By Dana Beninati for Food Network Kitchen

Dana is a host, chef and sommelier.

Touted as the do-it-all appliance for good reason, an Instant Pot is a multi-function pressure cooker that easily doubles as a slow cooker. The difference between pressure cooking and slow cooking is substantial, so we love that one appliance can do both, along with a slew of other cooking methods. Read on to learn how to use an Instant Pot as a slow cooker.

What Is an Instant Pot?

An Instant Pot is a popular brand of electric pressure cooker that is designed to make cooking easier, faster, and more convenient. It is a tabletop kitchen appliance that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker and more. When used as a pressure cooker, the Instant Pot can create and maintain significant pressure and temperatures in a short period of time. This allows for great efficiency in time consuming preparations like tenderizing tough meats or dry beans. Added bonus: the Instant Pot has an automatic pressure release and a locking lid to prevent accidents, eliminating a lot of the intimidation around pressure cookers. All of this means the Instant Pot has quickly become a popular kitchen tool for busy home cooks.

What Is Slow Cooking?

Slow cooking is the art of low and slow - cooking food at a low temperatures over a long period of time. This is usually done in a slow cooker or “Crockpot”, which is an electric appliance designed specifically for slow cooking, that maintains a temperature of around 200 degrees Fahrenheit for up to 8 hours. This method is especially effective at breaking down tough cuts of meat and other fibrous ingredients, resulting in tender and flavorful dishes. Slow cooking also allows flavors to develop and meld together over time, resulting in rich and complex dishes. Some of our favorites include this Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup and our Slow Cooker Chili.

How to Use an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

Amongst many other functions, an Instant Pot can easily be used as a slow cooker. This feature is fantastic for those who want the convenience of a slow cooker but don't have space or interest in an additional appliance. Here's an overview of how to use an Instant Pot as a slow cooker:

1. Place the ingredients in the insert of the Instant Pot.
2. Press the "Slow Cook" button to select the slow cooking function. Set the cooking time and temperature. The Instant Pot has three temperature settings for slow cooking: low, medium, and high. Use the "Adjust" button to choose the temperature and then use the "+" and "-" buttons to adjust the cooking time.
3. Seal the Instant Pot. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the steam release valve is in the "Sealing" position.
4. Press the "Start" button. This will begin the slow cooking process. When slow cooking, you can also use a clear lid for the Instant Pot.
5. Wait for the Instant Pot to turn off. When the cooking time is up, the Instant Pot will automatically switch to the "Keep Warm" setting.

Try these classic slow cooked recipes in your Instant Pot: Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup and Instant Pot Keto Chili.

Tips to Convert a Slow Cooker Recipe to an Instant Pot Recipe

Converting a slow cooker recipe to an Instant Pot recipe is feasible, but there are a few important tips to keep in mind:

• Adjust the liquid: Instant Pots require less liquid than slow cookers, so you may need to reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe. Be sure not to pass the “Max Fill” line on the Instant Pot insert. As a general rule, reduce the liquid by about 1/2 to 1 cup.
• Update the cooking time: Instant Pots are designed to cook much faster than slow cookers, so you'll need to adjust the cooking time accordingly. As a rule of thumb, you can cook most slow cooker recipes in an Instant Pot on high pressure for one quarter of the slow cooker time.
• Be patient: It takes time for an Instant Pot to build pressure before it begins to countdown the cook time. When pressure cooking, be sure to allow time for the pressure to release (either manually or naturally) before opening the lid.
• Read the instructions: Settings vary across brands and models of multi-function pressure cookers. Follow the instructions for your specific Instant Pot model.

Related Links:

12 Things No One Tells You About Using an Instant Pot

89 Must-Try Instant Pot Recipes

Stress-Free Pressure-Cooker Recipes