Do you feel overwhelmed by all the settings or buttons on your Instant Pot? You are not alone! Regardless of your Instant Pot model or make, learn EVERYTHING you need to know about how to use the Instant Pot Settings.
Once you learn the basics of using an Instant Pot, you may be wondering what all the buttons do, and which setting is best. This guide will walk you through exactly what each function does and which ones you should use. Spoiler Alert: Most of the settings on the Instant Pot are USELESS!
Many Instant Pot Models have multiple buttons. There is often a surcharge on models with extra functions. However, the reality is that only a few functions are needed to make delicious instant pot recipes.
Reasons Most Instant Pot Buttons are Useless
At first glance at your electric pressure cooker, it looks like you can cook just about anything with a simple touch of a button.
It may be tempting to put the chicken in the instant pot, hit the button labeled poultry, and walk away. However, relying solely on the pre-set cooking functions, could very well result in over-cooked chicken, under-cooked rice, or dried-out beef.
These settings are programmed with a cook time based on the AVERAGE cooking time and are just a starting point and don't know what you are actually pressure cooking. The Instant Pot settings for poultry, meat, stew, eggs, beans, and grain are completely useless functions and are almost guaranteed to cause you to ruin dinner if you rely on the pre-set cooking time.
What Instant Pot Functions You Need
In my opinion, the only thing you need to look for in an electric pressure cooker is one with the capability to saute and manually control the cooking time. If you have the desire to make Instant Pot yogurt, I strongly suggest purchasing a model with a yogurt setting.
Instant Pot Buttons Explained
Below the detailed explanation of settings, you will find a printable cheat sheet that will explain when to use an Instant Pot function and how to adjust each setting on the Instant Pot.
Manual/Pressure Cook Function
The manual or pressure cook setting allows you to set the cooking time to whatever you would like. This is by far the MOST utilized function of the instant pot. Stated simply, this function allows you to set a specific cooking time and if you cook on low or high pressure. This means YOU control the outcome!
How To Use the Manual Button:
- Hit Manual.
- If you need to adjust pressure, hit the pressure button until high or low pressure is lit up. Note, if you have an Instant Pot Lux it only cooks on high pressure.
- Hit the plus or minus sign to adjust time.
Saute Function
This function is great for browning meat when making things like Instant Pot Chili, sauteing vegetables when making things like Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup, or thickening up a sauce at the end of pressure cooking such as Instant Pot Butter Chicken.
How To Use the Saute Button:
- Press Saute.
- Select a temperature by hitting saute again OR hitting the adjust button to adjust between less, normal, or more. If compared to cooking on a stovetop, normal is comparable to medium heat, more is comparable to high heat, and less is similar to low heat to high heat.
- After heating, some models will display "Hot” on the screen. and you can start sauteing.
- One full session using the saute function will run for 30 minutes.
Yogurt Button
The yogurt function is mainly used to make homemade yogurt, although some people like to use it for proofing dough as well. If you plan to make Instant Pot Yogurt, I STRONGLY suggest investing in a model that has the yogurt setting.
The yogurt button can be adjusted by hitting the "adjust" button until it says "boil" or 8:00 or 10:00. These functions are unique to yogurt recipes.
Pressure Setting
This function adjusts pressure from high to low and is RARELY used! Most recipes are designed to be cooked under high pressure. But it is important to pay attention to this because if you accidentally hit a button that causes the pressure to drop from high to low, your results will be drastically impacted.
How to Adjust the Pressure:
- After you hit manual, hit pressure to adjust to high or low pressure.
- Set your timer on for manual cooking as needed.
Adjust Button
The adjust button is used to adjust the temperature of the instant pot when using the slow cooking, yogurt, or saute functions between less, normal, and more. Simply hit the button to change the temperature.
Timer Button
The timer function is used to delay the cooking time. This is great when making Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats or Instant Pot Brown Rice. You can prep the rice in the morning and set it to be ready at dinner time or prep oats and wake up to warm oatmeal!
There are two things to keep in mind when using the delay start option. You don't want to leave anything raw or that could spoil in your Instant Pot for an extended amount of time. So perfect for cooking oats in water or rice in water, but NOT using for Instant Pot Pot Roast or cooking oats in milk.
The second thing to keep in mind is you are setting the timer as to when you want your pressure cooker to START, not when the cooking time will start. The delay start does not account for the time it takes to come under pressure. Therefore, if want dinner ready in 2 hours but the recipe takes 20 minutes to come to pressure, 20 minutes to cook, and 20 minutes to release pressure set your timer for just 1 hour so that it begins the cooking process in 1 hour and 2 hours it will be completed.
How to Use the Timer Function:
- Select either manual (pressure cooking) or slow cooker mode, as these are the only two modes compatible with the timer function.
- Set your cooking time.
- Within 10 seconds of setting the cooking time, press the ‘timer’ button.
- Use the +/- keys to set the desired delay time.
Slow Cooker Button
The Instant Pot Slow Cooker function is not equivalent to the temperatures on a slow cooker. I have a guide on how to use your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker. Spoiler Alert: It DOES NOT work like a regular slow cooker!
Click here or on the picture for the download to be able to be printed!
Click on Picture to DOWNLOAD printable directions for Instant Pot Functions.
Other Instant Pot Functions
Depending on the instant pot model you have, your electric pressure cooker may have settings for meat, chicken, rice, cake, eggs, sterilize, steam, and/or soup/stew. These are functions that I do not use or recommend. It is much better to cook on high or low pressure and manually adjust the temperature yourself based on what you are cooking.
Lois Hershberger
You missed a very highly functional tool: canning under pressure. I was searching for instructions (my instant pot was given to me without instructions) and we use it a lot. One 10# bag of chicken leg quarters gave me 10 cups of chicken meat and 5 pints of broth. I don't need the broth at the moment so I'm going to can it, like my friend does. Was hoping for instructions.
Kristen Chidsey
Hey there. Canning is not considered safe in the Instant Pot, as the temperature fluctuates during processing. That is why I don't address it. For your broth, I love storing in the freezer if you have space.
Linda
Kristen! I just had to express my thanks to you for this clarifying article regarding the numerous, useless buttons on the InstantPot. About five years previously, I had purchased an InstantPot Duo and after a number of attempts at cooking various dishes, pressing the "magic buttons", and making flops of most of the dishes, I gave the InstantPot away. Now, I've gathered the courage to try again, and have purchased the Master Chef version. But I have been hesitant to use my InstantPot very much.
Your article has given me an entirely different perspective on my new purchase and how I can start cooking in this appliance, ignoring the "overload" of buttons. For that I am feeling extremely ready to start cooking!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so very welcome, Linda! I am thrilled you found this helpful (and you are not alone in your experience!) Reach out with questions any time!
JazzFest
I recently learned the yogurt function can be used to proof yeast dough! It reduces some of the rise time.
John O'
I have several recipes that refer to the programmed buttons such as "Meat/Stew" but my Instant Pot does not have these buttons (I have the Duo Crisp). Is there a cross reference chart somewhere that converts the programed buttons into plain English so I can tell what to set my Instant on?
Cooking is not my forte, my wife was the cook and she passed away so I'm winging it on my own. I don't want to waste money ruining food trying to guess.
Kristen Chidsey
Hi John. I am sorry to hear about your wife. I completely understand you not wanting to waste food or money--it is a pet peeve of mine as well. You do not need the programmed buttons, like Meat, Chili, Stew, etc. Instead, use the PRESSURE COOK button. To do this, hit PRESSURE COOK, be sure under the time it reads high, not low. If your screen shows "low" hit the PRESSURE COOK button again. Then use the +/- buttons to adjust the time. Once the time is selected, hit START. I hope that helps and feel free to reach out with questions anytime.
Cindy
Hi Kristen
I am new to instant pot and the one question I have.... I am following the Instant pot app recipe for pot roast end it gives you the steps and after the steps says start timer so when I get to the end and everything is in and I press the timer.... is that the total time or am I not supposed to press the timer until after the pressure is built. I really do like this thing but wow directions are tough
I hope you can help!
Cindy
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Cindy! The directions are very unclear. To cook under pressure, hit manual or any function and then put in the cooking time. It won't begin to count down the time until after pressure is reached which can take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes depending on what you are cooking.
Nana
Hi Kristen
I, m new to IP n have the duo 6qt.
My question is about the saute function..
1.how long after pressing the saute button does the HOT display come on?
2.Can u pour in oil before pressing the saute key or after?
Its a bit confusing, and appreciate your explanation on using the saute as it should..thanks
Kristen Chidsey
Hi! It can take 5-10 minutes for the Instant Pot to read hot. I suggest hitting saute and letting heat for 2-3 minutes, then add in the oil. You can certainly add before you press saute, but it may overheat slightly.
lori
this may sound dumb but when I set time for saute pressure cooker what do I push
Kristen Chidsey
No dumb question. You shouldn't set a time for the saute function. It should turn the Instant pot on and heat. Then saute as needed and turn the IP off once done. Some models will turn off after for 30 minutes. I hope that helps.
Chrissy Atkinson
How do you release steam/pressure "naturally"?
Chrissy 😊
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Krissy! It means to NOT moving the vent knob to the venting position after cook time, which releases steam and causes the pressure to be released. Instead, let the float valve float down on its own. This video on pressure release may help.
Marilyn
Just an FYI-when using the Slow Cooker mode, "Low"=Warm, "Normal"=Low, and "High"=Medium to High on a conventional slow cooker/crockpot.
Kristen Chidsey
Thanks Marilyn! I cover that in detail in how to use an Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker as well 🙂
Judy Milner
I just bought the duo nova 6 qt instant pot for my Birthday last weekend. What button is the manual? I tried making lasagna tonight and it was a disaster! Bought a springform pan and made the lasagna. Maybe shouldve parcooked the noodles. Not sure how figure how long to cook lasagna? The other day made a roast with potatoes and carrots and it all turned out ok but the roast wasnt like it is when making in crock pot. Help me understand what the buttons functions mean and how do I know how long to cook foods?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Judy! For your model, the button you need to use is "pressure cook" in place of manual. Here is my instant pot lasagna recipe and instant pot pot roast recipe that may help in the future. You may also want to sign up for my email Instant Pot tips that will help walk you through the basics.
Jillian
Simple question but I’m confused so please answer specifically. Cooking tortilla soup in instant pot. Directions say pressure cook on high, normal for 9 minutes. Does the 9 minutes start once it’s reached pressure? I’m assuming so. When 9 minutes is up it says natural release for 10 then instant release after. If I walk away and it releases on its own naturally what happens then? Does it go into keep warm mode? How long will it keep warm and safe?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jillian! Yes, cook time starts AFTER pressure is reached. You can let the instant pot release pressure on it's own and it will keep it warm for up to 10 hours. In fact, I really recommend that you allow natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes for most soups--to prevent hot liquid from spewing out vent knob. But some recipes do require a shorter release (without seeing the actual recipe, I can't be positive, but I think for tortilla soup it should be just fine.) Hope that helps