The Difference Between an Electric and Stovetop Pressure Cooker

Chances are .. if you read our site you will see that we mention the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker often – it seems like almost daily in some cases.

The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that cooks food relatively quickly – much more quickly in fact than cooking items in the oven or on the stove in most cases. The Instant Pot is a brand – and one of many brands of electric pressure cookers – but many people will often have many questions:

Why is an Electric Pressure Cooker better than a Stovetop Pressure Cooker?

And… why get the Instant Pot? Aren’t other brands the same? Don’t they all essentially do the same thing?

Both conventional and electric pressure cookers operate similar – but there are a few things that set them apart:

Heat Source:  A regular stovetop pressure cooker uses a separate heat source (ie. stove, electric range).  while an electric cooker has a heating unit inside.  The electric pressure cooker basically controls the cooking cycle of the pressure cooker – which in turn makes it easier to use. You don’t have to stand around the stove (it’s self controlled) .. essentially safer and quieter too.

Programmable:  A stovetop or gas range pressure cooker does not have the capability of being programmable – the electric pressure cooker does. Therefore.. the electric is essentially more convenient (unless of course you like to stand over the stove!)

So why is an electric pressure cooker so desired?  I’ll tell you one thing that I like about my electric pressure cooker – it’s more convenient.  I do have both, and I feel like the stovetop cooker is risky – I am scared to use it, and I have used it dozens of times. Every time I pull it out I get scared to put it on the stove. 

There are many other benefits of an electronic pressure cooker – here are a few:

Convenience

The Instant Pot is a 7-in-1 appliance – it can do everything from saute to keep warm, make rice, chicken, slow cook and even make yogurt. Even more, it has a delayed cooking time that helps you plan the meal ahead of time – you simply put the food in, push the button, and wait until the pot beeps – no need to stand around, and or set an alarm to determine when it will reach pressure.

Cooks Quickly

Stove or range top pressure cookers usually cook at a higher PSI (15 or so), while the Instant Pot (and others similar) range from 10 – 11.6 on high pressure. Although the stovetop is higher in PSI, pressure cookers in general cook faster than using your Crock Pot or oven.

Retains Heat Better

There is virtually NO comparison between the stove or range top and the electric – the electric pressure cooker is fully insulated – which makes it retain the heat so much better.  The processors within turn off the heat when the pressure is reached, making it energy efficient. When you use a stovetop pressure cooker, you don’t have the same benefit – you are turning on a flame, and the pressure cooker is not quite so insulated – so it’ll heat up your kitchen somewhat quickly.

Now that you know the difference between an electric and a stovetop pressure cooker, one of the other huge questions is… WHY buy an Instant Pot (specifically)?

Why are they so popular, when electric pressure cookers have been around for quite a long time?   

While that is true… not all electric pressure cookers are the same.  I can’t speak for all pressure cookers, but we did some research before settling with the Instant Pot – and these are the areas that we were drawn to the most:

Why did we get the Instant Pot Brand?

The Instant Pot was designed by Canadians specifically for North Americans  – it’s great for health oriented and green conscious lifestyles.

The Instant Pot has a stainless steel inner pot.   Most others, if not all, have a non-stick pot. Given that our cookware at home is already cast iron (obviously avoiding teflon non-stick coating is important to us), that was a big deal to us.  So we went with the Instant Pot. A replacement stainless steel pot runs $30 on Amazon. With a non-stick pot, it runs higher- $50. I haven’t had any serious issues with food burning on my stainless steel pot (knock on wood) but if you do, it’s not the end of the world.  I have had occasions where I have come very close, but it has been few and far between. Even in those cases it was relatively easy to clean.  

A stainless steel inner pot cleans just as well as anything else.

The Instant Pot has Slow Cooker and Yogurt Function. Most of the other pressure cookers that are electric do not – we eat a lot of yogurt, and I would prefer to make it myself than to buy in store, so this was a no-brainer for me.  Yogurt in our house is made weekly from a full gallon of raw milk – saves me a store trip, and gives me exactly the yogurt I want, from the milk I want. 

The reviews on Amazon were amazing. I’m a review-reader – reviews are a big deal to me, and will motivate me to buy an item.   The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 6 qt has over 9,000 amazing reviews.

Great Company. The Instant Pot is the #1 Electric Pressure Cooker sold on Amazon U.S.  The company is easy to reach, they have a presence on Facebook, recipes on their site, and a huge Facebook group of Instant Potters that has over 50,000 members. If I need extra products for my pot, replacement items or etc, I can find them easily on Facebook or with a quick phone call.   And with Prime delivery, I can have additional IP items in just two days, to my door. I love that.

The Instant Pot can throw food together SO fast, it makes meal planning so entirely easy – which is pretty important for a family of 7.  Going out to eat is easily $30 – $40 if not more, even at the cheapest place. Who can afford to do that?

Even better, if you are a tekkie, there is even a Bluetooth Model you can pick up – it’s a great option if you are looking for the high end model.