Pressure Cooker Vs Air Fryer: What's The Difference?

Air fryers and pressure cookers are two of the most popular kitchen appliances to have been released in the last decade. They have both been marketed as convenient, time-saving, and healthy alternatives to traditional cooking methods. While they share these similarities, they are fundamentally different in terms of how they cook food. This is the key distinction to consider when asking whether you can use a pressure cooker as an air fryer.

Instant Pot: a pressure cooker and air fryer combo

Instant Pot is a well-known brand when it comes to pressure cookers and air fryers. The Instant Pot Duo Crisp is a pressure cooker and air fryer combo with two removable lids. It offers 11-in-1 functionality, including air frying, roasting, baking, dehydrating, pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming, sautéing, sterilizing, and warming food.

The air fryer lid provides EvenCrisp technology, which gives you the crunch and tenderness of deep-fried food with 95% less oil. The pressure cooker function can cook delicious one-pot meals up to 70% faster than traditional cooking methods, and you can also slow-cook meals. The inner cooking pot is made of food-grade stainless steel, with a tri-ply bottom for even cooking and an anti-spin design for perfect sautéing.

The Instant Pot Duo Crisp comes in 6-quart and 8-quart sizes. It includes accessories like a broil and dehydrator tray, an air fryer basket, a steam rack, and a stainless-steel inner pot. The 6-quart model has dishwasher-safe parts and fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel sides, making it easy to clean.

The Instant Pot app (available on iOS and Android) provides new recipes and helps you prepare delicious meals. The product comes with a one-year limited warranty that covers defects in materials or workmanship.

Pros and cons of pressure cookers

Pressure cookers have been around for a long time, but they have recently gained popularity due to their reduced prices and supposed convenience. There are two types of pressure cookers: electric and stove-top. Stove-top pressure cookers are more traditional and require more attention during cooking, whereas electric pressure cookers are more modern and allow you to electronically set the pressure, cooking time, and other features.

Pros of Pressure Cookers:

Pressure cookers offer several advantages over traditional cooking methods:

• Reduced cooking times: Pressure cookers can cook food 2-3 times faster than usual cooking methods. This is especially useful for dishes that typically take a long time, such as short ribs, roasts, and chicken stock.
• Better flavor: The sealed environment of a pressure cooker helps to lock in flavors, making meals extra delicious.
• Nutrient retention: Pressure cooking can also help retain nutrients in food.
• Safety: Modern pressure cookers have multiple safety features to prevent accidents, such as the release of too much steam.
• Durability: A well-constructed and maintained pressure cooker can last for many years.

Cons of Pressure Cookers:

Despite their benefits, pressure cookers also have some drawbacks:

• Learning curve: Using a pressure cooker effectively requires some learning and practice. The process is different from cooking with a regular pot, and it can be confusing to figure out the steam release mechanism.
• Limited dish options: Pressure cookers are great for certain dishes like stews and soups but are not suitable for high-temperature roasting or cooking steaks.
• Inability to check on food: You cannot easily check on the food while it is cooking in a pressure cooker. To inspect the food, you must release the pressure and remove the lid, and then restart the process if the food needs more time.
• Price: Instant Pots and other pressure cookers can be pricey, although they may be worth the investment for the convenience and improved flavor they offer.

How pressure cookers and air fryers work

Pressure cookers and air fryers are two very different cooking appliances, but some products on the market combine the two.

A pressure cooker is a sealed chamber that builds up steam pressure, allowing the water inside to reach a higher temperature than the standard 100°C/212°F. This increased temperature cooks food faster. The pressure cooker will have a safety valve that releases steam and lowers the pressure when it gets too high, preventing the cooker from exploding.

An air fryer is a small, countertop appliance that uses rapid air technology to cook food. It has a heating mechanism and a fan that circulates hot air around the food, which sits in a fryer-style basket. This rapid circulation of hot air cooks food evenly, crisping it up without the need for oil. Air fryers can be used to cook a wide range of ingredients, including proteins like chicken, salmon, shrimp, tofu, and steak, as well as vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower, and sweet potatoes.

What you can cook in an air fryer vs a pressure cooker

While a pressure cooker and an air fryer are two different appliances, some products combine the two. Both appliances can cook food quickly, but they have distinct advantages and are suited to different types of dishes.

Air Fryer

Air fryers are a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying, as they use less oil to cook foods. They are also faster, easier to clean, and more energy-efficient than conventional ovens. You can cook many things in an air fryer, including:

• Chicken wings
• Brussels sprouts
• Green beans
• Tofu
• Salmon
• Bacon
• Steak
• Hamburgers
• Chips
• Pizza
• Vegetables
• Dried beans

Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are a great way to cook food quickly with minimal effort. They are ideal for cooking dishes that usually take a long time, such as braised meats, and can also be used for cooking frozen meats, stocks, soups, and desserts. Here are some foods you can cook in a pressure cooker:

• Red wine-braised beef short ribs
• Jewish-style braised brisket
• Butter chicken
• Beef chilli
• Lamb and green lentil stew
• Chicken cacciatore
• Indian-style beef curry
• Risotto
• Custard
• Beans
• Ribs
• Stocks

Stovetop pressure cookers vs electric pressure cookers

Stovetop pressure cookers and electric pressure cookers both have their pros and cons. Stovetop pressure cookers are more traditional and require more attention during cooking. They come in a variety of sizes, from 6 to 25 quarts, and are easy to find and buy. They can also achieve a higher maximum pressure of 13-15 PSI, which is the standard for stovetop pressure cookers. This higher pressure means that stovetop pressure cookers may be able to cook food faster than electric pressure cookers. Additionally, stovetop pressure cookers are durable and can last for many years. They also do not require electricity to function, which can be useful in certain situations, such as during power outages or when camping.

On the other hand, electric pressure cookers are more convenient and require less attention during cooking. They often have features such as automatic timers and built-in thermometers, which can make the cooking process easier. However, they may take longer to release pressure compared to stovetop pressure cookers because the base cannot be removed from the heat source. Electric pressure cookers also vary in terms of the maximum pressure they can achieve, and some may not be able to reach the same pressure as stovetop pressure cookers. This means that cooking times may need to be adjusted when using an electric pressure cooker.

In terms of durability, stovetop pressure cookers tend to be more durable and may last longer than electric pressure cookers. However, electric pressure cookers are more insulated due to their double-walled construction, which can improve their efficiency. They are also 60% more efficient at using electricity compared to stovetop pressure cookers with similar PSI ratings.

Ultimately, the decision between a stovetop or electric pressure cooker depends on individual needs and preferences. Some people may prefer the convenience and ease of use of electric pressure cookers, while others may prioritize the durability, higher pressure, and lack of electricity dependence offered by stovetop pressure cookers.

Frequently asked questions