The Two Most Important Safety Instructions For Your Instant Pot
The Instant Pot manual is filled with safety instructions, but these two are the critical ones to remember:
First, never put your face near the steam release valve or float valve while the Instant Pot is on. When I toggle the steam release valve, I use a long handled wooden spoon so my hand and arm are not near the valve opening. Any kitchen utensil with a long handle will do. Alternatively, you can use an oven mitt to carefully turn the steam release valve to the venting position when you are ready to release the pressure in your Instant Pot.
Second, never open the Instant Pot lid until the pressure has been released through the steam release valve. You will know that all the pressure has been released when the float valve drops down.
Depending on which Instant Pot model you have, the float valve may be red or silver. It may pop up above the level of the lid when the pot is pressurized, or it may pop up to be flush with the level of the lid. In my 6 quart LUX, the silver float valve is below lid level normally and pops up to be flush with the level of the lid when pressurized. You will get to know how your Instant Pot model works.
These photos show my 8 quart DUO and you see that the float valve is above the lid level in the left photo, which shows a pressurized pot.
Never attempt to open the lid of your Instant Pot while it is pressurized.
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
Instant Pot Float Valve Unable To Rise
Instant Pot float valve is red or silver colour pin that goes up indicating pressure inside the pot is up. Please note that after the float valve is up, it takes a few minutes for the sensor to sense it and timer kick in. If float valve is not rising, it mostly means there is not enough liquid inside for pressure to build up. Solution is to add 1/2 cup water, close the lid and wait a little bit.
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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.
How Can You Stop A Pot From Burning Instantly
FIX FOR INSTANT POT BURN MESSAGE
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Q: What Is A Quick Pressure Release
A quick pressure release is when you turn the pressure release switch to the Venting position and let the steam to release quickly when the cook time ends. This will result in a strong jet of steam coming from the pressure release valve. This is normal. If drops of liquid or foam start to emerge from the pressure release valve, simply switch the valve back to the Sealed position and use an Intermittent Pressure Release .
- Instant Pot Duo: Turn the pressure release handle from Sealing to Venting .
- Ninja Foodi: Turn the pressure release valve from Seal to Vent.
- Crockpot Express: Turn the steam release valve from the Closed/Seal position to the Open/Release position .
- Power Pressure Cooker XL: Turn the pressure valve from the Lock position to the Open position .
- Fagor Pressure Cooker: Turn the valve from Pressure to Steam.
- Cuisinart: Turn the valve from Pressure to Pressure Release.
- Pampered Chef Quick Cooker: Press the Steam Release Button on the lid handle.
Other pressure cookers may have different labels, but its the same basic principle. Turn the valve to allow the steam to escape / pressure to release.
When the pressure is fully released, the float valve will drop and the lid will unlock to open. For safety reasons, the pressure cooker will not open until the pressure is released and the float valve has dropped.
Keep your face and hands away from the steam as its released. Dont release pressure under hanging cabinets, which can be damaged by the steam.
The Instant Pots Function Buttons
Manual
Im going to start this section of my Instant Pot how-to guide off with the manual button. Its not technically classified as a function button, but I think it should be. I like it because its the one that gives you the most control. With this button you get to choose whether you cook your food at high or low pressure, and you can set your own cook time. If any of the preset buttons dont work as youd like, just go with the manual button! Once you become more used to working with your Instant Pot, you may decide to use this button most of the time.
Soup
The soup button is for cooking liquids like soup and also broth. Whats great about this function is that it makes the Instant Pot hot enough to get your liquid simmering, but not scalding hot. This way your soup ingredients dont get too broken down.
Meat/Stew
This preset meat button is for non-poultry meats like beef and pork. Its also for cooking thick stew-type meals. Use the Adjust button to change the final texture of the meat. Set your Instant Pot to the More setting if you want the meat to be very tender and more broken down.
Bean/Chili
Did you know that you can cook dry beans in your Instant Pot? Its a great way to save money, compared with buying canned beans . You can use this setting to cook your raw beans, or you could use it to cook bean-based dishes . Id suggest using the Adjust button to set your Instant Pot to the More setting for thoroughly cooked, tender beans.
Poultry
Rice
Multigrain
Steam
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Instant Pot Guide: A Beginners Guide To Using Your Pressure Cooker
Wondering how to use your new Instant Pot? In this Instant Pot Guide, Ill walk you through what you need to know to start cooking with your Instant Pot today. Safety features, how to do an Instant Pot water test, whats the difference between a natural pressure release and a quick release, and what will happen step by step through the cooking process.
Ill be honest the first time I used my Instant Pot, I was overwhelmed and a bit scared. An Instant Pot can be intimidating for a new user. There are so many buttons and safety warnings.
However, I guarantee that once you get started, youll wonder what you ever did without your Instant Pot. I love mine so much that I now own two Instant Pots!
Im going to help you get started with all of the tips and tricks that I have learned through trial, error and research. This Instant Pot manual will tell you everything you need to know to use your Instant Pot for the first time.
How To Turn The Sound Off On Your Instant Pot
September 15, 2017 by Jeffrey | Disclosure: This recipe provides Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tired of hearing your Instant Pot beep with every push of the button ? Does it freak your dog out? Fear no more! Check out pressureluckcooking.com for tons of recipes and even more tips with more always coming!
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How To Use Your Instant Pot: Everything You’ve Wanted To Know
It’s not just a supercharged pressure cooker — it’s a way of life.
Like a microwave or an electric kettle, the Instant Pot has become a kitchen staple. This versatile pressure cooker replaces so many countertop appliances, from rice makers to slow cookers. It’s introduced a new generation to pressure cooking, and shown us just how quickly it can cook a healthy meal.
Whether you’re a new Instant Pot owner or it’s long been stored away in a cabinet, this guide is for you. A longtime Instant Pot owner myself, I’ll guide you through the basics, including explaining those strange buttons and some basic recipes.
To kick things off, let’s walk through Instapot basics. Even if you’ve owned yours for a while, there’s something here for you, too. Let’s get started.
More tips:15 healthy Instant Pot recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner | Does the Instant Pot destroy nutrients in your food while cooking? | The best paleo Instant Pot recipes | Best Instant Pot accessories you need right now | Best air fryers of 2020
The Tip You Cannot Skip
Reading the manual.
As excited as you may be when you get your instant pot, there are a lot of buttons and functions of your insta-pot that you might not be familiar with. The best thing you can do is read the manual.
That aside, lets go over some other tips you should be aware of to make the most of your insta-pot.
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Instant Pot Turn Off Keep Warm Function
Cooking your meal in an Instant Pot is going to offer you delicious and, most importantly, timely food.
It allows you to get on with your day knowing that dinner is being cooked and will be ready and waiting for you when you arrive home.
There are many great recipes out there that make use of this nifty programmable feature. Look online and use them to help you get acquainted with your pressure cookers keep warm button.
On some brands, this may also be referred to as the instant pot turn off/keep warm button, and youll find it extremely useful.
What does the keep warm button do?
As the name implies, this button will keep your food warm after it has finished cooking.
If youve had a pressure cooker recipe going, or perhaps a classic slow cooker recipe, the keep warm function will kick in once the cooking schedule itself is done.
It will lower the temperature to an acceptable range and keep itself warm and self-moderated for up to 10 hours.
If you decide to program it manually to keep your food warm, it can hold its temperature steady for an impressive 99 hours! However, we wouldnt recommend using it for that long because your food will not be very palatable!
- Save
This feature will work with either the pressure cooker or the slow cooker function. In other words, when you are cooking under pressure, you will see both the pressure light and the keep warm light on at the same time.
Is it safe?
When to use the keep warm button
- Save
What foods work best on keep warm?
You Added Ingredients At The Wrong Time Or In The Wrong Order
Have you ever wondered why Instant Pot recipes start with liquid ingredients first? The less starchy an ingredient is, the less likely it is to stick to the pot and burn. Don’t add starchy ingredients until the recipe tells you to, and don’t stir them unless it’s instructed. Additionally, ingredients like dairy and cornstarch will thicken up your food , so it’s best not to add them until after the pressure cooking is finished.
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Know Your Instant Pot Buttons
In case you didnt notice, the thing has buttons galore. Heres a post that goes over what all those buttons mean.
If youre pressed for time , here are the 3 main buttons to know:
- Manual or Pressure Cook: older models have the manual button whereas newer ones have the pressure cook button. They both turn the insta-pot pressure cooker on.
- Saute: Adjust this to simmer , saute or browing . Check out my instant pot hacks on how to use this button to cut down your cooking time.
- Keep Warm/Cancel: Stop a function or turn off your instant pot.
Instant Pot Porridge Setting
The porridge setting on the Instant Pot can be used to cook oatmeal using old-fashioned oats and steel-cut oats, rice porridge and congee or porridge-like dishes that use a mixture of grains that expand in liquid. Ideally, you should use natural release when cooking high-starch foods that expand or a combination of 5-10 minutes natural release and quick release to follow. Below is how to use the Porridge setting on Instant Pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot on, it will say OFF to indicate the Stand-By mode. Add the grains, liquid and spices or fat if you wish. Secure and lock the lid. Press the Porridge button. The default setting is pre-programmed to set the pot to cook at High pressure for 20 minutes. If you press the Porridge button again, you can adjust the mode from Normal to Less or More.
- Less mode 5 minutes at High pressure this is suitable for cooking rolled oats and risotto-like porridge or rice porridge with slightly firmer to bite texture.
- Normal mode 20 minutes at High pressure use for steel-cut oat porridge or rice porridge with a slightly softer texture and for making congee.
- More mode 30 minutes at High pressure use for a porridge/congee that contains a mixture of beans or tougher grains.
If desired, use the / + buttons to further customize the time. The cooking time may be adjusted at any time during pressure cooking.
Here are some suggested water to rice/oats ratios for porridge and oatmeal dishes:
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Consider The Time It Takes To Build And Release Pressure
You have to allow enough time for your appliance to build pressure and release pressure. So the 15-minute recipe you just found may actually take 35 minutes to fully come to pressure, cook, and release pressure.
The amount of time needed to come to pressure and release pressure depends on the recipe and the amount of liquid.
Use Quick Release For Foamy Food Or When It Is Overfilled
Have you seen pictures of applesauce splattered all over the Instant Pot through the Venting Knob?
Mistake: Many new users are unsure when to use Quick Pressure Release and Natural Pressure Release. Theres a chance of splattering if users use Quick Release when cooking foamy food, such as grains or beans.
Solution #1: Use Natural Release for foamy food or when the pot is overfilled.
But waitmost pasta recipes call for Quick Release, what should we do?
Solution #2: Release the pressure gradually.
You dont have to turn the Venting Knob all the way to Venting Position to release pressure.
The initial release is usually the strongest. So, release the pressure gradually by turning the venting knob just a little with your hand or wooden spoon until you hear a hissing sound. Hold it at that position to release the pressure gradually.
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How Long Can You Leave Food In An Instant Pot
Given that the inner dish of all IP devices is made from stainless steel, there is no danger of unsafe materials leaking into your food if you leave in the pot after its done cooking. However, if the ambient temperature is not safe for preserving the cooked food, you will notice bacterial growth after a while, which is not safe.
Also, if you read the instructions manual, youll see that the producers warn users with regards to perishable foods such as meat, fish or rice being kept at room temperature, in the pot. These go bad rather easily if not kept at proper storage temperature, so you shouldnt leave them unattended.
Still, if the cooker is on the Keep Warm setting, most of the food will stay safe to eat for at least 10 hours. It may lose some taste and texture, but you can still eat it without worrying about your health.
Q: Do I Need To Turn The Pressure Cooker Off Before Using A Quick Pressure Release Or A Natural Pressure Release
No you do not need to turn the pressure cooker off for a quick or natural pressure release. The pressure will release on the Keep Warm setting. The benefit of not turning it off is that the time will count up so you can see how long its been since the pressure cooking time ended.
There is some debate about whether or not the pressure releases more slowly if its on the Keep Warm Setting. The Instant Pot Companys official position is that it does not release more slowly on the Keep Warm Setting because the Keep Warm heat does not turn on until the pressure has been released.
I prefer to turn off or unplug the pressure cooker before I do a quick pressure release or natural pressure release. I seem to always forget to turn off the pressure cooker if I dont turn it off when the pressure cooking ends. I also prefer to set a timer to remind me 10 minutes has passed and its time to release the pressure when Im doing a natural pressure release.
Part 3 in our Getting Started Guide will walk you through an initial test run for your Instant Pot, Ninja Foodi, Crockpot Express, or other brand of electric pressure cooker.
If youre in a hurry to get cooking, you can always skip to our Make Your First Meal post and come back to this information while youre waiting for the chicken to cook.
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