(HealthyExaminer.com) – Daily life can be hectic, but modern problems require modern solutions. That’s where the Instant Pot and slow cooker (also known as a Crock-Pot) come in. While the slow cooker has been around for a while, the Instant Pot is the latest trend in fast home cooking, but is this latest trend the greatest, too?
If you only have space for one, it’s important to understand the advantages of each cooker. While both can help you prepare healthy food, one may serve your household’s needs better than another.
Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker: What’s the Difference?
The slow cooker has been around since 1940. It has allowed families to prepare meals in advance and frees up the evenings for quality time together. Ingredients placed in the slow cooker will heat up and cook over the next 4 to 8 hours. These one-pot meals can allow families to come home to a delicious dinner. From chili to pot roast, the slow cooker provides a hot, healthy meal for the busy individual or family. The slow cooker can also handle a higher capacity of food than the Instant Pot, making it a good option for larger portions.
The Instant Pot was introduced in 2010. It’s an electric pressure cooker with the capability to do far more than just slow-cook your dinner. It can also sautee and steam your food. The Instant Pot is versatile and offers multiple ways to cook your food. While it has a slow cooking option, the Instant Pot also has quick cooking settings that make preparing a meal easier than ever. For the busy individual or family with limited available prep time, the Instant Pot is ideal.
Instant Pot vs. Slow Cooker: Which is Healthier?
If you tend to forget to thaw out meat from your freezer, the Instant Pot is likely the healthier option for you. The slow cooker may not be able to safely prepare the meat at the proper temperature from frozen, but the Instant Pot can thaw out your meat safely and quickly and help you avoid food-borne illness according to an article by the U.S. News and World Report.
Both the Instant Pot and the slow cooker can contribute to healthier eating and less reliance on eating in restaurants or picking up fast food. You can easily use both kitchen appliances to maintain a healthier diet–if you have the space and budget for them.
Health and Safety Guidelines for the Slow Cooker and Instant Pot
The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers the following safety guidelines that could safeguard your health no matter which kitchen appliance you choose.
- Read the manual to learn how to use your kitchen appliance correctly to prepare food. This could help you avoid food poisoning and other food-borne illnesses.
- Make sure the lid is sealed on any kitchen appliance so that the food cooks properly.
- Thaw meat before placing it in a slow cooker. The Instant Pot is capable of thawing and cooking frozen meat.
- Throw out food that may have been left at unsafe temperatures during a power outage.
- Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours of eating your meal.
- Make sure to reheat leftovers to a proper temperature of 165 °F.
- Use clean utensils.
- Make sure that your kitchen appliance is in a safe, clean space without potential fire hazards.
Cooking a healthy meal for yourself or your family doesn’t have to be time-consuming. An Instant Pot or a slow cooker can help you serve up a nutritious dinner and give you more quality time to spend with the ones you love.
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