If you’re looking for simple ways that your Instant Pot can save you money, you’ve arrived at the right place. The invention of the Instant Pot not only made cooking times literally half of what they used to be but also created new ways you can cut down on your monthly food budget as well.
Cooking with the Instant Pot is a great way to cut costs and save even more money than you ever thought possible. So many families are looking for simple ways to cut down on food costs and many don’t realize that the Instant Pot might just be the answer that they’re looking for.
If you own an Instant Pot, you’re already halfway there! You now just need to learn how to make it work for you financially as well.
The next time that you’re planning out your menu for the week, stop and take a look at your Instant Pot. Just how many meals do you think you can make, just by varying the ingredients a bit? You’ll be surprised by how simple it can be!
Related Article: Grocery Shopping On A Budget (+ How To Save During Inflation!)
Use your Instant Pot to tenderize cheaper cuts of meat
Let’s be real…meat from the store is super expensive. Instead of splurging and buying the best cuts of meat possible, the Instant Pot affords you the option to buy a cheaper cut.
This is where the pressure cooker aspect of the Instant Pot totally rocks. It tenderizes the meat as it cooks so you can save several dollars per pound and really cut down on your meat expense.
Your Instant Pot allows you to cook larger meals and freeze or save for leftovers
The beauty of the Instant Pot is that it comes in a wide variety of different sizes. You can make the choice to cook in small portions or big portions depending on what size you own.
If you happen to own the bigger Instant Pot, you can create meals in a bigger abundance and save for leftovers the next day. Not only does this save you money and time by not having to create another meal, but it also forces you to finish up what you previously made.
Using your Instant Pot cuts down on your utility expenses as well
While it may not be a huge saving, it does cut down on your costs. It’s much more simple to heat up your electric pressure cooker than to wait and preheat your giant stove. This is also handy to use during the summer months because it doesn’t put off as much heat as your stove, either.
There’s nothing worse than cooking in a hot house because your stove is emitting all sorts of heat.
When you travel, you can take your Instant Pot with you
Just go ahead and plan on packing up the Instant Pot when you’re traveling. This is because it’s so nice to be able to take and use with you when you’re on a trip. That way, instead of spending tons of money by eating out at restaurants, you can plan on using your Instant Pot to create delicious homemade meals instead.
Spending $50 in the grocery store to cook in your pressure cooker is going to save a ton of money! That can be enough to feed you for an entire week while that may just get you one or two meals if you’re consistently eating out.
If you’re looking for simple ways to save money using your Instant Pot, it’s really not all that hard to do. You first need to find out how you’re using your Instant Pot and then decide where and how you can cut costs.
If your previous pattern has shown that you only use it once or twice per month, change it up and try using it once or twice per week. That way, you’re cutting down on food expenses by eating out and working on new ways to improve your Instant Pot skills.
Do you have any tips for ways to save money using your Instant Pot?
FAQs
A 6-qt instant pot only really draws about 850 watts until it builds pressure.
Does an Instant Pot use a lot of electricity? ›
A 6-qt instant pot only really draws about 850 watts until it builds pressure.
How to get the most out of your Instant Pot? ›
For complete 2-in-1 (or 3-in-1) meals, try the pot-in-pot method. Pot-in-pot just means that you're putting another bowl and/or rack inside the Instant Pot — above the water at the bottom. Whatever you put in the top half is cooked by the steam generated underneath it.
Is it cheaper to cook with Instant Pot? ›
Because instant pots need power to work, using one could result in higher monthly utility costs. Nonetheless, they feature a number of cooking modes that let you regulate how much energy is consumed, and they are built to be energy-efficient.
Does Instapot really save time? ›
Does The Instant Pot Really Save Time? According to my research, pressure cooking can cook most foods in 1/3 less time than other cooking methods and even up to 10 times faster! The steam pressure inside the pressure cooker cooks food much, much more rapidly than just boiling or baking food.
Do instant pots save money? ›
Did you know that the Instant Pot uses up to 70% less electricity than other kitchen appliances? It uses less water, is insulated, reduces cooking time (and therefore overall energy use), and my kitchen doesn't get hot in the summer when I use it!
What are the disadvantages of an Instant Pot? ›
Con– The Instant Pot uses steam under pressure to cook food and not everything is meant to be cooked in the Instant Pot. I attempted a crustless quiche which turned out well but it was too wet and moist to my liking and I prefer to cook it in the oven with dry heat.
What is the 5 5 5 method for Instant Pot? ›
It takes about 5 minutes for the cooker to come up to high pressure, 5 minutes to cook the eggs, and then 5 minutes of natural pressure release before removing the eggs from the cooker—hence the "5-5-5" method.
How full is too full in an Instant Pot? ›
Your Instant Pot should have a line on the inner pot to show the maximum amount of food you can cook in it at once (and it's there for good reason!). Overfilling your Instant Pot can affect the pressure that builds up inside, so you might end up with a mushy meal, or one that doesn't cook properly.
Can you overcook in an Instant Pot? ›
Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.
If you're looking to save counter space or don't want to spend a lot of money on separate appliances, then an Instant Pot could be worth the expense. However, if you're only going to use one or two functions of the Instant Pot, it's worth considering if separate devices would be more cost-effective.
What is the difference between a pressure cooker and an Instant Pot? ›
Instant pots are all-in-one appliances that combine the functions of a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, and more. On the other hand, pressure cookers are specifically designed to cook under pressure. They come in various sizes and can be used for multiple tasks, such as cooking beans and making stocks.
What is the average life of an Instant Pot? ›
The average lifespan of an Instant Pot ranges from 2-5 years, but it can last longer depending on how often it's used and how well-maintained it is. So it's safe to say Instant Pots aren't commonly being replaced, and may even be a one-time purchase.
Is Instapot good for seniors? ›
The sheer convenience is ideal for seniors who live at home. People are loving the Instant Pot because they can cook the most basic ingredients like hard-boiled eggs, beans, grain—you name it! It also simplifies complex dishes too, whether it's a hearty pot roast or a chilled sweet dessert, you got it!
How long should an Instapot last? ›
There are several manufacturers who have been lauded for the quality of their pressure cookers. Instant Pot's catalog still stands out on the market, with the 7-1 Pressure Cooker lasting up to three years with consistent maintenance.
Can I leave Instapot on and leave the house? ›
Are Instant Pots safe to leave unattended? You can leave your Instant Pot unattended when using it to slow-cook food such as chicken bone broth. However, it's good practice to check on any electric cooking appliance every 10-15 minutes.
Does Instant Pot use more electricity than crock pot? ›
When comparing appliances, you'll find that the pressure cooker beats even the most energy-efficient slow cooker in terms of using less power and adding less heat into your home. Pressure cookers consume much less power than a standard electric oven, which uses around 2,000 watts of electricity on medium heat.
What cooking method uses the least energy? ›
Slow cookers are among the kitchen's most energy-efficient appliances.
Is it safe to leave the Instant Pot on when you leave the house? ›
Are Instant Pots safe to leave unattended? You can leave your Instant Pot unattended when using it to slow-cook food such as chicken bone broth. However, it's good practice to check on any electric cooking appliance every 10-15 minutes.
Is it cheaper to use a slow cooker than an electric oven? ›
Not only are slow cookers ideal for people who want to leave dinner to simmer away and attend to other errands, they work out to be one of the cheapest appliances to cook with in the kitchen. The electricity usage of an electric oven is estimated to be around two to 2.2kWh, compared to a slow cooker at just 0.7kWh.
