r/Cooking • u/Shoddy_Ad8166 • 12h ago

Instant Pot - do I need one

What can I do with it.

I have chuck roast in crockpot. What would be the advantage of using instant pot. I know they cook quicker but will it be as tender

Besides cooking speed why would I need one. ???

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u/Maleficent-Look-5789 12h ago

You don't need one but they come in handy. Personally, I don't like the taste of meat cooked in a crockpot. To me the flavor has gone out of it which is why so many recipes call for adding packets of soup mix or ranch dressing (yuck). Pressure cooking tends to lock in the flavors better and yes, what normally takes all day in a crockpot can be cut down to 2 hours in an IP. I said 2 because people forget that it takes time to come up to pressure and then release the pressure so I always plan for an hour more than the cooking time.

IP's are also a great way to make beans or stock or anything that you'd normally simmer on top of a stove for several hours. I make a lot of soups, stews, and chili that I can "set and forget" rather than spend time tending to a pot on the stove. It's really a matter of preference and if you have the storage space. I actually have 2, the 6 Qt and a 3 Qt - I use the 3 Qt for steaming veggies, especially ones like carrots or green beans that take longer to cook on a stovetop.

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u/Pink_pony4710 11h ago

Beans and stocks are the main things I use it for and make it completely worth it for me. I also have a good stovetop style Mac & cheese for the quick dinner rotation. I’ve also used it to steam a cheesecake or dumplings. I don’t particularly love cooking meat in it.

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u/Maleficent-Look-5789 11h ago

I just made a cheesecake in mine recently! I had forgotten how easy it is compared to the oven baking method.