By Boniface Muriuki. Last updated on 1st March, 2025
One of the biggest fear for most people when it comes to electric appliances is the amount of energy they use. And it’s a valid concern given that the amount of energy an item uses determine how much you have to pay for your electric bill.
So, how many watts does an Instant Pot use? The answer is simple: 700-1200 watts depending on the capacity and brand.
It’s something that you might want to know as it’ll help you estimate your electric bill. Also, since the Instant Pot is a kitchen appliance that pretty much everyone knows about now, it’s good to know what to expect before purchasing one. Here is a comprehensive guide.
How Many Watts Does An Instant Pot Use?
The Instant Pot Original, Duo Mini, and Ultra use between 700 watts to 1200 watts. Note that the difference in consumption is mainly due to size.
Instant Pot’s wattage is 700 for the smallest model of the pressure cooker—the DUO mini and it goes up to 1200 watts for the largest one—the ULTRA. If you have the Instant Pot Lux, then your pot will use between 700-1000 watts, depending on capacity.
In the extreme cases, it can go up to 1500 watts. For example, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp 11-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker with Air Fryer Lid is rated 1500 watts and 120 volts.
Keep in mind that the wattage doesn’t just depend on the size of the Instant Pot, but also on what function you are using. For example, the Saute function uses more watts than the Slow Cook function.
The wattage used by an Instant Pot is also affected by the voltage of your home. If you have a low-voltage electrical system, then your pot might use a little bit less power.
How To Reduce The Wattage Used By Your Instant Pot
There are a few ways that you can reduce the wattage used by your Instant Pot.
- Use the slow cooker function instead of the pressure cooker function.
- Keep the lid closed while cooking. This is especially important when using the pressure cooker function because it builds up heat and pressure.
- Install the Instant Pot app and use the wireless feature to control your pot remotely.
- If you have a low-voltage electrical system, then you might want to get an Instant Pot that has a lower wattage.
The Instant Pot app enables you to control your pot remotely, so it’s a good idea to have that installed even if you’re not using the wireless feature.
How Much Will An Instant Pot Cost In Electricity?
The amount of electricity that an Instant Pot uses will depend on how often it’s used, the voltage of your home, and the wattage of your Instant Pot.
To give you a general idea, if your Instant Pot is used for about an hour a day, it will cost about $0.50-$1 a month in electricity. This number might change depending on the above factors, so it’s best to use it as a reference.
Read about steamer baskets for instant pots
How Many Watts Does An Instant Pot Use? Conclusion
If you’re thinking about the consequences of buying an instant pot on your electricity bills, this article will clear all your doubts. We’ve done a little bit of research and found that the Instant Pot you use for an hour a day would cost about $0.50-$1 in electricity.
In short, you won’t have to worry too much about your electric bill increasing because of the Electric Pressure Cooker. As long as you don’t leave it running all day, your energy expenditure will be minimal.
If you want to reduce the wattage used by your Instant Pot, then try these few tricks: use the slow cooker function instead of the pressure cooker function, keep the lid closed as much as possible when using either function and install the app for some wireless control.
If you have a low-voltage system at home, then you could try buying the Instant Pot Lux because it has a lower wattage than most other models.
How Many Watts Does An Instant Pot Use? FAQS
The wattage used by an Instant Pot is also affected by the voltage of your home. If you have a low-voltage electrical system, then your pot might use a little bit less power.
Yes, you can turn off your Instant Pot if you’re not using it. Just make sure to unplug it from the wall!
Yes, you can use a timer to automatically turn off your Instant Pot. Check your pot’s manual for more information.
If you have a low-voltage system, then you might want to get an Instant Pot that has a lower wattage. Check your pot’s manual for more information.
No, you don’t need an Instant Pot wireless adapter to control it remotely. The pot comes with a built-in wireless feature that you can use right out of the box.
No, you should not use your Instant Pot while it’s charging. It’s best to unplug the Instant Pot and use it while its battery is still running low.
An inverter can run your electric pressure cooker, but it will quickly drain out its battery and won’t be able to charge itself. It’s not energy efficient to use an inverter with a low-wattage pot like this one.
The wattage of your Instant Pot should be printed on the bottom or back of the machine. If you can’t find it, try consulting the pot’s manual.
