How To Close Instant Pot

Whats The Big Deal With Instant Pots Anyway

How to open and close your INSTANT POT

Instant Pots are multifunction, programmable electric pressure cookers. Think of them as little cooking robots.

If youre not familiar with pressure cooking, the entire point of an Instant Pot can be confusing.

The big sell here is pressure cooking is up to 70 percent faster than other ways of cooking. Pressure cookers reach higher temperatures because their lids lock into place without steam escaping, which creates a pressurized environment inside the pot. In this environment, the cooker reaches 250°F .

With pressure cooking on a stove, you have to keep a close eye on the cooker because you regulate the heat source. But with an electric Instant Pot, the cooker regulates its own heat via sensors. Thats the other win. Program the Instant Pot and once its going, youre free to go for a walk, vacuum the living roomyou get the idea.

Instant Pots can do other things besides pressure cook, too. With the lid off, you can sauté ingredients before pressure cooking. You can also use it as a slow cooker or for making yogurt. Were not going to worry about doing those things here, though. This guide is all about pressure cooking.

Coco Morante

Should Instant Pot Valve Be Up Or Down

Make sure that the pressure release valve is in place, and it is set to the Sealing position . If all of these are properly in place, your Instant Pot should be able to build pressure and cook your food. When everything is under pressure, the floating pin of your Instant Pot should be in the up position.

Attaching The Condensation Collector

When you open the lid of the Instant Pot, some cooking liquid tends to run off the lid and into the rim that runs around the pot. It can be a pain to clean. To prevent this rim from overflowing with liquid, theres a small hole in it. Under that hole, you can attach the condensation collector. Basically, a small cup that will hold excess liquid and prevent it from going all over your counter.

The condensation collector can be tough to install. You need to line it up with two slots and then push it toward the machine. To remove, pull it toward yourself.

With the cord and condensation collector installed, we can finally run the water test.

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Instant Pot Parts And Accessories

Base Unit this contains the heating element.

Stainless Steel Inner Pot fits into the base unit.

Lid the look of the lid varies between Instant Pot models.

Steam Release Valve this fits on the top of the lid and may already be attached.

Condensation Collector attach this to the back of your Instant Pot.

Trivet be sure to keep this, as you will use it often.

Power Cord removable in some Instant Pot models.

Measuring Cup & Utensils These come with the Instant Pot. I use my own measuring cups and utensils instead of these.

The first thing youll want to do is wash the parts of your Instant Pot. The Instant Pot lid, steam release valve and stainless steel inner pot are dishwasher safe however, I wash mine by hand. The base unit is not dishwasher safe never immerse the base unit in water.

How To Cook For Zero Minutes

How to Use an Instant Pot + Instructional Video ...

Yes, there really is a zero minute cooking cycle on the Instant Pot. This short cycle is most commonly used to cook non-starchy vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower and zucchini. If you cook them for even one full minute, then turn to mush!

Cooking for 0 minutes is the same as cooking anything else on Manual. Press the Manual or Pressure Cook button, then use the button to lower the cooking time to zero minutes. The Instant Pot will still take several minutes to come to pressure , and then as soon as the cooking cycle beeps to signal that its complete, youll quickly release the pressure right away so that the vegetables dont over-cook. It will take 2 to 3 minutes for the pressure to release, so the food will be in your Instant Pot for at least 12 to 15 minutes in total, giving it plenty of time to cook.

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How To Use Your Instant Pot

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Are you a new Instant Pot owner? Or maybe you bought one a while ago, but havent been brave enough to open the box? I used to be intimidated by the Instant Pot myself, so today I want to share with you 10 things you must know about using your electric pressure cooker. Im hoping it will help you feel confident enough to take full-advantage of it in no time!

Why Is My Instant Pot Venting When Sealed

If your pressure vent knob is turned to venting instead of sealing, clearly the instant pot will not seal. The instant pot will heat up and the thin liquid and heat will be evaporated through the vent knob, instead of trapped inside the instant pot. This one happens to me ALL the time!Jul 10, 2020

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I Keep Burning My Fingers When Trying To Release Steam

The release nozzle on the Pots valve is pretty loose, and twitching it open for a fast release after pressure cooking can be painful for even fast fingers. If youve been burnt by steam before, theres a very simple solution that Pot users have found: Just use a wooden spoon. Push the valve open with the spoon to release it and avoid any steam issues.

How To Open & Close The Lid

Closing the Instant Pot lid

First Instant Pot setup skill you need to master is opening & closing the Instant Pot Lid with ease.

As shown in photo below, the black markings on the lid & pot may not be easy to spot at first.

Markings on lid: Close Inverted Triangle Open
Markings on exterior housing: Locked Triangle Unlocked Triangle

Open Lid : twist counter clockwise until Inverted Triangle is aligned with the Unlocked Triangle sign, then lift the lid.
Close Lid : align the Inverted Triangle with the Unlocked Triangle, then twist clockwise to lock the lid.

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How To Make Sure The Instant Pot Is Sealed To Build Pressure

Check and make sure that the silicone sealing ring is properly seated around the ring rack. If its properly seated, you should be able to rotate it with some effort.

Take a look at the float valve and anti-block shield. The shield can be taken off to be cleaned after use, but you want to make sure that its back in place afterwards. Both the float valve and anti-block shield should be clean and free of debris.

Make sure that the pressure release valve is in place, and it is set to the Sealing position .

If all of these are properly in place, your Instant Pot should be able to build pressure and cook your food. When everything is under pressure, the floating pin of your Instant Pot should be in the up position.

For those who have the Instant Pot Ultra model, it automatically seals for you so you dont have to manually do it yourself.

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Check Silicone Sealing Ring

How to install sealing ring on Instant Pot? Put the sealing ring on top of the rack on the Instant Pot lid, then gently run your fingers along the ring as you push it into the rack.

Its criticalto ensure the silicone sealing ring is seated properly, and there isnt anything stuck on the ring or rack.

*Caution: Never pull the ring by force as it may stretch or damage the ring and affect the sealing function. Dont use it if it has cracks, cuts, or any other damages.

Do you need a spare sealing ring? Its always good to have a spare Silicone Sealing Ring because they do wear and tear. Plus, the ring may get stinky as it absorbs food odors over time. If you like, you can dedicate 1 Sealing Ring for Savory food, and the other for Sweets.

8 Quart: Sealing Ring

How To Safely Release Pressure From The Valve Of Your Instant Pot

Once you hear your Instant Pot beeping because the food is done, you can choose to release the pressure immediately or let it sit for a bit before releasing .

When you’re ready to release, grab the handle of the pressure release valve and turn it downwards to the Venting position.

It’s highly recommended to use something, such as a wooden spoon or the rice paddle that comes with your Instant Pot, to turn the knob in order to prevent your fingers from getting hit with steam.

If you cook something with a lot of liquid or starch, like soups and pastas, you’ll want to release the pressure in controlled bursts . Otherwise, you’ll end up with a mess all over your kitchen if you just let it all spew out.

Also make sure that your Instant Pot is not directly underneath kitchen cabinets, as steam hitting the cabinets may cause unwanted warping of wood and create a breeding ground for bacteria.

Once all of the pressure is released from the valve, the pin should go down , and you can safely open up the Instant Pot.

Bon appétit!

Releasing the pressure when cooking with an Instant Pot can be a bit scary at first, but you get used to it once you start using it more. Just make sure to never touch the handle of the pressure release knob directly, as hot steam and liquid coming out may burn you. Always use something to turn the knob , divert the steam away from cabinets, and also release in controlled bursts for lots of liquid or starch.

Can You Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts In The Instant Pot

7 Common Instant Pot Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them ...

While this tutorial focuses on cooking fresh chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, you can easily achieve the same results with frozen chicken breasts using this technique. Just make sure to add 5 additional minutes of cooking time when using frozen chicken breasts. And be sure the breasts are separated before cooking. For more details, learn step-by-step how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot.

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Avoid Overcooking Food With The Keep Warm Setting

The Keep Warm setting automatically turns on when your food is done cooking, so its easy to get distracted and forget that its on. If you dont manually shut off the machine, the Keep Warm setting will keep it on for 10 hours before the machine shuts off itself.

If youd rather NOT use the Keep Warm setting on your Instant Pot, you can switch it off on the control panel and avoid the risk of overcooked food altogether.

You Need To Add More Liquid

The very first thing you need to do is make sure you put enough liquid in your pressure cooker. Instant Pots use steam to cook your food, and steam is created from liquid. As the liquid circulates in your Instant Pot and steam is created, it begins to create pressure. Thus, if there is not enough liquid, you will not have pressure.

As a rule of thumb, you should always put at least 1-cup of water into your pressure cooker. However, I have found that after putting in at least 2-cups of water, I rarely have a pressure problem or burn notice. So, if your pot wont pressurize, try adding ½ to 1 cups of water.

If you are using a recipe that does not call for a lot of liquid, then you will need to add more water so that your instant pot has the required amount to pressurize. If you find this makes your recipe too watery or thin near the end of cooking, try saute mode to see if the dish has thickened up.

If you are still having trouble, getting your Instant Pot to pressurize after adding more liquid, then move on to the next solution.

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I Am Pressure Cooking But Steam Is Leaking Out

Is steam leaking out of the pressure valve, even when turned to the upper locked position? Its normal for a small amount of steam to leak from the valve while the pot is heating up, but if it continues to leak steam during the pressure cooking cycle, you may have a problem. This could be a sign that you need to clean out and reposition the valve. If this doesnt work, you may even need to replace the valve.

If steam is seeping out the sides, make sure the lid is properly locked for pressure cooking. If the lid seems to be fine, examine your sealing ring. A stretched or cracked ring should be replaced. If the ring has become dislodged, you can usually put it back into place without trouble. A loose ring can firm up if you put it in the freezer for a little while, but this will ultimately hasten the silicone decay, so you should plan on getting a new ring either way.

My Instant Pot Isnt Searing Very Well

How to screw the lid on the Instant Pot

Sautéing with your Instant Pot is convenient, but it can be challenging to get a decent sear on specific cuts of meat. We recommend opting for a different appliance entirely to sear most larger-cut foods, like steak, because your Instant Pot wont get hot enough to execute a deep sear. Smaller cuts of meat may prove to be successful, but we cant promise that the meat wont become chewy or soggy. Searing is not the Instant Pots strong suit, so you should leave that job up to your trusted frying pan.

Read our instant pot tips and tricks guide to learn about more things you can do with this kitchen appliance. Interested in a new model? See which instant pot is right for you.

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Install Instant Pot Condensation Collector

If your Instant Pot came with 2 plastic cups, the round plastic cup is a Rice Measuring Cup. The flat plastic cup is an instant pot condensation collector.

How to Install Instant Pot Condensation Collector? Find the slot at the back of Instant Pot, then slide it right in .

*Pro Tip: be sure to check & rinse the condensation cup once in a while.

How To Use Your Instant Pot As A Slow Cooker

Prep your food. Cut, chop, or season the ingredients according to the recipe.

Place the lid on the pot. Again, a tempered glass lid will work best for this purpose but you can use the standard lid if that’s all you have available.

Press the Slow Cook button. If you have the 3-quart version, it’s on the bottom right side, under the Steam button.

Set the time. Set the cooking duration between 30 minutes and 20 hours with the + and buttons under the time display.

Press the Adjust button. It’s in the bottom center section on the 3-quart version, next to Timer and above Manual. You can choose “Normal,””More,” and “Less.” These correspond to medium, high, and low on a traditional Crock-Pot.

Cook. Cooking will start automatically 10 seconds after the last button is pressed. When your recipe is finished cooking, the Instant Pot will beep and transition automatically to “Keep Warm” for 10 hours.

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My Pot Is Kind Of Stinky

The rubberized sealing ring of the Instant Pot can absorb odors easily, especially when pressure cooking. If you are cooking a particularly pungent meal, the ring may retain the smell, which is annoying when making a different meal. Garlic smells may be the most common, but it can happen over time with a variety of odors.

If the odor is causing problems, take your sealing ring out and try washing it in the dishwasher. This can remove some of the worst of the smell and get the ring back into working order. You may also want to try soaking it in a pan of warm water mixed with baking soda to absorb as much of the odor as you can. Some people even choose to purchase a spare sealing ring and use one for meals and one for desserts.

Your Instant Pot Wont Come To Pressure If It Needs Cleaned Better

Sometimes food particles can get stuck in places we just didnt notice. You may need to clean your silicone sealing ring, as it may have debris on the inside. You may need to clean the Instant Pot lid area so the lid can lock into place. Or you may need to clean the float valve or anti-block shield. If you have any debris where it shouldnt be, your Instant Pot will not come to pressure. This is a safety feature to ensure that your Instant Pot will not blow up! Clean your slow cooker with soapy water, and dry it well before using.

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Load The Ingredients Into The Inner Pot Then Place It Inside The Instant Pot Housing

How to close instant pot lid. Unplug the appliance when not in use and before cleaning. So I was able to get the lid to close with no issues WITHOUT the silver inner cooking pot inside. You can alternatively use an Instant Pot tempered glass lid which well discuss below.

Make sure the pressure is completely released by moving the steam valve to the venting position. In this case you will need to remove the lid. Im at my wits end and Im convinced I have a faulty product but I wanted to ask yall before I send it back.

Wait for the float valve to drop before trying to open the lid. 422020 Types of Instant Pot Lid. I got out my new instant pot for my very first meal last night and could never get the dang lid to seal.

1032020 In the first step remove the lid from the pot Take out the silicone sealing ring as well as the anti-block shield the shield is added under the lid After taking out everything use the dishwashing cleanser to handwash the lid make sure that you are cleaning the insides of the edges along with the underlying crannies and nooks. Loans With No Deposit. When the Lid error occurs with the Instant Pot this means that the users havent closed down the lid properly.

Heres what youll want to know about your Instant Pot lid and its requirements. 1072020 Then take the metallic scale and adjust it between the gap of both sides of the instant pots handle and move it one by one. Cannot open the lid.

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