Because of my Instant Pot Duo pressure cooker recommendation, I get email with questions about how to use Instant Pot cookers. This post is to put them in one place, so I can refer everyone to it. So, here we go: Instant Pot Questions and Answers.
If you have a question I didn’t cover, leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to answer.
Q: All your recipes say “cook at high pressure for X minutes.” My Instant Pot does not have a high pressure button. How do I get high pressure on the Instant Pot?
A: Use the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" button and set the pot for X minutes. On older Instant Pots, the “Manual” button means pressure cooking. On newer pots, there is an actual “Pressure Cook” button. (Hooray!)
The default for both of those buttons is High Pressure. Press the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" button, and check to make sure the pressure level shows as "High" in the display. If it does not, press the Pressure Level button until it shows high. Then, use the plus and minus buttons to change the cooking time to the "at high pressure time". (X in my example). Once the time is set, leave the cooker alone. After ten seconds of no buttons being pushed, the cooker will beep, and it will start cooking. (If you want to change something, press the cancel button to start again.) Then, let the cooker do the work. It will bring itself up to high pressure and start the countdown timer. When the countdown reaches zero, it will beep to let you know it is done.
Q: Okay, so, How do I get Low pressure on the Instant Pot?
A: It depends. Which Instant Pot do you own?
IP-DUO, IP-SMART, IP-DUO Plus: Use the “Pressure” or “Pressure level” button to adjust the pressure level. Push the Manual/Pressure Cook button, then the Pressure/Pressure Level button until the display says “Low”, then adjust the cooking time with the plus/minus buttons. Don't forget to change it back when you're done!
IP-LUX: The older IP-LUX model does not do low pressure – it’s high pressure or nothing. That said – I never use low pressure. I owned an IP-LUX for years and didn’t realize it was missing Low Pressure mode until someone asked about it for this FAQ.
Q: What about natural pressure release? When the Instant Pot finishes cooking, it switches to Keep Warm mode - is that OK with a natural pressure release? Or should I cancel it?
A: Keep Warm mode does not affect Natural Pressure Release [Updated 2016-01-18] I used to tell everyone to turn off warming mode to speed up natural pressure release, but...I was wrong. (See here for details of my testing.) Keep Warm mode does not slow down natural pressure release. It does not turn the heat back on until it reaches the warming range of 145°F to 172°F, which is well below the temperature where the pressure will release.
Q: When using the Saute button, can you adjust the heat setting? (Related: How do I bring recipes to a boil before locking the lid on the pot, as some recipes recommend?)
A: It depends on your model:
On the IP-DUO Plus and newer IP-DUO (Models without an "Adjust" button): Keep pressing the Saute button to change the heat level.
On IP-LUX or older IP-DUO (Models with an "Adjust" button): Use the Saute button, then use the Adjust button to change the heat level.
The heat level of Saute mode is controlled by the "Adjust" button. From the Instant Pot website: "3 levels of temperature can be chosen with the “Adjust” key for best results:"
- “Normal”: ~160°C (320°F) for regular browning,
- “More”: ~170°C (338°F) for darker browning, and
- “Less”: ~105°C (221°F) for light browning.
I tend to use "Saute - Normal" for most things, including browning. (Shame on me - I forget about the Adjust button.) For boiling, or if I'm in a hurry, I adjust to "Saute - More".
Q: When I put my electric pressure cooker in slow cooker mode, what is the equivalent slow cooker temperature? Is it the same as a slow cooker on High, or on Low?
A: For an Instant Pot? It depends. Like Saute mode, the Slow Cook mode has multiple heat levels:
On the IP-DUO Plus, IP-Ultra, and newer IP-DUO (Models without an "Adjust" button): Keep pressing the Slow Cook button to change the heat level.
On the IP-LUX and older IP-DUO (Models with an "Adjust" button): Use the Slow Cook button, then use the Adjust button to change the heat level.
Unfortunately, the heat levels don't line up well with traditional slow cooker settings; Medium Slow Cook mode is what most crock-based slow cookers would call "Low":
- More (about 210°F) is about the same as Slow Cooker high
- Medium (about 200°F) is Slow Cooker low setting
- Low (about 190°F) is Slow Cooker "keep warm".
Finally, use the plus/minus buttons to set the slow cooking time.
Also, the Instant Pot has some limitations as a slow cooker. For more info, see this post: Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker.
Q: What about the other buttons? Soup? Rice? Steam? Multigrain?
A: I don't know - I never use them. I just use Manual mode for my pressure cooking. I don't know what they're doing in those other modes, so I'd rather use manual mode and control it myself.
Q: How do you adjust the cooking time in recipes designed for a traditional 15 psi stove top cooker?
A: I add 20% to the cooking time. The Instant Pot operates at 11.5 psi, so to make up for the difference, I add an extra 20% of time for electric pressure cooking. That means 10 minutes stove top is 12 minutes electric; 20 minutes stove top is 24 minutes electric; 30 minutes stove top is 36 minutes electric. (And so on).
The good thing about most pressure cooking recipes is they are not very precise - a little overcooking won't hurt, and probably helps. If you're cooking something that needs precise temperatures, you shouldn't be cooking in a sealed pressure vessel.
Q: Why does my pressure cooker come with a max fill line? I can only use ⅔rds of the 6 quarts?
A: Pressure cookers need headspace to build pressure - don't fill them past ⅔rds full. Pressure cookers are measured by total volume of the pot - how much it can hold if you fill it to the brim. But you can only use ⅔rds of that.
Why can you only use ⅔rds? Because pressure cookers need headspace to come up to pressure. The cooker needs space for the steam to build up, which is what pressurizes the pot. Also, this is a safety feature - if the bubbling ingredients in the pot get into the pressure valve, it can clog, and that's when your pressure cooker can get into trouble with over-pressurizing.
Why don't they measure the pressure cooker as ⅔rds of the pot volume? I don't know, but every pressure cooker I've seen measures their size this way. I know it can be frustrating to find out your brand new 6 quart cooker can only cook 4 quarts of food. I've got the angry comments to prove it. If anything, I think the Instant Pot, and other modern, electric multi-cookers have a better argument for using the total volume - if they can also work as a slow cooker or a normal, electric powered pot, then you actually can use the entire pot.
Q: What is the minimum liquid amount for the Instant Pot?
A: 2-3 cups, according to Instant Pot support About 1 cup, according to Instant Pot's Facebook page.
[Updated 2015-08-06 with answer from Instant Pot's Facebook Page]
1 cup is the minimum liquid amount, unless you're cooking something that will absorb water. From a back and forth on Instant Pot's Facebook page:
The short answer is "about a cup".
The general point is to have enough liquid to reach and maintain pressure. When cooking absorbent foods, think rice, this will require enough for the food to absorb, plus some to bring the pot to pressure. When cooking moisture containing foods, say mushrooms which release moisture when cooked, this can be achieved with less added liquid. So, as is often the case in life, "it depends". The Instant Pot is so well sealed that even a small amount of moisture can be sufficient, depending on the foods being cooked. [2015-08-06: Instant Pot Community Facebook Page]
I would NEVER suggest that you can go as low as ½ a cup of water, like I do all the time...um...I mean...nope, not me, not going to suggest it.
Q: Can I use the Instant Pot for pressure canning?
A: No. The Instant Pot, and all other electric pressure cookers, are not suitable for home canning, according to the USDA and the NCHFP (National Center for Home Food Preservation.) The NCHFP says that they don't believe the processes recommended by the USDA are transferable to electric pressure cookers - you can't trust them to hold high enough temperatures for the length of time needed to ensure safe canning. For more information, see this post on the NCHFP website: Can I Can in a Multi-Cooker?
Q: I forgot the pot liner, and poured stuff into the base. What do I do?
If it was water: Unplug it, dry it off, let it air dry for 72 hours.
If it was oil: That's not good. It probably needs to be replaced. Call Instant Pot Support.
If it was dry goods: Shake 'em out. (Remove the vent cover on the bottom if necessary to get all the dry stuff out.) The pot is ready to use once everything is out of there.
More details in this article: What do I do if I dump liquid into my Instant Pot without the pot liner?
Q: How do you know all of this?
A: I read manuals. And contact support when I have questions. (Yes, I read manuals, all the way through. I can’t help myself.) Instant Pot makes this easy; their manuals are online. Go to InstantPot.com/benefits/specifications-and-manuals/, click on the link to your Instant Pot cooker type, then scroll to the bottom and pick the User Manual you want (in English, French, Chinese, or Spanish).
Also, Instant Pot support is good at responding if you have questions. Drop them a line if you have a burning pressure cooker question you need answered.
Q: Which Instant Pot should I buy?
A: The IP-DUO Plus 6 quart electric pressure cooker.
Why? See my post: Which Pressure Cooker Should I Buy?.
Q: What recipes should a beginner use in the instant pot?
A: Soup, Stew, Beans, Chili, and...Mac and Cheese?
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-chicken-stock/
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-basic-beef-stew/
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-black-bean-soup/
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-macaroni-and-cheese/
…from there, go to the Pressure Cooker recipe index on the bar at the top of the page, and look for recipes that catch your fancy.
Q: I think my Instant Pot is broken. It's not coming up to pressure/steam is escaping from the lid/nothing happens when I push a button...
A: I'm sorry to hear that! You should probably contact Instant Pot Support for help. Instant pot has a great support department. If you think your cooker is broken or malfunctioning, contact them at InstantPot.com/support
What do you think?
Other questions? Leave them in the comments section below.
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Berny
Make sure the pressure knob is turned and down.
Karen
I have had my instant pot for about a year. I have been having trouble getting it to pressurize in manual. Any suggestions? Thanks.
Mike V
Check the gasket. When I've had problems in the past, it is usually gasket related. Make sure the gasket is smooth and even, with no bumps or cracks. (If that doesn't help, get in touch with Instant Pot support to see if they have any ideas.)
Don Spiers
I have not found a recipe that uses meat, stew, beans, chili, or poultry. Most use sauté or manual. Why have all these extra buttons?
Mike V
I don't know - I never use them.
Holly
Thanks for this, its really useful. I tried my new Instant Pot today as a slow cooker but found when I wanted to use the adjust button to lower the temperature I couldn't just change it - I had to cancel the timer before I could adjust the temperature. Is that right?
Mike V
Yes, that's how the Instant Pot works. Once you set it up and it starts, the only way to change settings is to hit Cancel.
Molly
Hi -- When you are using the Instant Pot as a slow cooker, can you open it up to see if things are done -- or, if you can't, can you change the time on it?
Mike V
Yes, you can open it up - slow cooker mode works without locking the lid. (It helps if you buy the non-pressure lid to slow cook in the instant pot.)
HappyK
Hi, I don't have the glass lid. If I want to slow cook should I have the vent open or closed on the regular lid?
Mike V
Put the regular lid on with the vent open and don't lock it - just set it on the pot. (Or, use the lid from one of your regular pots; I have a couple that mostly fit.)
John
Need recipe for chicken and dumplings in Instantpot. Can you help me please. Got one for Christmas.
Dena
I am wanting to cook a chuck roast with potatoes & carrots. Should I cook the meat first & once it's finished remove the meat & then cook the potatoes & carrots? I am concerned doing it all together will make the carrots come out mushy.
Mike V
If you're cooking a whole roast, then you will overcook the potatoes and (especially) the carrots. I would do them separately. If you really want to try a one-pot meal, put them in a steamer basket on top of everything to slow down the cooking. I do this in my beef stew:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2014/01/pressure-cooker-basic-beef-stew.html/
Julie Cordahl
I was thinking about pressure cooking pinto beans to make refried beans, how long would I cook them and how much water would I use? I would soak them overnight first. Thank you!
Mike V
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2013/02/pressure-cooker-refried-pinto-beans.html/
Trinity
This helps a lot! Great summary to my questions! Thank you!
Caryn Hart
Hi Mike,
I just got my Instant Pot DUO-60 and have a question. I noticed that the manual states that you should not cook pasta in the pot, but obviously you have successfully done so. For years I cooked a wonderful pasta recipe from the Lorna Sass book, "Pressure Perfect."- a variation of her Pasta with Meat Sauce (http://www.cookstr.com/recipes/pasta-with-meat-sauce). Its method was to make the sauce in the pot, add water, layer the short-cut pasta, and then add the crushed tomatoes without stirring. Then, instead of a quick release, the instructions are to run cold water in the sink over the pot, something you cannot do with the Instant Pot. I emailed the author who really had little experience with the electric pots, but she said that there could be a risk that the pasta could clog the release valve which is why the "quick-release" method was not recommended for that recipe.
Do you think I could make this recipe in the Instant Pot as directed, or should I make some change in the procedure that would minimize the risk of causing a problem? Your recipes with pasta have you stir the pasta first, I think.
Thanks so much. I will appreciate your input.
Caryn
Mike V
Caryn, I think it will work fine in the Instant Pot. The valve is protected by a cage, and I cook pasta in it all the time. (I'm a big fan of Lorna's cookbooks, but she does have a strong preference for stovetop cookers.)
If you make it, let me know how it goes.
Caryn Hart
Thanks so much. I will let you know!
Laura
THANK YOU!! I just purchased an Instant Pot this week and most instant pot recipes just say cook at HP for so and so.. which was driving me nuts. What does that mean?? Which actual button do I press!? Thank you again, this list was really helpful and I'm bookmarking it.
One thing I see people talking about is speeding up the pressure of the pot by pushing the lid after its been cooking for a minute. Does this.. do, anything? Should I be doing this?
Also, when doing a Natural Pressure Release (turning the IP off after cooking) instructions say it takes "about" 20 minutes to release pressure.. how do I know when pressure is released? I set a timer on the last thing I cooked and the pot opened easily and was cool to the touch. Is there some other way (than waiting 20mins) for me to know when I can safely open the pot?
Really appreciate this resource, thank you!
Mike V
>One thing I see people talking about is speeding up the pressure of the pot by pushing the lid after its been cooking for a minute.
Can you show me an example of this? I don't understand what it means. (My guess is no, it doesn't do anything...but I'm not really sure what they're talking about.)
>...how do I know when pressure is released?
The silver float valve, next to the steam release valve, is the pressure indicator, and also the lid lock. When it drops, the pressure in the pot is completely released, and the lid will open. If you're in the room, you'll hear it drop - it drops with a pretty loud "click". (If you're tired of waiting for a natural pressure release after 15 to 20 minutes, go ahead and turn the steam release valve. It will let loose any remaining pressure - usually not much at that point - and the float valve will drop once all the pressure is released.)
Margie
I think some people's IPs don't seem to come to pressure and seal as quickly as they expect, and so when it is not yet quite sealed and under pressure, they have had luck with pushing down on the lid and sort of kick-starting it into being sealed. I haven't had that issue myself and I don't think anyone intends it to be a way to increase the pressure or really make a difference.
Sandy
I have this issue with my IP. I have quite a bit of steam coming from the float valve as it's trying to come to pressure. In order for it to start the countdown and stop the vent of steam (which has been trying to build for 10 minutes), I push down on the lid to help it seal. I've replaced my sealing ring even, but it still vents steam. After I press down on the lid, however, the countdown starts within a couple of minutes.
Dhana
hi ,I wonder can I use different pot other than the pot provided with cooker?
I want to make small amount of rice and th spot is very big.
Mike V
No, you can't use a different pot. The pot, cooker and lid are all designed to fit together. Withouth the pot and lid sealing, the cooker can't build up pressure.
Kim
So if I am cooking a whole chicken I just add to pot with 1 cup of water right? I used 10psi on my old manual stove top pressure cooker for 30 min so I would assume high?
Mike V
Right:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/2015/07/pressure-cooker-chicken-broth-and-shredded-chicken.html/
sherry
just got a instantpot duo 60 ENW model from walmart, dint check there were two models on the site while buying. is this anything different from the one you have suggested, is this a good one or should i try to change it. cant find much online about this model, please help.
Mike V
It looks the same - I cant find any differences in the specs.I think you're fine.
sherry
thanks
Cindy
Thank you for the many great tips! I just received my Instant Pot Duo last night and I am ready to get going. I looked at your beef stew recipe and I am thinking of starting with that. I noticed in the recipe you say to use a steamer basket. Is that correct? Is there one that I should order? thanks
Mike V
Yes - it helps to keep the vegetables out of the liquid, so they don't overcook. My "recommended" steamer basket is on my Pressure Cooker tools page:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/tools/pressure-cooker-tools/
...but a steamer basket is a steamer basket - as long as it fits, it will work.
Cindy
Thank you!
Alex
I always tend to overlook my vegetables even though I use a steamer basket. Maybe I should elevate the basket? I've tried manual pressure and the steam option. Thanks for any tips.
Mike V
Pressure cookers tend to overcook things - that's just what they do. If it's a vegetable that overcooking is bad for, I'd steam it on the stovetop instead of pressure cooking.