How To Use Instant Pot
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The Instant Pot (often mistakenly called ‘Insta Pot’) is one of the most famous kitchen appliances of its time!
This unique and versatile pressure cooker replaces several appliances and rolls them all into one pot – from rice cooker, crock pot to slow cooker.
How to use Instant Pot – Where does the Instant Pot lid go?
These Instant Pot recipes were chosen not by me but by YOU as some of my most-read, most popular, and shared the most! – Thank you!
What is the Instant Pot?
Instant Pot is a pressure cooker that works faster than your typical cooking appliance.
It slow cooks, sautés, makes rice, steams vegetables, and cooks chicken, meat, and other food items. It also has soup and yogurt maker settings!
It’s a fantastic all-in-one device; thus, you can cook a chicken and your veggies all in the same pot!
A new generation of pressure cooking
Instant Pot introduces a new generation to pressure cooking and shows people how to instantly cook a healthy meal.
This guide is for you whether you recently bought a new Instant Pot or you’re already using it.
These instructions are updated to show you how to use your appliance most effectively without creating any trouble.
We’ll also answer frequently asked questions with helpful Instant Pot user tips.
And also, share easy Instant Pot recipes, too!
What are the benefits of an Instant Pot?
In plenty of situations, Instant Pot meals are ready to serve in less than 45 minutes.
Its instant cook time is because of its pressure-cooking function that lock steam produced by liquid (liquid excreted from meat and vegetables), building pressure and forcing steam back into the foods.
But avoid confusing Instant Pot with its old predecessor, the stovetop pressure cooker!
Unlike the old pressure cookers, today’s Instant Pot removes all safety concerns and issues with a cover that stays locked until the pressure is released.
What can be cooked with the Instant Pot?
With the Instant Pot, a person can cook a hearty meal for not only oneself but a whole family in less than 45 minutes!
Dishes like chicken, rice, beef stew, chili, and even a whole-roasted chicken cook beginning to finish in under 40 minutes!
Why does everyone love the Instant Pot?
Instant Pot bakes
And, yes, you can even bake cakes and bread with this device!
–> Check out one of my favorite, easiest Instant Pot cake recipes HERE.
Instant Pot is keto diet-friendly
Ketogenic diet followers love the Instant Pot for its capability to “braise” meats in such a short amount of time.
Vegans love Instant Pot!
It’s also loved by vegans who can instantly prepare dishes like vegetable soup, glazed carrots, chilies, steel oats and mac and cheese with the help of this versatile pressure cooker!
Even dry beans that typically need overnight soaking are cooked in approximately 20 minutes for dishes like chili and hummus.
How do you cook with the Instant Pot?
Pressure cooking
It’s easy to cook with Instant Pot once you know its essential functions.
There are only a few simple instructions, and you’ll be quickly on your way to Instant Pot cooking!
How do you use Instant Pot for the first time?
The inner pot is the removable stainless steel pot that you place inside the Instant Pot appliance.
The appliance as a whole is commonly referred to as the Instant Pot.
What are the other Instant Pot family appliances?
- Instant Pot Air Fryer Lid
- Instant Pot Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Aire Fryer Oven
- Instant Pot Omni Plus Toaster Oven And Air Fryer
- Instant Pot Max
- Instant Pot ACE Blender
- Instant Pot Sous Vide
- Instant Pot x Star Wars
- Instant Pot x Mickey Mouse
- Instant Pot x Pioneer Woman
Although there are many Instant Pot appliances (pressure cooker, air fryer, blender, toaster oven, etc.).
When having a conversation, the pressure cooker is most commonly referred to as the “Instant Pot.”
Pressure cooking is the setting the pot is best known for.
Place meats, rice, grains, beans or veggies inside the pot with at least ½ a cup of water.
Lock the lid, and you’re on your way to tender, juicy meats or healthy, crispy veggies!
How do you know when the Instant Pot is done?
At the end of the pressure cooking time, the pressure must be released to unlock and open the Instant Pot’s lid.
*Safety tip- For your safety, the lid will not unlock until the pressure is released.
Natural pressure release
When the pressure cooking time is finished, the Instant Pot will chime to let you know that the cooking time is complete. (Note that it will also sound to let you know when the cooking time begins.)
When you do a natural release, do you need to cancel the keep warm function?
After the finished chime, the Pot will automatically enter into the ‘keep warm’ setting, and the pressure will begin to naturally release on its own.
You do not need to cancel the keep warm function for a natural release.
In most cases, a natural release of pressure has occurred when the keep warm setting reaches the original cook time.
For example, the cooking time for carrots is 4 minutes. The natural release will have typically occurred when the keep warm setting has also reached 4 minutes.
Don’t worry about trying to time this on your own. The Instant Pot does all the work and will monitor the time for you on the Pot’s time display!
You will know that the pressure has naturally released because you can open the Instant Pot lid when you try.
Should the Instant Pot valve be up or down?
If you cannot open the lid, position the pressure valve down (for models Duo and below). For Instant Pot models Duo Nova and above, press the steam release button.
This will release any last pressure and steam – and in just a few seconds, you can open the pot!
*Safety tip- Never make skin or face contact with the steam released from the pressure valve!
Manual pressure release
For Instant Pot models Duo and below, a pressure valve (also called a steam valve, venting knob or vent) is on the top of the Instant Pot lid.
It’s a pressure button for models Duo Nova and above.
For a manual pressure release (also referred to as a quick release), position the valve down (counterclockwise) to release the pressure from the inner pot.
(*Note that you’d position the valve up or clockwise for cooking. This is also referred to as placing the valve in the “sealing position.”)
For Instant Pot models Duo Nova and above, the valve sealing and positioning are automatically done for you. (Sweet!)
On Instant Pot pressure cooker models Duo Nova and beyond, the steam release (quick release button) is automatically set to the sealing position when the lid is closed.
- Sealing position – For a quick release (manual pressure release), press down the quick release button until it clicks and locks in the venting position.
- Venting position – To stop the quick release, slightly turn the quick release button counter-clockwise until it pops up to the sealing position.
Quick release
As explained in the section above, a natural release will happen when you keep the food locked in the inner pot after the cooking time has elapsed. The pressure will naturally release from the Instant Pot on its own.
Depending on your Instant Pot model, position the pressure valve down (or press the pressure button for models Duo Nova and beyond) to prompt a manual, quick pressure release.
Pro tips:
- I only prompt a manual release *after* the keep warm time reaches at least half of the original cooking time.
For example, the cooking time for a whole chicken is 25 minutes. When the keep warm setting has reached 13 minutes, you could prompt a manual release.
- It’s a good idea to place a dish towel or pot holder over the steam release as you are manually releasing the pressure. This quick tip controls any steam or water from spraying out.
- And remember to never make skin or face contact with the steam released from the pressure valve!
How do you use the buttons on your Instant Pot?
Sauté button
To use the sauté function, you won’t need the Instant Pot lid.
Add water, broth, oil, or butter, and brown meats, like beef or chicken. Or sauté herbs and spices, like garlic and onion.
You can also use the sauté button to boil water.
I even cook pasta on the sauté mode!
Can you use your Instant Pot without the lid?
Pro tip: Yes! You can sauté without the Instant Pot lid!
You may choose to have an Instant Pot glass lid for some sautéing.
–> Check out the Instant Pot glass lid HERE.
Slow cooker button
The slow cooker function allows your Instant Pot to cook like a crockpot. Wow – so much kitchen counter space saved with one pot!
Cancel button
The cancel button will stop any cooking setting.
How do you make your Instant Pot pressure high?
Tapping the pressure cook button, followed by the pressure level button, will allow you to change the pressure cooking mode from high to low.
Pro tip: Most recipes call for cooking on high pressure.
How do you set your Instant Pot to 5 minutes?
Use the plus and minus buttons to set your desired cooking time.
When you lock the Instant Pot lid into place, you’ll hear a lovely little chime, letting you know it’s locked and in position to cook!
When it creates enough pressure, the red button will turn on. Now the cooking time will start!
Instant Pot FAQs & quick tips
After cooking primarily with Instant Pot for over a year, I’ve rounded up a few tips to help you zoom through the Instant Pot expectations and learning curves.
Can you overcook in the Instant Pot?
Yes, so to avoid overcooking or food burn, always cook with a liquid – water, stock or broth!
Do you always have to use a liquid while cooking with an electric pressure cooker?
Yes. At a minimum, pressure cook with ½ a cup. Most Instant Pot recipes will call for 1 cup of liquid.
How do you start your Instant Pot pressure cooker?
Ensure the pressure valve is set in the ‘sealing position’ before locking the lid and setting up for pressure cooking.
(For models Duo Nova and higher, you don’t have to set the sealing position – the Instant Pot automatically does it for you!)
Can you wash the Instant Pot lid?
Yes, clean your Instant Pot lid! After enough heavenly suppers, your Instant Pot will begin to secure a food smell and possibly some food stains. You can wash the lid by running it underwater. And you can actually remove and even replace the lid’s silicone ring!
–> Get new Instant Pot silicone rings HERE.
Can you put frozen meat in the Instant Pot?
Traditional cooking appliances alert against cooking protein from frozen.
Not Instant Pot!
Long gone are the days of spoiling dinner because you forgot to take the meat out of the freezer! With the Instant Pot, you can cook food from a frozen state. (Simply add additional cooking time.)
How does Instant Pot work?
An Instant Pot is an innovative pressure cooker creating a highly pressurized environment by mixing heat and steam to cook food instantly. Even though Instant Pot is a relatively new brand, the pressure cooker has been around since the 1700s!
Instant Pot’s sealing ring produces an airtight environment that permits pressure and heat to build safely.
Utilizing an Instant Pot is relatively simple because it’s an all-in-one device for cooking several components of a meal simultaneously.
–> Check out these handy pressure cooking accessories HERE!
Do Instant Pots use high heat?
As Instant Pot cooks food so fast (almost instantly!), it makes sense that individuals think these devices use extraordinarily high heat.
However, you might be surprised to learn that oven baking or grilling utilizes a much higher flame than Instant Pots or any other pressure cooker.
Instant Pot pressure cooking is a healthier way to prepare traditional foods! The shorter cooking times lend to better preservation of vitamins and minerals while intensifying each recipe’s flavors and enhancing the texture and taste. Yum!
Instant Pot magical meals in minutes
Instant Pot is the newly designed pressure cooker, quick in its working.
Food that used to take hours to prepare has turned into magical meals in minutes with an Instant Pot pressure cooker.
But is Instant Pot worth it for one person, or is it just for large family meals?
Instant Pot sizes
There are various Instant Pot sizes to accommodate any family – even cooking for just one or two!
- Small Instant Pot 3 quart size is HERE.
- Standard-size Instant Pot 6 quart size is HERE.
- Large Instant Pot 8 quart size is HERE.
- X-large Instant Pot 10 quart size is HERE.
Pro tip: If you’re obsessed with Instant Pot cooking like me, you can enjoy cooking meals with multiple pots simultaneously!
(Currently, I have 4 Instant Pots – 1 Duo, 1 Duo Nova, 1 Pioneer Woman print & 1 Mickey Mouse print!)
Slow cook quicker!
Rice, quinoa, dried beans, pot roast, homemade yogurt and more are now quick and easy meals via a simple cooking cycle with the touch of a button!
Even slow cooker recipes are now quicker!
Whether you’re a new buyer or you already have an Instant Pot – this guide is for you!
My goal is that it enhances how you cook with this versatile appliance in your kitchen!
–> Crack the code with Instant Pot terms & tips HERE!
–> Get easy Instant Pot recipes HERE!
More Instant Pot helpful guides
Is an Instant Pot worth having?
Best Instant Pot Comparison Guide
Join The Group – Club Instant Pot
Best Southern Cooking Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners
Like this post? Pin the below image to your Pinterest Instant Pot board!
Print the free PDF printable guide HERE –> How To Use Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
Instructions
Should the Instant Pot valve be up or down?
- If you cannot open the lid, position the pressure valve down (for models Duo and below). For Instant Pot models Duo Nova and above, press the steam release button.
- This will release any last pressure and steam - and in just a few seconds, you can open the pot!
- *Safety tip- Never make skin or face contact with the steam released from the pressure valve!
Manual pressure release
- For Instant Pot models Duo and below, a pressure valve (also called a steam valve, venting knob or vent) is on the top of the Instant Pot lid.
- It's a pressure button for models Duo Nova and above.
- For a manual pressure release (also referred to as a quick release), position the valve down (counterclockwise) to release the pressure from the inner pot.
- (*Note that you'd position the valve up or clockwise for cooking. This is also referred to as placing the valve in the "sealing position.")
- For Instant Pot models Duo Nova and above, the valve sealing and positioning are automatically done for you (sweet!)
- On Instant Pot pressure cooker models Duo Nova and beyond, the steam release (quick release button) is automatically set to the sealing position when the lid is closed.
- Sealing position - For a quick release (manual pressure release), press down the quick release button until it clicks and locks in the venting position.
- Venting position - To stop the quick release, slightly turn the quick release button counter-clockwise until it pops up to the sealing position.
Quick release
- As explained in the section above, a natural release will happen when you keep the food locked in the inner pot after the cooking time has elapsed. The pressure will naturally release from the Instant Pot on its own.
- Depending on your Instant Pot model, position the pressure valve down (or press the pressure button for models Duo Nova and beyond) to prompt a manual, quick pressure release.
Pro tips:
- I only prompt a manual release *after* the keep warm time reaches at least half of the original cooking time.
- For example, the cooking time for a whole chicken is 25 minutes. When the keep warm setting has reached 13 minutes, you could prompt a manual release.
- It’s a good idea to place a dish towel or pot holder over the steam release as you are manually releasing the pressure. This quick tip controls any steam or water from spraying out.
- And remember to never make skin or face contact with the steam released from the pressure valve!
