Instant Pots vs Rice Cooker Features, Functions, Price: Which One Would You Choose?

Leah N., Tech Times 04 November 2020, 07:11 am

Instant Pots vs Rice Cooker What You Need to Know — (Photo : csj150/Pixabay) Instant pot and rice cookers, a closer look on their features and funtions

Instant pot and rice cookers have always been tied up if not mistakenly identified. Although there are a lot of significant differences, people not so much into cooking may still get a little confused.

The instant pot and the rice cooker have their own individual functions useful depending on the level of cooking indulgence one has. Below are bits of useful information that may help in choosing which kitchen tool is best for you.

Rice Cookers Process, Functions and Features

As described in the recently published post from the Evening Standard, rice cookers produce perfect results every time. The description specifically talks about the process of cooking rice.

As the name itself speaks, rice cookers are dedicated to the rice cooking process. Therefore they are specially designed to produce perfectly cooked rice.

Rice cookers function by regulating the heat inside the pot. The raw rice is placed inside the pot together with the water at 1:2 proportions.

As the water reaches the boiling point, the rice starts to cook through the steam coming from the liquid. The rice cooker knows when to lower the temperature and when to simmer.

Instant Pots Advantages beyond conventional cooking

According to The Digital Trends, an instant pot typically cooks by using pressure. It must be used sealed before turning the heat on.

As the temperature rises, the pressure builds inside the pot and increases the boiling point. As the heat goes up, the cooking process begins and continues until the desired result based on the setting is achieved.

In order to gain the expected cooking outcome, the instant pot needs to have the complete parts assembled before programming the settings. An instant pot has two major parts, the inner pot and the outer pot.

The inner pot should have a lid with a sealing ring and a pressure release valve necessary for regulating the pressure after the cooking process. The outer pot that performs the heating process carries the display panel where temperature setting button adjustment takes place. It also carries the pressure sensors as well as microprocessors.

The microprocessor works with the pressure sensor trapping the heat inside the pot as the water reaches the boiling point. It speeds up the cooking process way faster than with regular cooking equipment. This saves time and produces evenly cooked food without the risk of roasting.

Instant pots may also be used in cooking rice. It has dedicated buttons and a setting for long-grain rice. However, for risotto, sushi, wild and brown rice, it may not produce the same result as a rice cooker would do.

Instant Pots also have a sterile function. In a test, it successfully sterilized a geobacillus spore, a spore known as heat resistant.

Comparisons and price range

For purely rice cooking purposes, rice cookers are available with prices between $20 to $100. Customers have a wide variety of choices depending on their taste.

The instant pot price on the other hand starts from a higher price of $65 and could go up to $200. It comes at a higher price due to its multiple cooking functions.