You can absolutely use an Instant Pot like a slow cooker by switching to the Slow Cook function, using venting instead of sealing, and matching its heat settings (Less/Normal/More) to traditional crockpot “low” and “high.” With a few tweaks—especially using the right lid and heat level—you’ll get very similar results to a regular slow cooker.

Basic setup

  • Put your ingredients in the stainless steel inner pot just like you would in a crockpot.
  • Use either a glass lid that fits or the regular Instant Pot lid.
  • Turn the steam valve to Venting , because slow cook mode is not meant to build pressure.

Choosing the right setting

Instant Pot’s slow cook temperatures don’t have “Low/High” labels, so the mapping matters.

  • Less = very low, often similar to “keep warm” and usually too cool to properly cook food.
  • Normal = about the same as Low on a traditional slow cooker.
  • More = close to High on a slow cooker, though sometimes slightly cooler so recipes may need extra time.

Most experienced users recommend ignoring Less and sticking to Normal or More for actual cooking.

Step‑by‑step “slow cooker” mode

This is the simple Instant Pot workflow that mimics a crockpot.

  1. Add your recipe ingredients to the inner pot.
  1. Optional: Use Sauté first to brown meat or preheat until it bubbles slightly, then cancel.
  1. Put the lid on (glass or regular) and set the valve to Venting.
  1. Press Slow Cook.
  1. Use Adjust (or the +/- buttons, depending on model) to choose Normal (≈ low) or More (≈ high).
  1. Set the cooking time, usually anywhere from 4–10 hours depending on the recipe.
  1. When time is up, the pot automatically switches to Keep Warm for several hours if you don’t turn it off.

Time conversion from a crockpot

Because Instant Pot slow cook mode can run a bit cooler than some stand‑alone slow cookers, many home cooks adjust cook times.

  • Crockpot Low 8 hours → Instant Pot Normal 8–9 hours.
  • Crockpot High 4 hours → Instant Pot More 4–5 hours (often add ~15 minutes per hour of recipe time).
  • If something comes out undercooked, extend on More for another 30–60 minutes and check again.

Some reviewers note that the Instant Pot’s slow cook mode can be a bit disappointing versus a dedicated crockpot, but reliable results are possible with timing tweaks.

Practical tips and forum wisdom

Home cooks on forums and Reddit share a few recurring tricks to make the Instant Pot perform more like a classic slow cooker.

  • Many users preheat with SautĂ© until the contents are hot, then switch to Slow Cook High/More.
  • A dedicated glass lid makes it feel and function more like a traditional slow cooker and lets steam escape more naturally.
  • Soups, stews, and roasts generally adapt very well; delicate recipes that rely on very precise low heat may be less consistent.

A common comment in forum threads is that “Low is keep warm, Normal is low, and High is high—just preheat and use a glass lid and it’s great.”

TL;DR: To use your Instant Pot as a slow cooker, use Slow Cook , set the valve to Venting , choose Normal (for crockpot low) or More (for crockpot high), and add a little time if your dishes seem undercooked.