The Instant Pot pressure cooker is one of the most versatile cooking appliances. It is a slick combination of a traditional pressure cooker, rice cooker, slow cooker, a warmer, and a steamer (and much more). Having one of these in the kitchen will motivate even the laziest of us to try our hands at cooking no matter how big the family is.
They can cook anything from eggs, steam veggies, warm yesterday’s leftovers, cook rice and even roast a whole chicken. Some of the Instantpots can also bake cakes, make yogurt, and whip up desserts in no time.
But because they are relatively new, several questions are on everyone’s minds. In this article we’ll try to answer many of these questions and more in this comprehensive Instant Pot pressure cooker FAQs.
How to use an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker?
Before you can start using the Instant Pot, make sure that it is correctly assembled. To start cooking with your Instant Pot pressure cooker, follow these easy steps.
- Inspect the Instant Pot by removing the inner pot and making sure that the hot plate is completely clean and dry. Also, see if the inner pot is dry. If not, wipe with a soft cloth before setting inside.
- Next, turn the lid upside down and check if the silicone seal is entirely in place.
- Then, remove the steam valve and make sure it is clean. If something is clogging it, run it under clean water to remove it. Do the same with the float valve as well.
(Note: Using the Instant Pot depends on the type of dish you are cooking.)
Continuing, the remaining steps involved are:
- Plug in the power cord.
- Fill the inner pot with your ingredients or whatever you are cooking.
- Close the lid by turning it clockwise.
- Turn the steam valve to the sealing position. Some Instant Pots such as the Instant Pot Ultra will do this automatically.
- Turn on the Power switch.
- Press the ‘Pressure Cook’ button. In some models, it will say ‘Manual.’
- Set the timer for the required minutes by using the +/- button. The Instant Pot will display that it is ‘on’ after a few seconds.
- The Instant Pot reaches full pressure anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes. Once this happens, the float valve pops, making the Instant Pot beep.
- The countdown for the cooking time will then begin, after which it will beep a few times.
- After the cooking is completed, most Instant Pots enter a warm mode by default. You will notice the alphabet ‘L’ on the left side of the timer.
- After a few minutes, the float valve will drop. It is a signal that you can remove the lid and enjoy your food.
Pro tip – Read the owner’s manual thoroughly before using the Instant pot for the first time.
Instant Pot: How does it work?
The Instant pot works following the same principle as electric cookers – by heating the water up to 120 °C under immense pressure to cook the food.
This is made possible by the components of the Instantpot; the inner pot, outer pot, and cover.
- Inner pot– It holds the food and conducts with the heating elements from the outer container as well as pressure from above.
- Outer pot– It contains the heat plate, the motherboard, the control panel, as well as the temperature and pressure sensors.
- The cover– It includes the silicone seal or gasket, pressure valve, steam valve, and the locking mechanism.
When the power is plugged in, the heat from the outer plate turns up the temperature significantly. But since the tightly sealed cover prevents the heat from escaping, the hot air that is trapped in the cooker expands and also turns the liquid into steam. This results in a tremendous amount of pressure inside the Instantpot which cooks the food.
Which Instant Pot models make yogurt?
The Instant Pot models which you can use to make yogurt are:
- Duo Evo Plus models
- Duo Nova models
- Duo SV
- Max 6 Quart
- Smart wifi
- Ultra 10 in 1 series
- Duo Plus 9 in 1 series
- Viva 9 in 1 series
- Duo 7 in 1 series
Which instant pot has Wi-Fi?
Instant pot Smart Wi-Fi 6 Quart has a Wi-Fi connection. Through the Instant Pot App, you can cook pre-programmed recipes. It is compatible with both Android later than 5.0 and iOS, which are older than version 9.0.
Is instant pot safe?
Yes. The instant pot is absolutely safe to use. However, as with any electrical appliance which works under tremendous pressure, you need to observe safety measures.
This includes keeping the hot plate clean, the gasket free of debris and wear and tear, making sure that the steam and the pressure valves are clean and unobstructed.
The instant pot operates under a lot of pressure, so observing the safety rules are a must. Conditions such as food particles clogging the steam valve or the pressure valve, damaged gasket, or debris in the hot plate can all lead to malfunctioning of the appliance causing explosions (something very rare).
Can instant pot slow cook?
Yes. Most instant pots have a wide range of cooking options, which includes slow cook. The slow cook option operates at around 88°C to 93°C. In most Instant Pot cookers, the duration of slow cooking can be set between one to ten hours.
While using this cooking mode, you need to set the steam valve to the ‘venting’ option to prevent the building up of low pressure inside the cooker.
Which instant pot has sous vide?
The following instant pots have sous vide mode:
- Duo Evo Plus models
- Duo crisp + Air fryer
- Duo SV
- Max 6 Quart
- Duo Plus 9 in 1 series
Can instant pot cook from frozen?
Yes. This is one of the many advantages of using an Instant Pot. You can cook your meals straight out of the freezer and skip the thawing process.
Pro tip – Freeze your food in a round or circular container so that it will be easier to cook. You cannot cook rectangular or square-shaped food in the instant cooker for apparent reasons.
When instant pot says burn, what does that mean?
A burning message displayed by the instant pot does not mean that the food is burnt. It means that the pot is overheated, and you need to remove the food to prevent it from actually getting burnt.
Instant Pots have a built-in mechanism called burn-protection. Since instant pots are designed to cook food at 120 °C, it displays a “burn” message when the temperature reaches 140 °C or above.
Another reason which triggers the burn message is when the steam escapes through the knob due to improper sealing. This can be prevented by making sure to properly check the cooker’s gasket for any damage or debris before closing it.
Food getting stuck to the bottom of the inner pot can also sometimes trigger this message. Making sure that the inner pot is completely clean usually takes care of this problem. Deglazing the bottom of the bottom before you start cooking also prevents your food from getting stuck to the bottom of the inner pot.
Do not panic when your instant pot cooker displays the burn message. Turn off the cooker, allow the steam to settle and remove your food as quickly as possible. It is usually not burnt or not beyond salvaging.
Instant pot, where is it made?
The instant pot was designed by a team of experts from Canada. However, the manufacturing process is done in China.
How to cook rice with Instant pot?
Using the instant pot, you can cook perfect fluffy rice. Do the following steps:
- Rinse the rice under cool water until the water is clear.
- Drain all excess water and transfer the rice to the inner pot.
- Add a pinch of salt and a little oil of choice to the rice. This is optional.
- Add water in the ratio of 1 cup of rice to 1.1 cups of water.
- Lock the lid by turning it clockwise.
- The steam valve should be set to seal.
- Plugin the power and switch it on.
- Press the rice button on the settings menu.
- Set the timer for 8 minutes or less depending on the quantity of rice you are cooking. Refer to your user’s manual for the recommend timer for the instant pot model you are using.
- After the timer is over, let it sit for another 10 minutes to allow excess steam to dissipate.
- Turn off the power before opening the lid of the cooker.
- Fluff the rice gently to avoid breaking the grains.
- Your instant pot cooked rice is ready to be served.
Note – Make sure that the hot plate, the valves, as well as the seal, are clean and in perfect condition before cooking the rice.
Which instant pot cooks eggs?
The following instant pot models allow you to cook eggs.
- Ultra 10 in 1 series
- Duo Plus 9 in 1 series
- Lux 6 in 1 series
We hope that these questions answer all your doubts and queries about the instant pot pressure cooker. If you still have some questions about this innovative kitchen appliance or would like to share your experience, feel free to post them in the comments!
References:
https://instantpot.com/pressure-multicookers/
https://mashable.com/roundup/best-instant-pot-to-buy-recipes-deals-amazon/
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-use-your-instant-pot/
https://onceamonthmeals.com/blog/series/instant-pot/instant-pot-tips-tricks-101/
https://confessionsofafitfoodie.com/burn-message/
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