How to Use an Instant Pot

Updated Dec 23, 2025

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

Feeling overwhelmed by your new Instant Pot? This beginner's guide will simplify the essentials so you feel confident and ready to cook delicious recipes using your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot 101

If you have recently been gifted an Instant Pot or purchased one yourself, you may be feeling excited. Or maybe you are overwhelmed. Maybe you read the instruction manual that came with the instant pot and are feeling even more confused. It is really lacking in information!

Through the years, I have helped millions of people learn how to use the Instant Pot, and I want to help you too!

In this guide, I'll cover:

Stick with me, you are well on your way to mastering Instant Pot Cooking.

Happy Instant Pot Cooking! xo Kristen

Instant Pot Parts (and How to Clean Them)

Before we talk about how the Instant Pot works, let's break down the standard pieces and parts of the Instant Pot so you know which piece is which and how to clean each part.

Base of Instant Pot without inner pot. — **Base Model:** Contains the heating element and should never be immersed in water.

Inner pot for Instant pot. — **Inner Pot**: Removable insert essential for cooking. Stainless steel and dishwasher safe.

Instant Pot Lid upside down on counter. — **Lid:** Varies by model. Dishwasher safe, but hand-washing recommended.

Instant Pot Lid upside down on counter with arrow pointing to sealing ring. — **Sealing Ring:** Silicone ring on underside of lid that helps seal in pressure. Clean often and replace if stretched or torn.

Instant Pot Lid upside down on counter with green arrow pointing to shield. — **Shield**: The shield prevents food clogging the pressure valve. It can be carefully removed and hand washed, but only if clogged itself. It rarely, if ever, should need deep cleaned.

Instant Pot Lid upside down on counter with green arrow pointing to rubber seal on floating valve. — **Floating Valve Seal:** There is a rubber seal that attaches the floating valve to the lid. It can be removed and hand washed as needed. In case you misplace it, you can order an extra on Amazon.

Instant Pot Lid with arrow pointing to venting knob. — **Sealing Knob/Venting Knob:** Position to seal (trap pressure) or vent (release pressure). Can be removed and hand washed as needed.

Instant Pot Lid with green arrow pointing float valve that floats up once pressure reached. — **Floating Valve**: This metal valve will float up when pressure is reached to indicate lid is locked and float down when pressure is released and lid can be opened. Can be removed and hand washed as needed.

Instant Pot on counter with arrow pointing to condensation cup. — **Condensation Cup:** Collects excess moisture from the cooking process or when doing a quick release. It is removable and should be washed by hand as needed.

Metal trivet used for Instant Pot Cooking. — **Trivet:** Metal rack used for cooking items above liquid, like potatoes or pot-in-pot cooking. Dishwasher safe.

The Buttons (or Functions)

Spoiler alert: The majority of the buttons on the Instant Pot are useless and should not be used. (more on that in my Instant Pot Settings Guide). The following settings are your go-tos and likely the only buttons you will ever push on an Instant Pot.

Pressure Cook/Manual: Your go-to button for controlling cook time.
Sauté: Brown or simmer food directly in the inner pot.
Keep Warm: Automatically turns on after pressure cooking.
Slow Cook: Works, but times/temps aren't always accurate. See my guide on using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker.
Yogurt: Used to make and incubate Instant Pot yogurt.
Adjust/Temp-Pressure: Switch between high/low pressure or adjust temps for sauté/slow cook/yogurt.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Instant Pot Cooking

To get started, it is best to cook water in the Instant Pot before trying actual food. This is called a water test and will help you get familiar with your Instant Pot before you waste any ACTUAL food.

Set up. Insert inner pot into the base of the Instant Pot and plug in the unit.
Add water. Pour 3 cups of water into the inner pot.
Secure lid. Secure inner ring tightly on lid, place lid on Instant Pot, and ensure the vent knob/steam release button is in the sealed position.

Arrow pointing to venting knob pointed to sealing on Instant Pot Duo. — Some models have a knob that turns to sealing or venting. It feels loose, but will lock once pressure reached.

Arrow pointing to venting knob pointed to seal on Instant Pot Duo Plus. — Some models have a switch to move from seal to vent.

Set Cooking Time. To set the cooking time, hit the manual or pressure cook button. Ensure HIGH pressure is indicated on the screen (this is the default). If not, hit the pressure button until HIGH is lit up. Then use the plus or minus until the screen reads "3." If your screen flashes the time, you need to press start. For most models, the Instant Pot will beep and turn itself on.

Using plus or minus buttons to adjust time on Instant Pot to 3 minutes on high pressure.

What to Expect. The Instant Pot screen will read On until pressure is reached. Once pressure is reached, the float valve will float up, the lid will lock, and the pressure cooking has begun. The timer will begin counting down and once the cooking time has elapsed, the Instant Pot switches to Keep Warm and begin counting up.

Note from Kristen

It is normal to hear a small amount of hissing while the Instant Pot works to come to pressure. It will stop once the lid has locked. If not, check to ensure your vent knob is in the sealed position.

The Instant Pot after showing ON after pressure has been set. — Instant Pot screen reads ON while heating and coming to pressure.

Instant Pot showing 3 minutes on cook time display. — Once pressure has been reached the cooking time will show on the screen.

Release pressure. Based on the recipe's instructions, allow the pressure to release naturally or do a quick release of pressure (more on that below) and then remove the lid.
Turn off the Instant Pot. Hit the cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot. Clean the, let dry and reassemble.

Safety Tips to Remember

Thanks to many built-in safety features, an Instant Pot is much safer to use than a stove-top pressure cooker. That said there are two very important things to remember.

Never put your face near the steam release.
Never force the lid open! Wait for the float valve to drop (it can take a minute or two even when doing a quick release of pressure).

Natural Pressure Release vs Quick Release

When it comes to releasing pressure you need to know if you should do a natural pressure release or a quick release of pressure--and how to do each.

Natural Release (NPR): This means to leave the Instant Pot alone and let the pressure drop on its own. Once the pressure drops, the float valve will float down and the lid will unlock. Best for meat, grains, or high volumes of liquid.
Quick Release (QR): Use a spoon handle to carefully move the valve to the venting position. Be sure to stand back and keep your hands away from the valve to prevent being burned by the steam. Best for delicate items like seafood or vegetables.

Wooden spoon knocking venting knob from sealed to venting position on Instant Pot lid. — For models with venting knob, knock to the *venting* position.

Key to Instant Pot Success

Once you know HOW to use an Instant Pot, remember the following tips, so you can have success time and time again!

Liquid is essential. Always use thin liquid (water, broth, beer, juice, etc.) to achieve and maintain pressure. Based on the size of your Instant Pot use at least
- ½ cup for 3 quart
- 1 cup for 6 quart
- 1½ cups for 8 quart
- 2 cups for 10 quart
Use cold or room temperature liquid. Don't be tempted to heat your thin liquid to try to get the Instant Pot to reach pressure faster. This will result in undercooked or unevenly cooked items.
Don't overfill. Keep the inner pot below ⅔ full (using the max fill line) or ½ full for starchy foods, like rice or pasta.
Cooking time does not equal total time. You need to factor in the time it takes to come to pressure and release pressure. This can vary from 15-60+ minutes. I include the total time needed in all of my Instant Pot recipes.
Always deglaze inner pot after sautéing. This just means to add a bit of liquid and scrape up any browned bits off bottom of inner pot. This prevents a burn notice.
Layer Smart. It is best to add tomato-based products (like spaghetti sauce or salsa) last and avoid stirring into the other ingredients to avoid burn warnings.
Altitude matters. Use my guide for Instant Pot High Altitude Cooking to help make the appropriate conversions.
Have 2 sealing rings (or more). Keep separate rings for savory and sweet dishes so your yogurt doesn't taste like last night's chili!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

I have a very detailed instructions for how to troubleshoot common Instant Pot issues, but I wanted to highlight a two of the most common issues people have.

Not coming to pressure? Check tha steam release valve is in the sealed position. If so, ensure the sealing ring on the bottom of the lid is intact and replace if torn or stretched out.
Burn/OVRHT message? Usually caused by not using enough thin liquid, using dairy, or thick sauces. Hit cancel, let pressure release, clean the inner pot and start again.

Instant Pot 101 Video

If you learn better through video, be sure to catch me teaching you how to use your Instant Pot in the video below.

Time to Start Pressure Cooking

Now you are ready to start using your Instant Pot! Whether you want to try out one of my tried-and-true Instant Pot Recipes or convert your favorite recipes into Instant Pot recipes, you can do this! Try out one of my most popular recipes to get started.

Which Instant Pot is Best?

If you have yet to choose an Instant Pot, I am happy to help you decide. Most recipes are developed for 6-quart models but if you have a larger family you may opt for an 8-quart model. Single households may prefer a 3-quart model.

As for the type of model, simple is best in my opinion. I have tested a lot of models and find that the Instant Pot 7-in1 Duo does everything I need and the least finicky model and usually one of the least expensive models to boot!

Must-Have Instant Pot Accessories

I am often asked what are my favorite Instant Pot Accessories, I try to keep things super simple, but these are my favorite accessories and why you may need them.

7 inch springform pan: Great for Instant Pot Cheesecake, but if you aren't making cheesecake
Clear Lid: Typically used for making yogurt or using the Instant Pot as a slow cooker. It really is NOT needed.
Cake Pan: Works for cooking pot-in-pot (think Instant Pot Oatmeal), and for recipes like Instant Pot Frittata and Instant Pot Lasagna.
Heat Safe Bowl: Frankly, you can use a deep cake pan in place of a heat-safe bowl. They are easier to find and cuts down on the number of accessories.
Egg Bite Mold: For egg bites. If not planning to make egg bites, skip this accessory.
Steamer Basket: Makes Instant Pot Chicken Stock so easy but it is really not needed.

I really, truly hope you LOVE your Instant Pot! But if you have any questions along the way, I am always happy to help! Drop a comment below. xo, Kristen

207 Comments

Kerlyn says:

January 1, 2019 at 6:34 pm

I just got one and believe already screwed up a recipe. What is the difference between low and high pressure settings and which times do you use them? There was no information about these in my directions or start up and just cooked meat on low pressure 🙁 Is it safe to change pressure settings midway through cooking? I didn't just to be safe... thanks

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  January 1, 2019 at 7:11 pm
  
  Hi Kerlyn! I understand the pressure cooker is intimidating until you really understand it.
  As for high and low pressure, most recipes are based on high pressure. And you can not change the setting once cook time has begun successfully.
  I have this post on Instant Pot 101 to help OR I have a course with videos explaining everything–sometimes it helps to watch the video.
  Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions you may have.
  
Kalyani Gol says:

November 11, 2018 at 11:42 am

Pl suggest how to cook kidney beans.Am very much new to IP.Just 2 days old

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  November 11, 2018 at 2:51 pm
  
  Hi Kalyani! Welcome to the Instant Pot Club 🙂 Here is everything you need to know to cook dried beans of any variety: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-beans/
  
Kathy says:

October 14, 2018 at 11:24 pm

Your explanation is very easy to follow and much better than the instruction booklet. Thank you so much.
I have two questions about the Natural Release. How can you tell if the Natural Release is complete? How long does it usually take for the Natural Release to complete before the pot may be opened?

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  October 15, 2018 at 7:07 am
  
  I am so glad you found my instructions easy to follow!
  Natural release can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes. You will know it is complete when the float valve has floated back down. For potatoes, 10 minutes is usually the time needed.
  Here is more info on Natural Release with diagrams of float valve: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-101/
  
Asha says:

June 22, 2018 at 1:20 am

Hi,Very new to IP my daughter just gifted me.I have few queries. Does it have a timer if I go to work.and it automatically starts at time set? There are many things I guess will figure out after using it regularly. Please if you can help me with time setting. Thanks in advance

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  June 22, 2018 at 9:24 am
  
  Hi Asha! Instant Pots do take a bit of getting used to, but once you learn it, I know you will love it. The use of functions and timers can be a bit daunting--I break it all down, complete with a video here: The timer button works GREAT! Just be sure to not use it with raw meat as you don't want raw meat sitting for hours before cooking. https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-functions/
  
Stephanie A. says:

June 20, 2018 at 10:47 am

My main interest in using an Instant Pot is reducing the lectins and possibly phytic acid in food. Per Dr. Joe Mercola, potatoes should be thoroughly cooked and cooled to reduce lectins, and I assume reheated, before eating. One of my favorite vegetarian recipes includes chunks of potato along with green beans, slivered almonds, onions, and various seasonings, and I'm wondering if the Instant Pot will turn precooked potatoes to mush. I'm also wondering if this recipe should be put directly into the cooker or if I should use the PIP method and steam it. (I'm planning to use a small ceramic inner pot from a slow cooker. Proctor Silex says it's oven proof. Please tell me if this is a bad idea!)

Thank you very much for your clearly written instructions on using the IP. I've been on the verge of sending mine back since I started reading the owner's manual and found it disorganized and difficult to understand. Contacting customer service only resulted in conflicting information and more confusion. Intimated is good description of how I've been feeling about my new gadget, especially since I have strong minimalist tendencies and this thing takes up a lot of storage space!

Thanks in advance.

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  June 20, 2018 at 11:04 am
  
  Hi Stephanie. I understand your concern about letchins. So first, I would use my method for IP Baked Potatoes, but only cook for 10 minutes on high pressure. Let pressure release naturally, and then cut up into chunks. Place in your oven proof pot along with green beans, and seasonings. Add 1 cup water to inner pot and then place ceramic pot on a rack and steam for 1-2 minutes. Everything should be perfect then. Enjoy. Also--here is my Pot-in-Pot tips as well.
  
Sheila says:

April 24, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Thank you!! So detailed and helpful. I was afraid of my IP because I wasn't sure how to use it correctly and was nervous.

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  April 25, 2018 at 6:47 am
  
  Oh Sheila, that makes me so happy that I boosted your confidence when it comes to using your Instant Pot. They can be completely overwhelming, but once you learn a few things, they will make your life so much easier!
  Be sure to sign up for my IP newsletter for new recipes and pressure cooking tips: https://amindfullmom.com/how-to-master-your-instant-pot/
  
Fred says:

April 22, 2018 at 4:53 pm

Is there a set amount of time it takes for the Instant Pot fred to get to pressure?

1. Kristen Chidsey says:
  
  April 23, 2018 at 7:58 am
  
  LOL, Well, IP Fred (or whatever you want to call it) can take anywhere from 5 to 25 minutes. This varies based on the amount in instant pot and the temperature of the food. If you are cooking frozen food, expect to wait a bit longer. After 25 minutes, if pressure has not been reached, I would ensure IP is sealed, vent is positioned to sealed and there was enough liquid.