How To Use An Instant Pot A Beginner S Guide

What is an Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is a modern-day pressure cooker that speeds up the cooking process! Basically, it’s magic for busy moms! The boiling point rises in the instant pot and traps the steam inside. The hot steam and pressure is what cooks the food. It’s a multi-use appliance that will make your life so much easier. My goal with this guide is to walk you through how it works and to help you feel comfortable using an Instant Pot. If you’ve ever wondered what an Instant Pot can do, my answer for you is, “What can’t it do?” Yes, an instant pot acts like a pressure cooker, but it does so much more. Use it for sauteing, as a steamer, a rice cooker, a slow cooker, or as a yogurt maker! The possibilities are endless. There are so many Instant Pots on the market, but this guide is going to focus on the classic 6-quart Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Parts

Before we get into all its wonderful functions, let’s talk about its parts. The many parts of an Instant Pot can be overwhelming, but once you know what they all do, you won’t be as intimidated.

Seal Mode vs. Vent Mode

There are so many different Instant Pot models on the market, but they all have some kind of seal and vent mode. Read your owner’s manual to know how to use your seal and vent mode correctly.

Seal Mode: The sealed mode indicates that your instant pot will pressurize and cook. Always be sure it is in the sealed position while cooking. The pressure valve will pop up when the pot is pressurizing. Do not open the instant pot when it is in this mode. Vent Mode: The vent mode indicates that your instant pot will depressurize and will be safe to open. When the pressure valve is down, the lid will easily open and sing a pretty song to you!

Easy Instant Pot Recipes

Here are a few of my easy go-to recipes to cook in the Instant Pot! There are so many ways to utilize an instant pot. Save the hassle of cooking rice, hard-boiling eggs, or making baked potatoes because it can all be done in the instant pot! I also use it often to cook frozen chicken or to quickly cook soups and stews.

Pressure Cook/ Manual: When in doubt, use this button! Selecting this button allows you to manually enter a cooking time. Close and seal the lid and select steam mode. Press the “pressure cook” button and set it to the desired cook time. +/- Buttons: These buttons are used to adjust cooking time. Select (+) to add time and (-) to decrease time. Digital Screen: The screen will go on when you plug in the Instant Pot. During this time your control panel will say “ON” and when the cooking time has started you will see the numbers counting down the cooking time. Once the cooking time is finished, another timer will start to indicate how many minutes the natural release time is. It takes the Instant Pot a few minutes to heat up and build pressure, so the time will register on the screen when it’s ready.

Use in an Open Space: The countertop away from cupboards is the best way to use an Instant Pot. Hot steam will release from the lid so you don’t want anything in the way. Don’t Block the Vents: Instant pots have vents and pressure valves on the lid. Make sure these are kept free from clutter or objects. Don’t Move It: Don’t try to move or carry the instant pot when it’s under pressure. Leave it on a flat surface and keep it in its place. Don’t Touch the Hot Surfaces: Always use hand protection when handling the Instant Pot. The metal parts on the lid get very hot while it’s in use. Don’t ever touch it with your bare hands. Use pot holders! Keep Away From Heat: Keep the instant pot away from the stove or an open flame. Don’t Over-Fill the Pot: Overfilling the pot can cause it to leak. It also can undercook your food. A rule of thumb is to leave 2-3 inches of space from the food to the top of the inside pot.

Cleaning the Inner Pot: You can remove the inner pot from the base and either hand wash it or place it in the dishwasher. Cleaning the Lid: Always hand wash the lid and do not place it in the dishwasher. Remove the silicone sealing ring to clean, but replace it after washing and before using it again. Cleaning the Base: For the base of the instant pot, you can wipe it down with a damp towel. I like to use a Clorox wipe! Be sure the instant pot is unplugged. Always inspect the body of the instant pot before using it. Be sure there is no liquid or debris inside where the inner pot needs to sit. Keep the steam collector clean if your model has one.