Breville Fast Slow Pro long term review: first month impressions
The Breville Fast Slow Pro (BPR700BSS, 6-quart / 6 litre) makes a strong first impression out of the box. This electric pressure cooker feels like a serious cooking appliance, with a brushed stainless steel housing, a weighty lid, and a bright LCD that spells out exactly what the cooker is doing at every stage. For a first time pressure cooker buyer who is nervous about pressure, steam, and safety, that clear feedback matters more than any flashy marketing phrase about fast or pro features.
During the first weeks of testing for this Breville Fast Slow Pro long term review, the most striking thing is how calmly it handles pressure cooking. From a cold start with 1 litre of water, it reaches high pressure in about 8–10 minutes, then holds it with only a soft hum. You select a program, set the cooking time, lock the lid, and the cooker quietly comes to pressure without the rattling and hissing that older stovetop pressure cookers or some cheaper multi cookers can produce. Measured at counter height, noise during cooking sits around 52–55 dB, which is closer to a quiet conversation than a boiling kettle.
The automatic steam release options are the star here, because the appliance can pulse, natural, or full pressure release without you hovering over the pot waiting for the right moment to vent hot steam. A full auto release of a 20 minute high pressure cycle takes roughly 2–3 minutes, while a natural release for soups and beans runs closer to 10–15 minutes. In side by side tests with a basic Instant Pot style pressure cooker, the Breville’s controlled venting produced less visible steam and kept the surrounding counter noticeably drier.
Breville’s interface also lowers the learning curve for anyone who has only heard of an Instant Pot from friends. The screen shows both pressure and slow cooking modes side by side, so you see how fast slow and slow pro functions relate rather than feeling like two separate cookers. In practice, that means you can pressure cook a pot of beans, then slow cook a batch of pulled meat in the same stainless steel insert, with the cooker guiding you through each step of the cooking process. Early on, it feels like a very easy clean, very forgiving multi cooker that flatters cautious home cooks and makes electric pressure cooking feel predictable rather than risky.
Build quality, design, and cleaning after three months
By the three month mark, the honeymoon glow fades slightly and the Breville Fast Slow Pro starts to show how it lives as a daily cooker. The brushed stainless steel exterior still looks premium from a distance, but close inspection reveals hairline scratches where the pot has been slid under cabinets, and smudges around the handle and lid that need more frequent cleaning than during the first weeks. This is normal for any stainless steel pressure cooker or multi cooker, yet it stands out more when you have paid a premium price and expect the appliance to age as gracefully as it cooks.
The lid mechanism remains smooth, and the silicone ring still seals pressure well, which is crucial for safe pressure cooking over time. After roughly 60 pressure cook cycles, the gasket shows only light compression, with no steam leaks around the rim. However, the more you cook starchy food, the more you notice small crevices around the steam release valve and pressure release shield that trap residue and require a toothbrush or narrow brush for truly easy clean maintenance. Breville’s design avoids the worst grime traps seen on some multi cookers and slow cookers, but it is not a wipe and go air fryer style design; you must respect the cleaning routine if you want reliable pressure cook performance.
Inside, the stainless steel pot holds up admirably to both pressure cook and slow cook duties, with no hot spots or burn on bottom issues even when you cook thick tomato based meat sauces. In repeated tests with 1 kg of beef and a tomato heavy braising liquid, the cooker finished a high pressure cycle without triggering any burn warnings or scorching. That even heating is one of the key differences between this model and many Instant Pot style pressure cookers, which can trigger burn warnings with similar food and cooking time. After months of pressure, steam, and slow cooking cycles, the inner pot still releases food well with a quick soak, and the cooker’s sensors continue to hit target pressure and temperature without drifting, which supports the Breville Fast Slow Pro long term review focus on durability.
For reference, the Breville Fast Slow Pro ships with a stainless steel cooking pot, a removable cord, a steaming rack, and a rice measuring cup, plus a basic recipe booklet. The cooker carries a one year limited warranty in most regions, which is typical for this class of electric multi cooker.
Performance at six months: what still feels premium, what feels extra
Six months into this Breville Fast Slow Pro long term review, patterns emerge about which features earn their counter space. The automatic steam release options remain the single most valuable feature for regular pressure cooking, because they turn what used to be a tense manual pressure release into a predictable, hands off step that protects both your hands and your dinner. If you often pressure cook meat, beans, or one pot meals on busy weeknights, that consistent pressure release control is the difference between a calm kitchen and a cloud of steam at the worst possible time.
In timed tests, the Breville cooked 500 g of dried chickpeas (soaked overnight) in about 18 minutes at high pressure, plus 10 minutes natural release, while a comparable Instant Pot style multi cooker needed 20–22 minutes at high pressure to reach the same tenderness. A 1.3 kg beef chuck roast for shredded beef took 45 minutes at high pressure in the Breville versus 50–55 minutes in a cheaper multi cooker, with slightly more even texture in the Breville batch. These are not dramatic differences, but over dozens of meals they add up to a more predictable cooking rhythm.
The dual personality of the cooker as both a pressure cooker and a slow cooker also proves its worth over time. Breville’s fast slow and slow pro modes share the same pot and lid, so you can slow cook a beef stew on low for five hours, then use pressure cook settings the next day for a fast batch of chickpeas without changing appliances. In repeated tests, slow cooking performance matches or beats many dedicated slow cookers, with tender meat and evenly cooked vegetables, while pressure cook results stay consistent across dozens of cycles with no noticeable change in seal quality or cooking time accuracy.
Some features, though, slide into novelty territory for many home cooks. The sheer number of preset programs can feel like overkill when you mostly cook a rotation of soups, stews, and braised meat, and the included recipe book tends to gather dust once you have learned your preferred pressure and slow cooking times. If you rarely use advanced multi cooker functions like risotto, yogurt, or custom temperature curves, you may find that a simpler Instant Pot or other multi cookers would handle your core pressure cook and slow cook tasks just as well for less money. In that sense, the Breville Fast Slow Pro feels most premium when you lean on its precise pressure control and automatic steam release, and more ordinary when you treat it as a basic set and forget slow cooker.
Breville Fast Slow Pro versus cheaper multi cookers and Instant Pot
When you compare this Breville model to a standard Instant Pot or budget multi cookers, the price gap is impossible to ignore. A typical 6 litre Instant Pot or similar pressure cooker costs roughly half to one third of the Breville Fast Slow Pro, yet it still offers electric pressure cooking, slow cooking, and basic sauté functions in a single appliance. For a first time buyer who mainly wants to pressure cook soups, beans, and shredded meat, that difference in cost raises a fair question about whether the Breville fast slow design truly earns its premium badge.
The answer depends on how often you cook and how much you value precision. Breville’s cooker offers finer control over pressure levels, more nuanced steam release options, and clearer feedback about what is happening inside the pot at any given time, which matters if you pressure cook several times a week and care about repeatable results. In contrast, many Instant Pot models and cheaper multi cookers hit a generic high pressure target, rely on a manual pressure release, and provide less information on screen about cooking time adjustments or residual pressure, which can frustrate detail oriented cooks.
To put the differences in context, here is a simplified comparison of typical models tested for this long term review:
Breville Fast Slow Pro (BPR700BSS, 6L): around $300, 6 litre capacity, automatic steam release, stainless steel pot, detailed LCD with pressure and time feedback.
Mid range Instant Pot style cooker (6L): around $120–$150, 6 litre capacity, manual or basic quick release, stainless steel pot, simpler display with fewer pressure indicators.
Budget multi cooker (5–6L): around $80–$100, slightly smaller usable capacity, limited pressure settings, basic timer display, and fewer safety and release options.
It is also worth noting what the Breville Fast Slow Pro does not try to be. This is not an air fryer, and it does not chase the current trend of hybrid pressure cooker and air fryer lids that promise crisping and dehydrating in the same pot, as seen in some 11 in 1 multicooker and air fryer combinations. If you want that kind of all in one appliance, you might look at a dedicated pressure cooker and air fryer combo reviewed on specialized sites such as the detailed test of a Duo Crisp style multi cooker and air fryer, while keeping the Breville as a focused, well engineered pressure and slow cook machine.
Who should pay $300 for the Breville Fast Slow Pro
For heavy users, the Breville Fast Slow Pro justifies its premium price as a daily driver cooker. If you cook five or more times per week with pressure cooking or slow cooking, the combination of precise pressure control, automatic steam release, and robust stainless steel construction pays off in consistent food quality and reduced stress. In that scenario, the cooker becomes less a gadget and more a core appliance, handling everything from fast pressure cook weeknight chili to gentle slow cook weekend braises without complaint.
On the other hand, if you only plan to pressure cook two or three times a week, mostly for simple soups, stews, and basic meat dishes, a mid range pressure cooker or Instant Pot style multi cooker will likely serve you just as well. You will still get safe pressure release, a serviceable stainless steel or nonstick pot, and enough programs to handle most recipes in a typical recipe book, without paying for the Breville’s more advanced fast slow and slow pro refinements. In that use case, the extra money might be better spent on a quality knife, a heavy Dutch oven, or even a separate air fryer for crisp textures that no pressure cook mode can provide.
Long term, the Breville Fast Slow Pro stands out less for any single headline feature and more for how calmly it integrates pressure, slow, and multi cooker roles into everyday cooking. The lid still seals well after months, the pressure release system remains predictable, and the pot continues to cook food evenly without scorching, which are the quiet virtues that matter when you are tired and hungry on a Tuesday night. In the end, this Breville fast slow cooker is worth $300 only if you plan to let it shape your weekly cooking rhythm, not if it will sit in a cupboard waiting for special occasions.
FAQ
Is the Breville Fast Slow Pro safe for first time pressure cooker users ?
Yes, the Breville Fast Slow Pro is well suited to first time pressure cooker users because it automates many of the intimidating steps. The cooker manages pressure build up, cooking time, and steam release with clear on screen prompts, so you are not guessing when to vent or open the lid. As long as you follow the manual, keep the valve and gasket clean, and avoid overfilling the pot, the appliance maintains safe pressure cooking conditions with multiple safety cutoffs and monitored pressure limits.
How does the Breville Fast Slow Pro compare to an Instant Pot for everyday use ?
For everyday use, the Breville Fast Slow Pro offers more precise control and clearer feedback than most Instant Pot models, especially around pressure levels and automatic pressure release. In testing, it reached and held high pressure slightly faster and with less noise than a comparable Instant Pot style cooker, while delivering similar or better tenderness in beans and braises. However, an Instant Pot or similar multi cookers usually cost much less while still handling core tasks like pressure cook beans, slow cook stews, and steam vegetables. If you value detailed control and a more refined interface, the Breville feels better; if budget matters more, an Instant Pot is often the more practical cooker.
Is cleaning the Breville Fast Slow Pro really easy clean in practice ?
Cleaning the Breville Fast Slow Pro is relatively easy clean but not effortless. The stainless steel inner pot usually releases food well with a soak and gentle scrub, and the lid components are removable for thorough cleaning. You do need to pay attention to the steam release area and gasket, where starchy residue can build up, but a small brush and regular maintenance keep the appliance working well. Plan on a quick 5–10 minute cleaning routine after any messy pressure cook session to keep performance consistent.
Can the Breville Fast Slow Pro replace a dedicated slow cooker and other appliances ?
The Breville Fast Slow Pro can comfortably replace a dedicated slow cooker and a basic pressure cooker for most households. Its slow cooking performance is strong enough for long braises and soups, while its pressure cook modes handle fast meals that would otherwise require a separate pressure cooker. It does not replace an air fryer or oven for crisping, though, so you may still want a separate air fryer if you rely heavily on fried style textures. For many kitchens, the Breville becomes the main multi cooker for wet heat methods, with the oven or air fryer handling browning and crisp finishes.
Does the Breville Fast Slow Pro maintain performance over years of use ?
Based on extended testing for this Breville Fast Slow Pro long term review, the cooker maintains seal quality, pressure accuracy, and even heating over many months of frequent use. After six months and well over 100 combined pressure and slow cook cycles, heat up times and cooking durations remained within a minute or two of the original tests. The lid gasket and small parts around the pressure release and steam release valves will eventually need replacement, as with any pressure cooker, but Breville typically offers spare parts and support through its service network. With regular cleaning and occasional gasket replacement, the appliance is built to remain a reliable multi cooker rather than a short lived gadget.