How To Set Instant Pot To Low Pressure

Manual Pressure Cook With Quick Release Or Npr

Many Instant Pot users almost always use manual settings. While Smart Program buttons are handy, cooking instructions can vary for different types of rice, smaller or larger beans, and soup with or without meat. With manual settings, you have more control over the time and pressure level. Here is how to use the Instant Pot with manual pressure cooker settings.

Step 1. Star the Instant Pot as mentioned above.

Step 2. Add food, seasoning and liquid to the pot. The liquid can be cold or hot hotter liquids take less time to heat up so the Instant Pot comes to pressure quicker. Stir if needed.

Note on stirring: If adding tomato sauce or paste, keep them on the top and dont stir too much as these foods can sometimes thicken and burn during cooking again, this depends if water and stock are also added as when diluted, its less of a problem.

Step 3. Get your lid and quickly check that the sealing ring on the inside is in place. If its loose or sticks out, the pot might not seal properly and it will not be able to come to pressure. Place it on top and twist it until it locks in place.

Step 4. On older models like Duo Classic, check that the steam release handle on top of the lid is pointing to Sealing. On the more advanced models of the Instant Pot, the vent will automatically seal when the cooking process begins. On the Duo Nova the quick release button should be popped up and not pressed down.

How Does Instant Pot Work

So the working principle of the instant pot is somewhat the same as that of the regular pressure cooker. The lid seals the air inside the pot and when the air does not find a way to escape from the pressure cooker, the steam builds the pressure inside the pot. Thus, with the rise in the pressure inside the instant pot, the temperature also rises. Due to the steam, high pressure, and subsequently high temperature the food present inside the instant pot gets cooked.

You can read about pressure cooking here.

What Is An Instant Pot

An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker. It is a multi-use appliance that can cook foods quickly at high pressure. Steam pressure builds up inside the pot, which creates a higher temperature environment that cooks foods faster. Unlike old fashioned pressure cookers, the Instant Pot has many safety features that make it safe and easy to use.

An Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, sauté pot, slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt maker and warmer all in one. Ive been amazed at the versatility of my Instant Pot and the flavor and texture of the foods that I am able to cook in it. The high pressure inside the Instant Pot can tenderize even tough cuts of meat. It creates rich, complex flavors seriously, Ive never had better chili than Instant Pot chili!

If you are not sure which Instant Pot to buy, check out my guide to the Best Instant Pots. Ive also tested out many Instant Pot accessories so that I can share my favorites with you.

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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.

How To Saut In An Instant Pot

The basic steps to using Instant Pot sauté to brown meat, vegetables, etc. are:

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Soup/broth Meat Stew And Chili Buttons

The Soup/Broth, Meat Stew, and Chili buttons are pretty obvious, but you can combine them with the Plus and Minus buttons to get cooking greatness.

For example, if you’re cooking soup without meat, press the Soup/Broth button and the Minus button to start the Less mode. If you’re cooking rich bone broths, press the Soup/Broth button until the More mode lights up.

With the Meat Stew button, start up the Less mode to give the meat a soft texture with some chew to it or the More mode if you want fall-off-the-bone texture.

The same goes for the chili button. If you want your beans a little stiffer, reduce the cooking time. If you want your beans extra soft, ramp it up.

How To Clean The Instant Pot

Dishwasher Safe Parts: Instant Pot Liner , Instant Pot Sealing Ring, Trivet

• Exterior: Never immerse the exterior housing in water or any other liquid
• Rim: Clean the rim with a foam brush
• Instant Pot Liner: Remove the cloudy or rainbow stains with White Vinegar or Bar Keepers Friend
• Instant Pot Lid: Best to wash lid with warm soapy water
• Instant Pot Parts: Periodically rinse the Anti-Block Shield, Steam Release Valve, Condensation Collector when necessary
• Silicone Sealing Ring: Remove Instant Pot Sealing Ring odors with White Vinegar or get an extra pair of Silicone Sealing Ring

4 Steps to Cleaning Instant Pot :Instant Pot Cleaning

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Unboxing An Instant Pot Duo Nova

After Christmas, I bought myself a second Instant Pot. Since I already had a 6-quart Duo, I decided on an 8-quart Duo Nova this time.

I liked the idea that the buttons were the same on the Duo Nova as they were on the Duo. So I wouldn’t have much of a learning curve with this new IP.

After about a week of my new IP sitting on the floor in the dining room waiting to be opened.

I decided I would make a video of me opening it. It was time to learn how to set up my Instant Pot Duo Nova.

Right away I was able to notice the size difference of the 8-quart vs my 6-quart. Not only is it larger than the 6-quart but much heavier.

The next difference I noticed was the cord. My 6-quart I have to plug it in, which I do like that. However, I have had it come unplugged on me while cooking before.

This could have been because it was moved or not initially plug in all the way.

Whereas the 8-quart’s cord is attached, I’m still on the fence as to if I like this.

Smart Lid

The Duo Nova has what is called a smart lid. Like I stated before the lid automatically will seal its self.

So there are no more worries about forgetting to turn the sealing valve to sealing. And not having the pressure cooker come to pressure.

All you have to do is put the lid on your IP and of course, adjust the LCD screen for the correct cooking time.

What also makes this lid smart is that the steam release is much safer than on older models. All you have to do to release the steam is press this button, that’s it.

TIPS

Why Does My Instant Pot Take So Long To Start

One of the most common issues related to an instant pot is that it may get stuck at the preheat phase. If the release valve is on vent, then the instant pot cannot function properly. The pressure from inside the cooker will get released through the release valve, and the preheating process will remain incomplete.

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How To Change Without An Adjust Button

Some Instant Pots come with an adjust button, which allows you to switch between the different modes or less-normal-more.

For the models that do not come with this adjust button, it is easy to switch between the modes.

Select the smart program you want, and then press that same smart program button again to cycle through the less-normal-more options. You will be able to see on the display screen which mode it is on.

Pressure Cooking A Beef Stew Recipe

My experience with pressure cooking in an InstantPot so far has been great. That said, I would only buy a pressure cooker if you really plan on making dishes that normally take hours. Manufacturers advertise with reduced cooking times for just about anything, but those 3 minutes gained on cooking your broccoli dont seem worthwhile to me. Dishes that normally take hours and can now be done in way less than an hour, thats where the real benefit kicks in.

So, to close this lesson on pressure cooking, an example of a dish that worked wonderfully: fast pressure cooked beef stew! The recipe is inspired by one from Pinch of Yum.

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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 .

Keep Warm / Cancel Button

Once the Instant Pot is done cooking, you can use the Keep Warm / Cancel function to keep food hot or to cancel the pressure cooking mode.

Keep Warm ButtonWhen pressure cooking is done, the Instant Pot will beep and automatically go into the Keep Warm function. It will display an L in front of a number to indicate how long its been warm e.g. L0:30 for 30 minutes. Its a great feature to keep food warm for up to 99 hours, 50 minutes. Its perfect for pot lucks.

Cancel ButtonAt any time, you can cancel cooking and return to standby mode by pressing the Keep Warm / Cancel button. This is a great option if you selected the wrong time for pressure cooking and need to stop to make adjustments to the pressure or time.

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Instant Pot Chicken Wings Times & Instructions:

• Fill the inner pot of your Instant Pot with 1-1.5 cups of water and a drop of liquid smoke .
• You can add sauce now or later, but if you want to add a BBQ sauce or a hot sauce to the wings in addition to seasoning, do so before placing them into the pot.
• Add 2-4 lbs. of frozen, seasoned chicken wings. For 2 lbs. or less, you can just use 1/2 cup of water.
• Cook manually on HIGH for 10 minutes for fresh and 15 minutes for frozen.
• Remove the chicken wings, baste and/or season with your favourite dry rub or sauce, and broil in the oven for 7 minutes or so on each side until crispy.
• Remove the chicken wings, baste, and/or season with your favourite dry rub or sauce, and broil in the oven for 3-5 minutes until crispy.

We hope you enjoyed this 101 guide to cooking meat in your Instant Pot. If you found our guide helpful, we hope youll share our tips and tricks. Make sure to bookmark this one for all your carnivorous cooking needs. Bon Appetit!

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Using Saute Function After Cooking

The Sauté function is also useful for finishing the dish after pressure cooking is done. Once the pressure has been completely released, open the lid and then press Sauté button again. Press the button again to cycle through Less or More for lower or higher temperature.

Use it for:

• Simmering the sauce or broth in the dish that needs to evaporate and reduce or thicken.
• Adding more fragile or no-cooking-required ingredients like baby spinach, fresh tomatoes, fruit, cheese, milk or cream.
• Thickening sauce with butter, cream or flour.

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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.

Instant Pot Water Test

Before you use your Instant Pot for the first time, you should perform a water test. The Instant Pot water test is like an initial test run for your Instant Pot.

The water test will both ensure that your Instant Pot is working properly and will familiarize you with using your Instant Pot.

One of the Instant Pots that I purchased was defective. A water test helped me to determine that the Instant Pot wasnt working properly. I was able to contact Instant Pot support and get a replacement.

Note: If you have the Instant Pot Ultra, you will use the dial to select cooking programs and change the cook time and then press start. Instead of a steam release valve that you turn, the Instant Pot Ultra has a steam release button that you will press if you want to manually release the pressure. The steam release valve will seal automatically on the Ultra, whereas on other models you turn the valve between a venting and a sealing position.

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Instant Pot Pork Chops Times & Instructions:

• Preheat oil in the inner pot on saute and get the surface hot. Season pork chops as desired and sear on either side for 3-4 minutes.
• Add sauces, vegetables, and/or fruit to the pot for a full meal. Here, things like BBQ sauce, potatoes, or apples would work really well. Dont cook with delicate/green veggies.
• Cook on high pressure with at least 1 cup of water for 10 minutes .
• Finish up with a quick release of pressure.

Updated | By Tracey Black | Affiliate disclosure

Confused by all the buttons on the Instant Pot? Check out this easy tutorial to learn how to use those Instant Pot buttons for the best pressure cooker recipes.

Are you new to cooking with the Instant Pot? Or maybe youve had your Instant Pot for a while, but dont know how to use all the buttons?

Dont sweat it. I started from scratch just like you and figured out how to use the buttons on the Instant Pot. I mean, yeah, you do have your manual but its SO much easier just to look it up here or on Google right?

So there are 7 functions but the unit has 14 buttons . So what does it all mean? Lets get down to the nitty gritty and break it down. Im going to focus on the IP-DUO60 Instant Pot model. This it the 7-in-1 version that seems to be the most popular.

This particular Instant Pot has 7 programmable features, including:

Ill explain how to use each button below.

Ready Lets Cook Some Water

The first time you use your Instant Pot, make waternot food. This way, you can familiarize yourself with simply operating itno anxiety over ruining dinner. Ive been pressure cooking for over a decade, and I still do the water test every time I try out a new cooker.

Here’s what to do:

First, check the gasket. Make sure its snugly in the ring in the lid 99 percent of the time, if your Instant Pot isnt coming to pressure, its a simple issue of the gasket not sitting in the ring quite right.

Next, put 3 cups of water in the insert. When following recipes, you should still measure liquids, but note that the insert has hash marks to give you a rough idea of the volume.

Now, lock on the lid. Use the arrows on the lid and the cooker to guide you.

Check the steam release valve to see its in Sealing position. If the valve is in Venting position, the cooker wont come to pressure.

Press Manual” on the Duo or select “Pressure Cook” on the Ultra. The display will say to 30:00. Its programming initially defaults to 30 minutes cook time of high pressure, which we can toggle up or down depending on how much time the recipe calls for. For our water test, well leave it at 30 minutes.

Now…do nothing. In a few seconds, the cooker will beep three times, and the display will read On. That means its heating, but not at pressure yet.

Emma Christensen

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