I’ve owned an Instant Pot for a few years now, and it works harder than half the gadgets in my kitchen. Not joking. Yes, there’s an upfront investment, but I’ve found it’s well worth it. And the more I use it, the more I realize it’s one of those rare appliances that actually pulls its weight and saves me money!
I recently dug into a 2022/23 energy study that compared cooking roast chicken in an electric pressure cooker (aka the whole Instant Pot personality) versus a standard oven. Yes, I had to get geeky like that. After all, I’m a numbers gal. The researchers measured in kilograms, because, of course, they did. So I translated it for the rest of us regular folks: 1 kilogram is about 2.2 pounds — basically a small whole chicken or your typical family dinner.
Cooking that amount in an Instant Pot used 0.57 kWh, which is roughly 81% less energy than cooking the same meal in the oven. Once I pulled out my Central Maine Power rate — soon to be 12.72¢ per kWh — the difference got real, fast. Cooking a meal in my Instant Pot costs me about 7 cents. Cooking the same meal in my oven? 35–40 cents. That’s for electricity usage, of course.
Seven cents vs. forty might not sound dramatic, but stretch that over weeks of dinners, and the savings add up. As always, keep in mind that these numbers are based on my Maine electricity rates. Your actual savings depend on your location and the rate your electric company charges per kilowatt-hour.
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Disclosure: I’m not a financial expert or a health professional. I don’t have a degree in finance, math, economics, or medicine. I’m just a gal who’s been there before. If you need professional advice, I recommend consulting an expert.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases through these links at no additional cost to you.
Disclosure: I’m not a financial expert or a health professional. I don’t have a degree in finance, math, economics, or medicine. I’m just a gal who’s been there before. If you need professional advice, I recommend consulting an expert.
Instant Pot Savings Breakdown (Based on My Maine Rates)
Here’s what the math looks like for a 2.2‑lb meal (the weight used in the study) — but before we dive into numbers, let’s talk about why this breakdown actually matters. Saving money isn’t about deprivation, surviving on ramen, or wishful thinking. It’s about choosing tools that quietly work in your favor. And the Instant Pot? It’s that helpful friend who shows up early, stays late, and doesn’t ask for anything in return.
It trims your electric bill in the background, keeps dinner simple, and lets you serve real meals without wasting energy or time. This breakdown shows exactly how those tiny savings add up to results that make your budget breathe a little easier.
Cost Per Meal
Let’s cut right to it: the Instant Pot wins the cost battle every single time. It delivers a quick, efficient burst of energy while the oven drags its feet, having nowhere else to be. I’m not saying it totally replaces the stove, though. However, for many meals, it does. This section breaks down the numbers so you can see exactly how much money you keep every time you let the Instant Pot take over dinner.
| Cooking Method | Energy Used | Cost at 12.72¢/kWh | Notes |
| Instant Pot | 0.57 kWh | ~$0.07 per meal | Fast, efficient, steady |
| Electric Oven | ~2.8–3.0 kWh | ~$0.36–$0.38 per meal | Long cook times = higher cost |
After seeing these numbers side by side, it’s clear why the Instant Pot has such a loyal fan club. It consistently delivers full meals for pocket change, while the oven burns through energy as if it has something to prove. That said, I will say this… If you live in a northern state like I do (Maine), the oven can certainly help heat up the kitchen. However, when you’re cooking several times a week, the small savings in the chart above quietly add up to real budget breathing room.
Weekly Savings
Weekly savings are where the Instant Pot really starts to flex. Those tiny per-meal differences finally show up in a way you can feel. Swap the oven for the Instant Pot a few nights a week and watch your electric bill calm down instead of climbing like it owns the place. (If you use the Instant Pot 3–5 nights a week instead of the oven)
| Meals Cooked/Week | Instant Pot Weekly Cost | Oven Weekly Cost | Weekly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Meals | ~$0.21 | ~$1.08–$1.14 | ~$0.87–$0.93 saved |
| 4 Meals | ~$0.28 | ~$1.44–$1.52 | ~$1.16–$1.24 saved |
| 5 Meals | ~$0.35 | ~$1.80–$1.90 | ~$1.45–$1.55 saved |
Weekly savings add up. There’s no doubt about it. That’s part of why so many home cooks use pressure cooking and slow cooking. These changes build better money habits without sacrificing the meals you love. And that’s not even counting the time savings you get with the Instant Pot on the pressure-cook setting.
Monthly Savings
Monthly savings are where the Instant Pot stops being a kitchen helper and starts acting like a tiny chef with killer accounting skills on your counter. This is the point where you check your electric bill and do a double‑take because it dipped a little lower than usual. All those quick, efficient dinners you cooked instead of running the oven? They finally show up in real dollars.
| Meals Per Week | Instant Pot Monthly Cost | Oven Monthly Cost | Monthly Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Meals | ~$0.84 | ~$4.32–$4.56 | ~$3.48–$3.72 saved |
| 4 Meals | ~$1.12 | ~$5.76–$6.08 | ~$4.64–$4.96 saved |
| 5 Meals | ~$1.40 | ~$7.20-$7.60 | ~$5.80–$6.20 saved |
Here is where those tiny choices start stacking up into real financial breathing room.
- Less time running the oven
- Lower energy usage every night
- More consistency in your monthly bill
By the end of the month, these savings are no longer theoretical. They turn into extra space in your budget, and that quiet win makes the Instant Pot worth every inch of counter space.
Why These Savings Matter
The Instant Pot doesn’t shout about saving money. It just quietly does it, and that’s what I love so much. Every time I choose it over the oven for long-cooking dinners — stews, roasts, beans, shredded chicken — I’m shaving extra cents off my electric bill. Multiply that over weeks, then months, and suddenly this little appliance earns its place on the counter.
And the pressure cook function? A true gem. It’s my favorite setting. It speeds time every time I use it. We often make Instant Pot meals, including rice, this way. Yes, rice. One or two cups of rice with about 1.5 cups of water (per cup of rice). Done in 12 minutes!
I love that the Instant Pot is simple. Fewer long oven sessions = less energy waste. And that, my friends, means more room in your budget for the things that actually bring joy (like coffee, skincare, or whatever “treat yourself” moment you have planned).
Instant Pot Models Worth Considering
Whenever you’re ready, check out the Instant Pot models featured below — the ones that actually earn their space. These little workhorses save you time, cut your energy use, and keep dinner simple without cluttering up your counters. If you’re craving a kitchen upgrade that’s easy on your budget and big on payoff, here are a few Instant Pot models to consider.
Top Pick: Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11‑in‑1 (My Favorite)
This is the Instant Pot I personally use — and the one that finally convinced me I didn’t need half the gadgets in my kitchen. It’s fast, reliable, and handles everything from crispy wings to pulled chicken without turning dinner into a whole production.
Pros
- Replaces multiple appliances
- Air fries and pressure cooks
- Tons of functions without being complicated
- Great for busy weeknights
Cons
- Two lids = a little more storage space
- Slight learning curve if you’re brand new
Why It’s Worth Buying
It multitasks better than most humans. The air fryer lid alone earns its keep, and the pressure cooker side handles the rest.
Key Features
- Air fry, pressure cook, slow cook, steam, sauté, dehydrate
- 11 cooking functions
- Free app with 800+ recipes
- 6‑quart capacity
- Stainless steel pot
Who It’s For
Families, busy home cooks, meal‑preppers, or anyone who wants fewer appliances to do more work.
What I Love
It replaces multiple appliances and saves real money on energy — know the extra lid needs a bit of cabinet space.
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Multi-Cooker (Best All Around Multicooker)
The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is the model most people start with, and for good reason. It is simple, steady, and ready to take on weeknight dinners without fuss. If you want an everyday multicooker that does not overcomplicate things, this is your match.
Pros
- Affordable and dependable
- Handles everyday cooking with ease
- Great starter option
- Stainless steel and easy to clean
Cons
- No air fryer function
- More basic than higher-tier models
Why It’s Worth Buying
It hits the sweet spot between budget and performance. You get pressure cooking, slow cooking, sautéing, rice, yogurt, steaming, and warming all in one without feeling overwhelmed.
Key Features
- 7 cooking functions: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, warm
- 6-quart capacity
- Stainless steel pot
- Free app with 800-plus recipes
Who It’s For
Anyone who wants a reliable, do-it-all multicooker that keeps things simple. Great for families, beginners, and anyone looking to build a smarter kitchen routine.
What I Love
I love how predictable and user-friendly it is. It delivers solid results every time. Just keep in mind it will not crisp or air-fry, so you’ll need another appliance if that is on your wish list.
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9‑in‑1 (Best All‑Around Upgraded Classic Multicooker)
The Instant Pot Duo Plus is the classic upgraded. It’s simple, polished, and perfect for anyone who wants a solid multicooker without getting overwhelmed by too many bells and whistles.
Pros
- A true do‑it‑all model without extra complexity
- Intuitive controls and easy presets
- Great for everyday meals
- Stainless steel, easy‑to‑clean design
Cons
- No air fryer function
- Not as feature‑heavy as the Pro line
Why It’s Worth Buying
It’s dependable, user‑friendly, and handles everything from rice to yogurt to full dinners without making things complicated. It’s a great middle‑ground option: more features than the basic Duo, but not as intense as the Pro.
Key Features
- 9 cooking functions: pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, rice, yogurt, sterilize, and more
- 6‑quart capacity
- Stainless steel pot
- 800+ recipe app included
Who It’s For
Everyday cooks, families who want simplicity, and anyone who wants reliable versatility without the higher price tag or advanced learning curve.
What I Love
I love how intuitive and unfussy it is — you can hand this to a total beginner, and they’ll be cooking by dinner. Just remember: if you want to crisp or air-fry, you’ll need a different model.
Instant Pot Duo Mini 3‑Qt (Best for Small Kitchens or Cooking for One)
This tiny Instant Pot is adorable and practical. And this mini model is perfect for small spaces and small portions.
Pros
- Compact and space‑saving
- Affordable
- Great for singles or couples
Cons
- Too small for large meals
- Not ideal for batch cooking
Why It’s Worth Buying
It cooks real meals quickly without hogging counter space.
Key Features
- Mini version of the Duo features
- 3‑quart capacity
- Stainless steel pot
- Free app with 1,900+ recipes
Who It’s For
Singles, couples, dorms, RVs, or anyone short on space.
What I Love
It’s portable and easy to stash — but if you cook for more than two, you’ll outgrow it.
A quick wrap-up before we head into the final takeaways. Each of these Instant Pot models brings something different to the table. However, they all share one thing: they do the heavy lifting, so dinner feels easier and your budget breathes a little easier. Now let’s bring it all home.
FAQ About the Instant Pot
Before I wrap this up, I know there are always a few lingering Instant Pot questions floating around — the same ones I had before I finally committed to mine. Here’s a quick rundown to clear up the most common “But does it really…?” questions.
What to Read Next (Because You’re On a Roll)
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- Can Frugal Living Help You Enjoy More for Less?
- Start Living Frugally with These Easy Home Swaps
- How to Save Money on Groceries Without Clipping Coupons
The Final Scoop on Saving with the Instant Pot
When you look at the numbers, the Instant Pot is more than just a trendy countertop gadget. It cuts energy use, cooks faster than anything else I own, and quietly trims a little off my electric bill each time I use it. That adds up month after month, especially when you swap out long, oven-based dinners for quick, pressure-cooked ones. And it’s a multi-functional cooker, too!
For me, the Instant Pot has become the appliance I reach for when I want something easy, dependable, and budget-friendly. And honestly? Anything that saves me time, money, and kitchen chaos gets a permanent home on my counter.
If you’ve been debating whether it’s worth adding one to your kitchen, the answer is simple: yes. Your schedule will thank you. Your budget will thank you. And dinnertime might finally feel a little less dramatic.
Image Credit: © Cavan Images from Getty Images via Canva.com | © Massonstock from Getty Images via Canva.com | © Leeloo The First from Pexels via Canva.com
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