Rant: My slow cooker finally died mid-chili and now I'm team instant pot

I was making a big batch of chili for the week, the cheap kind with beans and canned tomatoes, and the lid cracked right at the 4 hour mark. So which camp do you fall into for budget meals, the set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker or the faster but pricier instant pot?

2 comments

2 Comments

rose_grant785d ago

My 6 year old slow cooker did the same thing to me last winter, cracked right down the side while I was at work and my lentils turned into a burnt mess on the counter. I ended up buying a cheap replacement from Walmart for 20 bucks and honestly it works fine for stuff like chili and stews. But I also got a used instant pot from Facebook marketplace for 15 dollars and that thing is a game changer for when I forget to plan ahead. The key is to check the trivet and make sure the seal is clean on the instant pot or it will hiss steam everywhere and freak you out. I rotate between both now depending on if I want to leave the house or just eat in 30 minutes.

charlie_allen5d ago

My slow cooker betrayal really hurt, considering I've had it since college and it saw me through some truly sad pasta dishes. Instant Pots are great and all but I'm still side-eyeing mine like it's going to pull the same stunt mid-soup. Guess I'm team "whatever doesn't crack on me while I'm hangry" for now.