which good between a slow cooker vs pressure cooker.
You can also read our blog on induction cooktops if you’re looking for modern cooking options. These cooktops look stylish and are convenient to use.
Pros Of Slow Cooker
More Flavor
Slow-cooked meals usually have a depth of flavor that you can not get by cooking quickly. You can put the ingredients in the cooker in the morning and come back to a delicious, slow-cooked meal when you return home.
Budget-Friendly
Slow cookers are budget-friendly. They are inexpensive and economical to use. These cookers are also great for making most of the budget ingredients.
Uses Less Energy
Slow cookers use less energy and let you save money in the long run. These cookers can cook meals in bulk so you can save the energy cost of cooking separate meals.
You can look at some of the best slow cookers that we have reviewed on the basis of their build quality, size, and design.
Cons Of Slow Cooker
Long Cooking Time
Slow cookers need a lot of time for cooking meals so you can’t just whip something up at the last minute. They generally require 3-4 hours for cooking a meal.
Takes More Space
Slow cookers require a lot of space. They are bulky and will take up a lot of your cupboard space. These cookers are not a great option for compact kitchens.
Condensation Affects Overall Food Quality
You must be prepared to consume foods soaked in some water due to condensation if you are using these cookers. The closed lid of the cooker traps steam which condenses to water. This results in making your meal somewhat soupy even when making soup wasn’t part of the plan.
Pros Of Pressure Cooker
Reduced Cooking Time
The main advantage of a pressure cooker is that it reduces two-third of the cooking time. They trap more energy and steam which results in faster cooking.
Nutrients Are Retained
Pressure cookers are designed to lock in more goodness of the ingredients than regular cookware. Only a few of the food’s nutrients and vitamins are lost during the pressure cooking process. This makes your meals more healthy and nutritious.
Less Mess
The use of a pressure cooker eliminates mess. Cooking with just one cooker requires less cleaning as compared to washing multiple pots. These cookers also come with a lock-down lid that avoids spillage.
Safety
Pressure cookers also come with safety features that make cooking easier. They prevent the cooker from building up too much steam. Extra steam can result in the top blowing off.
Cons Of Pressure Cooker
Can’t Open To Check For Readiness
A big disadvantage of pressure cookers is that you can’t open their lid in between cooking to check for readiness.
Overcooking Issues
There are chances of overcooking the food especially if you are learning how to use the cooker. This is because the cooking time is much shorter with a pressure cooker.
Only Good for Certain Meals
Different ingredients require different cooking times. You will have to use separate pots and pans in addition to the pressure cooker as you cant cook all the ingredients together.
Buy Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker
Presto 01264 Pressure Cooker
Presto 01264 Pressure Cooker is designed with strong heavy-gauge aluminum for quick and even heating. It works well on regular and smooth-top ranges. The cover lock indicator of this cooker shows when there is pressure inside the cooker and prevents the cover from being opened until pressure is safely reduced.
Instant Pot DUO Mini Electric Pressure
Instant Pot DUO Mini Electric Pressure’s reviews show that it features 11 one-touch controls that make it easy to operate. The dishwasher-safe lid and pot of this cooker offer easy cleaning and maintenance. Its built-in tri-ply stainless steel inner pot offers quick and even heating performance. It cooks delicious meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods.
All American Canner Pressure Cooker
The customer reviews of All American Canner Pressure Cooker claim that its 2 automatic venting features provide an extra margin of safety. It features positive action clamping wing nuts that permits easy opening and closing. The built-in double-thick edges of this cooker offer additional protection on points of heaviest wear.
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A
Crock-Pot SCCPVL610-S-A is a 6 quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker that serves 7+ people. The easy-to-use locking lid of this cooker provides an extra seal for less mess on the go. It comes with a smart control panel that lets you change temperature settings. This pot is also microwave and oven safe.
Ninja Foodi Slow Cooker
Ninja Foodi Slow Cooker’s reviews mark that it comes with 14 safety features. This cooker is ceramic coated and nonstick. It also includes an air fryer basket for cooking healthy meals. The tender-crisp technology of this cooker allows you to cook quickly. You can use this cooker to air fry/air crisp, steam, bake/roast, slow cook, yogurt, and sear/saute.
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners has a BPA-free nylon-blend construction that makes it safe for high temperatures. It comes with a 13 x 21 inches liner to fit 3- to 8-quart round and oval slow cookers. These liner bags help prevent stubborn stains or stuck-on messes on the pots.
Conclusion
Pressure cookers and slow cookers both are useful and offer different features. The slow cooker is great if you like cooking large meals with enhanced flavors. The pressure cooker is great if you are cooking a small amount of food like a small chicken or some vegetables. The pressure cooker is a win between slow cooker vs pressure cooker if you can’t spend much time on cooking and need control over your cooking process for those sumptuous meals.
Globalideas rates and reviews hundreds of pressure cooker accessories and pressure cookers on the basis of their sturdiness, build quality, and size.
