Which Is Better? Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker

Jump to:

• Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker
• What Is a Slow Cooker?
• What Is a Pressure Cooker?
• So, Which One Is Better?
• Difference Between Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker
• Pros & Cons: Slow Cooker vs Pressure Cooker
• 5 Top Slow Cooker Recipes
• 5 Best Instant Pot Recipes to Try
• So Which Cooking Method Is the Best?

Pressure Cooker vs Slow Cooker

I have used both a pressure cooker and a slow cooker and both have benefits. In case you're not sure which one is which, let me break it down for you!

What Is a Slow Cooker?

A slow cooker is an appliance that cooks food at a low temperature over a long period. It’s essentially a set-it-and-forget-it kind of appliance, which is ideal for busy families or anyone who doesn’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Slow cookers require no supervision once they’re turned on, so you can set it before you leave for work or errands and come home to a delicious, hot meal.

The slow cooker is sometimes referred to as a "crock pot".

What Is a Pressure Cooker?

A pressure cooker is an appliance that cooks food at a high pressure, which allows it to reach a higher temperature and cook food faster than a slow cooker.

You can steam pressure many foods using a pressure cooker. an electric pressure cooker tends to have two settings one for high steam pressure and one for low-pressure cooking.

Electric pressure cookers are a great choice for anyone who wants to get dinner on the table quickly. The hot steam and high temperatures cook the food fast.

So, Which One Is Better?

There is no clear-cut answer to this question. It really depends on your individual needs and preferences.

Slow Cookers V's Pressure Cookers

If you want an appliance that is low-maintenance and doesn’t require much attention, a slow cooker is probably a better choice for you.

On the other hand, if you want something that will help you get dinner on the table faster, a pressure cooker is the way to go.

Slow cooker vs pressure cooker taste is very obvious to some people as well! Some people feel there is a big difference between both appliances.

If your priority is to cook meals quickly then the best cooking process will be to try pressure cooking.

Slow cooker meals on the other hand have much longer cooking times, generally, anything between two to eight hours depending on the slow cooker recipe you're using.

Slow Cooking Tough Meat

Slow cooker recipes are great for slow cooking tough meat such as Slow Cooker Pot Roast, whereas electric pressure cookers are great for quickly cooking meat and vegetables.

Some people also find that they can get a better flavor when they start cooking with a slow cooker, as the low and slow cooking method allows the flavors to develop and meld over time.

Electric pressure cookers, on the other hand, cook food quickly at a high temperature, which some people feel can result in less flavorful meals and you don't need to wait for several hours if you're cooking food in a hurry.

Other cooking method appliances you may want to try could include the dutch oven, the air fryer, and even an ace blender soup maker or yogurt maker.

Difference Between Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker

Here are some of the key differences between slow cookers and pressure cookers:

• Slow cookers cook food at a low temperature over a long period, while pressure cookers cook food at high pressure and temperature.
• A slow cooker is low-maintenance and doesn’t require much attention, while pressure cookers require more attention and supervision.
• If you want hands-off cooking, then crock pots or slow cookers are for you! Pressure cookers are better for quick, hands-on cooking.
• Slow cookers typically have a longer cooking time than pressure cookers.

Pros & Cons: Slow Cooker vs Pressure Cooker

Let's break down a slow cooker vs a pressure cooker even more! Check out the pros and cons of each.

Pros of a Slow Cooker:

• Slow cookers can cook a variety of food items.
• Food retains its flavor better than conventional cooking methods.
• Moisture is not lost during cooking.
• Slow cookers are energy efficient.
• Slow cookers tend to use less liquid.

Cons of a Slow Cooker:

• Slow cooking takes a long time to cook food.
• The cock pot is not suitable for quick meals

Pros of a Pressure Cooker: 

• The electric pressure cooker tends to cook food quickly.
• Pressure cooking conserves energy as the steam builds and cooks food fast.
• Pressure cooker recipes retain nutrients and flavor.
• You cook large batches super fast.

Cons of a Pressure Cooker:

• Most pressure cookers do not work well with all types of food.
• Pressure cookers can be dangerous if not used properly.

The bottom line is that both slow cookers and pressure cookers have their pros and cons. It depends on your personal preferences as to which one you choose.

If you want quick meals, then a pressure cooker is the way to go. If you want to retain the flavor of your food, then a slow cooker is the better option. Whichever route you choose, just make sure you know how to use it properly!

Which One Should I Buy?

The good news is that there are appliances on the market with both the slow cooker and pressure cooker settings all in one! So, if you can't decide which is better for you, maybe this is the appliance for you.

Here are our favorite all-in-one pressure cookers:

1. Crockpot Express Crock Multi-Cooker
2. The Ninja Foodi 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker
3. Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Pressure Cooker

Is a Slow Cooker and Pressure Cooker the Same?

No, they are not the same! A slow cooker cooks food at a low temperature over a long time while a pressure cooker cooks food at high pressure and temperature.

You can also try stovetop pressure cookers and or a pressure canner but these work significantly different from the electric pressure cooker.

I don't know which appliance is right for you, but I hope this gives you a better idea of the difference between slow cookers and pressure cookers! Happy cooking!

5 Top Slow Cooker Recipes

Here are some of our favorite slow cooker recipes. These recipes slow cook on very low heat. You can use a programmable slow cooker or a regular slow cooker.

Be sure to use a glass lid so it can be easy to check the progress of your crock pot recipe without losing the moist heat.

Creamy Slow Cooker Potato And Ham Soup: You won't need many kitchen tools to make this tasty soup. All you need is a slow cooker and some common ingredients to get started.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Casserole: This easy and hearty vegetable casserole is made with simple ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stuffing Casserole: This is a comfort food classic made in a crock pot. It's easy to make and perfect for a chilly day.

Crock Pot Chicken Chili: This is a delicious and easy chili recipe that can be made in a crock pot. It's perfect for a busy weeknight or game day.

Weight Watchers Slow Cooker Beef Stew: This Weight Watchers Beef Stew is an amazing recipe that has been a big hit for years!