Steam Venting: A Must For Instant Pot Pressure Cooking

The Instant Pot is a popular multi-cooker with a variety of functions, including pressure cooking. When pressure cooking, it is important to ensure that the steam release valve is set to the sealing position to allow pressure to build up inside the pot. Once the cooking cycle is complete, the pressure can be released in two ways: through a quick release by manually turning the steam release valve to the venting position, or through a natural release by leaving the valve in the sealing position and allowing the pressure to dissipate slowly. It is important to note that steam will be released from the pot during the initial pressurization and after the quick release, so caution should be exercised to avoid burns.

The importance of the sealing ring

The sealing ring is an integral part of the Instant Pot. It is a silicone ring inside the lid that seals the lid and locks in the steam pressure. It is important to check the sealing ring every time you use the Instant Pot to ensure it is properly placed and has room to expand. The sealing ring should fit snugly and tightly inside the lid to ensure a good seal and to retain moisture and pressure. It is recommended to replace the sealing ring every 12-18 months or every 6-12 months to avoid discolouration and odours.

The Instant Pot will not function properly without the sealing ring. It is responsible for building pressure inside the pot, which cooks the food. Without the sealing ring, pressure cannot build, and steam will leak from the lid.

The sealing ring is also important for safety. The Instant Pot is loaded with safety features, and the sealing ring is one of them. It is designed, engineered, and built with optimal material to achieve the hardness and strength required to withstand high-pressure force during electric pressure-cooking. The sealing ring has passed UL, FDA, and LFGB tests for safety, including food safety.

The use of third-party sealing rings may damage the Instant Pot and void the warranty. It is important to only use Instant Pot authentic sealing rings.

Manual cooking

To cook on manual, press the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' button and use the + or – buttons to set the desired cook 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 if you wish.

Make sure the lid is secure and move the steam release valve to 'Sealing' to ensure the pot will come to pressure. It is also important to follow a trusted Instant Pot recipe so that you have sufficient liquid in the pot and your ingredients are layered properly.

The Instant Pot will take around 10 minutes to reach pressure. You will know the pot is pressurised when the floating valve in the lid pops up, and the countdown for your cooking cycle will begin shortly after.

When the cooking cycle is complete, you can either let the pressure naturally release (do nothing for at least 10 minutes) or perform a 'quick release' by moving the steam release valve to 'Venting' right away. Keep your hand to the side of the valve, rather than over the top, so you won't be burned by the hot steam coming out.

When the floating valve in the lid drops, it is safe to open the lid, as this means all of the pressure has been released from the pot. The lid should be easy to twist off, so never force the pot open.

• Always check the sealing ring – the silicone sealing ring inside the lid is responsible for sealing the lid and locking in the steam pressure. Check the ring every time you use your Instant Pot to make sure it is properly placed and has a little wiggle room to expand.
• Deglaze the pot to avoid a 'Burn' error – if you use the 'Sauté' function on your Instant Pot before pressure cooking, add a splash of water to the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape off anything that might be stuck to the bottom.
• How to cook for zero minutes – there is a zero-minute cooking cycle on the Instant Pot, which is most commonly used to cook non-starchy vegetables. Cooking for zero minutes is the same as cooking anything else on manual. Press the 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook' button, then use the – button to lower the cooking time to zero minutes. The Instant Pot will still take several minutes to come to pressure and then, as soon as the cooking cycle beeps, quickly release the pressure.
• How to cook pot-in-pot – you can cook two dishes at the same time with the Instant Pot. It is called pot-in-pot cooking, where one dish cooks on the bottom of the pot, and then a separate bowl of food cooks on top.

Understanding the pressurisation process

The Instant Pot is a popular electric pressure cooker that has gained a lot of attention for its convenience, speed, and functionality. However, understanding how it works and how to use it properly is essential to ensure safe and effective cooking. Here is a detailed guide to understanding the pressurisation process of the Instant Pot.

The Instant Pot consists of an inner metal pot that holds the food and cooking liquid. This pot sits inside an outer container, which has a heating element at the bottom. When turned on, the heating element boils the liquid, and the steam and pressure generated cook the food quickly. This process can reduce cooking time by up to half compared to traditional methods like boiling or using a crockpot.

Understanding the Basics

Before using your Instant Pot, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with its basic functions and components. The lid of the Instant Pot has a silicone sealing ring that plays a vital role in sealing the lid and containing the steam pressure. Always check that this ring is properly seated and has some wiggle room for expansion. Additionally, the Instant Pot has a steam release valve with two settings: sealing and venting. The sealing position allows pressure to build up, while the venting position releases the pressure.

The Pressurisation Process

When you start a pressure cooking cycle, the first step is to ensure the lid is securely closed, and the steam release valve is set to the sealing position. The heating element then begins to heat the liquid inside the pot. This process can take several minutes, depending on the amount of food and liquid in the pot. As the liquid boils, steam is generated and pressure starts to build up.

Reaching Pressure

You will know that the Instant Pot has reached pressure when the floating valve in the lid pops up. At this point, the countdown for your selected cooking cycle will begin. It is important to note that the amount of food and liquid in the pot can affect the time it takes to reach pressure, so don't be alarmed if it takes longer than expected.

Releasing the Pressure

Once the cooking cycle is complete, you have two options for releasing the pressure: the natural pressure release and the quick pressure release. For the natural release, you simply leave the steam release valve in the sealing position and allow the pressure to dissipate slowly, which can take around 8-25 minutes. Alternatively, for the quick release, you turn the steam release valve to the venting position, which releases the pressure more rapidly.

Safety Precautions

It is crucial to remember never to open the lid of the Instant Pot until the cooking cycle is complete and all the pressure has been released. The floating valve dropping indicates that the pressure has been released, and it is safe to open the lid. Additionally, always ensure there is at least one cup of liquid in the pot, as the Instant Pot relies on this to generate steam and pressure.

Quick release vs natural release

When the cooking cycle is complete, you can choose to release the pressure inside your Instant Pot in two ways: Quick Release or Natural Release.

Quick Release

Quick release is when you manually turn the pressure release switch to the Venting position, allowing steam to escape quickly. This will result in a strong jet of steam coming from the pressure release valve. It is normal for drops of liquid or foam to emerge from the pressure release valve. If this happens, simply switch the valve back to the Sealed position and use an Intermittent Pressure Release.

Keep your face and hands away from the steam as it’s released. Don’t release pressure under hanging cabinets, as these can be damaged by the steam.

Use a quick release when cooking ingredients, like vegetables, that you want to avoid overcooking.

Natural Release

Natural release is when you leave the pressure release switch in the Sealed position when the cooking cycle ends, allowing the pressure to 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. There’s also no clear way to tell when the pressure is fully released, and no beep or signal when the lid unlocks.

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.

Use a natural release for large cuts of meat. Just like you’d let meat rest after grilling it, a slow natural release is said to let the meat relax and be more tender.

Partial Natural Release

You can also use a combination of releases. You don’t have to wait for all the pressure to release to get the benefit of a natural pressure release.

In many recipes, the pressure is allowed to release naturally for a certain number of minutes, and then a quick pressure release is used to finish.

Combining the two release options reduces waiting time yet gives you many of the benefits of a natural pressure release, such as reducing foam and tenderizing meats.

Intermittent Pressure Release

An intermittent pressure release is the best of both worlds. It’s a way to quickly release pressure for foods such as pastas, soups, and certain grains, which are prone to foaming or spitting if you try to release pressure with a quick release but would be overcooked with a natural pressure release.

With this method, you open and close the pressure release valve in short intervals. This allows the pressure to escape more quickly than a natural pressure release and also prevents foam from coming out of the pressure release valve.

Safety tips for removing the lid

• Never force the lid open after pressure cooking.
• Ensure that all the pressure has been released. Release the pressure according to the recipe.
• Set the valve to venting and only open the lid after the float valve has dropped and/or the display indicates it is ok to open the lid, and there is no pressure in the appliance.
• Never open the appliance until it has depressurized and all internal pressure has been released. If the float valve is still up and/or the lid is difficult to open, this indicates that the appliance is still pressurized — do not force it open.
• Any pressure in the appliance can be hazardous. Opening the appliance while it is still pressurized may lead to sudden release of hot contents and may cause burns or other injuries.
• Always check the sealing ring before removing the lid. The sealing ring can absorb food odors, so clean this often. To avoid any odors or discoloration, replace the sealing ring every 6-12 months.
• Before cleaning your pressure cooker's lid, the anti-block shield and silicone sealing ring should be removed and cleaned separately.
• The lid should be washed by hand or in the dishwasher.

Frequently asked questions