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Using an Instant Pot isn’t rocket science, but there tends to be a learning curve for new users, and I’m sure I made every mistake in the book the first few times I used mine! I now know that many of the questions I had as a new user, like whether to put the lid of my Instant Pot on vent or seal, are incredibly common.
In this post, you’ll find answers to the most common questions asked by home cooks who are new to the Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Whether you’re a new user or just brushing up on the basics, these tips will have you using your Instant Pot like a true pro!
Table Of Contents
Instant Pot FAQ: 9 Common Questions And Their Answers
Question 1: Should Instant Pot Be On Venting Or Sealing?
Before pressure cooking, make sure the steam valve on the lid of your Instant Pot is pointed toward “Sealing”. If you try to pressure cook something with the valve in the “Venting” position, the pot will never come up to pressure and you’ll end up frustrated and hungry!
If your steam valve is in the correct position and you’re still having issues, you may need to clean the removable valve guard on the underside of the lid. Pull the guard off and use a toothpick or small brush to dislodge any stuck-on food particles.
Question 2: Do I Need To Add Liquid To The Instant Pot?
Pressure cookers like the Instant Pot need a certain amount of liquid inside to generate steam and pressurize. If you don’t have enough liquid in the pot, your Instant Pot will never come up to pressure — a lesson I learned the hard way!
As a rule of thumb, you should have at least 1 cup of liquid in your Instant Pot before cooking. (It doesn’t have to be water — stocks, broths, and sauces count too!)
Question 3: How Full Is Too Full?
Pay attention to the “Max Fill Line” on the inner pot — the most important one is the line specific to pressure cooking. Pressure cookers need a certain amount of open space inside in order to work correctly, so don’t overfill the pot.
When using your Instant Pot to cook beans or other foods that expand as they cook, don’t fill the pot past the halfway mark.
Question 4: When Should I Add Thickeners Or Dairy To My Instant Pot?
If your recipe calls for thickening agents or dairy, you should add those after pressure cooking, not before. Thickening agents behave strangely under pressure, so when Instant Pot recipes call for them, add them at the end.
Dairy can curdle under pressure, so you should wait to add cream or other dairy ingredients until after the pressure cooking stage. (You can always use the Sauté function to continue cooking your food!)
Question 5: Why Would I Need More Than One Instant Pot Sealing Ring?
The sealing ring on the underside of your Instant Pot lid is made of silicone, which has an unfortunate tendency to absorb food odors. If you use the same sealing ring you used to cook fajitas to make a cheesecake, you can easily end up with a fajita-flavored cheesecake!
Extra sealing rings are one of the most vital Instant Pot accessories you can have on hand! Differing colors will make it easy to designate one for sweet recipes and one for savory.
Question 6: Why Does It Take So Long For The Timer To Start?
When an Instant Pot recipe says to cook something on high pressure for 15 minutes, that doesn’t mean you’ll be eating in 15 minutes! Cooking time doesn’t start until the pot is fully sealed and pressurized, which can take 10-20 minutes depending on what you’re cooking. Be sure to factor that extra time in when planning meals!
Question 7: How Do I Use Quick Release Without Food Spraying Everywhere?
If your Instant Pot is more than half full (or if you’re cooking something foamy like beans or oats), using the Quick Release method to depressurize the pot can cause food bits to spew out of the valve and make a mess.
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In these situations, it’s smart to let the pressure release naturally from the pot for at least 10 minutes before opening the steam release valve.
Question 8: Is The Steel Pot Important?
The stainless steel inner pot is removable for easy cleaning, but don’t forget to put it back in once it’s clean! This is an easy mistake to make, and a potentially devastating one — imagine putting food in your Instant Pot only to realize you forgot the inner pot!
That could easily be a death sentence for the electrical components in your Instant Pot, so it’s worth double-checking that the steel pot is in place before adding food to it.
Question 9: Should I Use Other Programs Besides Pressure Cook?
There’s nothing wrong with using your Instant Pot mainly as a pressure cooker, but the other cooking programs can be really useful! The Sauté function is great for searing meat or veggies before pressure cooking them for added flavor, and specialty programs like Yogurt and Steam offer even more options.
Conclusion
The Instant Pot can be a game changer for busy homemakers, even if you start out with more questions than answers! But now that you know the answers to these 9 common questions, you’ll have the foundational knowledge you need to use your Instant Pot with confidence.
What’s your biggest question about the Instant Pot?
