Take The Fear Out Of Instant Pot Cooking
Are fear and uncertainty are holding you back from making the most of your Instant Pot ? I have a great video course that will help you learn all the basics, whether youre a first time user or could use a refresher.
Instant Success with Jillee will teach you how to use the Instant Pot, how to troubleshoot common problems, and much, much more. Youll get all the tips, tricks, and details you need to go from nervous newbie to Instant Pot Proall in under an hour!
In addition to the video course, youll also get access to other valuable materials like my two bestselling Instant Pot ebooks , a handy cooking times printable, and an Instant Pot programs printable. To learn more about the course, the bundle materials, or to get started, click here!
What delicious creations have you been cooking up in your Instant Pot?
I may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on this website. I always offer my own genuine recommendation.
Read This Next
Dont Forget To Seal The Instant Pot Steam Valve
There should never be steam blowing out of your appliance while cooking if there is, you didnt seal the steam valve, and your food wont be cooked.
Properly close the Instant Pot steam valve every time you use your pressure cooker.
Psstcheck KCLs pressure cooker deals for other brands like Ninja.
More Instant Pot Resources
Did you know we have entire Youtube channeldedicated to healthy Instant Pot recipes and tips? My goal is to help you become confident with your Instant Pot by demonstrating each delicious foolproof recipe in step-by-step videos. Make sure to subscribe and hit the Bell icon not to miss new videos.
The information on this website is for educational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. You assume full responsibility and liability for your own actions.
This page may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy. ifoodreal.com is a participant of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase, we will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep iFOODreal recipes free. Thanks for your support!
Read Also: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
Instant Pot Tips For Beginners
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my affiliate disclosure.
Learn how to use and better understand your Instant Pot with these 10 Instant Pot tips for beginners.
Are you new to the Instant Pot or perhaps have been too intimidated to even open the box? Get started! Believe meyou are going to love it. It has become a vital tool in my kitchen. I want to share 10 Instant Pot tips with you to help you gain your confidence and better understand your Instant Pot.
I bought my Instant Pot a number of years ago before it gained its current popularity. We had moved back to Canada from Australia and I needed to repurchase my small kitchen appliances. I had a slow cooker on my list and somebody mentioned that I should get an Instant Pot instead. Initially, I was a little hesitant and freaked out since when I heard the term pressure cooker, I had memories of a traditional version we had received as a wedding gift that I found absolutely terrifying to use.
I am so happy that I took the plunge and bought it. I dont have too many kitchen gadgets but the Instant Pot has become one of my must-haves. My Instant Pot gets used multiple times a week and sometimes daily for either a component of a meal or to make the main course itself.
Instant Pot Natural Release Vs Quick Release
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
What is the difference between Natural Release vs. Quick Release for the Instant Pot?
Dont have an Instant Pot yet or new to Instant Pot? Read What is The Instant Pot for more info! .
If you are lucky enough to have recently become the owner of an Instant Pot, then congratulations! There are a ton of amazing recipes available from Instant Pot Ribs to the most delicious Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe!
But maybe pressure cooking is new to you. If so, youll need to get familiar with natural release vs. quick release.
Read Also: How Long To Steam Broccoli In Instant Pot
Timed Natural Release A Mix Of Quick Release And Natural Release
A Timed Natural Release is a hybrid version of the natural release and quick release methods.
This method is handy when you do not have much time on your hands, but your recipe demands a natural release process. Here, you get the benefit of both steam releasing naturally as well as quickly while the food continues to cook during the waiting period.
How To Use An Instant Pot: 10 Common Mistakes To Avoid
How to Use an Instant Pot: 10 Common …
Youve heard of them and know theyre on a lot of most-wanted lists, but youve also wondered how to use an Instant Pot. I mean, its a pressure cooker, it gets steamy, and isnt that supposed to be a littlerisky?! Fear not, friends. My Instant Pot is one of my favorite kitchen appliances, and it will be yours too as long as you avoid these common mistakes!
Still dont have one? Check out these Instant Pot deals for the best savings, and for money-saving tips, deals, and coupons.
Don’t Miss: My Instant Pot Says Burn
Make Sure Your Vent In Set To Sealing
This is key. On your lid there is a vent that looks like a lever of sorts. When starting your cook, you want this lever pointing toward “sealing” and not “venting.” Sealing means the Instant Pot is going to hold all the pressure created inside the pot, while venting is what you’ll likely do to release the pressure when the food is finished cooking.
How To Set Up Instant Pot
Steam Rack :
Instant Pot Condensation Collector:
Instant Pot Lid:
integral
Steam Release Valve:
sealingventing1. Sealing: 2. Venting or How to Release Pressure from the Pressure Cooking Setting-Quick release.
-Natural release. If you do NOT do a quick release by pushing the valve to the venting position, the Instant Pot will naturally begin to release the steam on its own immediately after the programmed cooking time is over. This allows the pressure to naturally dissipate on its own. It will start counting to let you know how many minutes it has been releasing the pressure. Usually this takes about 10-20 minutes depending on what and how long you have been cooking something.
The Underside of the Instant Pot Lid:
The Anti-Block Shield:
Instant Pot Sealing Ring:
You May Like: Instant Pot Fire Hazard
Doubling A Recipe Does Not Double The Cook Time
Do not double the cook time if you double a recipe. If you want to double an Instant Pot recipe, you can double the ingredients . However, the cook time you set remains the same. It will just take longer to come to pressure.
Note: Cook time may need to be adjusted though based on the size of the chunk of food .
Q: When Do I Use A Quick Pressure Release
Using a quick pressure release stops the pressure cooking quickly. Therefore, you should use a quick pressure release when you are cooking ingredients, like vegetables, that you want to avoid overcooking.
I use a quick pressure release when I make my Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad so the potatoes are tender but still chunky and hold their shape.
Our Favorite Recipes to use Quick Pressure Release:
Dont use a quick release with ingredients that foam or have fatty or thick ingredients.
Also Check: Cleaning Instant Pot Lid Dishwasher
Sealing Ring Isnt Properly Seated
The final thing that could be wrong with the pressure system of your instant pot is the sealing ring. In order to generate and maintain a reliable seal, any appliance will need to use a rubber sealing ring. In the case of your instant pot, the sealing ring can be found within the lid and is designed to be removed and replaced after a while of use.
If your sealing ring isnt properly seated, is missing, or has hardened due to time and use, then it will not be able to create a proper seal. This means that while your instant pot may have been supplying heat to the inner chamber, you will not have been effectively cooking your food.
What Is The Timer Button For
Some models have a button that reads Timer. While you may think that this is the button that sets the cooking time for your Instant Pot, it actually delays cooking time and will start the cooking when the timer counts down. You can set the cooking time with the plus/minus buttons or the dial, depending on the model.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot
What Is Natural Release Instant Pot
As the name suggests, you need to leave your instant pot to work on its own for this method. Your instant pot will release the pressure once it depressurizes on its own.
Your instant pot will signal you with a beep stating that it has completed the cooking cycle and will automatically start releasing the pressure.
To figure out if your instant pot has released its steam completely, completely check the float valve for this. The natural release process is complete if it drops down.
Once the pressure is released it is now safe to open the lid. Remember, you will only be able to open the lid if the pot is depressurized. Never try to open the lid before this process.
Steam Vent Is Blocked
When the cooking time that you programmed into the pot finishes, steam will automatically start to naturally vent from the steam value on top of your instant pot. You can, at that point, choose to rapidly vent the steam if you want.
If you cannot naturally release steam into the room that youre in, and the steam release valve will not release steam manually either, then the steam release valve itself may be blocked.
This is a fairly common problem due to the fact that a lot of people use their instant pots to cook fine foods like rice or quinoa the small grains can sometimes get caught in the steam valve, leading to a clog which can impair the overall function of the machine.
Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Modes
Get To Know The Design
Electric pressure cookers come with an inner pot and an outer pot , as well as a lid that creates an airtight seal.
The airtight seal is what creates the pressure, which will eventually need to be released, and to do so safely, youll need to read the directions that come with your pot. But generally speaking, youll either use the quick-release method , or the natural-release method .
Test Kitchen tip: A cool, wet towel placed on the lid can help speed up the release process.
How To Use An Instant Pot
Wondering how to use your new Instant Pot? This guide is for anyone using an Instant Pot for the first time or youve owned yours for a while but still have some things to learn. This guide will offer you recipes, tricks, tips, and more for breaking in your new pressure cooker.
The Instant Pot can be intimidating for a new user, especially if you werent interested in pressure cooking before. You might think the Instant Pot is similar to that steaming, hissing pot on the stove your mom used to use. There are so many buttons and safety warnings. It just seems overwhelming
However, I can guarantee that once you start using it, the mystery and fear will go away. Youll wonder what you ever did without your Instant Pot. I use mine nearly every day and cant imagine my kitchen without it.
You May Like: How To Make Sushi Rice Instant Pot
More Instant Pot Tips
After owning my Instant Pot for about a year, I’ve made some mistakes and learned a few lessons I’d like to pass on. Here are some tips to help you zip through the Instant Pot learning curve.
Your Instant Pot has a bunch ofbuttons. And the best recipes call for using more than one of them. Here’s what all the buttons on your Instapot do.
Always add at least 1/2 cup of liquid. Pressure-cooking requires liquid to build pressure in the pot. So, even when you’re trying to keep things simple with something like chicken breasts or thighs, make sure to add a 1/2 cup of sauce, broth or water to the Instant Pot before going into Pressure mode.
Make sure the lid valve is set to Sealing. Pressure will never build if the valve is set to Venting position. Ensure it’s in Sealing position when you lock the lid in place for pressure cooking.
Clean your InstantPot! After enough delicious meals, your Instant Pot will start to acquire a smell, and maybe even some food stains. Here’s a guide to cleaning the Instant Pot and its silicone ring.
What Is The Difference Between The Natural Release And Quick Release
The above explanation states that if you leave the pressure cooker for a while until the steam releases naturally while going back to normal, it is a natural release. It can take up to 30 minutes, depending on the food inside.
On the other hand, if you decide to release the pressure right away by pushing the knob, it is a quick release. This process can take up to 2 to 5 minutes.
Recommended Reading: How To Cook Tamales In Crock Pot
Dont Get Too Caught Up In What All The Buttons Mean
For the most part, the buttons on the control panel are there to help you decide on your cooking time. For example, if there is a fish button, pressing it will likely mean that your food will cook for a short time . The chicken button will be slightly longer . Some electric pressure cookers have a saute feature, which comes in handy to pre-caramelize your mirepoix, if youre making soup or stew . New models have a sterilize function , and most come with a slow cook option, which means exactly what you think it means: slow cooking without pressure. When it comes to frozen food, learn if you can cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot.
Psst: Heres why you should trade your slow cooker for an Instant Pot.
Set It To High Or Low Pressure
Manual/pressure cook setting · hit manual. The other option is manual pressure . Manual or pressure cook button. This button is where the magic happensif a recipe says to cook at high pressure, this is the button you need. Set it to high or low pressure . · if you need to adjust pressure, hit the pressure button until high or low pressure is lit up for like $30? Just press it, then use . This is the mode you will use most frequently on your instant pot . This is your basic pressure cooker setting with which you can. On the instant pot duo: The instant pot does default to high pressure when the “manual” button is . Instant pot has low or high pressure option and the manual option.
This is a lower psi than stovetop pressure cookers, which . Just press it, then use . Manual or pressure cook button. This is your basic pressure cooker setting with which you can. Set it to high or low pressure .
You May Like: How To Steam Artichokes In Instant Pot
Q: What Is A Natural Pressure Release
A natural pressure release is when you leave the pressure release switch in the Sealed position when the cook time ends. This lets the pressure release slowly, without you doing anything. When the pressure is fully released, the float valve will drop and the lid will unlock and open.
A natural pressure release is a bit anticlimactic in comparison to a quick pressure release. There is no jet of steam when the natural pressure release starts. Theres also no clear way to tell when the pressure is fully released, and no beep or signal when the lid unlocks. Sometimes you can hear the float valve drop if youre close by.
The time it takes for the pressure to release naturally will vary depending on the ingredients and amount of liquid in the pressure cooker. A natural pressure release can take from 5 to 30 minutes in the electric pressure cooker.
Food inside the cooking pot will continue to cook as the pressure decreases.
How To Start The Instant Pot
Step 1. Place the Instant Pot on a sturdy countertop or a table close to a power socket. Make sure there is plenty of open space above the pot as you will have steam eject from the lid up in the air if you quick release the pressure.
Step 2. Make sure the inner pot is inside the cooker base and is clean. Plug the power cord in. Instant Pot will switch on and the OFF status symbol will appear on the control panel. This is called a standby mode.
Step 3. Decide on which cooking method you want to use from the below scenarios. This will depend on what you want to cook. Usually, recipe instructions will guide you along here.
In general, your choices will come down to whether you want to Sauté food first and then whether you want to use a manual setting or one of the smart programs.
Read Also: What Does Auto Mean On Instant Pot
