Instant Pot® 101 for Beginners
This is a comprehensive guide to get you started right with your Instant Pot. Here’s what you will learn:
What Is an Instant Pot
Part of an Instant Pot
The Buttons
How does the Instant Pot Work
Do a Water Test
Natural Release Vs Quick Release
How To Clean It
Quick Tips
What is an Instant Pot®
In addition to being new and improved, it is a faster, healthier, and more eco-friendly way to cook. Whether you are really busy, have family responsibilities, work stress, or just want to eat healthier, the Instant Pot is the way to go. 3-Quart Instant Pot or 6-Quart Instant Pot or 8-Quart Instant Pot
Simply put, today’s instant pot is yesterday’s old slow cooker! However, it is faster and better than its older version. Basically, it is an electric pressure cooker. Kind of like the one your mom or grandmother used to use, but it’s been improved.
Parts of an Instant Pot®
There are several parts to your Instant Pot, and you may feel confused looking at all of them. Below you will learn about the different parts of the Instant Pot and how they work.
Inner Pot
The stainless steel pot that fits inside the Instant Pot is called the inner pot. It is removable so you can wash it between uses. This part is essential to using your Instant Pot. DO NOT operate your Instant Pot without the inner pot!
Inner Ring
The inner ring is the silicone ring that seals the lid to your Instant Pot. It needs to be removed for cleaning and replaced when wear and tear are visible.
Floating Valve and Shield
Found inside your pot, the shield prevents food from getting trapped in the pressure release valve. The float valve is made to automatically be pushed up when there is enough pressure inside the cooker.
Condensation Cup
The plastic cup on the outside of the cooker collects any moisture that leaks out during the cooking process. It is usually used when cooking stew or stock.
Stainless Steel Rack
The steel rack can be placed inside the Instant Pot. It is used for food that you don’t want to be submerged in liquid. An example would be baked potatoes.
The Buttons
There are quite a few buttons on your Instant Pot which can make you feel a little uneasy about using it. However, once you start, the buttons will become very easy for you.
Your pressure cooker has preset buttons that allow you to cook most things with just the push of a button. There is a button for soup, rice, multigrain, porridge, poultry, as well as beans and chili. These functions are set on the average cooking time and are just a good starting point.
For other buttons, you would simply follow the recipe. If the recipe is leaving you stranded, check out our 3-quart Instant Pot times cheat sheet or our 6-quart Instant Pot times cheat sheet.
How Does the Instant Pot® Work
An Instant Pot works like a pressure cooker, only better. It uses water or other cooking liquid in a sealed stainless steel pot to create steam that causes pressure to build up inside the pot.
This pressure raises the temperature in the Instant Pot quickly. This means it cooks your meals faster while sealing in the nutrients, vitamins, and juices that are lost using slower cooking methods.
Do a Water Test
One of the first things you want to do when you get your new Instant Pot is a water test. You do this to get acquainted with the machine and to make sure it is working properly. Here’s what you need to do:
First, you will pour 3-cups of water into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Then, put the lid on your cooker and turn your valve to sealed. Once it is sealed, set to high pressure for 3-minutes. To do this hit the cooking time or manual button and then plus or minus until the screen reads 3. Once the pressure cooker has reached pressure 3, it will begin to count down from 3-minutes to zero. When the time is up, the Instant Pot will beep. When it beeps, you will turn the pot to the “keep warm” function. Then, you will turn your Instant Pot off. To do this, hit the off button. Allow the pressure to release. Remove the lid and dump out the water. Now you’re ready to start cooking some great recipes!
When doing a water test, here are some other tips you may want to keep in mind:
The cooker will hiss as the water begins to come to pressure. After it has hissed for a short amount of time, the float valve will float up and the pressure will be reached. You have the choice to allow the pressure to release naturally or you can do a quick release. Natural Release Vs Quick Release
Most recipes will tell you whether or not to use a natural release or the quick release on your Instant Pot. However, if it doesn’t, here is how you can know:
Natural Release: This type of release is for tougher cuts of meat, recipes with high starch like rice or grains, or recipes that require a lot of liquid.
Quick Release: You will use the quick release for delicate cuts of meat, vegetables, seafood, chicken breasts, and steaming.
If you are using the quick release on your Instant Pot, you will want to place a towel over the valve and use a wooden spoon to manually turn the valve from seal to vent. The towel will help prevent you from getting steam in your face.
How to Clean It
It is important to keep your Instant pot clean. Not only because it is sanitary, but if you don’t it will stink…bad!
To begin cleaning your Instant Pot, make sure the appliance is off and unplugged. DO NOT submerge the appliance in water. Use a damp cloth to wipe the exterior of the pot and remove residue. Use a Q-tip or a small brush to clean hard to reach spots.
Next, wash the lid and the inner pot in warm, soapy water. This is removable, so you can put it in the sink and wash it.
If you find burnt-on food after cooking, or you are getting a burn notice, you will need to clean your Instant Pot with a mixture of baking soda, dish soap, and water. To do this, you will bring the pot to pressure, release the steam, and pour out the water. Wipe the gunk with a paper towel.
For discoloration, use white vinegar to clean it.
3 Quart Instant Pot® Cooking Times Quick Cooking Tips for the Instant Pot®
Of course, knowing how to use your pressure cooker isn’t the only thing you should learn in our Instant Pot 101 for Beginners. Along the way, I have found some quick tips to help make your Instant Pot experience easier.
Once you remove the lid on your Instant Pot, you can rest it on the handle. Then, it won’t be in your way. When you are using a recipe that calls for a thickening agent, such as cornstarch or flour, you will want to add it AFTER cooking. If you don’t want hot steam blown into your face, use a long spoon to vent the pressure cooker. Do not put your pressure cooker under your cabinets. The steam travels up, and you don’t want to possibly ruin your cupboards from all the moisture generated. To brown veggies or large chunks of meat, you will use the saute feature with the lid off before cooking. DO NOT overfill the Instant Pot. There is a max fill line for a reason. Trust me, you don’t want to find out that reason. If the Instant Pot does not come to pressure, check to see if the inner ring is inserted properly on the lid. Also, check to see that the valve is sealed. Use cold water in your pressure cooker. Warm water will change the cooking time. 6 Quart Instant Pot® Cooking Times 6-Quart 7 in 1 Instant Pot® Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
This 6-Quart Instant Pot 7-1 programmable giveaway (value: approx $80.00) is open to any resident who is 18 years of age or older who lives in one of the 48 US Contiguous States. This giveaway starts today, Sunday, August 25th, 2019 at 5:00 A.M. (MDT) and ends on Saturday, August 31st, 2019 at 5:00 P.M. (MDT). The winner will be notified by email and will have 24 hours to respond. If we do not hear back from the said winner in the designated time period of 24 hours we will choose another winner and they will have 24 hours to respond from the time the notification email is sent. Please check your SPAM email folders. Good luck to everyone! Let’s be prepared for the unexpected!
Final Word
Now that you have learned the basics of your Instant Pot® with our Instant Pot® 101 for Beginners, check out these 20 Instant Pot Beef Recipes or these Award Winning Instant Pot Chili Recipes. Happy cooking!
Do you have any other questions about how to use your Instant Pot®? If so, share them in the comments below and I will do my best to answer each and every one of them.
Thanks again for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda
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