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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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RC says
That’s the problem with any push button panel, unless it’s a touch screen. I have the Ultra with the electronic display screen and a dial. But, if f that screen burns out...I’m in trouble. Love my Ultra! See if IP can send you a new overlay with all the settings printed out...like a peel n stick. If not, get a label maker and make your own. Better than nothing!
Mark says
Thanks, I appreciate you doing the research so all the rest of us can find it in one place. 🙂
Hannah says
How do I adjust the mode on the pressure cook setting on mu IP-DUO 6qt 7in1 ? Instead of "adjust" button, it has the "keep warm" button.
Mike Vrobel says
Press the button you want to adjust again. (Press and release the "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" button multiple times to change pressure level, etc...)
Victoria says
Elizabeth, Did you peel the plastic off the panel? That might be what it is.
Elizabeth says
Hello, is anyone having a problem with the control panel and buttons are scratching off, like a rough feeling and if it continues the wording, + or- sign will be so you can't read them? Don't know why this is happening.
Thanks for any help.
Joy Hanel says
What do I think? This is the most helpful IP post I’ve seen! Answered many of my questions, explained better on how to operate the IP, and includes interesting links that I will check out next. Thank you!
Christopher White says
We are new to the IP. I have searched and search online to the answer to this question re natural release:
Do I have to wait until the silver button is completely retracted or just until it starts to go down? If I wait until it goes down it takes over an hour, but the recipes all seem to say it should take 15-25 minutes.
Mike Vrobel says
It sounds like it is sticking. The silver button (aka the float valve) shouldn't "start to go down" - it should drop suddenly when the pressure is low enough to unlock the pot. (The valve is controlled by gravity - when the pressure drops enough, gravity takes over and the float valve drops.)
I think you need to clean the float valve.
To clean it, pull the silicone cap off the bottom float valve (from the inside of the lid), and then turn the lid over - the float valve pin will drop out.
(See this video on how to remove the float valve and put it back in: https://youtu.be/SJW4QNwTmn0?t=1m25s It's from an older LUX model cooker, but the pin is the same)
Scrub the pin and the valve, and clean out the hole in the lid where the valve goes. Let everything air dry, then put the float pin back in from the top and re-attach the silicone seal from under the lid.
Then, put 1 cup of water in the pot, lock the lid, and set the instant pot to cook at high pressure for 1 minute. After the pot comes up to pressure and the 1 minute of "cooking" time is done, the float valve should drop after ten to 15 minutes...20 minutes at the absolute max.
Cindy says
Does the IP LUX60 have a condensation cup....if so, I can’t find mine🤪
Mike Vrobel says
Yes, it does. Get in touch with Instant Pot support to order a new one: https://support.instantpot.com/
Elizabeth says
Hello, I'm using the slow cook today on my Instant Pot. First time for slow cook. Question: Is the "keep warm" function suppose to be on while the slow cook is in the process.?
Thank you,
Christian M Russell says
can you safely delay cooking for any length of time without Bacteria growth? Say I want to fill my instapot with Chicken and delay it's cook time to my return home 9 hours later. That chicken just sits at room temperature all day. What is the guideline so I don't make my family sick?
Mike Vrobel says
The FDA says:
> "Stick to the "two-hour rule" for leaving items needing refrigeration out at room temperature. Never allow meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or produce or other foods that require refrigeration to sit at room temperature for more than two hours—one hour if the air temperature is above 90° F."
My personal guideline? I don't do it...but if I did, I'd go for 1 hour or less.
The
Lisa says
If you use double the meat, do you need to double the cooking time?
Mike Vrobel says
The thickness of each piece of meat determines the cooking time.
If the pieces of meat are all cut to the same size, then it cooks in the same time.
If it is one big piece (say, doubling a 3-pound roast to 6 pounds), then it will take more than double.
Lisa Northcut says
When I push the adjust button to adjust the pressure nothing happens. The less, normal, and more options don’t light up.
Mike Vrobel says
Use the Pressure Level button to adjust the pressure, not the Adjust button.
ANDREA says
HELP!!!! UGH ! I was in a hurry and read my instructions wrong. I set my "thing" to VENT instead of SEAL (dir. said 10 min HIGH pressure) ??? It was on like 30 min. before I realized it. I just hit cancel and it's finally calming down....UGH !!! It is chicken (b/s) breasts with brown rice and veggies. Now what ?
Lyn says
I'm a new user of my Instant Pot 7 in 1 Duo and so far I'm very pleased.
I'm not sure what setting I should use to simmer. The recipe calls for
a slow simmer. Thanks for any help
Mike Vrobel says
Saute mode, start at "Saute-medium" setting, then change to "Saute-low" once it's simmering.
Mary says
I'm still trying to figure out how to adjust/turn off the “keep warm” on my new Duo Plus 9-in-1. It's not the same SA the 7-in-1Duo.