Pressure Cooker Opening Methods
This list includes an opening method I came up with and another that has been unofficially around for many years they add more options to your pressure cookery. We start the list with the fastest opening method and conclude with the slowest. Further down, theres an opening method we no longer recommend and one that used to be OK for older cookers but should not be used on modern stainless steel pressure cookers.
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.
What Is Quick Release Instant Pot
A quick release instant pot will release the pressure in no time. If you want to cook food quickly, go with this method.
As soon as the instant pot beeps, you turn the pressure release valve to open or the quick release valve to venting. Doing so will release the steam from the instant pot in no time.
However, be cautious while depressurizing the instant pot with a quick release method. Stay away from the steam release valve and consider using a potholder or a silicon glove to protect yourself from burns.
When you see or hear the float valve drop down, it means the quick pressure release process is over. It is now safe to open your Instant pot.
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Instant Pot Natural Release Vs Quick Release
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What is the difference between Natural Release vs. Quick Release for the Instant Pot?
Dont have an Instant Pot yet or new to Instant Pot? Read What is The Instant Pot for more info! .
If you are lucky enough to have recently become the owner of an Instant Pot, then congratulations! There are a ton of amazing recipes available from Instant Pot Ribs to the most delicious Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe!
But maybe pressure cooking is new to you. If so, youll need to get familiar with natural release vs. quick release.
What Is Natural Release And How To Do It
Natural Release means that the steam will naturally release from the Instant Pot. You don’t have to do anything for this to happen.
When the metal valve has dropped then all the pressure is gone. I do recommend to turn the valve to venting before removing the lid.
This just ensures that all the pressure is released from inside the pressure cooker.
Doing a natural release will take about 10-25 minutes depending on what you are cooking. The LCD screen on the front of your IP will say L10 or L25, this means that it stopped cooking 10 or 25 minutes.
Again the time it takes to naturally release depends on what you are cooking. The fuller your inner pot is the longer it will take to release.
When To Do A Quick Or Natural Release
Now let’s talk about when to do a natural release. If you are cooking foods that tend to be foamy or have high starch content, then a natural release is best.
If you were to do a quick release with starchy foods then there would be starch coming out with the steam. This causes food splatter to come out from the pressure release valve.
If cooking a large volume of liquid say a soup, then it’s best to do a natural release. When cooking most meats it’s best to do an NR as well.
The slow drop in temperature will help to make the meat more tender.
Quick Release is great if you want to stop the cooking process, this helps from overcooking your recipe. Vegetables are a great example of when to use QR.
I hope this helped to understand Quick VS. Natural Release.
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Do You Feel Unsure Of What The Quick Pressure Release Versus Natural Pressure Release Is With Your New Instant Pot Find Out When And How To Use These Features
When you get your instant pot, it can be a little intimidating! Especially with all the lingo surrounding it. Quick pressure release and natural pressure release are among that lingo! What do those even mean and when do you use them when using your electric pressure cooker?
I hope to help you figure that out!
General Rule Of Thumb
Most recipes should tell you which method to use. This is because how much time you allow the pot to depressurize should be taken into account in the recipe. Which way you choose can have a big affect on the outcome of the dish.
However, if you come across a recipe that doesnt specify which method to use, you can follow these general principles:
- For food like pork roast, beans, rice, soup, and things that are mostly liquid, like bone broth, use natural release.
- When cooking eggs, vegetables, delicate foods, or ingredients that have a preferred temperature range, use quick release.
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How Does Quick Release Work
The quick release function on your Instant Pot is actually more useful than youd think, especially if youre trying to get your meal ready quickly. This function allows you to quickly release the pressure from your Instant Pot by using an inbuilt mechanism.
All youll have to do is move the valve from sealing to venting and the pressure will be released quickly.
What Is Natural Release Time
Natural release time relies on the following two factors:
The Size of Your Instant Pot
The instant pot is available in 4 different sizes: 3-quart, 5-quart, 6-quart, or 8-quart. The larger the size, the longer it will take for pressure to release.
The 8-quart Instant pot has a larger capacity, so it is likely to build up a larger volume of pressure. On the other hand, a 6-quart and a 3-quart instant pot will take less time to do a natural release.
Whats In the Instant Pot
The natural release process may last anywhere between a couple of minutes to 30 minutes, depending on what you are cooking. If cooking takes less time, the instant pot will have less natural release time and vice versa.
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Add Beef Broth Tomatoes V8 Juice
Pressure cook on high for 15 minutes with a quick pressure release: Make a rich hearty vegetable beef soup with this instant pot soup recipe. · add oil to the pressure cooking pot. Our instant pot vegetable beef soup is a simple, yet filling fall dish that combines stew meat with frozen veggies and is ready to eat in . · add beef broth, tomatoes, v8 juice, . This instant pot beef and vegetable soup is healthy and simple to make in your electric pressure cooker. Add tomato paste, soy sauce, oregano, celery seed, and bay leaves and stir, cooking 1 to 2 minutes. The stewing beef comes out so . No all day simmering, this is a quick and easy dinner for any busy . Add broth, canned tomatoes, stew meat, potatoes, worcestershire sauce and spices to the instant pot. 1 tablespoon olive oil · 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into cubes, or to taste · 5 large carrots, chopped · 1 large yellow onion, chopped · 2 stalks . Add browned beef and any juices in the bowl, the beef broth, the crushed . Preheat the pressure cooking pot using the browning or sauté setting.
Set valve to sealing and lock lid in place, . 1 tablespoon olive oil · 2 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into cubes, or to taste · 5 large carrots, chopped · 1 large yellow onion, chopped · 2 stalks . · add oil to the pressure cooking pot. No all day simmering, this is a quick and easy dinner for any busy . This instant pot beef and vegetable soup is healthy and simple to make in your electric pressure cooker.
Does It Really Matter Which You Use
Yes, it is important to depressurizing your pressure cooker in the right way, according to the food youre cooking. It can make a huge impact on the foods texture and temperature. Just like leaving a steak on the grill too long, your food can become overcooked and dry if you release pressure in the wrong way.
Two of the main concerns are:
- Releasing the pressure too quickly when cooking a pot full of soup or foamy foods. When you do a manual release of a pot full of soup or broth, its possible that the steam will sputter and spray all over your kitchen. It can take quite a while for a pot full of liquid to release pressure, so it can take a good 5 minutes to release it with a manual release. During that time, steam is spraying and heavy aromas are filling your house.
- Overcooking delicate foods. If youre cooking asparagus in the Instant Pot and you allow it to do a natural release of pressure, its likely the asparagus will be complete mush before you take it out. The same applies to any vegetables youre steaming. It also applies to meats that dry out when over cooked, like chicken breast or salmon.
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Q: What Is A Natural Pressure Release
A natural pressure release is when you leave the pressure release switch in the Sealed position when the cook time ends. This lets the pressure release slowly, without you doing anything. When the pressure is fully released, the float valve will drop and the lid will unlock and open.
A natural pressure release is a bit anticlimactic in comparison to a quick pressure release. There is no jet of steam when the natural pressure release starts. Theres also no clear way to tell when the pressure is fully released, and no beep or signal when the lid unlocks. Sometimes you can hear the float valve drop if youre close by.
The time it takes for the pressure to release naturally will vary depending on the ingredients and amount of liquid in the pressure cooker. A natural pressure release can take from 5 to 30 minutes in the electric pressure cooker.
Food inside the cooking pot will continue to cook as the pressure decreases.
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.
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How To Natural Release Instant Pot
Never force the Instant Pot lid open! If it wont open it is most likely because there is too much pressure remaining in the pot.
Recipes Great for the Natural Release Setting
- Instant Pot Chili perfect weeknight meal
How Long Does Natural Release Take
Depending on the dish, a Natural Release can take up to 30 minutes to complete. However, most dishes take between 10 and 25 minutes to finish the Natural Release process. It varies depending on the cook cycle and how full the Instant Pot is.
As the pressure releases and the Instant Pot begins to cool, the floating valve will begin to lower. When it has settled entirely, its time to open the Instant Pot. This method is very safe because the Instant Pot will not open until all of the pressure has been released.
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When Do I Use A Quick Pressure Release
Since a Quick Release stops the cooking quickly, it’s used in recipes where you want to avoid overcooking the ingredients.
This is best when you’re cooking vegetables such as asparagus, bok choy, corn, broccoli, or sweet potatoes.
Quick release is also good for delicate foods like hard boiled eggs, seafood, and fish.
Or you do it anytime when you quickly have to stop the cooking process.
Instant Pot Quick Release
As an instant pot user of many years I cook the most with an instant pot quick release.
In fact, I only use natural pressure release on a small amount of instant pot recipes and the rest of the time its all about the instant pot quick release.
Though, I know many of you are concerned about the instant pot quick release mess.
Mainly because the old school method of stovetop pressure cooking would explode if the food was taken out before natural release was done.
But you dont have to worry about this with the instant pot, though of course some recipes do need a natural pressure release.
Today, I wanted to make things even easier for you and share with you:
- What is quick release on instant pot?
- When to quick release instant pot?
- Natural release vs quick release.
- How long does quick release take on instant pot?
- How to do a quick release on instant pot?
- And so much more.
Plus, as well as our free newsletter, we also have a free instant pot mini course. It is ideal for instant pot beginners or those that want to get more confident with their electric pressure cooker. The free course runs for 5 days with a new lesson delivered each day to your inbox.
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How To Do A Pressure Cooker Natural Release
After the cooking cycle finished, wait until the Floating Valve completely drops before opening the lid.
Always turn the Venting Knob from Sealing Position to Venting Position to ensure all the pressure is released before opening the lid.
This pressure release method usually takes 10 25 minutes .
Whats the advantage?
Why?
Since the pressure is released gradually, there is less movement in the pressure cooker. Your stock and soup come out cleaner and food are more likely to stay intact.
Whats the catch?
- A pot full of stock or soup takes very long to release pressure naturally.
- If the recipe is designed for Quick Pressure Release, the food may overcook, as the cooking process continues during the natural release process.
The Hybrid of Quick Release and Natural Release
What Is Natural Release Instant Pot
As the name suggests, you need to leave your instant pot to work on its own for this method. Your instant pot will release the pressure once it depressurizes on its own.
Your instant pot will signal you with a beep stating that it has completed the cooking cycle and will automatically start releasing the pressure.
To figure out if your instant pot has released its steam completely, completely check the float valve for this. The natural release process is complete if it drops down.
Once the pressure is released it is now safe to open the lid. Remember, you will only be able to open the lid if the pot is depressurized. Never try to open the lid before this process.
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The Faster The Release The More Movement
The speed at which pressure is released is directly related to how much movement is inside the pressure cooker more speed gives the food more movement. When pressure is released, the equilibrium that suppressed the bubbles of the boil during pressure cooking is broken and they begin breaking to the surface again. A fast release will violently release these bubbles, forcefully flinging bits of food and foam onto the underside of the lid and safety valves, while slow opening method, such as Natural release, delicately allows the bubbles to rise into a slow lazy simmer. For foods which you intend to keep whole or clear use the slowest opening method to get the least amount of movement.
How To Do A Natural Release
1. Upon completing the cooking cycle, your Instant Pot beeps to signal it completed the cooking cycle.
2. Most Instant Pot models automatically begin to use NPR.
3. The process is complete when you see or hear the float valve drop down.
4. Taking the lid off of your Instant Pot vents any remaining pressure.
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What Is Instant Pot Quick Release
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Confused about the Instant Pot quick release function and how and when you should be using it? Get all your answers here!
Finally got your hands on the most useful and versatile kitchen appliance there is? You might be super excited to get started with your Instant Pot and try all those new recipes youve saved, but wait up!
First, you need to know what the difference between quick release and Instant Pot natural pressure release is.
Before you jump right into it, it is a good idea to get a basic understanding of all those technicalities, so that you dont end up making a big mess in the kitchen.
And heres helping you with just that. Read on to discover all you need to know about the Instant Pot quick release function.
