Underside Of Lid: The Sealing Ring And Anti
The underside of the Instant Pot contains four important parts. If you have version one DUO, it will look like the one of the left. If you have a version two DUO, it might look the one on the right.
The Sealing Ring
The plain-looking silicone ring is an integral part of the Instant Pot. Without it, pressure cant build. During heating, the sealing ring expands to create a seal that allows pressure to safely build inside the machine. If the sealing ring isnt inserted correctly or is torn, worn, or out of shape, steam can leak from the lid and the Instant Pot wont seal.
Insert the sealing ring snugly in the wire sealing ring rack. When properly inserted, the sealing ring should lay flat against the lid and shouldnt pull out easily if you give it a soft tug.
To remove the ring for cleaning, allow the lid to cool and then pull gently on the sealing ring.
To clean, use warm soapy water or run through the dishwasher. Dry the ring thoroughly before placing it back into the lid.
Even with thorough washing, the sealing ring can hold on to cooking odors. If you plan to make yogurt or desserts, like rice pudding, consider getting a second silicone sealing ring to use only for yogurt, desserts, and other mild foods. This way youll avoid making a rice pudding tastes like the chicken you made for dinner the night before.
I like to keep an extra sealing ring on hand at all times. This way, if something happens, I can replace the ring right away.
How To Cook In The Instant Pot: A Basic Formula
We have had a lot of members get Instant Pots recently . While we dont offer Instant Pot conversions for our weekly meal plans, theres a where you can get Instant Pot recipe conversion advice and connect with other homecooks who love their Instant Pots!
Over time, youll start to intuitively recognize which recipes and ingredients work best in your Instant Pot. But until then, use this basic formula from , Rachel D., as a guide when working out the steps in your recipes:
How long she cooks the meat depends on its size. A big beef roast takes about 45 minutes, cut into pieces it takes 20 minutes, says Rachel, I almost always base the cook time on the meat, but beans can be a factor as well.
Instant Pot Beginner Guide
Check out these step-by-step instant pot instructions that lead you from start to finish for any IP recipe.
PRO TIP: there needs to be at least 1/2 cup of water or liquid for the 3-quart pot, 1 cup of water or liquid for the 6-quart pot and 2 cups of water or liquid for the 8-quart pot.
Keep it simple if this is your first time using your machine.
Check out these simple how-to recipes for easy 1st time recipes:
You May Like: Instant Pot Burn Error Message
How To Use Pot
Published: Dec 18, 2020 · by Jess Smith · · · This post may contain affiliate links.
The pot-in-pot method can be used in the Instant Pot to cook something in an elevated dish. Its useful for everything from desserts to preparing two dishes at once! Read on for all of the tips and tricks you need to master this useful technique.
Ive recently become a little emphatic about the usefulness of the pot-in-pot method for the Instant Pot. The truth is, once I got over my initial fear of using the Instant Pot , I found it only moderately more useful than my slow cooker. But the pot-in-pot method has totally changed that. Once I discovered that I could cook a complete meal main dish and side at the same time, I was hooked. I use this once or twice a week now and love that all messes are contained right inside the machine. See below for my favorite things to cook this way!
Check Other Parts On Lid
The following 3 Instant Pot parts are critical for the Instant Pot to function properly. Make sure theyre all properly in place, clean, and clear of any obstructions during the Instant Pot Setup & every time before using.
a. Instant Pot Venting Knob ensure its fully attached to the lid and pushed down all the way. Its perfectly normal and necessary for it to be loose. You should be able to remove it for washing by pulling it straight out.
b. Instant Pot Floating Valve test & make sure it can easily pop up and down .
c. Instant Pot Anti-Block Shield push it on the side to lift it up and press it down in position to install it back in.
*Pro Tip: there may be times when food or liquid gets stuck on or inside the anti-blocking shield. Be sure to remove it and wash it thoroughly from time to time.
Read Also: How Long To Pressure Cook Gizzards Instant Pot
Instant Pot Steamer Basket As A Colander
The nice thing about this Steamer Basket is that it doubles as a colander. You can use it to do my everlasting berry hack, to prevent your berries from molding for weeks!
I typically do this in my salad spinner because theres a colander that fits into the base, but if you dont have that, you can use this basket and your Instant Pot liner! Its the perfect size!
Silicone Trivet Without Handles
This silicone trivet is made by the Instant Pot company and fits 6 quart and 8 quart Instant Pots.
This silicone trivet is very easy to clean because its made of silicone and is dishwasher safe. The design allows steam to circulate and liquid to cover the bottom of the inner pot which helps prevent the Burn Message and the food to cook evenly.
You May Like: How To Make Perfect Sushi Rice Instant Pot
Don’t Miss: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
How Do I Get Into This Thing When Its At Pressure
Now you need to release the pressure. There are two ways:
- Natural release: That means you do nothing but wait. The more food in the Instant Pot, the longer it takes for the pressure to come downas long as 30 minutes if you have, say, a big batch of chili. In a lot of recipes, this time is actually part of the cooking time, and the recipe will specify natural release in the instructions. Think of it as carryover cooking. Youll use natural release with dried beans, a lot of soups and stews, most meats, steamed desserts, and long-cooking vegetables.
- Quick release: With this method, you use the quick release valve and steam shoots up out of it. Once again, the more food in your Instant Pot, the longer it takes for the steam to release. Youll use quick release for quick-cooking foods like tender vegetables and seafoods.
I’m Not Sure I Can Blindly Steam My Food In The Instant Pot What’s The Traditional Way
It’s completely understandable if you’d still prefer the old-fashioned way, since you can’t check on the food while it’s steaming with the Steam button. Figuring out the right cook times without ruining the food can be frustrating if you don’t have the patience for it, here’s how to do it the traditional way, except still in the Instant Pot.
Please keep in mind that this method does require a glass lid that fits over the Instant Pot. It can be any glass lid you already have in the kitchen, but Instant Pot does sell its own glass lid if you need to buy one.
To use your Instant Pot as a traditional steamer, just pour in at least one cup of water into your liner. Then place the trivet at the bottom, and set a steamer rack or basket on top of the trivet. Place the food you want to steam inside the basket or rack, and then push Sauté. You can adjust the temperature of Sauté mode by pressing the More button after initiating Sauté. Then just wait for the water to start boiling to create steam, and then place the glass lid on top. Allow the food to cook, though you can lift the lid off to check up on the food periodically. Once the food has reached your desired doneness, push the Cancel button to stop cooking.
Like the traditional stovetop method, this does require a bit of babysitting, which is one reason why I prefer the Steam function.
Read Also: Frozen Ground Beef In Pressure Cooker
Steamed Spring Rollsyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
Add the water to the InstantPot and insert the steamer basket. Lock the lid into place, press the Steam button, and adjust cook time to 3 minutes. When the timer beeps, let pressure release naturally until float valve drops and then unlock lid. Remove rolls from pot and serve warm.
Shape
Unpacking Your Instant Pot
First things first, remove your Instant Pot and the various parts from the box. Remove any plastic wrap or pieces of cardboard.
You will find a few extra things in the box, but you dont really need those .
Base Unit
The base unit holds the heating element. It is important to never pour any ingredient into the base unit.
Stainless Steel Inner Pot
This inner pot will fit inside the base unit. This pot holds all the ingredients for any recipe that you make.
Each Instant Pot will have a different variation of the lid. Simply place on the base unit and turn to secure.
Sealing Ring
The purpose of the sealing ring is to ensure proper sealing. The sealing ring is designed to withstand high-pressure cooking and is in place for your safety. It is recommended to replace the sealing ring every 12-18 months. There are different sizes of sealing rings based on the quart size so make sure the ring fits.
I recommend keeping 2 sealing rings on hand. Use 1 ring for savory dishes and 1 ring for sweet dishes.
Steam Release Valve
This valve controls the Instant Pots ability to build pressure and properly cook your recipe. You should see a floating pin next to the valve. If the pin is up then the pot is under pressure. If the pin is down then the pot is depressurized.
Condensation Collector
Wire Rack/Trivet
The wire rack/ trivet should fit in the bottom of your stainless steel inner pot. It will definitely come in handy when you use the steam function.
Power Cord
Accessories
You May Like: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot
What Foods Are Best For A Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking uses wet heat only. You gotta have liquid in the cookerthe steam creates the pressure. No liquid, no steam, no pressure.
Pressure cooking is for boiling, steaming, and braising. For example, you wouldnt cook French fries or make a crusty loaf of bread from start to finish by pressure cooking.
But anything boiled or steamed or simmered is ace in your Instant Pot.
Coco Morante
Perfect Steamer Baskets And Inserts For Your Instant Pot
I am often asked about perfect steamer baskets for the Instant Pot available here in the UK so I thought Id compile them in one place, the Feisty Tapas blog .
The inner pot of the 5.7 litre / 6 litre / 6 quart Instant Pot has a diameter of 20 cm so you need something that will fit in there .
The inner pot of the Instant Pot 8 litre has a larger diameter and you can choose pretty much any steamer basket for that one.
For the 3 litre / Mini Instant Pot, youll need something smaller. The umbrella / collapsible type of steamer is perfect for this.
Of course, your Instant Pot also comes with a trivet which you can use to steam ingredients but a steamer basket will make life much easier.
Below are the steaming baskets and inserts that I have and use all the time, as well as the ones that have good reviews from the people who use them regularly.
If you are happy with your steamer basket and its not included in this list, please let me know and Ill add it to the post and probably to my basket collection!
Have you taken the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker leap?
You havent? You must know by now that there is nothing to be scared of, that it has ten safety mechanisms, that its virtually silent and that you can set it and go, right?
Even better, it pressure cooks and slow cooks . B
Ready for my list of perfect steamer baskets for your Instant Pot all available in the UK?
Also Check: How To Cook Frozen Pork Tenderloin In Instant Pot
Ways To Use The Instant Pot Trivet
Learn how to use the Instant Pot trivet with this handy guide-post. From making cakes to steaming vegetables to pot-in-pot cooking, we show you 7 different ways for how to utilize this accessory for cooking delicious food with a pressure cooker.
When you first unbox your Instant Pot, youll find a few additional items that come with it. One of those key accessories is the trivet or the metal insert with collapsible sides. In the example of the Instant Pot, it is designed to keep ingredients out of the water.
While pressure cooking, it is necessary to use 1-2 cups of water for every recipe. However, you dont always want it mixing with your food. Could you imagine a soggy cheesecake? Gross. This is where the trivet comes in handy, and no its not just good for dessert! Theres a reason why it comes with the Instant Pot.
Here are some of our favourite ways to utilise the Instant Pot trivet that will inspire you to cook more and step outside of the box.
New to Instant Pot? Check out our Instant Pot beginner series. Learn how this pressure cooker actually works here, settings and buttons lowdown here, learn how to make perfect rice, creamy mashed potatoes, Tuscan chicken pasta or easy pork shoulder and gravy with our step-by-step recipes.
How To Steam In The Instant Pot
This Post Contains Affiliate Links..
How to steam in the Instant Pot. If you would like to steam your favourite fruits, vegetables, fish, desserts, and eggs in the instant pot pressure cooker, then this is how it is done.
I originally shared with you my instant pot steam guide back in 2017. I have steamed a lot more in the instant pot now and this is the updated version.
At home in the Milner kitchen most of the instant pot recipes we cook on a day to day basis involve using the steamer function.
It has been great fun to share with you these delicious recipes over the years and to show you my favourite of the Instant Pot buttons.
But it feels like I have barely covered the steam function, and this is why I wanted to put this blog post together for you.
But first I am sure you are wondering what the big deal is with the steam function on the Instant Pot and why you should be using it?
Well firstly when I think of the Instant Pot the first thing that enters my mind is what most people perceive an Instant Pot to be about:
- Quick cooking
- All in one cooking
- Easy cooking
This means that the bulk of people that buy them are always thinking about something quick.
Not necessarily about healthy eating and probably why the cheesecake has become as successful as it has. You can make a cheesecake much quicker than you could before and it is so simple as well.
This means that the steamer section, is just never given credit because we always think of the steamer for healthy eating
Recommended Reading: Can You Put The Instant Pot Lid In The Dishwasher
Instant Pot Silicone Steam Rack And Sealing Rings In Red/blue
FCC Notice: Im an Amazon affiliate I get a small commission on any Amazon purchases you make through the links on DadCooksDinner. Thank you!
I was holiday shopping on Amazon, and noticed some new Instant Pot silicone accessories. I love their silicone pinch mitts, so I bought the new silicone steam rack and colorful sealing rings to test them out. Here are my thoughts after using them for a few weeks:
Read Also: Ways To Use Frozen Chicken Tenders
How Long Do You Cook Tamales Without A Steamer
How to Cook Tamales Without a Vegetable Steamer Set a round metal rack inside a large pot. Place a metal heat-safe bowl inside the pot upside down, resting it on top of the rack. Stand the tamales on end inside the pot, resting them between the bowl and pot. Place the lid on the pot. Steam the tamales for one hour, checking the water level every 15 minutes or so.
Recommended Reading: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot
