Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting… How To Use Them

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The Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting is not equivalent to the temperatures on your traditional slow cooker. This may be why many people struggle to use the Instant Pot as a slow cooker. With this guide, however, you can master using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker. For those passionate about slow cookers, it may be no surprise that there is an Instant pot slow cook setting.

Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting

Because the temperature is different between the two devices, hitting the slow cooker setting on your Instant Pot will not cook the recipe as it would in the crockpot. To be honest, I rarely use the Instant Pot slow cooker setting because it takes longer to cook than simply using my old-fashioned crockpot. From the research we have done, most Instant Pots, from the Instant Pot Duo to the Instant Pot Pro Multi-Use Pressure cooker, have a Slow Cook button.

However, with that being said, you can use the knowledge of the temperature change to modify your recipes so that it cooks as they would in a crockpot. Using the Instant Pot as a slow cooker allows you only to need one appliance instead of two separate appliances.

How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

Set the temperature to low, or “less” on your Instant Pot. This is equivalent to the low setting on a traditional slow cooker. This is another way of saving money on purchasing two appliances.

Cook twice as long as the recipe calls for in a crockpot, checking for doneness at the original cook time to prevent overcooking.

Always use the natural release method to ensure your food does not overcook. You can also use the “keep warm” setting on your Instant Pot, which acts as a slow cooker’s “warm” setting. For this, you may need to ensure you have more than enough liquids to your meal does not burn or you get the burn notice on your Instant Pot.

To sum it up, using the Instant Pot as a slow cooker may take some trial and error, but with this guide, you can quickly become a pro at using this versatile appliance for all your slow cooker needs. Learning to use the timer settings properly is another way of learning to use the slow cook mode for your Instant Pot. If you know how to use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker, this will hopefully make cooking more flavorful than a traditional crock pot.

Slow Cooking

Slow cooking Tips: Use the “less” or low setting on your Instant Pot for a proper slow cooker temperature.- Cook for twice as long as you would in a traditional slow cooker, checking for doneness at the original cook time to prevent overcooking.- Use the natural release method and the “keep warm” setting for best results. Now go forth and slow cook like a pro with your Instant Pot!

Traditional Slow Cookers would generally be ideal; however, with your new Instant Pot, you can now use it as a slow cooker to achieve the same results. Enjoy and explore using the slow cook function with your Instant Pot.

Also, you may wish to purchase an Instant Pot slow cooker lid rather than using the regular Instant Pot lid to utilise the slow cooker heat settings on the Instant Pot, described in the above paragraphs.

Slow Cook

Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting Temperatures

The settings for using the slow cooker function of your Instant Pot is a little different than the crockpot. The temperatures are lower than they would be in your crockpot. 

• Low setting: The low setting on your crockpot means the temperature is 190-200℉, but for the Instant Pot slow cooker setting it is only about 170℉.
• High setting: The high setting on your crockpot means the temperature is 225-275℉, but the Instant Pot slow cooker setting is only 210℉.

Instant Pot Slow Cooker Time Chart

When using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker, there are 3-setting that you can choose from, and they are a little different from the traditional slow cooker. Use the chart below to help you understand the settings:

Instant Pot SettingSlow Cooker SettingCooking TimeLow SettingKeep warm this is “keep warm” and should NOT be used for cooking food. Normal SettingLow setting the time remains the same on the typical setting as it does for your traditional low setting on your slow cooker. High SettingHigh setting on the high setting, you’ll need to add an additional 15-minutes to each hour you would cook your food in a traditional slow cooker.

How to Use the Instant Pot Slow Cooker Setting

When using your slow cooker setting, you must adjust the time you cook your food to ensure it gets done entirely since it is cooking at a lower temperature. 

1. Add your food to the inner pot. Then, add at least 1 cup of liquid to help the Instant Pot heat up properly. 
2. Close the Lid (Using a Tempered Glass Lid would be ideal)
3. Hit your slow cooker button.
4. Then, use the adjust button to change the setting to “normal” or “high” (The older LUX model does not adjust).
5. If you want to cook the recipe on low, like in a crockpot, you can keep the time the same, usually 6-8 hours. 
6. If you want to cook the recipe on high, you will need to add 15-minutes for each hour. For example, a crockpot time of 4 hours would become 5 hours. 
7. Ensure the Slow Cooker Lid for your Instant Pot is securely on before cooking.

Now you can enjoy your meal as if it was a slow cooked meal or an Instant Pot dish.

Tips for Using Your Instant Pot as A Slow Cooker

• Adjust your time. Ensure you are properly adjusting your time; otherwise, you will end up with undercooked food. 
• Use a tempered glass lid. The glass lid allows some liquid to evaporate much like a traditional crockpot would. 
• Don’t worry about the steam release knob. There’s no pressure, so it doesn’t matter which position it is in. If you are using the Instant Pot lid, you can leave it on the venting position if you want some of the liquid to evaporate. 
• The lid does not lock. Since there’s no pressure in the Instant Pot, the lid won’t lock, so you can open it to stir during the cooking process. 
• It needs to be preheated. The Instant Pot slow cooker setting will preheat for 10-15 minutes before it even begins to slow cook anything. 
• Try again. If it takes longer than 10-15 minutes to start slow cooking, hit cancel and try again. 

Traditional Slow Cooker

What’s the difference between Instant Pot Slow cooker mode and a regular slow cooker?

Traditional slow cooker vs Instant Pot Slow Cooker. The Instant Pot slow cooker setting may not cook as fast; however, it has the added benefit of being able to pressure cook and do other cooking functions. So, if you’re tight on kitchen appliance space, using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker can save room. 

It also allows for more precise temperature control, as mentioned above. This means your food will cook more consistently and evenly. Slow cookers are a convenient way to cook a roast or prepare a meal for that Sunday dinner or family get-together.

Whether you use a traditional slow cooker or the Instant Pot slow cooker setting, it’s about personal preference and what works best for you and your family’s needs. Happy slow cooking!

Instant Pot Slow Cooker Recipes To Try

• The Best Buffalo Chicken Soup
• Delicious Vegetable Casserole
• Slow Cooker Chicken Stuffing Casserole
• Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

What do you think about the Instant Pot slow cooker setting? Do you prefer your Instant Pot or a traditional crockpot? Let us know in the Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners Facebook group!

CrockPot Settings

It’s important to note that the Instant Pot also has a “CrockPot” setting, which is not the same as the slow cooker setting. The CrockPot setting is explicitly designed for recipes or meals developed for traditional CrockPots and may require different cooking times or temperatures. Be sure to check your recipe before using the CrockPot setting.

High settings

Converting slow cooking time from a slow cooker recipe to an instant Pot Recipe can now be far easier than you initially realised. Ensuring you have the correct pressure cooking times is now far more manageable with our Instant Pot and Slow cooker chart.