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Because of my years of writing Instant Pot recipes, 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.
If you have a question I didn’t cover, leave a comment, and I’ll do my best to answer.
Use the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" or "Pressure Cook- Custom" 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.
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.
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.
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 - More" for most things.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
I read manuals, contact support when I have questions, and I've been using a pressure cooker for a long time. (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.
Which Instant Pot should I buy?
The IP-DUO Plus 6 quart electric pressure cooker.
Why? See my post: Which Pressure Cooker Should I Buy?.
Soup, Stew, Beans, Chili, and...Mac and Cheese?
* Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
* Instant Pot Easy Beef Stew
* Instant Pot Pinto Beans (No Soaking)
* Pressure Cooker Mac and Cheese (In an Instant Pot)
…from there, go to my Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker) Recipes index and look for recipes that catch your fancy.
I'm sorry to hear that! You should 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 the Instant Pot contact page.
Any other questions?
Any other questions? Leave them in the comments section below.
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Gilmoure says
Hi! Thanks for the InstaPot info and great recipes. -Another dad who cooks dinner every night
Alma says
Which button do u use to can ion the instant pot.
Mike V says
You can't use the Instant Pot (or any other electric pressure cooker) to can. See the National Center for Home Food Preservation for why:
http://preservingfoodathome.com/2014/11/25/can-i-can-in-a-multi-cooker/
Scott Kirk says
Hello Mike, Two questions. 1, Where can I find an insta pot recipe page for dummies? 2, If I want to cook wings with just water so I can finish with the grill. how much water, cooking time and temp? I like your page, real helpful
Mike V says
1. This is it, as far as I know, for "Instant Pot for Dummies."
2. Try my buffalo chicken wings, and grill them instead of broiling them:
https://www.dadcooksdinner.com/pressure-cooker-buffalo-chicken-wings/
Asim says
Thanks for the FAQs, I was looking for information on what Low pressure would do in Manual mode (I also bought the one with no No or High) and was wondering if I had missed out on something, good to know I didnt 🙂
I've only begun to use the Insta pot but most of the Pakistani dishes i've made so far have turned out perfect, I would suggest you try making Nihari in your insta pot some time, the best way I can describe Nihari to you is slow roasted beef stew with Pakistani / Indian spices.
Shan is a company that makes ready made Pakistani spice mixes for the purpose with a fairly good recipe on the back.
Mike V says
Thanks for the Nihari tip - I'll take a look.
Anna says
Asim, did you make the nihari through pressure or slow cooking on the instant pot? Making beef Nihari.
John Clark says
I have a new IP-Duo60 for Christmas. I may be nuts, but is there any reason I can't saute a good steak with high temperature for a few minutes, leaving the lid off? Just olive oil and Kosher salt, should be done in a few minutes, for rare. Or would this ruin the machine?
Mike V says
It's not the ideal cookware for this - the tall, narrow pot makes it tough to get in there and flip the steak - but it will work. (I'd use Sauté mode adjusted to high power to heat up the oil until shimmering.)
You won't hurt the Instant Pot - browning meat on Sauté mode before pressure cooking is effectively the same thing, and I do that all the time.
Chris Evan says
I need help. I've owned my duo60 for a week and a half, and have encountered this problem twice now. I pressed the rice button, and the timer started counting down BEFORE it got up to pressure. NOW, I'm using the poultry button, and the timer is almost counted to zero, and it STILL hasn't come up to pressure. It works perfectly normal when I manually use the pressure button. Can you give me any advice?
Mike V says
I can't - I never use buttons other than Manual and Sauté. Contact instant pot support?
Sue Palmer says
Do you know where I can obtain the cooking temperature of all of the buttons on the Instant Pot? For instance, I have been working with soft and hard boiling eggs and comparing two functions; that is, Manual and Steam. Thanks.
Mike V says
Contact instant pot support - they may be able to help you b
Robin says
HI! This is only my second time using my new instant pot IPLUX50. I'm making a lamb neck stew. I set the cooking time using the program meat/stew setting. I added 8oz of tomato sauce and about 6oz of chicken broth. Was this too much liquid? I'm seeing at the beginning of the comments here, that only 1 cup of liquid is necessary.
I noticed after the cooker finished its programmed time, I hear a sizzling sound while the cooker is in "keep warm" mode (L002...L003...). Is this to be expected or is it a result of the added liquid? I'm not sure if I should turn the cooker off (unplug it) or just let it alone in the keep warm mode setting. Thanks!
Mike V says
1 cup of liquid is the minimum amount - the only maximum is the max fill line on the pot. If your recipe said to use that much liquid, then you'll be fine.
Berny says
Yes you can just rinse the rice and put same amounts as you would in a pot or rice cooker and hit the rice button.
Sandrine says
Hi ! I have just discovered the instant pot and really love the idea. I am wondering if I could use it for cooking sushi rice .
João says
Hey Sandrine, did you find anything about cooking sushi rice in it? I've been wondering the same thing.
Berny says
I sear a roast on saute add a half cup of water and let my frozen roast.got for 45 minutes. Let natural cool and check. May need another 15 minutes. Very good.
Diana says
Can. Put frozen meat in my instant pot ?
Mike V says
Yes - if it is thin. I put frozen chicken thighs and pork shoulder steaks in, and add an extra five minutes to the time under pressure.
Diana says
Can. Put frozen meat in my instant pot ? Thank you
Steve says
Thanks for this helpful site! I'm making pulled pork and set the instapot for 75 mins per the recipe. I noticed the instapot timer started counting down before the instapot was fulled sealed? Is that normal or is something wrong with the instapot? I don't recall ever having the countdown timer start before the instapot was completely sealed and pressurized?
thx
Steve
Mike V says
That does sound like something is wrong...
Alex says
I've had this happen a couple of times when the pot was really full, and I had to either shift things around or remove a little bit to get it working properly. My guess is that there's a weight sensor in the unit which determines whether it's been pressurized and ready to begin the countdown, and it's possible to trip it too early.
T knutson says
How do I add cream to one of my soups. After my soup setting changes to keep warm?
Mike V says
Yes, stir it in at the end.
Berny says
Did you move? Elevation is a big thing. Did you change types of beans? Could also effect. Soaking time change?