How To Clean The Instant Duo Plus
Just like any Instant Pot, cleaning the IP Duo Plus is very straightforward.
Watch this quick video from the brand.
Technically, its from the Instant Pot Max. However, as I have mentioned, cleaning Instant Pot Multicookers is practically the same. So, all you have to worry about is not losing any of the tiny parts.
Using The Steam Function
See The Instant Pot 9
Dont take my word for it, heres a short video demonstration of Instant Duo Plus.
The Instant Pot Duo Plus v3 is an updated version of the already excellent Duo Plus with lots of new and improved features. It highlights 9 appliances in one, so it is indeed a versatile multi-cooker with 15 functions to make your kitchen work easier. Not to mention, it has 12.3 psi of pressure compared to other models 11.6.
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What Can Be Cooked With The Instant Pot
With the Instant Pot, you can cook a hearty meal for a whole family in less than 30 minutes. Dishes like rice and chicken, beef stew, chili and even a whole-roasted chicken cook in 30 to 60 minutes, start to finish. And, yes, you can even bake bread with the Instant Pot.
Paleo and ketogenic diet followers love the Instant Pot for its ability to “braise” meats in such a short amount of time, but it’s also loved by vegetarians and vegans who can quickly cook dishes like butternut squash soup, sweet potatoes, chili, steel cut oats and mac-and-cheese.
Even dry beans that usually require overnight soaking can be cooked in about 30 minutes for dishes like chili and hummus.
Want more ideas? Check out these 5 unexpected things you can cook in the Instant Pot and the best Instant Pot paleo recipes.
How To Saute In The Instant Pot

is a non-pressure cooking program that can be used in place of a frying pan or flat-top grill. For recipes that call for browned onions or garlic, its important to sauté them before adding liquid to the pot as you will release a lot of flavor this way. Another reason to sauté first is for browning meat. Lastly, sautéeing before cooking is a great way to increase heat and reduce the amount of time your pot will take to come to pressure. Learn more about other smart program settings on Instant Pot here.
Step 1. Star the Instant Pot. Insert the inner pot into the cooker base. Do not use the lid for the next step.
Step 2. Press the button. After 10 seconds, the cooker displays ON to indicate that it has begun heating. When display switches from On to Hot, add ingredients you want to brown. Note: You can add ingredients before the Hot message appears if you do, it may not appear at all. This is normal.
The default temperature setting for Sauté function is Normal. Press Sauté again to cycle through for Less and More temperature options. Use Normal for general pan searing or sautéing, Less for simmering, thickening and reducing liquids and More for Stir-frying or browning meat.
Step 4. Add any other ingredients and liquids. Stir if needed or leave layered and continue with the manual or program settings to pressure cook the food.
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Is This Thing Safe
Instant Pots are safer than stovetop pressure cooking. Everyone has heard stories about old-time pressure cookers exploding. Your Instant Pot wont do that because the temperature and pressure inside the pot is carefully monitored and regulated through its programming.
Remember: Its your trusty cooking robot.
How To Cook With The Instant Pot
How you use your Instant Pot depends on what you’re cooking. But, many recipes — especially those involving meat — tend to follow this formula:
The above steps can vary quite a bit, depending on the recipe, but most of what I cook in my Instant Pot follows that sequence.
Here, the Instant Pot’s valve is in Sealing position.
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What Foods Are Best For A Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking uses wet heat. 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 couldnt cook French fries from start to finish by pressure cooking.
But anything boiled or steamed or simmered is ace in a pressure cooker.
Coco Morante
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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Instant Pot Porridge Setting: What Is It Which Models Have It
Instant Pots include smart programs to help you cook conveniently and efficiently. Were you looking at the front panel of the electric pressure cooks and want to know more about the Instant Pot Porridge setting? Here is a preview of the buttons features and which models include the setting.
The Instant Pot electric pressure cookers include smart programs that were created based on extensive testing. Smart programs control multiple aspects of the cooking process including temperature, pressure, heat intensity, and duration all at the push of a button. The Instant Pot Porridge button controls one specific smart program.
One thing to note: Not all of the Instant Pot models and sizes within a series have the same set of smart programs. Always double check the Instant Pot you are thinking of buying to make sure it has the smart programs important to you.
And one more note: this post contains affiliate links. This means I may receive a small commission if you buy through my link. You wont pay any more if you use this link.
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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.
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Where Do I Find Recipes For The Instant Pot
The instruction manual and recipe booklet in the box are a great place to start. The recipes there are limited, but we found the cooking time tables to be pretty helpful in the beginning. Hip Pressure Cooking lists recommended times and pressure levels for many foods. You can also try a recipe from NYT Cookings Instant Pot editors collection, or check out the super-simple recipes that Wirecutter staff members cook in their Instant Pots.
There are hundreds of Instant Pot cookbooks out there, including many tailored to specific dietary concerns . Melissa Clark, food reporter for The New York Times and an Instant Pot enthusiast, has written her own cookbook, Dinner in an Instant. She told us that two of her favorites are Urvashi Pitres Indian Instant Pot Cookbook and Coco Morantes The Essential Instant Pot Cookbook.
What To Use The Trivet For

The trivet comes with the Instant Pot. This is a simple insert that allows you to get some space between the bottom of the pot and whatever food youre cooking. Generally speaking, any food that you might want to cook without having it come into direct contact with liquid can be made more easily with the trivet. You can place the food directly on top of the trivet or add it to a round heat-proof casserole dish or cake pan and place that on top of the trivet.
Think of things like chicken breasts, lasagna, breads, meatloaf, and other things that wouldnt taste great if they were super soggy. Its also commonly used for eggs, veggies, potatoes, or pot-in-pot cooking. Using the trivet can prevent burning or overcooking and also ensure even cooking.
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Install Instant Pot Condensation Collector
If your Instant Pot came with 2 plastic cups, the round plastic cup is a Rice Measuring Cup. The flat plastic cup is an instant pot condensation collector.
How to Install Instant Pot Condensation Collector? Find the slot at the back of Instant Pot, then slide it right in .
*Pro Tip: be sure to check & rinse the condensation cup once in a while.
Loading Your Steam Basket
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Instant Pot Duo Plus Review
The Pot DUO Plus is an improved version of the Pot Duo version. As such, it has similar functionalities but also comes with extra features that make it more attractive for certain people.
Starting with the similarities, this version also comes in 3, 6, and 8qt sizes and weighs 12 pounds. Just like the DUO 60, it has a large front control panel, but it is slightly larger and organized a bit differently. Also, there is an inner steel pot thats easy to clean and prevents food from sticking to the surface.
Now, lets have a look at the things that set the two apart. First, the Instant Pot Duo Plus can replace nine different appliances in your kitchen, as it is a 9-in-1 product. As such, when you buy it, you get a Pressure and Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Saute, Warmer, Steamer, Egg, Sous vide, Yogurt, and Cake Maker. In addition. Also, you can use it as a sterilizer, to keep utensils and other sensitive objects clean and safe.
The DUO Plus Instant Pot comes with 12 pre-set temperatures, 15 pre-programmed dishes, and 10 safety features. If these features look familiar, they are pretty much the same as with the DUO 60, with the added Cake Mode to the list of pre-programmed dishes.
Overall, the Instant Pot Duo Plus may be a bit more expensive than the first model, but it comes with new and interesting features that may be more to your liking.
Pros
Learn How To Boil Water
Whichever electric pressure cooker you end up with, your first time using it should involve literally learning to boil water. You do this by adding a cup or so of water to the inner pot , sealing the lid, and selecting a short cook time. Within five minutes, the water should heat up and build pressure, at which point the pressure is released via the natural method, or you can use the quick-release method. .
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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.
Page 1: Pressure Cooking
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Whats The Big Deal With Instant Pots Anyway
Instant Pots are multifunction, programmable electric pressure cookers. Think of them as little cooking robots.
If youre not familiar with pressure cooking, the entire point of an Instant Pot can be confusing.
The big sell here is pressure cooking is up to 70 percent faster than other ways of cooking. Pressure cookers reach higher temperatures because their lids lock into place without steam escaping, which creates a pressurized environment inside the pot. In this environment, the cooker reaches 250°F .
With pressure cooking on a stove, you have to keep a close eye on the cooker because you regulate the heat source. But with an electric Instant Pot, the cooker regulates its own heat via sensors. Thats the other win. Program the Instant Pot and once its going, youre free to go for a walk, vacuum the living roomyou get the idea.
Instant Pots can do other things besides pressure cook, too. With the lid off, you can sauté ingredients before pressure cooking. You can also use it as a slow cooker or for making yogurt. Were not going to worry about doing those things here, though. This guide is all about pressure cooking.
Coco Morante