Ella Walter
The Instant Pot is a multi-use electric pressure cooker that can also be used for sautéing, slow cooking, steaming, and making rice, yoghurt, and more. It is a safe and easy-to-use appliance that cooks food quickly at high pressure. To set your Instant Pot to pressure cook, first, ensure the lid is secure and the steam release valve is in the 'Sealing' position. Then, press the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' button, and use the +/- buttons to set the cooking time. The Instant Pot will automatically cook at high pressure, but some models allow you to cook at low pressure by pressing the separate 'Pressure' button.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of cooker | Electric pressure cooker |
| Other functions | Sauté pot, slow cooker, steamer, rice cooker, yogurt maker, and warmer |
| Safety features | Yes |
| First-time use | Make water, not food |
| Buttons | Cancel, Start, Pressure Cook, +/- buttons to adjust heat and time |
| Display | Shows "OFF" when in Stand-By mode |
| Lid | Secure the lid and move the steam release valve to Sealing |
| Recipe | Ensure sufficient liquid in the pot and ingredients are layered properly |
| Countdown | Starts after the pot is pressurized |
| Quick release | Move the steam release valve from Sealing to Venting |
| Natural release | Wait for the pressure to come down |
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What You'll Learn
Safety features and the water test
The Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker with multiple safety features that make it safe and easy to use. It has at least 10 basic safety systems, including a steam exhaust system that releases pressure from the pan before you can remove the lid. This is crucial as the steam released from a pressure cooker can cause severe burns or injuries.
The Instant Pot will also switch off the power supply if the temperature safety limits are exceeded. If steam leaks past the lid due to a damaged sealing ring, the unit will not build up pressure, preventing food from burning. The unit monitors the preheat time and will lower the temperature if not enough pressure builds up within 40 minutes.
The Instant Pot also has an automatic lid lock to prevent risks associated with an improperly closed lid. However, users should always check the sealing ring before use to ensure it is clean, intact, and fits well behind the rack. If there are cracks in the ring or it no longer fits tightly, it should be replaced immediately.
Before using the Instant Pot for the first time, it is recommended to perform a water test to familiarize yourself with how the pressure cooker works. Here are the steps for the water test:
- Check the silicone sealing ring on the lid to ensure it is seated correctly. Make sure nothing is blocking the venting knob and floating valve.
- Pour 2-3 cups (500-750ml) of cold water into the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid by lining up the arrows and turning it clockwise.
- For the Instant Pot Duo, turn the venting knob from the venting position to the sealing position. For the Instant Pot DUO EVO Plus, the lid will automatically seal on its own.
- Press the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" button, depending on your model.
- Adjust the cooking time using the +/- buttons until the indicator displays "5", setting the pressure cooking time to 5 minutes.
- The indicator will change from "5" to "On", and the floating valve will pop up and seal the pot once there is enough steam.
- Once the pot reaches high pressure, the indicator will change from "On" to "5", indicating the start of the pressure cooking cycle.
- After the 5-minute pressure cooking cycle, the Instant Pot will automatically enter "Keep Warm" mode.
- Press the cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot, and the indicator will switch to "OFF".
- Release the pressure before opening the lid.
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Natural pressure release vs quick release
When cooking with an Instant Pot, you will need to release the steam pressure inside once your food is done cooking. There are two ways to do this: natural release and quick release.
Natural Release
The natural release function means letting the pressure inside the pot come down gradually on its own. This is the safest method, as you do not need to move the steam valve manually, reducing the risk of coming into contact with hot steam. It is also the most common release method used in Instant Pot recipes and can take anywhere from five to 30 minutes. The cooking time does not stop with a natural release, so food continues to cook during this process, which may lead to overcooking.
Quick Release
The quick release, also known as manual or steam release, is performed by opening the steam release valve to depressurize the pot more quickly. This release is more common for delicate foods that you want to avoid overcooking, such as vegetables, seafood, pasta, and meats. It can take anywhere from one to five minutes. However, this method can be dangerous as it causes a dangerous eruption of hot steam. It is also messier, especially if there is too much liquid left in the cooker, as the liquid can squirt out of the release valve.
The release method you use will depend on the type of food you are cooking. Natural release is perfect for low-maintenance meals with longer cooking times or liquid bases, such as broths, beans, soups, stews, oatmeal, and chilis. Quick release is better for quick-cooking foods that you want to avoid overcooking, such as tender greens, seafood, pasta, and meats. Some recipes may also call for a combination of both methods, with a few minutes of natural release followed by a quick release.
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Manual setting and troubleshooting
To set your Instant Pot to pressure cooker mode, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. First, plug in your Instant Pot and wait for the LED screen to display "OFF", indicating that it's on standby mode. Make sure the condensation cup is in place and that the steam valve is set to "Sealing" rather than "Venting".
Next, you'll want to locate the correct button to start pressure cooking. Depending on your model, this could be the "'Manual', "Pressure Cook", or "Bean/Chili" button. With these settings, you can prepare a variety of different foods. Once you've found the right button, simply press it, then use the + or – buttons to set your desired cooking time. The Instant Pot will automatically cook at high pressure, but some models have a separate "Pressure" button to adjust the pressure level.
If you're cooking with high-starch foods, it's recommended to use the natural steam release feature. However, if you're in a hurry, you can combine natural and quick releases. After pressure cooking, allow the pressure to drop naturally for five to ten minutes, then hit the quick-release button.
It's important to remember that the Instant Pot will preheat before it starts cooking. Don't be alarmed if it takes over 30 minutes to preheat for heavier meals. Once the cooking cycle begins, the pot will first need to pressurise, which can take 10 minutes or more, depending on how much food is inside. The pot is pressurised when the floating valve in the lid pops up, and the countdown will begin shortly after. If your recipe calls for a "quick release", move the steam release valve from "Sealing" to "Venting" immediately.
If you're cooking beans, remember that they will double in weight and volume when submerged in water, so only fill your pot halfway. Cooking pre-soaked beans can also reduce cooking time by half.
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Using the +/- buttons to set time
To set an Instant Pot to pressure cooker mode, you must first turn on the appliance. The display will show "OFF", indicating that the pot is in standby mode.
The +/- buttons are used to set the cooking time. Depending on your machine, you will either have a “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” button. Both options do the same thing. Press this button, then use the +/- buttons to set your desired cooking time.
The Instant Pot automatically cooks on high pressure, but some models have a separate "Pressure" button that allows you to cook at low pressure. It is important to note that the pot will not start counting down right away. First, the pot needs to pressurize, which can take 10 minutes or more, depending on the amount of food inside. The fuller the pot, the longer it will take to come to pressure.
If you are a first-time user, it is recommended to make water instead of food to familiarize yourself with the appliance. You can set the time to 10 minutes and select High pressure. Press “Start” and wait. If you make a mistake, simply press “Cancel” and start over.
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Cooking beans, legumes, and porridge
To cook beans, legumes, and porridge in an Instant Pot, you'll need to use the Pressure Cook setting. Here's a step-by-step guide for each:
Beans and Legumes
- Rinse the desired amount of beans or legumes and place them in the inner pot of your Instant Pot.
- Cover the beans with plenty of cold water (approximately 6-8 cups of water for every 1 pound of beans).
- For optimal results, it is recommended to soak the beans beforehand to reduce cooking time and improve digestion. Soaking can be done by covering the beans with cold water and leaving them for 8 hours or overnight.
- Close the lid and ensure the valve is set to "seal."
- Select the Pressure Cook setting at high pressure. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of bean and whether they were soaked. For unsoaked beans, 5-10 minutes at high pressure is a good starting point. Soaked beans will take significantly less time, around 10 minutes or even less.
- After the timer goes off, allow a natural pressure release for at least 10 minutes. Then, switch the valve from "Sealing" to "Venting" to release any remaining steam.
- Open the lid and drain the beans. Season with salt and vinegar, if desired.
Porridge
- Add a low trivet to the inner pot and pour in 1 cup of cold water.
- Place a container that is safe for use in the Instant Pot on the trivet.
- Add your desired amount of oats and milk to the container, maintaining a ratio of 1 part oats to 2 parts liquid. Stir gently.
- Secure the lid and set the Pressure Cook setting at high pressure for 5-10 minutes.
- If preparing overnight porridge, use the Delay Start function to set the desired time. This function allows you to prepare the ingredients in advance, and the porridge will be ready in the morning.
- After the cooking cycle, leave the porridge under pressure for at least 5 minutes.
- Release any remaining pressure, remove the lid, stir, and serve.
Remember to refer to your Instant Pot's user manual for specific instructions and safety guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you first make water and not food to familiarise yourself with the Instant Pot. Secure the lid and move the steam release valve to sealing. The Instant Pot will not start counting down right away as it needs to pressurise. When the floating valve in the lid pops up, the countdown will begin.
Depending on your machine, you will either have a \"Manual\" or \"Pressure Cook\" button. To cook manually, press either of these buttons and then use the +/- buttons to set the cooking time.
You will hear the cooker hissing, interspersed with some clicking. Then, the hissing will stop, the pressure indicator will go up, and the cooker will beep.
There are two ways to release the pressure: natural release and quick release. For natural release, you do nothing but wait. For quick release, move the steam release valve from the sealing position to the venting position.
