Which kitchen appliance should I buy? Check out our 2021 updated guide to help you decide whether to go for an instant pot, a crock pot, or a Ninja Air Fryer…
There are now so many different kitchen appliances available on the market to make your life much easier. No longer are they the ugly eyesores that looked out of place anywhere apart from professional kitchens, a whole new world is now open!
If you’re a stickler for good quality food but don’t always have the time to slave over a hot stove, there is more than enough help out there. Indeed, Instant Pots, Crock Pots, and Ninja Air Fryer products are all designed to help you prepare amazing food for your household but that kind of competition isn’t always a good thing.
With just so many appliances out there, it can be a daunting task trying to whittle them down to something that fits your needs exactly. Every home is different and you’ll be looking for different things from them, so you want to get your investment right.
Whichever one you go for, a good appliance in this kind of mold can last you years if treated correctly. While some of them might seem a little expensive right off the bat, you only really need to buy one unless you’re some kind of obsessive, meaning it’s absolutely crucial you choose wisely.
With that in mind, we’re going to help you out and hopefully provide enough information for you to make an informed decision when it comes to actually going out and buying one. After all, an informed buyer is a happy one and these machines are so good, everyone deserves to know exactly what it is they offer.
- Editor’s Choice - crock pot
- Best for easy Cooking- Instant Pot
Table of Contents
Instant Pot vs Crock Pot vs Ninja Air Fryer Comparison Table
Swipe the table!
Instant Pot vs Crock Pot vs Ninja Air Fryer : Let's Go
Firstly, we need to start on which appliance has what use.
They make look strikingly similar sat atop a kitchen work surface but all of these machines have their own little intricacies you need to consider before you buy them.
After we got that out of the way and you’ve decided on which product (or products) best suit your needs and desires, we can move on to the pros and cons of each one.
The beauty about them is, they all have strengths and weaknesses. That’s what’s good about a competitive market as big companies try to cater to all of our needs across the globe.
Then, let’s whet your appetite and talk about the best recipes for each individual machine, starting with the Instant Pot.
So Let’s Go…
Instant Pot
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Doesn’t need much power
- Very safe to use
- Very few nutrients are lost in the cooking process
- Bacteria can be rendered harmless
Cons
- Requires practice
- Can be expensive
- Can’t look inside
- Can’t cook different ingredients at different rates
Best Recipes for Instant Pot:
- Instant Pot Beef Stew (Click here to see my recipe)
- Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Birria
- Instant Pot Lentil Curry
- Instant Pot Rissotto
- Easy Cookers Beginners Guides - Find it Here
- Easy Cookers Buyers Guides - Find it Here
Crock Pot
Pros
- Convenient, don’t have to wash up as much
- Energy efficient
- No odor
- Impossible to burn food (well, almost impossible…)
- Builds flavor better than any other product
Cons
- Requires preparation
- Slow cooking pace
- Still need to brown meat before placing in
- Uneven results
Best Recipes for Crock Pot
- Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
- Crock Pot Lasagna
- Crock Pot Chicken Chilli
- Sweet Potato Lentil Stew
- Crock Pot Baked Potatoes
Ninja Air Fryer
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Doesn’t need much power
- Very safe to use
- Very few nutrients are lost in the cooking process
- Bacteria can be rendered harmless
Cons
- Requires practice
- Can be expensive
- Can’t look inside
- Can’t cook different ingredients at different rates
Best Recipes for Ninja Air Fryer
- Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Enchilda Rice
- Butter Chicken
- Thai Peanut Chicken Crunch Slaw Salad
- Mongolian Chicken
So, which is best for you?
In order to figure out which product is actually best for you, you must figure out exactly what style of cooking you’re more likely to use. As you can see above, all three products have their own pros and cons, so it really depends on what you’re after on a daily basis.
If you’re looking to cook healthy meals more often than not in the easiest way possible, you’re much better off going for the Instant Pot.
Whereas, if you’re not too worried about the health side of things and value great meals such as stews, chillis, and currys, a Crock Pot is the best way for you to spend your money.
Meanwhile, if you don’t tend to have much time and want to whip up something tasty and healthy, albeit a bit basic, then definitely go for the Ninja Air Fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can you use an Instant Pot like a Crock Pot?
Technically, yes, but you won’t get the same flavor development.
Crock Pots generally lock in flavor much better and allow you to braise meat and vegetables for hours on end to really bring out the best in them. While Instant Pots try and do the same thing, they don’t cook things as long.
- Is ‘less’ on an Instant Pot the same as ‘low’ on a Crock Pot?
Yes, it just means you’re cooking things at a lower temperature.
- Are Crock Pots dangerous?
Considering they have been around since the 1970s, you’re always likely to hear the odd horror story about crock pots, but there’s really not much to worry about. These days, they’re as safe as can be.
Feel free to leave something cooking on a low heat and head out, it’ll do the work for you.
- Can you put raw chicken in a Crock Pot?
Really, really not advisable.
You could technically cook it long enough to prevent you getting ill from eating it but, without browning the meat first, it’ll effectively boil in its own juices and not be very nice at all.
- Is a Slow Cooker the same as a Crock Pot?
Yes, you might see different brands or regions using different words, but they’re pretty much identical products.
- Can you put frozen meat in an Instant Pot?
You can safely cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot, yes.
Still, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re in a huge rush. Browning any kind of meat first helps you develop a sear (or crust) and gives you a much better end product.
- Can an Instant Pot explode?
I mean, it could happen but Instant Pots are fitted with ten proven safety mechanisms so there’s really nothing to worry about barring a freak accident. These are really safe machines.
- What can you not cook in an Instant Pot?
Creamy sauces would be a bad idea. The high heat an Instant Pot works at is likely to make these curdle and not look or taste very nice.
Burgers are another one too. These need to be flipped at a high heat to develop a crust on the outside, which an Instant Pot would struggle to do unless you sear them first.
Final Thoughts
So, hopefully this will have helped you pick a definitive winner.
All it depends on is what you think you will use your appliance for the most. Now you’ve seen the pros and cons, as well as have seen the answers to frequently asked questions, you can make a much more informed decision
After all, these are three great appliances and will help you make great meals easily. They’re excellent machines capable of cooking up a storm but, to really get the best bang for your buck, it’s about deciding exactly what is you expect and desire.
Buying any of them will never be a bad thing unless you go into it with unreasonable expectations. All three have their own strengths and weaknesses, that’s just part of being in a competitive market.
Personally, I would go for the crock pot. Sure, you miss out on a bit of the health kick but, come on, the food you can create in it is absolutely amazing.
For someone not too bothered about developing flavors, I’d recommend the Instant Pot. You can cook just about anything in there with absolute ease and not worry about eating badly.
Again, it’s completely up to you but this article should have informed you about what’s best for what set-up you have at home.