What If Its Not Fully Cooked Yet
Well, that sucks. When your family is hungry and the lentils are hard as pebbles, you know you have a problem. At least, youve learned something! But what to do?
Chin up! Fixing the problem will take less time than ordering a vegan pad thai from the delivery place across the street.
Putting the lid back on and adding 1-5 minutes of cooking time under pressure is the reasonable next step in many cases. However, you may discover that the lid does not seamlessly twist and lock as youd expect it to. That is because the silicone gasket has puffed up under pressure, and hasnt yet had a chance to return to normal.
The right thing to do is NOT to force it on. Your pot may not seal properly, or cause you to get the dreaded burn message.
Instead, here is what you can try:
Can Instant Pot Be Used For Pressure Canning
This is a direct quote from Instant Pots official website: Instant Pot has not been tested for food safety in pressure canning by USDA.; Due to the fact that programs in Instant Pot IP-CSG, IP-LUX and IP-DUO series are regulated by a pressure sensor instead of a thermometer, the elevation of your location may affect the actual cooking temperature. ;For now, we wouldnt recommend using Instant Pot for pressure canning purpose.
Do Make Sure Your Liner And Sealing Ring Are In Place
Make sure you have your liner in the pot and your sealing ring is on properly. To confirm youre doing this right, watch the video above where I walk you step by step through the water test.
- Save
You will pour your 3 cups of water into the Instant Pot, and close the top. On the video, I show you how to do this. I struggled with the top my first time so dont feel bad if you cant get it to close on your first try!
Don’t Miss: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
Inspecting Your Instant Pot Before Each Use
1. Remove the stainless steel inner pot and look inside the instant pot base. You will see the heating element. The heating element should always be free of debris and dry before you use you the Instant Pot. After washing, I always dry my stainless steel inner pot thoroughly before returning it to the base unit.
2. Check that the silicone sealing ring is fitted properly onto the lid and is clean and free of tears.
3. Remove the steam release valve from the Instant Pot lid by gently pulling it straight up. Make sure it is clean and free of debris. Some foods, such as applesauce, pasta and oatmeal may froth and foam when you cook them and can clog the steam release valve. Check the steam release valve each time you use your Instant Pot. If it is dirty clean it under running water and then put it back on the Instant Pot lid.
4. Check the float valve to ensure it is clean and free of debris. Clean it with warm water as needed. You may place the lid under running water as needed to wash it.
Making sure that all parts of your Instant Pot are clean and in good working condition can help you to have the best success with pressure cooking. My post about the Instant Pot burn message tells you both how to prevent getting this warning and what to do if you do get a burn message.
Are There Drawbacks To A Stovetop Pressure Cooker
Of course. No tool is perfect.
In comparison to an electric pressure cooker, the main drawback of a stovetop PC is that it doesn’t shut itself off automatically when it’s done–you have to remember to turn it off.
A stovetop pressure cooker also isn’t quite as versatile as an electric pressure cooker. Although, when you look at this more closely, you’ll see that a that the electric cooker really only does 4 things: pressure cook, slow cook, sear, and steam. And the truth is that you can do all of those things with a stovetop pressure cooker–and you can do them better.;
A further point is that, if you have a pressure cooker, you don’t need a slow cooker. Slow cooking and pressure cooking are essentially the same technique–braising in liquid–but the pressure cooker does it in a fraction of the time.
What about all the 7-in-1, 10-in-1, 14-in-1 claims? Those are really just the number of shortcut features a cooker has; all of the settings are some version of the 4 main functions of an electric pressure cooker.
What a stovetop pressure cooker lacks are the shortcut features. So for example, you can’t set it to “beans” or “yogurt” and let it do its thing. Instead, you have to bring it to pressure, turn it down, and keep an eye on the clock so you can switch it off at the right time .;
You just have to do all of these things manually.;
If you want to make homemade yogurt, you can even do that in a stovetop pressure cooker. You just have to do it the old school way.
Don’t Miss: How Long To Cook Fava Beans In Instant Pot
Option 2: Keep Oil And Seared/sauteed Food In
And mix in the rest of the ingredients and water or broth.
Now both these approaches are viable in terms of cooking.;
One important thing that you have to remember is that you will always need a large amount of liquid.
The instant pot cannot create pressure if there is no liquid to build it from. As the instant pot temperature rises above usual cooking temperatures, you would most likely burn the food before anything else. It would take a much higher temp for oil to vaporize.
If you hope that you can sear the meat in the instant pot, add in veggies, broth, and spices, and have a crispy layer on your meat by the end of cooking, you will be disappointed.
This is, unfortunately, not the case. But having a nicely closed meat that will retain all its juices can be more than expected.
So one point of worthiness is down. Lets steam our way to the next one.
Do Cook Inexpensive Tough Cuts Of Meats
With the pressure cooker function youll get tender, melt-in-your-mouth results in less than half the time youd need in the oven think 30-minute spare ribs, 45-minute pulled pork sandwiches and 40-minute beef stew. Or make it an all-day thing and braise them low and slow on the slow cooker function.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
You May Like: What To Cook In Instant Pot
You Wont Benefit From Using An Instant Pot If:
- You have a lot of time to spare every day.;
- You enjoy the cooking prep.
- You perfect every part of your cooking, from precisely cut vegetables to ideally spiced sauce.;
- You love cooking with all its benefits and issues.;
- You enjoy the process of cooking anything from the first design to the final result.;
- Your recipes and honor require experienced hands and complicated techniques.
Few right questions sprung up from the list above. Lets take a look at them.;
How Do You Use A Pressure Cooker
It can vary slightly depending on which model youve bought, and you should always read the instructions thoroughly, but there are some general principles to follow when using your pressure cooker:
Don’t Miss: Can You Cook Rice In Instant Pot
What To Look For In A Stovetop Pressure Cooker
A good stovetop pressure cooker should have a thick, sturdy base that distributes heat evenly. It should have construction that gives us confidence that it will not explode or otherwise be a danger in the kitchen. We want it to have a lid that locks on securely and easily, without having to fiddle around.
Pressure gauges come in two distinct forms these days. The old-fashioned method uses a jigglera weight that sits over the end of a pressure-release tube that runs through the lid of the cooker. As the pressure inside builds, it eventually has enough force to lift the jiggler and emit a puff of steam, regulating the temperature and the pressure inside. The problem with jigglers is that each time they vent steam, the contents of the pot boil a bit, something that ideally shouldn’t happen inside a pressure cooker. Moreover, the only way you can monitor internal temperature is by adjusting the heat until the jiggler releases steam at a bare hiss, indicating you’ve achieved and maintained good pressure inside.
More modern cookers have spring-loaded release valves that rise and fall with the pressure inside but don’t actually vent steam until a fixed safety point is reached. This allows you to adjust the flame without actually venting any steam or causing boiling or other internal disturbances. I much prefer this style of stovetop cooker, though it can be pricier.
Use An Electric Kettle
If you dont have access to a stove, you dont need to worry. Since water, being a liquid, will take the shape of any container that you put it in, therefore boiling is an easy task. A common appliance that can be used in case of unavailability of a stove is an electric kettle. Most electric kettles come with a thermostat that will automatically go off once the water has reached a full boil.;
Electric kettle is a great replacement for everyday use when you want to boil water for a cup of coffee or tea. They are also covered from the top, which means you will be able to reach the boiling point quickers, saving you both electricity and time.;
Electric kettles are able to directly pour the liquid without any risks involved, so you dont need to worry about putting the gloves on or reading the instruction manual very deeply to get this job done.;
Read Also: How To Cook An Artichoke In An Instant Pot
Do You Need To Double The Cook Time For A Double Recipe
If you would like to double an Instant Pot recipe, you may double the ingredients . You do not need to double the cook time.
However, you may need to adjust the cook time based on the size/width of meat and vegetables. For example, a small 8 ounce chicken breast will cook faster than a large 12 ounce chicken breast and a small sweet potato will cook faster than a large sweet potato. Read all recipes and directions carefully to determine how long to cook your food.
What Is The Instant Pot
Instant Pot is a pressure cooker — and then some. It also sautés, slow cooks, makes rice and steams veggies and poultry. It’s an all-in-one device, so you can, for instance, brown a chicken and cook it all in the same pot. In most cases, Instant Pot meals are ready to serve in less than an hour.
Its quick cook times are thanks to its pressure-cooking function, which locks steam created by liquid , building pressure and pushing steam back into the food.;
But don’t confuse it with a stovetop pressure cooker. Unlike your grandparents’ pressure cooker, this Instant Pot eliminates safety concerns with a lid that locks, and stays locked, until the pressure is released. ;;
Yes, you can cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot.
Read Also: How To Cook Chicken Breast In Instant Pot
Why Are Instant Pots Dangerous
Lets get the biggest elephant in the room out right now.;
As I have mentioned above in day-to-day usage, the instant pot is safe if you follow instructions, and you are mindful of its features.
But you are handling a home cooking tech that can build up a massive amount of pressure inside its container. And releasing this pressure safely is critical for keeping you safe and sound.
The most significant danger on an instant pot is You. It is hard to hear, but user error is the most common meltdown point of an instant pot.;
The biggest reason why are instant pots dangerous is the pressurized superhot steam that is inside the container.
Usually, there are two ways to get rid of it. Either naturally or manually.
The 1st one takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is recommended in general. The only thing you have to do is sit and wait. At the end of the cooking cycle, the instant pot will turn the heat down and, in some way, signal to you that it is switching to keep warm. Most instant pots have some buttons like cancel or similar to terminate the current process and start releasing pressure.;
Press it and wait. Thats it. Your manual will give you more details in this regard.
Of course, there are times when you dont want to wait or do not have time to do so. Also, you might be impatient. I can almost hear the words:
,,But Vojta, I want to eat now! It is done! Lets open it immediately!
The 2nd option is to release the pressure quickly via the pressure valve.;
How To Cook Using An Instant Pot
For a quick and dirty guide, it’s as easy as this:;
If using your Instant Pot still seems daunting and you need more detailed instructions on how to use it, we’ve got you covered.
Once you’ve found a safe place to put your Instant Pot I keep mine on a kitchen counter away from other appliances take a moment to gently handwash the removable pot and the interior of the lid before you first use it. Next, plug in the unit.
If you are using meat or vegetables like garlic and onions that benefit from browning, you’ll want to use the sauté function first. With some recipes you can skip the searing shredded chicken from frozen comes to mind but for the most part, you want to brown or sear your meat first to add and lock-in flavors. Press the Stop or Cancel button to stop the sautéing, and add your other ingredients. If there is an excessive amount of grease left in the pot, drain it before continuing.
Before you press Start to begin the cooking process, make sure the steam valve is in the closed position. If it’s left open, the pressure will never build up, and your meal will take much longer to cook.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Hoppin John In Instant Pot
The Worst Foods That Can Sputter And Clog Your Instant Pot Release Valve
Be especially aware of things that sputter when they cook as they can clog the release valve on the inside of the lid.
Im not saying dont use them, but definitely, dont overfill the Instant Pot when using them. And ideally, make sure youre using an Instant Pot recipe that calls for those ingredients (and that the recipe has good reviews.
Foods that tend to sputter a lot when cooking include:
- Cranberries
- Rhubarb
- Pearled Barley
I took a look at some well-rated recipes that call for some of those and I did see a few helpful tips to reduce foaming and sputtering which could clog your release valve.
Those tips include:
- Add a little oil or butter to the cooking liquid which reduces foaming
- Use the natural pressure release method rather than the quick method
- Spray a little oil on the inside of the lid including the valve
I will say, I saw a lot of recipes for these foods, so dont shy away from them with your Instant Pot. Just use precautions and especially avoid overfilling the inner pot.
Is Instapot A Pressure Cooker
Instant Pots are a brand of electric pressure cookers or multicookers. Pressure cookers work by creating heat under a tight seal, so the temperature is much higher than the boiling point of water and the steam cant escape. The steam cooks food much more quickly than traditional stovetop or oven cooking.
Recommended Reading: How To Instant Pot Chicken Breast
