Which is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker?

Modern household appliances allow housewives to solve a number of household chores - with washing, ironing, cleaning. Properly selected equipment allows you to quickly cope with the task. Cooking is no exception - for this, today, home appliance manufacturers offer the widest range of various appliances. One of the most pressing issues in this regard: which is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker, because such original pots allow you to cook even the most exquisite delicacies without much time and effort. Why give preference? - You can decide on this after reading the material in this article.

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What is a pressure cooker and multicooker?

Before deciding for yourself which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker, you need to understand their fundamental difference in the device. It consists in the following:

1. Pressure cooker - a pan made of metal, which is equipped with a sealed lid and special valves. Due to this device, the processing of products laid inside for cooking is carried out by high pressure. This principle of operation and contributes to the fact that the cooking time is significantly reduced, respectively - the device is called "pressure cooker".
2. A crock-pot is another type of pan, the production of which is also carried out from metal, mainly stainless steel. Here you can choose a method of processing products purely individually - according to your preferences on a given day. Setting modes and control, process control is carried out through an electronic system.

Important! The device of the multicooker and the name gives an understanding that this technique provides more opportunities for cooking. Therefore, when deciding which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker, you can immediately answer that, in principle, a slow cooker is more interesting.

And in another article on our portal you will find out which is better - a double boiler or a slow cooker.

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Comparison criteria

There are several important characteristics and properties by which you can determine for yourself which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker. The most significant are the following:

1. Cooking speed.
2. Functionality
3. The quality of the dishes.
4. Control.
5. Cost.

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Cooking speed

Based on the same name, we can conclude that according to the criterion of the speed of cooking a pressure cooker is better. But there are some nuances:

• the cooking time itself, due to the effect of high pressure, is significantly reduced;
• additionally, time is required for pre-pressurization and pressure relief upon completion of the cooking process.

Important! Knowing about such features, you can understand that when cooking dishes that require a significant investment of time, it is really possible to speed up the process and win a certain number of minutes. If you plan to cook fast food or just warm up already cooked food, then a slow cooker is better for this purpose.

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Functional

Functionality is determined by the number of modes, programs and processing methods.Here the conclusion that it is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker, will be in favor of the first:

1. Pressure cooker. Standard models provide, as it is, the ability to cook stew and steamed. Some types of equipment have additional functions - “frying”, or “baking”, but in this case the device of the system will be more complex. Cooking will occur with the valve open, respectively - and the cost of such models will be higher.
2. Slow cooker. Any model of this technique makes it possible to prepare products in various ways. Standard functionality includes the following modes: cooking, stewing, frying, baking, steaming, deep-frying. Depending on the specific model, there are also options for preparing specific dishes and products, for example: yogurt, jam, porridge, vegetables, fish, pizza, dessert, etc. There are even functions such as pasteurization, sterilization, preservation, heating of baby food . Auxiliary accessories are usually included in the configuration - measuring cups, mixing blades, soup bowls, as well as steaming bowls.

Important! Considering the various models of multicookers, you may have a question: the function of a pressure cooker in a multicooker - what is it? This option allows you to cook food on the same principle as in a pressure cooker. Therefore, if you plan to use such household appliances in different ways and want to get a complete set of all possible functions, select a similar model and use it at any convenient time.

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Usability

In terms of ease of use, the multicooker is also much more convenient and affordable, especially for those housewives who before that had no experience in handling such devices. An additional plus of the multicooker is that during the preparation of the dish, the lid can be opened and the degree of readiness and taste of the product can be checked.

In the pressure cooker, this option is not available, so you must immediately set the right time for the correct preparation of a particular dish, and to do this the first time is not always possible.

Thus, by this criterion, the choice of which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker, is clearly in favor of the first.

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Food quality

Regarding the quality of dishes and taste, it is difficult to choose which is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker. The device and that, and other equipment involves the preservation of all useful substances in products during processing. The natural color and taste also remains unchanged, regardless of the mode selected. We offer you to cook delicious according to our recipes. breakfasts in a slow cooker.

Important! According to experts, food cooked in a pressure cooker is still considered more useful. This is due to the fact that the heat treatment takes less time.

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Cost

According to price values, crock-pots are more profitable. And the consumption of electricity is affected not so much by the principle of the device technology, but by the indicators of its power and the selected cooking mode.

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Conclusions: which is better - a slow cooker or a pressure cooker?

To summarize all of the above, once again for each item we compare these types of equipment useful in everyday life:

1. A pressure cooker makes it possible to get stewed or boiled food, and a slow cooker provides various opportunities.
2. Focusing on cooking time, the pressure cooker is able to bring even the toughest meat to softness in just half an hour. The soup will boil as much, but you will get the potatoes ready in 8 minutes. In a slow cooker, dishes such as soup or meat will reach readiness for about 2 hours.
3. The beneficial properties of the products are preserved during cooking in a pressure cooker due to the short exposure period to high temperatures and lack of oxygen. In a slow cooker, the principle of processing products is based on the principle of an oven - the food languishes for a long time, which also allows you to save all the vitamins and minerals in almost the original composition.In addition, the multicooker uses a minimum of fat for cooking, so it is possible to provide the whole family with dietary food.
4. A slow cooker can be opened during cooking, but a pressure cooker cannot. Therefore, if you forgot to put some ingredient, you can no longer rectify the situation.
5. The overall dimensions of the multicooker are universal for kitchens of any size, and for a large pressure cooker you will have to look for a special place for installation.
6. During cooking, the pressure cooker body is heated due to steam, therefore, during its operation, you must be especially careful not to get burned. The slow cooker is safe, even children can use it.
7. If you need to cook a dish later or serve it at a specific time, and you need to leave, in the slow cooker you can use the delayed start option. To do this, just load all the ingredients into the bowl, set the desired mode and time - everything will be cooked on time. A pressure cooker does not have such a function.

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Rating of popular models

Once you decide which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker is just for you, you have to decide on a more suitable model of technology. This must be done very competently, since how long you will use the equipment and how convenient it will be for you directly depends on the reliability of the manufacturer and the quality of the model itself.

To facilitate the purchase process, we offer a rating of the most popular models according to consumers:

1. Redmond RMC-M11 - a pressure cooker, the working volume of the bowl of which is 2 liters. Such equipment has deservedly gained popularity as a reliable and easy-to-use unit. Ideal for a small family up to 3 people. An advantageous feature in terms of ease of use is the possibility of using the valve as in a multicooker. The additional functionality even includes options for delayed start and heat maintenance at the end of cooking.
2. Mystery MCM-1015 is a model of a pressure cooker with a capacious bowl on 5 l and big power. Perfect for preparing a large amount of food, for example, if your family consists of 5 or more people or you often invite guests to your place. The valve in this model is also removable, so you can use the device in multicooker mode, just with a poorer set of modes. Manual adjustment of temperatures and time is not possible, so you will have to adapt only to those functions that the manufacturer offers.
3. Philips HD 3039 - costs a little more than the two previous models, but in general it still belongs to the category of budget technology. The volume of the cooking bowl is 4 liters. The heating device is made using new 3D technology, which ensures very uniform heating of products from 3 sides. Thanks to this, the dishes are prepared homogeneous, and their quality does not raise any doubts after the test. Functionality consists of 9 standard modes, 5 of which are semi-automatic.
4. Moulinex CE7011 - this equipment is truly considered the best in this price segment. The breadth of possibilities of such a pressure cooker is determined by 100 programs, half of which are available for manual settings. Such a technique is no less profitable from the point of view of control - it is carried out by a joystick, a return button. The settings are visualized on the display. The only caveat is that you need to carefully read the recipes in the attached book and slightly adjust them, since typos are present.
5. Bork U600 is one of the best multicookers that has 3D heating and extremely simple and convenient touch controls. The bowl is thick-walled and has a multi-layer protective coating, which determines the reliability and durability of this model. Programming is possible both automatic and manual. All technically important elements are disassembled, so washing does not cause any difficulties.If you decide to buy such a multicooker, be prepared for the fact that it costs quite a lot, but the price is quite justified.
6. Redmond RMC-PM190 is an excellent compact slow cooker, although its weight is about 7 kg. Available functionality includes 23 programs, among which there are even modes “pasta”, “yogurt”, “popcorn”, “heating”.

Important! On our portal there is one more review of multicookers of the most popular models.

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Stock footage

Now you have complete information about household kitchen appliances for cooking and you probably have not only been able to decide for yourself which is better - a slow cooker or pressure cooker, but also to choose the right model. Cook with soul and pleasure in order to give pleasure to your relatives and guests every day!