Home » Review and How To Use the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker

Review and How To Use the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker

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Crock-Pot has joined the electric pressure cooker revolution with their new Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker. The Crock-Pot brand has become synonymous with slow cooker and now you can also pressure cook in a Crockpot.

A blender sitting on top of a stove

Note:This review discusses the older version of the Crock-Pot Express, which doesn't not have a manual button. If you're looking for the newer version, we'll have a review up soon.

Also, if you do have the older CrockPot Express, be aware that there is a recall for the lids on certain models. Click here to read more about the recall, including how to check if it applies to your model and on how to receive a replacement.

Target recently had the Crock-Pot Express on sale for $49, so I couldn't resist buying it and taking it home for a test drive. (Regularly price at $69.)

The Crock-Pot Express comes with a recipe book, steaming rack, and serving spoon. It has a 6 quart non-stick cooking pot for easy cleanup. The inner pot is dishwasher safe.

The Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker is not a top of the line pressure cooker, but it is a well made pressure cooker and an affordable option.

I was impressed with how quickly and quietly the Crock-Pot Express comes to pressure. It's getting great reviews on Amazon as well.

The Crock-Pot brand has become synonymous with slow cooker and now you can also pressure cook in the new Crockpot Express.

How To Use the Crock-Pot Express Crock Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker

It has 9 pre-set pressure cooker buttons Meat/Stew, Beans/Chili, Rice/Risotto, Yogurt, Poultry, Dessert, Soup, Multigrain, and Steam.  In addition to the Slow Cook, Brown / Sauté, and Keep Warm  buttons.

WHICH BUTTON SHOULD I USE?

The multi cooker does not know what is in your pot. It doesn't know how much it weighs, nor how long it will take to cook it. The buttons are just pre-set, suggested times for cooking that item.

You can cook chicken soup using the soup button, the poultry button, or the meat button.  It doesn't matter which button you use, chose the button with the closest cook time to the time in the recipe you're using.

You adjust the pre-set times by using the "+" and "-" time select buttons.

Pre-set Times:

  • Steam – 10 minutes is the pre-set time. You can change it from 3 minutes to 1 hour. 3 minutes is the shortest cook time available on the Crock-pot pressure cooker. If you want to cook something less than 3 minutes, you'll need to set a timer and press the stop button after the desired number of minutes.
  • Soup – 30 minutes. Range 5 minutes to 2 hours
  • Poultry – 15 minutes. Range 15 minutes – 2 hours
  • Beans/Chili – 20 minutes. Range 5 minutes to 2 hours
  • Meat/Stew – 35 minutes. Adjustable range 15 minute to 2 hours
  • Multigrain – 40 minutes. Range 10 minutes to 2 hours
  • Rice/Risotto – 12 minutes low pressure. Range 6 minute to 30 minutes
  • Dessert – 10 minutes low pressure. Range 5 minutes to 2 hours
  • Yogurt – not a pressure cooker function – low temperature for 8 hours. Range 6 hours to 12 hours
  • Slow Cook – not a pressure cooker function – high temperature for 4 hours. Range 30 minutes to 20 hours. Temperature adjusts to low and high.
  • Brown / Saute – not a pressure cooker function – high temperature for 30 minutes. Range 5 minutes to 30 minutes. Temperature adjusts to low and high.
  • Keep Warm – not a pressure cooker function – warm temperature for 4 hours. Range 30 minutes – 4 hours.

You'll want to keep the pre-set times handy so you know before selecting a button what the cook time and pressure level will be.

The steam release valve on the new Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker Multi-Cooker

The Steam Release Value is in the sealed position (pressure cooking position) when the arm on the knob is facing the picture of the steam with an X over it. You can get more information about releasing the pressure on my quick pressure release or natural pressure release post.

Note: You always cook in the non-stick inner pot. Be careful not to add ingredients to the pressure cooker housing when the inner pot is not in place.

You always need liquid in your pot when pressure cooking. Crock-Pot recommends a minimum of 1 cup. If you're cooking ingredients that release liquid as they cook and have a short cook time, you may be able to use less, but 1 cup is a good starting point.

Visit my Getting started with your new Electric Pressure Cooker post for more information about using your new pressure cooker.

Pros and Cons of The Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker

Now that I've explained how to use the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker, let me share the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Quiet
  • Well written manual
  • Low price
  • Comes to pressure quickly
  • Has a yogurt function
The float valve on the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker Multi-Cooker

Cons

  • No manual or pressure cook button – you have to use one of the pre-set buttons.
  • You have to be careful not to scratch a non-stick pot
  • The float valve is in the handle where it is difficult to see. It's harder to tell when the pressure has been released and you can open the pot.
  • The pre-set cooking time adjusts to a range of cook times that varies for each setting. The steaming chart included in the manual indicates a cook time of 1 minute but the steam function does not adjust to 1 minute.

Despite the cons, I've used the Crock Pot Pressure Cooker for a few weeks now and I've been really pleased with how well it performs.

If you are in the market for a low priced pressure cooker with a non-stick pot, then the Crock-Pot Express Crock Multi-Cooker is an option worth considering.

If you've purchased a Crock-Pot Express and want to join a Facebook group, check out the Crockpot Express Community.

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Crock-Pot has joined the electric pressure cooker revolution. Here\'s my review and How To Use the Crock-Pot Express Pressure Cooker Multi-Cooker

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