How To Set Instant Pot On High Pressure

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Whats Up With All Those Knobs And Buttons

How to Use Instant Pot as a Pressure Cooker

I know, there are so many. Good news! You can ignore most of them. I use my Instant Pot nearly every day, and Ive never touched the Rice, Porridge, or Soup buttons. I do, however, make rice, porridge and soup in my IP all the time, just by programming it manuallywhich you need to know in any case.

For now, were focusing on the buttons you need for most pressure cooking recipes. If it helps, just get masking tape and cover up those other buttons so that you only focus on the buttons needed for our test drive:

  • On the Instant Pot Duo: the Low Pressure and High Pressure buttons, the +/- Cooking Time buttons, the Manual button, and the Keep Warm/Cancel button.
  • On the Instant Pot Ultra: Cancel and Start buttons and the central knob

Alison Conklin

The First Question Is Generally Which Button Should I Use

All the pressure cooker buttons cook the same except the canning button. So it doesnt matter which button you use, chose the button with the closest cook time to the time in the recipe.

The Power Pressure Cooker XL pressure buttons:

  • Fish/Veg/Steam; 2 minute cook time, use the cook time selector to adjust to 4 or 10 minutes. This is the shortest cook time available on the Power Pressure Cooker XL
  • Beans/Lentils 5;minute cook time, use the cook time selector to adjust to 15 or 30 minutes.
  • Rice/Risotto;6;minute cook time, use the cook time selector to adjust to 18 or 25;minutes. The manual suggests using 6 minutes for white rice, 18 minutes for brown rice, and 25 minutes for wild rice.
  • Soup/Stew;;10 minute cook time, use the cook time selector to adjust to 30 or 60 minutes.
  • Meat/Chicken;15 minute cook time, use the cook time selector to adjust to 40 or 60 minutes.

To adjust the preset times listed above, use the time adjust button to add time. You cannot reduce the time. If you need less time, use one of the buttons with less time Fish is the shortest cook time.;You have to press the time adjust button immediately after pressing the pressure cook button you want to use.

All of these pressure cooking buttons cook at 7.2 psi, which is considered the high end of low pressure on the Instant Pot. However, Power Pressure Cooker XL users report that they do not have to increase the cook time when cooking Pressure Cooking Today recipes that are cooked on high pressure.

Healthy Instant Pot Recipes Delicious Recipe For Mac & Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 12 oz can evaporated milk
  • 2 tbsp butter

This looks so yummy

Instructions:

  • Add the water, macaroni, salt and mustard to the Instant Pot, close the lid, set the timer to 4 minutes on Manual. The cooking pressure needs to be on high and the release valve on sealing.
  • After 4 minutes open the Instant Pot with the Quick Pressure Release button.
  • Stir the pasta and add the milk, butter, cheese and nutmeg. Stir in until the cheese is melted and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • You have a quick and delicious meal for the whole family in no time

    Who doesnt love some fried rice

    Don’t Miss: Can The Instant Pot Go On The Stove

    Lets Try The Quick Release

    Back to our pot of water: Push the steam release valve to the venting position using a long-handled spoon or your finger. Just keep your fingers to the side and away from the top of the knob where the steam vents.

    This valve should stay open on its own once you nudge it. The steam will come shooting up and be a little noisy.

    Releasing all of the steam can take a minute or more. The more liquid in the cooker, the longer the release will take. With the 3 cups of water, it took mine 45 seconds.

    Coco Morante

    Instant Pot Slow Cook Setting

    Which Instant Pot Buttons to Use

    The Slow Cook is a non-pressure cooking setting that is compatible for use with any common slow cooker/Crockpot recipe. The pot is heated but is not pressurized and the Less, Normal and More modes correspond to Low, Medium and High slow cooker settings but you will need to adjust the time manually.;

    You might want to use this setting for making dishes ahead of time while youre away from home or overnight. There are times when slow-cooking might work better for certain recipes than quicker pressure cooking. Below are the steps for how to use the Slow Cook setting on Instant Pot.;

    Read Also: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn

    Manual / Pressure Buttons

    This is probably going to be the buttons you use most on the;Instant Pot. It will allow you to pressure cook and manually select the time you want rather than the preset buttons . You can;adjust the pressure, temperature and time by selecting;the;+/- buttons. Be sure to follow recipes and note whether meals should be cooked at low or high pressure. Check out more Instant Pot tips and tricks.

    The;Instant Pot;does default to High Pressure when the Manual button is selected, so adjust accordingly. And remember that the Manual / Pressure buttons are for pressure cooking not for other functions like saute, yogurt making or slow cooker

    High Pressure239°F to 244°F

    Low Pressure5.8 to 7.2 psi229 to 233°F

    Note: The Instant Pot pictured in this post shows the Manual button. The newer models of the Instant Pot have the same feature its called the Pressure Cook button.

    How To Let Instant Pot Depressurize Naturally

    Cook the short ribs in the instant pot on meat/stew setting then let instant pot depressurize naturally. I use all organic produce. Return roast to instant pot, close lid and make pressure release valve is set to sealing. The trivet essentially keeps the pot above the waterline allowing for even cooking and steaming. Because of my instant pot duo pressure cooker recommendation, i get email with questions about how to use instant pot cookers.this post is to put them in one place, so i can refer everyone to it.

    Read Also: How To Cook Chicken Breast In Instant Pot

    Converting Recipes Into Instant Pot Recipes

    First, ask yourself if your recipe can be made in the Instant Pot.

    Not everything should be cooked in the instant pot. There are some dishes, like fried chicken or a juicy filet that should never be attempted in a pressure cooker. Find out more about what NOT to cook in your Instant Pot.;

    However, Instant Pots do excel at making inexpensive cuts of meats tender and making soups or chili that taste as though they have simmered all day, but are ready in less than an hour.

    How do you KNOW if a recipe will work in the Instant Pot? There are a few things that you want to keep in mind when choosing a recipe to adapt for the Instant Pot.;

    Choose recipes that;

    Avoid these types of recipes

    • Anything breaded

    *Again refer to what NOT to cook in the Instant Pot for more detailed explanation.

    The Practical Guide You’ve Always Wanted For Those Confusing Instant Pot Buttons And Settings

    How to set up your Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    Your dreams have officially come true! You finally got that Instant Pot and its time to start whipping up a few delicious meals. Buthow, exactly, do you work this thing?

    People rave about how easy and quick it is to use, but looking at all the Instant Pot buttons, it seems that only a genius could actually figure out what all of them mean. Which button do I choose for what? Whats the difference between the NormalMore and Less settings? And should I cook on Low Pressure or High Pressure?

    These questions instantly come to mind, but dont sweat, we got you covered. Heres a full guide to all of your Instant Pots buttons. So make sure to bookmark this for later!

    Read Also: How To Cook Ribs In An Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Recipes Fried Rice With Chicken

    Ingredients:

    • 2.5 tbsp olive oil, divided

    For the sauce:

    Easy and delicious

    Instructions:

  • Cover the Instant Pot with olive oil. Add the broth and rice and set the pot to manual for 26 minutes with the valve turned to seal.
  • In a bowl mix the ingredients for the sauce.
  • Once the rice is done, use the natural release pressure for 11 minutes and remove the rice from the pot.
  • Once again add olive oil to the pot and turn on the saute feature.
  • Cook the veggies for 2-3 minutes, set them to the side of the Instant Pot and crack the eggs. Scramble.
  • Add the rice and the sauce and mix everything together and let everything cook for 2-3 minutes over the saute feature.
  • You can add some chicken breast bites to the rice

    Swedish meatballs Instant Pot recipe

    How To Store Your Instant Pot

    Store your cooker like this, with the lid upside down and the gasket loose. Condensation builds up in the gasket, which can become moldy if you lock a damp lid on the cooker.

    This method allows for lots of air circulation. Its not so pretty on a countertop, I know. If nothing else, make sure you at least never store your cooker with a damp lid.

    Recommended Reading: How To Cook Tapioca Pearls In Instant Pot

    What Foods Should Be Cooked On A Pressure Cookers Low Setting

    For the most part delicate foods are best done on the low setting.

    Hard boiled eggs are the main example. Many people like to cook them on low pressure to get an exact taste and prevent overcook the eggs.

    Personally, Im cooking eggs just like any other recipe, on high pressure mode, as you can see on this Instant Pot hard boiled eggs recipe.

    Some seafood recipes, are also used low pressure cooker. But as you understand , on 99% of the time , you gonna use the high pressure setting.

    All About Your Instant Pot: How To Use All The Buttons

    A Simple Guide: How To Use Your Instant Pot and a Cheat Sheet

    If you are brand new to the Instant Pot game , then this is the article for you. Heck, even if you have had your Instant Pot for a while, all of those settings and buttons can seem a little intimidating. But not to fret. Ill take you through exactly how to use your Instant Pot and show you what each and every button does. It really is easy to use and pretty self-explanatory!

    Also Check: How To Cook Baked Potatoes In Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Questions And Answers

    Carefully open the lid and remove instant pot by using the sling. Open when all pressure is released stir and enjoy. Cook the short ribs in the instant pot on meat/stew setting then let instant pot depressurize naturally. let instant pot depressurize naturally. Attach lid, and close the vent. Add the chicken pieces and add another 4 cups of water. Uncover and remove the roast and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. When done, turn to off then let instant pot natural release for 25 minutes, then turn valve to venting to release any excess pressure. In most cases, your instant pot reduces the cooking time by 70%, and preserves more vitamins and minerals in the natural ingredients. Secure the lid of the instant pot making sure dial on top is set to sealing. It is a hearty meal that is made in a fraction of the time compared to the traditional version. Cook the short ribs in the instant pot on meat/stew setting then let instant pot depressurize naturally. Join the official instant pot community to connect with over 3 million instant pot fans, share recipes, ask questions, and much more!!

    When the timer goes off, let the ip depressurize naturally or carefully perform a quick release. You may need to add more liquid to the pot at this point. Cook cheesecake on high pressure for 33 minutes. Immediately add the remaining garlic butter mix on top. Season every side of the pork tenderloin with salt and pepper.

    How To Use An Instant Pot: What You Need To Know To Get Started With Instant Pot Cooking

    There are a few basic things that you need to know when using an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Once you use yours a few times, these will be like second nature. Depending on which Instant Pot model you own, the buttons may be labeled slightly differently. Consult the manual that came with your Instant Pot.

    Minimum Liquid Required: As a general rule, you want to use at least 1 cup of liquid in your Instant Pot every time you cook with it. The Instant Pot uses steam and pressure to cook food, and you need liquid to create the steam and pressure. Some recipes may call for more or less liquid. I recommend following recipes from a trusted source while you are learning to use your Instant Pot.

    Fill Level: Inside the Instant Pot inner pot, you will see a 1/2 and a 2/3 line marked. Never fill the Instant Pot higher than the 2/3 line with food or liquid . If you are cooking food that will expand during the cook time such as rice, quinoa or beans, do not fill the Instant Pot higher than the 1/2 line.

    Pressure Cook or Manual Button: Depending on which Instant Pot model you own, the Pressure Cook button is sometimes labeled Manual and sometimes Pressure Cook. This is the button that you will press to start a pressure cooking cycle. Its your basic pressure cooking button.

    +/- Buttons: Use these buttons to adjust the cook time.

    Keep Warm/Cancel Button: Use this button to end a cooking program or turn on/off the keep warm function.

    Read Also: How To Cook Hoppin John In Instant Pot

    Instant Pot Rice Setting

    This button is made for cooking medium and long-grain white rice. The Rice setting uses low pressure and a 10-minute natural release is recommended for perfect results, however, we found that 2-3 minutes natural release followed by quick release is sufficient. Below is how to use the Rice setting on Instant Pot.

    • Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add rice, water or stock and seasoning if you wish. Secure and lock the lid. Press the Rice button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at Low pressure for 12; minutes, which is suitable for slightly larger rice kernels. If you press the button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More .;;
    • Less mode 8 minutes at Low pressure tender but firm to bite texture; great for thinner white rice such as Basmati and Jasmine rice.;
    • Normal mode 12 minutes at Low pressure for normal texture white rice; great for regular medium to long-grain white rice and for more al dente Arborio risotto rice.
    • More mode 15 minutes at Low pressure for softer texture white rice; great for slightly softer risotto.;

    If desired, use the / + buttons to further customize the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.;

    RICE COOKING TIPS

    1 cup of dry white rice usually yields 3 cups of cooked rice.

    The perfect grain to water ratio is 1 cup white rice to 1.25 cups liquid; if cooking risotto rice, the ratio is 1 cup Arborio rice to 2 cups liquid .

    Natural Vs Manual Pressure Release

    How To Use The Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

    When the cook time is up on your Instant Pot, there’s still one more step — releasing the pressure.;

    There are two ways the pressure can be released. With natural pressure release, the valve on the lid stays in Sealing position and the pressure dissipates naturally over time. This can take anywhere from 20 minutes to more than an hour, depending on what you were cooking. Low-liquid meals take much less time than high-liquid meals, like soup or chili.;

    The other option is manual pressure release . Here, you’ll carefully move the valve into Venting position and watch as steam shoots out of it, releasing the pressure. This method is much faster, but very high-liquid meals, like soup, can still take about 15 minutes to release pressure manually.

    So which one should you use? Consider that with natural pressure release, the Instant Pot is still full of pressure, so the food will continue cooking while the Instant Pot is in Sealing mode. Manual pressure release is useful — and necessary — when you’ve built in enough cooking time and cooking needs to be stopped as fast as possible.

    If the goal is to cook a meal quickly, set enough time on the Instant Pot to cook your food and release the pressure manually when the time is up.;

    Also Check: How Long To Cook Fava Beans In Instant Pot

    When To Use High Or Low Pressure On The Instant Pot

    Electric pressure cookers can be surprisingly difficult to understand, thanks to the abundance of multifunction buttons and not a lot of explanation about what those buttons do.

    Take the pressure settings. On some models, high pressure is the only option. Others offer both a high and low pressure setting. And one in particular even allows you to select a specific psi .

    So whats a cook to do?

    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.

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