What Should You Use Natural Release Quick Release Or A Combination Of Both
Whatever method you choose, the goal is the same: releasing the steam from the instant pot so you can open it safely and enjoy your cooked food.
The method you use to remove steam from your instant pot will make a difference to your overall output. It can also affect the safe operation of the pressure cooker.
Foods that need to be cooked at a specific temperature, like meat, fish, or poultry should be quickly released as you wont want them to be overcooked.
Alternatively, foods like grains, rice, and dried beans should be naturally released as they benefit from continued cooking in a warm, humid environment with a gradually falling temperature.
Consider turning off the keep warm setting for foods like rice during natural release. If not, the heating element in the bottom of the instant pot will stay on and can even cause burning.
A natural release is recommended for liquid recipes like soups or mac and cheese basically, any recipe where you are dealing with a lot of hot liquid.
To sum it up, the method you use to release the pressure comes down to what you are cooking. Simply follow this rule:
- Use natural release while cooking dried beans, legumes, rice, soup, meat, and other recipes that are mostly liquid
- Use quick release while cooking vegetables, eggs, delicate foods that dont benefit from additional cook time
How Does An Instant Pot Work
Simply put, an instant pot is nothing but an electric pressure cooker. While it functions like a normal pressure cooker â under pressure â the instant pot can cook food much faster than a usual pressure cooker model. It is so designed to provide faster cooking time, work safe under high temperatures, and higher pressures.
How Does Quick Release Differ From Natural Release
A natural release entails leaving the pressure release switch in the sealed position when the cooking time comes to a halt. As a result, the Instant Pot slowly releases the pressure with no input from you. When the pressure is completely released, the float valve will instantly drop, thereby unlocking and opening the lid.
A natural release is a tad bit anticlimactic compared to a quick release. Therefore, theres no jet of steam when the natural pressure release begins. Moreover, theres no clear way of knowing when the pressure is completely released and no signal or beep when the lid unlocks. At times, you may hear the float valve drop if youre within earshot.
The time it takes for the pressure to be naturally released greatly depends on the amount of liquid in the Instant Pot and its ingredients. Keep in mind that a natural release can take anywhere between 5 and 30 minutes in the unit, depending on the amount of food.
Read Also: How To Make Yogurt In Instant Pot Without Yogurt Button
How To Do A Quick Release In Bursts
A quick release in bursts can take up to 5 minutes. You can keep the Keep Warm mode on or off while doing a quick release in bursts. If you wish to turn this mode off, press Cancel.
What Do Npr And Qpr Mean
NPR stands for Natural Pressure release. QPR stands for Quick Pressure Release.
But there’s a simpler way to remember all this. NPR means leave it the heck alone.QPR means to terrify the dogs and cats in your house by turning the valve to venting and having that huge hissing sound take over your kitchen.
When a recipe asks you to NPR, it’s basically saying let the pot sit undisturbed. In this case, you will do nothing except exercise patience, and wait until the float valve drops. At that point, you can open the lid safely and eat.
When a recipe asks you to QPR, you are expected to safely and carefully move the valve from SEALING to VENTING, forcing all the pressure out of the pot quickly. I find a long-handled wooden spurtle to be quite handy during this operation.
You definitely want your hands and face away from the steam valve. This is NOT a good time to try to get a facial.
It is also important to keep the steam away from cabinets. One thing that I find quite handy is a steam diverter.
Also Check: What Does Burn Mean On Instant Pot
Wow That Was No Big Deal Which Recipes To Make Now
Great job! Take the tape off the front of the cooker and read the owners manual.
Heres the scope of whats possible in your Instant Pot, and eventually youll hone in on what makes sense for you: You might cook primarily beans and grains, shaving minutes off cooking components of other recipes. You might steam vegetables most often . You might lean toward multicomponent one-pot meals. Youre the boss of this thing, so have fun!
- Hard-boiled eggs in the Instant Pot are actually steamed. The plus with them? So easy to peel!
- Do you love cooking dry beans from scratch? In the Instant Pot, they are fast and plump in the pressure cooker. A game-changer.
- Regular steamed rice in an Instant Pot frees you to focus on cooking the rest of the meal. An IP is essentially a rice cooker on steroids.
- Chicken soup from scratch, ready in 60 minutes.
- Classic chili is weeknight-compatible in an Instant Pot.
- Need cooked butternut squash or other winter squash? Steam it in a pressure cooker!
- Cheesecake is a breeze in an Instant Pot, because you steam itno messing with tipsy water baths and multiple pans like you would in an oven.
- Steel-cut oats are an everyday luxury if you program it to cook right when you wake up. Your oatmeal is ready once your coffees brewed and youre dressed!
Want more recipe ideas? Check out our full list of Instant Pot recipes!
Alison Conklin
How Long Is Natural Release On Instant Pot
The instant pot natural release time differs greatly depending on what food you are cooking.
In many instant pot recipes, I find that 10 minutes seems to be the standard time.
BUT if you have an instant pot that is very full then expect a long time for natural pressure release. Such as our instant pot irish stew.
Or I find that the natural release time is similar to the time to pressure. Therefore, if you have a food that takes about 15 minutes to go to pressure then expect 15 minutes of natural pressure release.
Also Check: Instant Pot Frozen Tuna Steak
Instant Pot Accessories And Parts
Heres a breakdown of the components of Instant Pot.
Upon unboxing your Instant Pot, the first thing youll want to do is wash the parts and accessories. The stainless steel inner pot and steam release valve are dishwasher-friendly. The base unit isnt dishwasher-safe and will require you to wash it by hand and as you do so, avoid immersing it in water.
What Is A Quick Pressure Release
This is when you turn the pressure release valve/quick release valve to “open” or “venting” at the completion of the cooking cycle. This forces the steam to release from the Instant Pot quickly.
When you hear the “beep/s” that the cooking cycle has been completed, immediately switch the pressure/steam release valve ; to “venting”.; This opens the vent and allows all accumulated steam/pressure to release from the Instant Pot right away.
Use caution when switching the pressure release/quick release valve to venting. Use a pot holder or silicone glove to avoid burns and always keep your face/hands away from the steam release valve.
You will know the Quick Pressure Release is complete when you see/hear the float valve drop down. Once that has happened it is safe to open the Instant Pot.
When to use Quick Pressure Release
A Quick Pressure Release means pressure/steam within the Instant Pot is released very quickly so its perfect for foods that are delicate and those that you don’t want to cook longer than the cooking cycle .
Also Check: What To Do If Your Instant Pot Says Burn
What Does Natural Pressure Release Mean
The Natural Release means that you dont need to manually release the pressure via any action. The pressure steam will release slowly and steady from your Instant Pot. Thats mean, you have to leave the pressure release handle on the Sealing position when the cook time ends. This lets the pressure release slowly, without you doing anything. When all the pressure is released, the float valve will drop and the Instant Pot lid will unlock.
The Natural Release process can take anywhere between 10 minutes to more than an hour depends on what youre cooking, how much ingredients in your cooking pot, the amount of steam and your Instant Pots model. take much less time than high-liquid meals, like soup or pasta.)
Quick Pressure Release Safety Precautions
The jet of steam coming out of your Instant Pot is extremely hot. Keep your face and hands away from it.
Make sure the hot steam is kept well out of your childrens reach, too.
Dont let the pressurized steam come in contact with your skin. If you need to touch the hot lid, use kitchen tongs, a wooden spoon, a kitchen towel, or an oven mitt.
As the float valve drops and steam is released, make sure to move your Instant Pot away from low cabinets, walls, and windows. You dont want to damage the finish or paint.
The Quick Pressure Release method is safe as long as you take the right precautions.
You May Like: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot
I Keep Burning My Fingers When Trying To Release Steam
The release nozzle on the Pots valve is pretty loose, and twitching it open for a fast release after pressure cooking can be painful for even fast fingers. If youve been burnt by steam before, theres a very simple solution that Pot users have found: Just use a wooden spoon. Push the valve open with the spoon to release it and avoid any steam issues.
Differences In Design Between The Lux And Duo Instant Pots
I feel like these are important to note because I would have liked to have known before purchasing.
- The DUO I received requires a three-prong outlet, while the LUX I have is a two-prong appliance.
- The DUO has slots on either side above the handles to prop the lid up. The LUX does not have an option, leaving you to have to find a place to set the lid.
- The LUX does not have a condensation cup like the DUO does. Its neither good nor bad, but I feel like its something else I could lose.
- There are fewer accessories for the 8qt DUO on Amaon like the silicone cover and tempered glass lid because its diameter is larger than the 6qt DUO and LUX. Some can be found other places, but since I do a lot of Amazon ordering I like the free 2-day shipping.
You May Like: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot
I Cant Seal My Instant Pot Lid
The pot lid can be tricky to lock and unlock without a little practice. If you are new to your Instant Pot, try moving the lid back and forth from the locked position until you get the hang of it. If you know for sure that your lid isnt locking properly, look for food blockages or a sign of a slipped sealing ring. The lid may also be damaged, but this is relatively rare Instant Pot lids are very tough.
I Am Pressure Cooking But Steam Is Leaking Out
Is steam leaking out of the pressure valve, even when turned to the upper locked position? Its normal for a small amount of steam to leak from the valve while the pot is heating up, but if it continues to leak steam during the pressure cooking cycle, you may have a problem. This could be a sign that you need to clean out and reposition the valve. If this doesnt work, you may even need to replace the valve.
If steam is seeping out the sides, make sure the lid is properly locked for pressure cooking. If the lid seems to be fine, examine your sealing ring. A stretched or cracked ring should be replaced. If the ring has become dislodged, you can usually put it back into place without trouble. A loose ring can firm up if you put it in the freezer for a little while, but this will ultimately hasten the silicone decay, so you should plan on getting a new ring either way.
Also Check: How To Cook Frozen Hamburger Meat In The Instant Pot
Instant Pot Manual Setting
Depending on the model, the Instant Pot manual setting button will either say Pressure Cook or Manual. This is the setting youre likely to use the most. The temperature, pressure level and cooking times can be adjusted on the control panel.
- Turn the Instant Pot on. It should say OFF on the screen, indicating its in the Stand-By mode.;
- Select Pressure Cook button . The default settings will be Normal mode on High pressure. If you press the Pressure Cook button again, it will change from Normal mode to Less or More, which simply changes the automatically programmed cooking time. Less would be 20 minutes and More would be 45 minutes.;
- Use the +/- keys to change the cooking time in each mode. In most cases, you will leave it in Normal mode and simply adjust the time as needed.
- Use Pressure Level button to adjust the pressure level; press it to toggle between High and Low. For most recipes, you will use High pressure except for cooking more fragile foods like fish, seafood or fast-to-cook vegetables.;
- With the manual setting, you can use Natural Release or Quick Release or a combination of both once the cooking is done.;
Q: When Do I Use A Quick Pressure Release
Using a quick pressure release stops the pressure cooking quickly. Therefore, you should use a quick pressure release when you are cooking ingredients, like vegetables, that you want to avoid;overcooking.
I use a quick pressure release when I make my Quick Pressure Cooker Potato Salad so the potatoes are tender but still chunky and hold their shape.
Our Favorite Recipes to use Quick Pressure Release:
Dont use a quick release with ingredients that foam or have fatty or thick ingredients.;;
Don’t Miss: How To Boil Milk In Instant Pot
When Should We Use Natural Pressure Release
Natural Pressure Release is great for keeping your kitchen nice and clean. Since the pressure is gradually released, there is less movement in the Instant Pot. Your stocks and soups come out cleaner and food are more likely to stay intact.
Ideal for food such as:
- Foamy food, food with large liquid volume or high starch content
When Should You Use Natural Pressure Release
As this method takes its own time to release the pressure from the instant pot, it is recommended to be used for primarily liquid foods like soups or foods that can form foam like beans, potatoes, and oatmeal.
While the pressure is released gradually, the food continues to sit in the instant pot. If you try to quickly release the pressure, especially while cooking liquid or foamy foods, the steam and the food can come out from the same release vent creating a mess in your kitchen.
Natural release instant pots are also a great option for roasting foods such as meats. Remember, the instant pot is still cooking your food while it is releasing the steam naturally. Leaving your meat to cook this way will allow it to rest and be more tender.
Recommended Reading: Instant Pot Tamales
How To Use Magic Release
Whats The Difference Between The 6
Whether you have already purchased a pot or not, you might be wondering if theres any difference between the two models. Because of course, if they sell 2 models, they cant be the same, right?
Ultimately it comes down to two main differences. * The LUX has one standard pressure setting and does not have a yogurt function. * The DUO has both high and low-pressure settings, plus has the yogurt button.;.
Also Check: Instant Pot Steamed Broccoli Without Steamer Basket
