Using the Slow Cook mode on an Instant Pot is very similar to using a traditional crockpot, but there are a few important differences in buttons, temperature levels, and timing. Once you understand the Less / Normal / More settings and the venting position, it becomes straightforward.

Basic step‑by‑step setup

  • Place ingredients in the inner pot, keeping it between about half and two‑thirds full for even cooking.
  • Put on either the regular pressure lid (or a compatible glass lid) and turn the steam release to Venting , because slow cook mode does not use pressure.
  • Press Slow Cook (or “Slow Cooker” on some models), then:
    • Use Adjust (or repeatedly press Slow Cook) to choose Less / Normal / More.
* Use **\+ / –** to set the time, typically from 0.5 to 20 hours depending on model.
  • Wait a few seconds; the pot will beep and start cooking, then switch to Keep Warm automatically when the time ends.

In many models: Less ≈ low or “keep warm”, Normal ≈ slow cooker low, More ≈ slow cooker high.

What the heat settings really mean

  • Less
    • Often behaves like a very low or “keep warm” setting on a traditional slow cooker.
* Best for keeping food warm, delicate sauces, or recipes that would easily overcook.
  • Normal
    • Roughly equivalent to Low on a classic slow cooker.
* Good for “8 hours on low” style recipes like chilies, stews, or shredded chicken.
  • More
    • Roughly equivalent to High on a slow cooker, but many users find it runs slightly cooler than a standalone crockpot.
* Good for “4 hours on high” recipes, or when you want to shorten total cook time.

Because the Instant Pot slow cook mode often runs cooler than many crockpots, a common tip is to cook on Normal or More and add extra time compared with your old slow cooker.

Adapting regular slow cooker recipes

Many people use slow cook mode for crockpot recipes, but they often need tweaks.

  • Match temp and extend time slightly
    • For a recipe that says “8 hours on low”: use Normal for around the same time, or More and check early.
* For “4 hours on high”: use **More** and add roughly 15 extra minutes per hour (so ~5 hours instead of 4) since the Instant Pot’s high tends to be cooler.
  • Lid and venting
    • Keep the valve on Venting if using the pressure lid so steam can escape; otherwise you risk a too‑wet texture.
* A glass lid often gives results closer to a standard slow cooker because it allows more evaporation.
  • Liquid amount
    • Classic slow cooker recipes can be used mostly as‑is, but if they already come out very soupy in a crockpot, slightly reduce liquid since the Instant Pot seals a bit better.

Pro tips people swear by

Home cooks and food writers have developed a few tricks to get consistently better slow‑cook results from the Instant Pot.

  • Preheat with SautĂ© first
    • Use SautĂ© to brown meat and soften onions, then bring liquids just to a boil before switching to Slow Cook.
* This jump‑starts the cooking, compensating for the Instant Pot’s slower climb to temp in slow cook mode.
  • Layer ingredients smartly
    • Put dense veggies (carrots, potatoes, root veg) at the bottom, then meat, then lighter ingredients on top to avoid undercooked chunks.
  • Avoid overfilling
    • Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking; stick to about two‑thirds full at most.
  • Use More, not Less, for most meals
    • Many users report disappointing results on Less and better, more crockpot‑like results on Normal or More , plus slightly extended time.

Some users love the Instant Pot’s slow cook function after adjusting time and preheating; others still prefer a dedicated crockpot for very set‑and‑forget recipes.

Forum chatter, trends, and “is it worth it?” feel

In recent years, threads on cooking forums and Reddit keep circling back to the same theme: the Instant Pot can be a good slow cooker if you treat it a bit differently than a classic crockpot.

  • Positive experiences
    • Fans say preheating with SautĂ©, using More , and extending cook times turn it into a reliable all‑in‑one pot for stews, beans, and braises.
  • Negative experiences
    • Others report undercooked food or “it never really bubbles” results when following old crockpot times on Less or Normal without adjustments.
  • Current vibe (mid‑2020s)
    • Guides and “Reddit edition” style posts in 2024–2025 highlight workarounds—preheating, venting properly, and time adjustments—rather than recommending abandoning slow cook mode.

TL;DR: To use slow cook on an Instant Pot, set the valve to venting, press Slow Cook , choose Normal or More , and add a bit of extra time compared to a regular slow cooker, ideally after preheating with Sauté.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.