Both the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and the Instant Pot are popular multi-cookers that can perform a variety of cooking functions beyond just slow cooking. However, there are some key differences between the two models in terms of features, performance, size options, and price. This article will compare the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and Instant Pot in detail to help you determine if they can be used interchangeably or if one model is better suited for your needs.
Slow Cooking Capabilities
The main function of both the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and Instant Pot is slow cooking. Both allow you to prepare dishes like stews, chilis, roasts, and other braised meats at low temperatures over longer periods of time.
The Breville Fast Slow Cooker has three temperature settings – high, low and custom. The Instant Pot also has high and low settings, but offers a “Keep Warm” function instead of a custom temperature option. This allows you to hold your dish at a safe serving temperature after cooking completes.
In terms of capacity, the Breville Fast Slow Cooker is available in both 6.5 quart and 8.5 quart sizes. The Instant Pot comes in 3 quart, 6 quart and 8 quart options.
Both cookers have fully programmable timers to cook for a preset duration on any setting. The Breville allows you to set cook times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours. Instant Pot cook times can range from 30 minutes up to 24 hours on most models.
When it comes to performance, the Instant Pot generally heats up quicker and cooks faster at pressure. However, both appliances can deliver delicious slow cooked meals and keep food warm automatically after the timer completes.
Pressure Cooking
One major difference between the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and the Instant Pot is that only the Instant Pot can function as a pressure cooker.
The Instant Pot uses both pressure cooking power and slow cooking capability in one electric appliance. It has high and low pressure settings that allow food to cook up to 70% faster compared to traditional cooking methods.
Pressure cooking is great for dishes like ribs, chickpeas, rice, or stews when you want to reduce cooking time significantly. The Breville Fast Slow Cooker does not have pressure cooking functionality.
Design
In terms of design, the Breville Fast Slow Cooker has a more sleek and modern look with a silver cooking pot and black exterior. It has an LCD control panel and dishwasher safe cooking pot.
The Instant Pot has a more basic appearance with stainless steel or black housing and a stainless steel cooking pot. It uses push buttons and a simple LED display panel. The inner pot is dishwasher safe on most models.
Both appliances take up a similar amount of counter space. The 6.5 quart Breville Fast Slow Cooker measures around 14 x 12 x 11 inches while the 6 quart Instant Pot is approximately 14 x 14 x 13 inches.
Extra Functions
Aside from slow cooking, the Instant Pot functions as a pressure cooker, rice cooker, steamer, sauté pan, yogurt maker and warmer.
The Breville Fast Slow Cooker has fewer extra cooking functions. It can sauté ingredients and make yogurt in addition to slow cooking.
So the Instant Pot is more versatile with 7-in-1 functionality compared to the 3-in-1 capabilities of the Breville.
Price
The Breville Fast Slow Cooker typically comes with a higher price tag than a comparably sized Instant Pot.
For example, the 6.5 quart Breville Fast Slow Cooker retails around $249.99 while a 6 quart Instant Pot is priced closer to $99 on average.
However, the Breville often goes on sale and has been priced as low as $149.95. The Instant Pot also frequently goes on sale around major holidays and Prime Day.
So while the regular retail price of the Breville is higher, with deals and discounts the prices may be more aligned.
Ease of Use
Both the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and Instant Pot are designed for simplicity and ease of use, even for beginners.
The Breville has an intuitive LCD control panel and automatic keep warm setting once cooking is finished. The Instant Pot also uses a user-friendly interface with clearly marked buttons and automatic keep warm.
One advantage of the Instant Pot for ease of use is that the lid locks into place for pressure cooking. This prevents accidents from opening the lid while pressurized. The Breville lid can be removed at any time during slow cooking.
Safety Features
Since the Instant Pot reaches high pressures, it needs more advanced safety features than a standard slow cooker.
The Instant Pot has 10 proven safety mechanisms to release pressure, regulate temperature, prevent overheating and more. The Breville doesn’t require as many safety features since it doesn’t build pressure.
Both appliances have overheat protection to avoid burning food. The Breville Fast Slow Cooker allows you to program cook times up to 20 hours, while the Instant Pot automatically switches to Keep Warm mode after 10 hours on slow cook for safety.
Recipes
Due to its popularity, there are abundant recipes, cookbooks, blogs, videos and resources focused on the Instant Pot. Since it is a newer model, there may be fewer recipe resources specifically tailored for the Breville Fast Slow Cooker.
However, most standard slow cooker recipes can be adapted for use in both appliances. And the Breville comes with its own recipe booklet to get you started. The Instant Pot also includes basic recipes in the user manual.
Comparison Chart
| Feature | Breville Fast Slow Cooker | Instant Pot |
|---|---|---|
| Slow Cook Settings | High, Low, Custom | High, Low, Keep Warm |
| Pressure Cooking | No | Yes (high and low settings) |
| Size Options | 6.5 quart, 8.5 quart | 3 quart, 6 quart, 8 quart |
| Maximum Cook Time | 20 hours | 10 hours slow cook, 24 hours pressure |
| Extra Functions | Sauté, Yogurt | Pressure Cook, Rice Cook, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt, Warmer |
| Price | $$$ | $ |
Conclusion
While the Breville Fast Slow Cooker and Instant Pot share some similarities, there are important differences that make them distinct appliances. The Instant Pot is more versatile with extra functions like pressure cooking, and is generally more affordable. But the Breville provides high-end slow cooking performance with a sleek design.
The Instant Pot works well as an all-in-one cooking appliance for pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice, yogurt and more. The Breville is ideal for someone interested specifically in a high-quality slow cooker with extra functionality like sautéing and a modern look.
So they cannot be used interchangeably. The Instant Pot is the way to go if you want pressure cooking or more cooking modes. Opt for the Breville for top-of-the-line slow cooking and a stylish cooker design. Consider your cooking needs and budget to decide which multi-cooker is the better fit for your kitchen!