Instant Pot vs. Cuisinart
Pressure cookers, probably more aptly called “fast cookers,” are vessels that allow you to seal in steam and raise the pressure around food to cook things incredibly quickly. Dry beans can be done in under an hour, rice in just a few minutes and so on. Today we’ll be looking at two different brands in the electric pressure cooker market: Instant Pot and Cuisinart. They serve very different purposes and price points, giving you the option to choose which is best for you.
Cuisinart
cuisinart vs instant potCuisinart is a trusted brand that produces many different kitchen devices and appliances. Their electric cooking pot, the CPC-600 (their only model), is a 6-quart pressure cooker that is built around the philosophy of simplicity. Everything about this pressure cooker is made so that it’s easier for cooks to get it started and have their food done quickly and properly.
The interior is nonstick while the exterior is a durable stainless steel that resists smudges and fingerprints. At 1,000 watts, this device delivers a tremendous amount of power that can cook even the toughest ingredients. It also comes with several presets for browning, simmering, sautéing and choosing between high and low pressured environments.
The digital timer can go up to 99 minutes, with 0-40 minutes going in 1-minute increments and anything higher going by 5-minute increments. This allows you to walk away without forgetting about your food.
Pros
Very easy to set and clean
Provides a good amount of power along with a useful timer
Has several presets to properly cook your ingredients
More affordable than most electric pressure cookers
Cons
No extra functions, it’s only a pressure cooker and nothing else
No delay timer to set ingredients and cook them later
Purchase and see price on Amazon
Instant Pot
instant pot vs cuisinart preasure cookerInstant Pot takes the exact opposite approach to Cuinsinart. While the pressure cookers are easy enough to use, their brand is more about superior performance and extra features. Also, Instant Pot has several different models in various sizes (for example, the one closest to the CPC-600, the IP-DUO, comes in 5, 6 and 8-quart capacity).
Instead of a nonstick interior, Instant Pot uses stainless steel. This allows it to handle higher temperatures and better brown ingredients, plus stainless steel is unanimously considered the superior material. While it shouldn’t be too hard to clean, some ingredients may stick here and there after cooking is finished.
Perhaps the best thing about Instant Pot is that it’s made to take the place of several appliances. Most of their models function as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, warmer and sauté pan. Cuisinart is only a pressure cooker and nothing else.
You also get 14 different presets to easily cook rice, soup, stew, meats, yogurt, porridge and much more. Safety is also a big concern, and Instant Pot comes with 10 safety features that will keep the cooker from building up too much pressure.
Something you’re sure to love: Instant Pot has a microprocessor. This allows it to read your food and make adjustments throughout the cooking time to ensure that everything is treated properly. You get a timer, delay timer and so many other features it’ll make your head spin.
Pros
Replaces several kitchen appliances by having various functions. Go from pressure cooker to slow cooker or rice cooker with only the touch of a button
Uses a stainless steel interior, which is considered the best material for cooking
Has 14 different presets and 10 safety features, ensuring that your ingredients are treated properly and you remain safe
Uses a microprocessor to adjust cooking and pressure
Cons
Significantly more expensive than Cuisinart (Cuisinart is about 30% more affordable)
Stainless steel can sometimes be difficult to clean, especially with sticky ingredients like rice
Purchase and see price on Amazon
Which is Best for Me?
This is largely a decision between price and functionality.
Instant Pot is great if you love cooking and want as much functionality as possible. It replaces several kitchen appliances, has numerous presets and makes it very simple to cook ingredients and give them that deep, complex flavor pressure cookers are known for.
Cuisinart doesn’t have as many presets, nor does it have the multifunctionality of Instant Pot. However, it is significantly more affordable. Not only that, but if you’re just looking for a pressure cooker and nothing else, then this definitely delivers.
Megala
Oct 10, 2018, 4:45 amWonderful post! Thanks for sharing.
Rita
Oct 10, 2018, 8:22 amThank you so much Megala ❤ I enjoy cooking in my Instant Pot, Put it on a timer and walk away for simple rice dishes.
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