How much does it cost to run an electric pressure cooker?

By Juan Molina · Updated October 3, 2026 · How we calculate

Short answer: An electric pressure cooker drawing 1,000 watts for 45 minutes costs about $0.14 per use at the U.S. average residential price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Used 3 times a week, that is about $1.79 per month and $21.42 per year. In Louisiana, the cheapest state, the same use costs $1.24 a month; in Hawaii, the most expensive, $4.68.

An electric pressure cooker, the best-known being the Instant Pot, draws about 1,000 watts while it heats up, then only pulses on occasionally to hold pressure. A typical 45-minute cook uses well under one kilowatt-hour.

Cost by size and setting

Costs below use the U.S. average price and 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week.

Full power only at the start

The element runs continuously for the 10 to 15 minutes it takes to bring the pot to pressure. After that the sealed, insulated pot holds its heat, and the element switches on for a few seconds at a time. The figure on this page assumes full power for the whole cook, so it is an upper limit; real use is often half of it.

Why it saves energy

Under pressure, water boils at a higher temperature and food cooks in about a third of the time. Dried beans that simmer for two hours on a stove are done in thirty minutes. Shorter cooking in a sealed, insulated pot means much less heat lost to the kitchen than an open pan on a burner.

How to lower the cost

• Use the minimum liquid the recipe calls for; less water reaches pressure sooner.
• Start with hot tap water or use the sauté function to preheat.
• Let the pressure release naturally when the recipe allows; the food keeps cooking for free.
• Turn off "keep warm" if you are serving straight away.

How an electric pressure cooker compares with other appliances

Typical power and use for each appliance, at the U.S. average price of 18.31¢ per kWh. Follow a link for that appliance's own calculator, or compare two side by side.

The math behind the numbers

1,000 watts ÷ 1,000 = 1 kW. 1 kW × 45 minutes ÷ 60 = 0.75 kWh per use. 0.75 kWh × $0.1831 = $0.14 per use. At 3 uses a week, that is 9.8 kWh and $1.79 a month.

Your own figure will differ if your appliance has a different wattage, if you use it more or less, or if your price per kWh is not the national average. Change any of those in the calculator at the top of this page. Our step-by-step guide explains where to find each number.

Cost to run an electric pressure cooker in every state

Based on 1,000 watts for 45 minutes per use, 3 times a week, at each state's average residential electricity price for July 2026.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Kitchen Appliances
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly (state electricity prices)
• U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver: Appliances and Electronics

Electricity prices are the EIA figures for July 2026. Wattages are typical values; check the label on your own appliance.