Sealing Ring For Instant Pot

Sealing Ring Has Expanded Too Much And Wont Seal Properly

The sealing ring naturally expands when its heated. Once cool, it should return to its natural state. If youve just completed cooking something, the sealing ring may still be in its expanded state preventing the Instant Pot from sealing.

SOLUTION: Try placing the Instant Pot sealing ring in the freezer or run it under cold water to contract it. You can also try and turn the sealing ring over and replace it.

Large Quantity Of Liquid In Instant Pot

If youre making a soup or cooking a larger quantity of food in the Instant Pot, you may have a lot of liquid. The more liquid you have, the longer it takes for the Instant Pot to seal.

You also need to make sure your ingredients are not going above the Max Fill mark . For foods that expand you should not go above the 1/2 full mark.

SOLUTION:Wait a bit longer to see if the Instant Pot will seal. If youre above the above recommended fill lines, split the recipe up and cook it in two batches.

Instant Pot Display Says Nopr

If the Instant Pot is showing the noPr error message, it could be that the Instant Pot couldnt reach a high enough temperature during the pre-heating stage. This could be due to the quantity of food or liquid, the presence of frozen ingredients, or any of the reasons in this article.

SOLUTION: If youre not making any of the above mistakes but you get the noPr error, press Cancel and try restarting the pressure cooking program again.

Recommended Reading: Lentil Soup In Instant Pot

Instant Pot Red Sealing Ring Vs Clear Everything You Need To Know

Instant Pots have taken the home cook world by storm in recent years. The name basically says it all as it makes time-consuming and difficult recipes easy and, well, instant.

This pressure/slow cooker hybrid is quickly becoming one of the most straightforward recommendations for amateur cooks in a time crunch.

Every product is independently reviewed and selected by our editors. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

Now, if you decided to pull the trigger on one of these appliances, you might be confused with the content of the packaging, especially with that extra red sealing ring in the box. Dont worry as we are here to tell you all about instant pot red sealing ring vs clear.

Lets make things clear

Food Is Scorched At The Bottom Of The Inner Pot

If food is scorched on the bottom of the Instant Pot, the liquid wont make contact with the bottom of the inner pot and the Instant Pot wont build steam. Here are a few of the reasons food gets scorched on the bottom of the Instant Pot:

• After browning or sauteing, if there are browned bits sticking to the bottom of the pot, you need to deglaze the pot. Deglazing involves adding liquid to the heated pot and stirring, to allow the browned bits to come free.
• The liquid is too thick. This can happen with thick sauces such as tomato sauce, mole sauce, or pasta sauce. Thick sauces should be placed at the top without stirring them in AND you can also thin them out with some water or broth.
• Starchy foods are making contact with the bottom of the inner pot. Starchy foods such as pasta, rice, etc. should be layered on top of other ingredients, without stirring them in.
• The Instant Pot is overfilled with food and there isnt enough room for the liquid to circulate.

SOLUTION: Open the Instant Pot, remove contents to a large bowl, clean the inner pot by scraping it with a plastic or wooden scraper I have several of these pan scrapers that work really well. Once the inner pot is clean, resume cooking, but be sure to add more liquid.

Read Also: How To Use Instant Pot Accessories

How To Open & Close The Lid

First Instant Pot setup skill you need to master is opening & closing the Instant Pot Lid with ease.

As shown in photo below, the black markings on the lid & pot may not be easy to spot at first.

• Markings on lid: Close Inverted Triangle Open
• Markings on exterior housing: Locked Triangle Unlocked Triangle

• Open Lid : twist counter clockwise until Inverted Triangle is aligned with the Unlocked Triangle sign, then lift the lid.
• Close Lid : align the Inverted Triangle with the Unlocked Triangle, then twist clockwise to lock the lid.

Features Of An Instant Pot

This multi-functional machine can do many things. Its ability to seal completely makes it possible to cook rice, steam vegetables, sterilize baby feeding bottles, tenderize meat, and even cook a healthy soup quickly! However, there are some additional features that some people might overlook when using their Instant Pot.

Here are some features of the Instant Pot that may come in handy:

• Self-regulates. Instant pots come with sensors to help regulate temperature and pressure. You can leave your instant pot running without worrying about overcooking your food. This feature comes in handy on busy days when you have a lot on your plate.
• Cooks practically anything. An Instant Pot can cook just about anything. Vegetables, big chunks of meat, pancakes, soups, and even pasta will be a breeze. As long as it fits inside, the Instant Pot can cook it.
• Wireless connectivity. Some Instant Pots already come with a Bluetooth function. This lets you monitor your cooking via your phone. Hook your Instant Pot to your phone, and you can cook from just about anywhere inside your home.

Remember, an instant pot is an extremely handy kitchen tool, but many of its helpful features are rendered useless without a properly functioning sealing ring.

Don’t Miss: How To Make Pinto Beans In An Instant Pot

How To Install A New Sealing Ring On An Instant Pressure Cooker

Step 1: If your cooker lid already has a sealing ring installed, begin by gently removing the existing sealing ring.

Step 2:Begin installing the new sealing ring by setting it inside of the pot lid. Gently press the sealing ring down so that the metal ring is seated in the groove on the sealing ring.

Step 3: Work your way around the lid pressing down on the sealing ring until it is properly seated. Check to make sure that the entire sealing ring is aligned with the metal ring in the center groove. If the sealing ring is not fully aligned, then the lid will not properly seal.

Step 4: Once youve checked to make sure the ring is installed correctly, youre ready to cook!

Prevent Instant Pot Ring Smell

When it comes to ring smells, its always helpful to be proactive in order to minimize them.

After you are done using your Instant Pot, clean it! Run that lid and ring through the dishwasher, or clean it in the sink.

Instant Pots website recommends you let the lid air out by placing it upside down in your Instant Pot when you go to store it.

Another tip is to store the silicone ring in the freezer between uses, as it can kill bacteria and odors.

Also, make sure the odor isnt coming from somewhere else! Check the Instant Pots steam release valve and float value for dirt or debris, giving them a quick clean too.

Don’t Miss: Instant Pot Stroganoff Recipe

Timer Function Was Used Instead Of Manual Or Pressure Cook

Some older models of the Instant Pot have a Timer button. The Timer button allows you to set a delayed time to start cooking. When you press the timer button, the time that shows up is the number of hours till cooking starts. So if your Instant Pot timer is not starting, this could be the reason.

SOLUTION: Press Cancel to cancel the timer. Press Manual or Pressure Cook and wait a few seconds for the Instant Pot display to change to On. If you wish to use the timer functionality, select the cooking function first, then press Timer or Delay Start .

Clean The Sealing Ring Regularly

Make it a habit to clean the sealing ring after each use. The ring may absorb food particles and odors while cooking, which may affect its ability to retain pressure within the pot.

After cooking, remove the sealing ring from the lid and wash it with warm water and soap. Let it dry before putting it back in your Instant Pot.

Recommended Reading: How To Cook Beef In Instant Pot

Instant Pot Red Sealing Ring Vs Clear What Goes With What

Now, finally, coming to that extra red ring and how it differs from the already installed clear one: It might sound weird but there is virtually no difference between the Red and the clear sealing ring included with your Instant Pot. Both are made with identical materials and both are equipped to do the same exact job.

Then why are there multiple included with an instant pot and what does the color code mean? Well, the manufacturer is basically doing you a favor by including an extra freebie in the box and the color is to help you keep track. Lets elaborate:

As we explained earlier, due to the very nature of pressure sealing a lot of food particles in the disguise of food vapor will soak into the silicone and hold the odor.

Even when you thoroughly wash these sealing rings, it can be very difficult to get the odor out. Especially with repeated use, even when that stew you cooked a couple of months ago has no traces left in your system, your instant pot sealing ring will hold a signature.

Now multiply that by how many times you use the instant pot, you really start getting a rough idea of what is stuck inside the sealing rings.

Yeah, this sounds a bit gross but we promise it is mostly harmless. You wont even have any residual taste or flavor. Of course, given that you do wash the ring properly.

However, due to the versatility of an instant pot, it is very common to use them for savory and then sweet dishes and everything in between.

Does Instant Pot Come With An Extra Sealing Ring

So this question is a bit complicated. Instant Pot does not advertise an extra sealing ring and so they do not really need to put an extra in the box. Even then, most buyers around the world report receiving an extra red ring that is made exactly to spec.

However, it is not uncommon for users to not receive this extra at all. So there is really no saying that you will receive an extra sealing ring with your instant pot.

Upon further inspection, we are confident that there is around a 75% chance that your instant pot will come with an extra sealing ring but do not count on it.

Either way, replacement rings are pretty easy to come by and are selling for pretty cheap on the market. You can pick a couple up as it is a good idea to replace rings from time to time. Just ensure that you buy the one that corresponds to your instant pot size and spec.

Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Chicken Roast

Check The Sealing Ring For Damage And Replace As Needed

An Instant Pot wont be able to cook food without a fully functioning sealing ring.

You should check for a damaged sealing ring if you hear air escaping from the pot, which usually manifests in a soft hissing sound. Stop the cooking process, set the ring to its sealing position, and restart the cooking process.

If your sealing ring is missing, get a new one so you can start using your Instant Pot again.

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.

Also Check: How Long To Cook Pork Shoulder In Instant Pot

Cleaning In The Dishwasher

While the sealing ring is dishwasher-safe, your best bet is to use the steaming method outlined above regularly to keep the ring clean and odor-free. If its been a while since you last cleaned the sealing ring , the dishwasher will certainly give it a good cleaning, but it might not completely get the odor out.

More About the Instant Pot

Win An Instant Brands Product Of Your Choice

Purchase any Instant Pot or Instant Vortex Airfryer and stand a chance to win any Instant Brands product of your choice. Winner selected by random draw. Competition closes 30 November 2022.

• & dash Collapse this Section

  These genuine Instant Pot double pack sealing rings are colour coded red and blue for savoury and sweet foods to prevent odour transfer between foods. These sealing rings are an integral part of the Instant Pot safety mechanism. Its designed, engineered, and manufactured with the best material to achieve the hardness and strength required to withstand high-pressure force during electric pressure cooking. To ensure your 6L Instant Pot Cooker continues to perform as it is meant to, only use Instant Pot authentic sealing rings with your Instant Pot.

• Colour coded 2-pack sealing rings for Instant Pot smart cookers
• Designed for the Instant Pot 6L smart cookers
• Integral part of the Instant Pot safety mechanism
• Designed, engineered, and built with the optimal material to achieve the hardness and strength required to withstand high-pressure force during electric pressure cooking
• Manufactured from the highest quality food-safe BPA free silicone, passed UL, FDA, and LFGB tests for safety, including food safety

Read Also: How To Use Instant Pot For Rice

Other Common Mistakes When Using An Instant Pot

An Instant Pot may seem pretty simple to use, but there are still a lot of things that may be overlooked when using this practical kitchen tool. Not using your Instant Pot properly may result in overcooked, undercooked, or raw food. It could be one of your best kitchen investments yet when used correctly.

Here are some of the most common mistakes people make when using their Instant Pot:

• Throwing everything in at once. Different kinds of food require different cooking times. For instance, cooking soft vegetables takes a minute or so, while cooking chicken takes about 6 minutes. If you throw in your greens at the same time as the chicken, you will end up with soggy, overcooked vegetables.
• Not putting enough liquid in. Since an Instant Pot uses pressure to cook, it needs some amount of liquid to function correctly. When heated, liquid produces steam, which is what an Instant Pot uses to cook your food. You may use water, wine, beer, broth, juice, or any thin sauce. Thick sauces may not be able to produce enough steam to cook your food.
• Overfilling. Make sure your Instant Pot is never more than two-thirds full. Putting too much food or liquid in the pot may result in messy spills and undercooked food. Keep in mind that certain kinds of food like rice, pasta, and beans expand while cooking.

Trivet Or Steamer Rack

Almost all Instant Pots come with a stainless steel steamer rack. Some with handles, others may not have handles. Its very helpful for cooking all sorts of food in Instant Pot.

The long handles on both sides make it easy for handling and removal from the pot. Its also compact, easy to store, and easy to clean.

More Info on How to use the Trivet:Instant Pot Trivet

Recommended Reading: Can You Use Instant Pot As Slow Cooker

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.

Check Silicone Sealing Ring

How to install sealing ring on Instant Pot? Put the sealing ring on top of the rack on the Instant Pot lid, then gently run your fingers along the ring as you push it into the rack.

Its criticalto ensure the silicone sealing ring is seated properly, and there isnt anything stuck on the ring or rack.

*Caution: Never pull the ring by force as it may stretch or damage the ring and affect the sealing function. Dont use it if it has cracks, cuts, or any other damages.

Do you need a spare sealing ring? Its always good to have a spare Silicone Sealing Ring because they do wear and tear. Plus, the ring may get stinky as it absorbs food odors over time. If you like, you can dedicate 1 Sealing Ring for Savory food, and the other for Sweets.

• 8 Quart: Sealing Ring

Also Check: How To Bring Instant Pot To Pressure