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    How to Use an Instant Pot (Instant Pot 101)

    Instant Pot Instant Pot Tutorials Real Food February 4, 2023 | By Kristen Chidsey | 192 Comments | *This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

    Feeling overwhelmed by your new Instant Pot? Do NOT fear!! These tips will guide you on how to use an Instant Pot, turning you into an Instant Pot Master. This Instant Pot 101, is the ULTIMATE Beginners Guide to Electric Pressure Cooking.  Learn the jargon, the parts, and how the instant pot works.  Before long, the Instant Pot will surely become your new favorite kitchen appliance. 

    Feeling overwhelmed by your new Instant Pot? This beginner's guide will walk you through the essentials of using an electric pressure cooker and will leave you feeling confident and ready to conquer using your Instant Pot.

    Once you master the basics of using the Instant Pot, check out Instant Pot Recipes to get cooking and sign up for my top Instant Pot Secrets!

    Picture of Instant Pot with Text that reads Instant Pot 101 A beginners guide to electric pressure cooking.

    If you have recently been gifted or purchased an Instant Pot, chances are you are either feeling excited or completely overwhelmed.

    One look at the manual that came with the Instant Pot and you are feeling even more confused than when you first opened the box. It is really lacking in information!

    I have helped thousands of people put aside their fears and tackle cooking in their Instant Pot and I want to help you!

    How to Use an Instant Pot

    Using an Instant Pot is not hard. In fact, I have found it has made my life immensely easier, but it is a bit of a learning curve.

    First I will walk you through the basic Instant Pot parts and jargon. Then I will show you how to set cooking time and how to release pressure. After that, you will be well on your way to becoming an Instant Pot Master!

    And if you learn better through video, be sure to check out my YouTube Video!

    Instant Pot Parts

    Before we talk about HOW an instant pot works, let's break down the standard pieces and parts of the Instant Pot. That way you will know which piece is which.

    Inner Pot

    The stainless steel pot that fits inside the Instant Pot, is called the inner pot. It is removable for washing. And essential for cooking--do NOT operate your Instant Pot without the inner pot.

    Some people prefer to have two inner pots or a ceramic insert. Frankly, I think one stainless steel inner pot is sufficient unless you plan to make yogurt frequently. Then an extra inner pot helps out tremendously.

    Inner Pot for Instant Pot sitting next to Inner Pot.

    Inner Ring

    This is the silicone ring that fits on the lid of the Instant Pot that helps to seal in the pressure. It is removable and should be removed and washed thoroughly any time it gets dirty.

    The inner ring can cause the MOST issues when it comes to pressure cooking. You need to be sure it is always tightly inserted on the lid. If not, pressure will not be reached properly and you may experience a burn warning.

    If you notice any tears on your inner ring, or it becomes loose over time, be sure to immediately replace it.

    I personally like to have a set of inner rings and use one for savory and one for sweet dishes--that way my cheesecake won't taste like chili!

    Red Arrow pointing to inner ring on Instant Pot.

    Floating Valve and Shield

    The shield prevents food from getting trapped in the pressure release valve.

    The float valve is designed to be pushed up once there is sufficient pressure inside the cooker. Once pushed up, the silicone band seals the instant pot and the pin of the float valve serves as a lock, preventing the lid from being opened before pressure has released. The float valve will float back down as pressure is released, unlocking the lid from the Instant Pot.

    (And in case you misplace your Floating Valve, you can get an extra to fit your model on this here.)

    Arrows pointing to the Floating valve and shield on lid of instant pot.

    Condensation Cup

    This plastic cup collects any moisture or condensation that leaks out during the cooking process. It also collects moisture that may drip down from the lid once you open the Instant Pot. 

    It removes easily to be cleaned. Be sure to check it every once in a while to keep it from getting nasty.

    Plastic cup attached to Instant Pot to collect condensation.

    Stainless Steel Trivet

    Most Instant Pot models will come with a metal rack, often referred to as a trivet.

    This is used often for cooking things you do not want to be submerged in liquid, such as Instant Pot Baked Potatoes and Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes It is also used for pot-in-pot cooking.

    Stainless Steel Rack for Instant Pot on white counter top .

    How to Cook With the Instant Pot

    Now that you know the parts of your Instant Pot, it is time to use it!

    I always suggest starting off by doing a water test. This is a way to get comfortable using the Instant Pot without wasting any actual food. It is quick and easy to do, so well worth the extra few minutes.

    After doing the water test, keep in mind the following steps whenever you use your Instant Pot.

    • Be sure your inner pot is secured into the base of your inner pot.
    • Always use thin, cold, liquid (water, broth, beer, juice, etc) to achieve and maintain pressure.
      • 3-Quart Instant Pot: ½ cup thin liquid
      • 6-Quart Instant Pot: 1 cup thin liquid
      • 8-Quart Instant Pot: 1 ½ cups thin liquid
      • 10-Quart Instant Pot: 2 cups thin liquid
    • Check to be sure that the sealing ring is attached securely to the lid and place the lid on the inner pot.
    • Be sure the vent knob is sealed.
    • Set the cooking time using the manual or pressure cook button to control the time yourself.
    • Remember it will take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes for the Instant Pot to come to pressure. This is determined by how full the inner pot is.
    • Once the cooking time has started, it will count backward.
    • After the cooking time has elapsed the Instant Pot will default to holding the food warm. It will count upward showing how long since the cooking time has elapsed.
    • Based on the recipe's instructions, allow the pressure to release naturally or do a quick release of pressure.
    • After pressure has been released, it is safe to remove the lid and enjoy your recipe!

    Key Tips When Using an Instant Pot

    While the basic steps outlined above will give you success when using your electric pressure cooker, they are not thoroughly explained.

    Below I break down the key aspects of using your Instant Pot in more detail, giving you even more confidence to use your Instant Pot as it is intended.

    Liquid is Essential in Pressure Cooking

    In order for pressure to build in a pressure cooker, there must be liquid, but not any liquid will do! You need to have thin liquid. Examples of thin liquids would be broth, wine, beer, juice, or water.

    Keep in mind that sauce, like tomato sauce or BBQ sauce, is thicker, and will need to be thinned out in order to prevent a burn notice.

    Never OVER fill the Instant Pot

    It is very important to note that the max fill line on the Instant Pot is not intended for pressure cooking or for cooking foods that expand, such as rice or beans.

    It is best to never fill the Instant Pot more than ⅔ of the way full for pressure cooking and only ½ full for rice and beans.

    What happens if you overfill the Instant Pot? First, it will take a long time to reach pressure and a long time to release pressure. It is also NOT advised to do a quick release if you did happen to overfill the Instant Pot, as that would result in a mess!

    Red arrows showing where to fill the instant pot to for pressure cooking.

    Instant Pot Functions

    At first glance at your Instant Pot, it looks like you can cook just about anything with a simple touch of a button. There is a function for Yogurt, one for multi-grain rice, regular rice, stew, beef, and poultry.

    It may be tempting to put in chicken, hit the poultry button, and walk away.

    DO NOT DO THIS!!!

    To rely solely on the pre-set cooking settings could very well result in over-cooked chicken, undercooked rice, or dried-out beef. These functions are set based on the AVERAGE cooking time and are just a starting point. Check out my Instant Pot Functions Post which tells you exactly how to use each and every function on your pressure cooker.

    Personally, I stick to using the saute function, the manual (or pressure cook) function, and the yogurt function.

    Close up of buttons on Instant Pot.

    How to Seal the Instant Pot

    In order for pressure to be reached, the Instant Pot needs to be well sealed.

    Therefore, it is crucial you assure that the inner ring is properly attached to the lid of the Instant Pot and you ensure your vent knob is pointed to the sealed position.

    If those two things are not done, pressure will NOT be trapped and your Instant Pot will not reach pressure to begin the cooking time.

    You will know that your Instant Pot is properly sealed when the float valve (red or silver depending on your model), when the pin raises to the upright position, the lid locks, and the timer begins to count down the cooking time.

    Having trouble with your float valve rising? Check out Reasons Your Instant Pot May Not Be Sealing.

    Showing the knob on an Instant Pot Lid to the Sealed position.

    How to Release Pressure

    After the cooking time has elapsed you may wonder how the pressure is released.

    You have two options, you can do a natural pressure release or a quick release of pressure.

    • Natural Pressure Release (or NPR) is when the pressure is slowly released on its own. This is when you leave your Instant Pot alone and allow the float valve to float down on its own. It is best to use a natural pressure release for meats, recipes with high starch (like rice or grains), and recipes with a high volume of liquid.
    • Quick Release (or QR) is when you manually turn the valve to "Vent" and allow the pressure that has been built up to release rapidly. This method is used for things like seafood or delicate vegetables.

    Important Tip for using Quick Release on your Instant Pot: Use a long handle of a wooden spoon to manually turn the valve from seal to venting AND STAND BACK to prevent yourself from getting burned by the steam.

    How to Determine Cooking Time

    Determining cook time on the Instant Pot is one of the most commonly asked questions I am faced with when it comes to using your Instant Pot.

    I have worked at length to create a guide that will help you convert your favorite recipes into Instant Pot recipes.

    Of course, you can follow recipes that have been tested by others as well--I experimented with baked potatoes and sweet potatoes over a dozen times before I nailed a consistent cooking time I could rely on.

    Or experiment yourself! Use my guide as a starting point and then through trial and error perfect a recipe to suit your needs and your Instant Pot.

    It is important to note that just like traditional cooking, you will need to account for altitude if living at higher elevations. I have an Instant Pot Altitude Chart to help with that!

    **An electric Pressure Cooker does not reach the same pressure a stove-top pressure does, so you will need to increase cooking time by a few minutes for an electric pressure cooker if the recipe was written for a stove-top pressure cooker. 

    Cooking Time is NOT the amount of time the recipe takes

    It is important to note that when planning your meals you don't count on the pressurized cooking time as the amount of time it will take to complete the meal.

    When it comes to pressure cooking, you need to account for the time it takes to come to pressure and the time it takes to release pressure.

    Therefore the total time for pressure cooking is

    Time to Come to Pressure + Cooking Time + Time for Pressure to Release = Total Time 

    The amount of time needed for a recipe to come to pressure and time to release pressure varies based on the recipe. 

    Now you are ready to browse through my Instant Pot Recipes and get cooking. And remember, I am always happy to answer any questions you may have! Simply leave a question below in the comments and I will get back to you ASAP!

    My 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 or Instant Pot Lasagna.
    • Clear Lid: this is great for using your instant pot as a slow cooker or for making yogurt.
    • Cake Pan: I use this for my Instant Pot Breakfast Casserole, but it also works for Instant Pot Lasagna.
    • An Egg Tray: Perfect for holding eggs when making Instant Pot Eggs.
    • Heat Safe Bowl: An essential for making Instant Pot Oatmeal.
    « Pizza Rolls
    Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole »

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

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    1. Jennifer Price

      October 20, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      Your just as confusing as the manual it came with. I'm sitting here thinking about trying my daughter's Instapot because I sent mine back too scary. However I think I'll stick with to scary and say forget it

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 20, 2020 at 4:57 pm

        Please let me know how I can better help Jennifer! The last thing I want to be is confusing!

        Reply
      • Patricia Damon

        November 06, 2020 at 9:59 am

        Jennifer stick to ordering takeout if you can figure that out, great tips thanks Kristen!

        Reply
    2. Glenda Ellis

      October 06, 2020 at 3:50 pm

      Just got a Insta pot what do all the accessories look like?

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 07, 2020 at 8:08 am

        Welcome to the Instant Pot club Glenda! You can check out my favorite accessories here on amazon.

        Reply
    3. Josh

      October 06, 2020 at 8:09 am

      Hey there Kristen,

      Just wanted to say thankyou for providing us with such an informative and clean rundown to introduce us to InstantPots.
      I love to cook and was only recently gifted one. Tonight I made a really solid meal with it by braising some Dong Po Rou and the advice you gave was smooth and to-the-point.

      Keep doin what you do!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 06, 2020 at 10:55 am

        Thanks for the compliment Josh! I am so grateful to help people in a small way!

        Reply
    4. Crystal

      July 07, 2020 at 12:54 pm

      I just purchased a instant pot and I didn’t know if I can baked chicken breast in water in the bottom of the the bowl and use the rack to put baked potatoes on at the same time???

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 07, 2020 at 3:10 pm

        Hi Crystal. Potatoes take between 12-18 minutes to cook and thawed chicken breasts take about 6-8 minutes to cook--so it probably is not a good idea to cook together or you would get dried out chicken. Sorry!

        Reply
    5. Michelle

      June 30, 2020 at 9:08 pm

      Just purchased an instant pot for my college daughter, she will be in her first apartment next year. Tonight was our inaugural attempt with the instant pot. The food did cook, but took an hour and I don't think things went correctly given the valve never popped up, food burn notice came in and I opened the lid in a panic and no steam came out, cook time only began 4o min after start when I opened lid and added more broth. One problem I think my be a factor is the steam release handle. It needed to be removed to remove plastic wrap and tags that were attached around it. There is no clear direction on how to reinsert the knob. It is super wobbly and didn't seem to change anything moving it back and forth (doesn't seem to really be attached). Would appreciate any advice!!!! We are prescribing with it in July in the hopes she can cook in her new apartment at the end of the month. Thank you!!!!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        July 01, 2020 at 7:07 am

        Hi Michelle! I am so glad you subscribed to my tips and email--they will help! I can say with certainty, that the vent knob was the issue. It needed to have that plastic removed. It will not be tight-fitting, but as long as it is pointed as far towards sealing as possible, it does the job. Please reach out with questions at any time!

        Reply
    6. Michelle Skope

      May 31, 2020 at 5:35 pm

      Girl! This guide is so incredibly helpful! Why am I shaking before using this thing for the first time? So stupid. Reading this helped a TON! THANK YOU!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        June 01, 2020 at 6:56 am

        I understand it can be extremely nerve-wracking! But you've got this! Let me know if I can help in any way!

        Reply
    7. kaykatz

      May 13, 2020 at 10:34 pm

      Thank you for publishing your IP 101 Guide. It has been of invaluable help to me as I navigate the maze that is Instant Pot!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 14, 2020 at 7:00 am

        That is exactly what I was hoping to accomplish--to help people use their instant pot. So happy this guide has been helpful for you.

        Reply
    8. Karen

      May 13, 2020 at 8:28 am

      Hi Kristen
      I’ve loved my IP for a few years and recently bought the Milk Street Cookbook Fast and Slow for the dozens of yummy / different recipes inside. I’ll usually work my way through a cookbook making notes and last night i tried the
      “Risotto and Italian Sausage with Arugula”. The directions suggested cooking the risotto on low pressure for 3 minutes. It’s an incredibly easy recipe but I’m confused by the directions.
      Here are my questions.
      1. How long does it take the IP to get to low? I don’t feel like it got to an accurate temp. I never heard it beep. (I got impatient and released the pressure, took a look and the liquid was still there after 20 min)
      2. Then I lost total confidence with the timer and wondered if in fact i could actually set the timer for only 3 minutes? It looked like 3 hours.

      I ended up Cancelling and doing it on high for a few minutes and did a quick release and finished the recipe.

      It tasted fine but I want to understand the low pressure and time a little better. Can you help? I’ve looked all over for more explanation for both and found you! TIA

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 13, 2020 at 8:46 am

        Hi Karen! I am so glad you found my site. Cooking risotto on low pressure does not make sense to me, but granted I would have to see the recipe to know fully what the cook intended. Here is my recipe for Instant Pot Risotto that may help you in the future.
        As for using low pressure, it is not something I use at all. First, based on the model that the temperature of low varies GREATLY. Secondly, a lower temperature equals a longer cook time. If you're using a pressure cooker, having a recipe take longer is usually not a benefit.

        Reply
    9. Ingrid

      May 01, 2020 at 12:26 pm

      Cooking a brisket for the first time. Original recipe as follows.

      Marinade: 1 1/2 cups beef broth, 4oz liquid smoke, 5 oz soy sauce, chopped garlic
      Marinate in fridge for 6 to 12 hours.
      Cook 8 to 10 hours at 325.
      So conversion would be?
      Help please!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        May 01, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        Hi Ingrid! Here is my guide for converting recipes for instant pot. Personally for this recipe, I would marinade and then add marinade and beef to instant pot. Cook on high pressure for 75 minutes with FULL natural pressure release.

        Reply
    10. Cori

      March 28, 2020 at 11:28 am

      Good morning, and thank you for your website. A friend gave me her initial instant post when she got a new one. Unfortunately there were no instructions with it. I appreciated your 101.

      Is there an "Off" switch? When do you use the "manual" setting rather than one of the automatics?

      I have cooked a couple of things, and they are mediocre. If you can provide instructions, that would be very helpful.

      The first attempt was a frozen turkey breast. I found directions on a website and was totally impressed with how fast it cooked, to the point of being overcooked. There must be some adjustment according to weight.

      Brown rice was not cooked sufficiently using the rice setting. I added water and recooked it - mushy.

      4 huge baking Potatoes from Costco were not sufficiently cooked after 30 minutes manual setting. A second setting of 25 minutes finished the cooking.

      This may have been one of the first manufactured instant pots and is slower than others. Any instructions you can offer will be appreciated!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        March 28, 2020 at 11:56 am

        Hi Cori! I am glad you found my site. First, cancel is the off switch. And I almost always use manual over any other preset--as they are not accurate. You can read more about that on my Instant Pot Functions. As for the recipes, here are my recipes for the items you tried--and they should help you have much better results. Instant Pot Turkey Breast, Instant Pot Brown Rice, and Instant Pot Bake Potatoes.

        Reply
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    Feeling overwhelmed by your new Instant Pot? Do NOT fear!! These tips will guide you on how to use an Instant Pot, turning you into an Instant Pot Master. This Instant Pot 101, is the ULTIMATE Beginners Guide to Electric Pressure Cooking.  Learn the jargon, the parts, and how the instant pot works.  Before long, the Instant Pot will surely become your new favorite kitchen appliance. 

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

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    Feeling overwhelmed by your new Instant Pot? Do NOT fear!! These tips will guide you on how to use an Instant Pot, turning you into an Instant Pot Master. This Instant Pot 101, is the ULTIMATE Beginners Guide to Electric Pressure Cooking.  Learn the jargon, the parts, and how the instant pot works.  Before long, the Instant Pot will surely become your new favorite kitchen appliance. 

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