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How To Use An Instant Pot As Slow Cooker

by Lianne Jones February 22, 2022

How To Use An Instant Pot As Slow Cooker

An Instant Pot is a fantastic tool that you can use to make your life easier and save time by using it as both a slow cooker and pressure cooker. Since their invention in the 1980s, they have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances around.

Instant Pots are used for cooking everything from soups to stews, rice dishes, meatloaf, chili, and more. They’re great for making healthy meals since they cook food at low temperatures without any oil or grease.

You also don’t need to babysit them while they cook because they automatically shut off when done.

If you want to learn how to use an instant pot as a slow cooker, then keep reading! This is the article for you. We have created a comprehensive guide on how to use it as a Slow Cooker.

We'll take you through the best settings, presets, techniques, and mistakes to look out for so that you can create incredible, slow-cooked food today!

We have also added a short FAQ section to help you answer some of your most vital questions! 

What Is Slow Cooking?

Before we look at how you can transform your Instant Pot cooker into a slow cooker, let's first take a look at what it means to slow cook something. When people think about slow cooking, they often imagine long hours spent over a hot stove stirring pots of bubbling stew.

While this type of slow cooking is certainly possible, there are many other ways to do it too. Slow cooking is a method where foods are prepared in small batches and then left alone until ready to be served.

The idea behind slow cooking is that foods are gently simmered in liquid (usually water) with no direct heat applied to them.

This allows the moisture inside the food to slowly evaporate, which helps tenderize tough cuts of meat and break down tough connective tissues. It also creates a moist environment that makes it easy to cut up and serve the finished product.

The process of slow cooking takes longer than traditional methods like boiling or frying, but it doesn't require much attention during the entire cooking process. For example, if you're slow-cooking a large batch of chili, you might only need to stir it once every hour or two.

If you're slow-cooker chicken wings, you may just need to check on them occasionally to see if they're getting browned. You can find recipes online that will tell you exactly how long to cook each step of a recipe, but the truth is, it depends on your preference.

Some people prefer to leave things unattended for days while others prefer to taste tests after every 30 minutes or so. Either way works fine, but you should always follow the instructions on your specific model of Instant Pot.

Why Should I Use My Instant Pot As A Slow Cooker?

There are several reasons why you would choose to use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker instead of a regular oven. First of all, you won't have to worry about cleaning up spills or greasy messes.

Your Instant Pot is designed to work perfectly in the sink, so you don't have to clean anything before you start.

You also don't have to worry about drying out your food either. Because your Instant Pot cooks at such low temperatures, it prevents food from drying out. Instead, it keeps the moisture locked inside the food.

How To Use Your Instant Pot As A Slow Cooker

Alright, let's take a look at how you can use your Instant Pot to slow cook some delicious food! It's time. The first thing you will want to do is take a look at the manual that came with your Instant Pot.

You will notice that there is a separate section dedicated to slow cooking. There are different options available depending on the model you own.

For example, if you own a 6 quart Instant Pot, you will have the option of using the "Pressure Cook" setting or the "Sauté" setting. 

If you use the "Pressure Cook", you will be able to set the timer for 10 minutes, 15 minutes, or 20 minutes. However, if you select the "Sauté", you will be able to adjust the temperature to high, medium, or low.

If you own a 7 quart Instant Pot, you can choose between the "Pressure Cook," "Sauté" or "Keep Warm" settings. Once again, if you select the Pressure Cook, you will be able to adjust the time to 5 minutes, 8 minutes, or 10 minutes.

If you select the Sauté, you will be able to change the temperature to high, low, or keep warm.

If you own an 8 quart Instant Pot, you'll have three choices: pressure cook, sauté or keep warm. If you select the pressure cook, you will be able to adjust both the time and temperature. If you select the sauté, you will be limited to changing the temperature.

Lastly, if you select the keep warm, you will not be able to change any of these settings. Once you've selected your desired setting, simply add your ingredients into the insert compartment and close the lid.

Then, press the "Manual" button and adjust the dials until your desired cooking time has elapsed. When the cooking cycle ends, simply release the pressure by pressing the "Cancel" button. Now, open the lid and enjoy your delicious meal!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it! It turns out that Instant Pot Pressure Cookers are very well suited to act as Slow Cookers. This duality is one of the main reasons that an Instant Pot is a great thing to buy for your kitchen!

We hope that by this point you are completely confident in slow cooking something in your Instant Pot.

If you still have some more questions, we have included a short FAQ section below to help you out!

FAQ

Get your last-minute queries answered here!

Do Instant Pots Have A Slow Cooker Function? 

Yes, they do. Many people prefer their Instant Pot over a traditional slow cooker because it does everything in one device. That means no dirty dishes and less clean-up. The Glass lid also allows you to easily check up on your food as it cooks! 

What Should I Do With My Leftovers?

That depends on what kind of leftovers you're talking about. If you're making soup, then you should probably just eat them right away. But if you're making a casserole, you might want to store them in the fridge overnight. Just make sure that you cover them tightly with plastic wrap so that they stay fresh.

What Are Some Favorite Recipes For A Slow Cooker? 

We love anything that involves meatballs, chili, stews, soups, and risottos. They all taste amazing when cooked slowly. And don't forget dessert! Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, pies, and cakes are all perfect candidates for slow cooking.


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