Instant Pot Settings
Updated Dec 24, 2024
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Do you feel overwhelmed by all the buttons on your Instant Pot? You are not alone! Regardless of your Instant Pot model or make, learn EVERYTHING you need to know about the settings different cook modes on and Instant Pot.
Once you learn how to use an Instant Pot, you may wonder which settings are actually useful. This guide breaks down each function and explains when, and IF, you should use them for making successful Instant Pot recipes.
In this Explanation of Instant Pot Settings
Are the Extra Functions Worth it?
At first glance of many Instant Pot models, it may seem like you can cook anything with the press of a button. But using pre-set functions, like "poultry," "stew," or "rice," can lead to overcooked chicken, undercooked rice, or dried-out beef. These pre-set buttons use generalized cooking times that don't account for what you're actually preparing.
Spoiler Alert: Most Instant Pot Settings Are USELESS!
What Instant Pot Functions You Need
While many Instant Pot models boast a variety of cooking modes, only a few are truly necessary. Prioritize models with Manual, Sauté, and Yogurt functions for the most versatility.
- Manual/Pressure Cook: For full control over cooking time and pressure settings.
- Sauté: For browning meat, sautéing vegetables, or thickening sauces.
- Yogurt (optional): If you want to make homemade yogurt or proof dough.
Below, you'll find detailed explanations of these and other potentially helpful settings.
Manual/Pressure Cook Function
This is the most important and versatile setting, allowing you to control both cooking time and pressure level.
How to Use:
- Press "Manual" or "Pressure Cook."
- Adjust pressure (if needed) by pressing "Pressure" or "Temp/Pressure" until "High" or "Low" is selected. Note: The Instant Pot Lux only cooks on high pressure.
- Use the +/- buttons to set your desired cooking time.
Sauté Function
Perfect for browning meat for Instant Pot Chili, sautéing vegetables, or thickening sauces at the end of pressure cooking, like Instant Pot Butter Chicken.
How to Use:
- Press "Sauté."
- Adjust temperature (less, normal, or more) using the "Sauté" or "Adjust" button. Normal = medium heat, More = high heat, Less = low heat.
- Once heated, some models display "Hot," signaling readiness.
Yogurt Setting
This setting is essential for making homemade yogurt and can also be used to proof dough.
How to Use:
- Press "Yogurt."
- 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.
Potentially Helpful Settings
- Adjust/Temp: Labeled as adjust on some models and temp on others, this button changes the temperature for functions like Sauté, Yogurt, or Slow Cooking. Simply press the button to toggle between less, normal, and more.
- Pressure: This rarely-used button adjusts the pressure level (for high low). Most recipes require high pressure, so you won't use this often.
- Timer/Delay Start: The timer delays when cooking begins, making it great for recipes like oatmeal or rice. However, avoid using it for raw ingredients that could spoil, like meat or dairy. To use, first set your cooking time THEN press "Timer" or "Delay Start" within 10 seconds and use +/- to set the desired delay time.
- Slow Cook: This function does not work like a traditional slow cooker. For best results, refer to my guide on using your Instant Pot as a slow cooker.
Video Explaining Settings on Instant Pot
If you learn better through video, be sure to watch the video below, showing you how to use each cooking mode/setting on the Instant pot.
More Helpful Instant Pot Guides
- Instant Pot Troubleshooting
- How to Convert Recipes for an Instant Pot
- Instant Pot High Altitude Conversion
- Instant Pot Water Test
I really, truly hope this helps!! -Kristen
What about the Keep Warm function. This function is confusing to me?
Hi Dennis! The keep warm function is the default to keep food "safe" if you were to forget about it. If you don't want the keep warm to stay on, you need to manually hit cancel once cook time has elapsed. Pressure will still come down naturally.
What does a recipe mean turn ur instant pot on main course
Hi Stephanie! I have never heard to turn onto "main course." I do not know of a model that features that function. Let me know what model you have and I can try to help further.
But if you pressure cook eggs they will explode, won't they? You can use the "steam" function to make hard-boiled eggs.
Hi Tanya! Pressure cooking eggs is my favorite way to make hard boiled eggs...your eggs will not explode. But I do recommend letting your eggs come to room temperature frost to minimize cracking.
I am new to your website. So excited to try your recipes, they look awesome. Thank you for taking the mystery out of “instapottimg.” Now I understand why some of the things I have cooked in the instapot didn’t turn out as well as I expected.
I am so happy you found these tips helpful and hope many more tips inspire you 🙂
Thank you for your very good info! I am 86 and had my doubts about using the instant pot! Your advice has made it so much easier. We had your Mongolian beef the other night and my husband thought it was delicious. We celebrate our 70th anniversary in
July, it is time for me to spend less time in kitchen!
Hi Lavoy! I am so honored you found my site and are enjoying my recipes. It is a huge blessing to me whenever I hear that I helped others! I wish you an your husband many more years!! And happy early anniversary!
Thank you for putting this together! The instructions that came with my Instant Pot left a lot to be desired; I just couldn't figure out what each button was supposed to do, and how I was supposed to adjust a recipe to work. This clears things up; just wish we had known all the "extra" buttons weren't worth it!
Hi Janet! I am so happy this post helped to clear up some of your questions! And yes, frustrating that those functions are made to be so enticing!
Have 8 qt Duo and did water test but nothing else. Have thawed chicken breasts and always bake or crockpot using Golden mushroom soup. How do I proceed using this soup? Thanks
Hi Ruth! I am do not have experience using canned soup products in the pressure cooker, as that is not something we can eat at our house. However, most dairy products (or products with flour or cornstarch) can not be cooked right inside in the inner pot as they will cause your instant pot to give you a burn warning. Instead, I would place your thawed chicken and golden mushroom soup in an oven safe dish and cook using the pot in pot method. Hope that helps! I cook my chicken for 6-8 minutes on high pressure depending on thickness of chicken breasts--here is my recipe for chicken breasts: https://amindfullmom.com/instant-pot-chicken-breasts/
This is my first time and I am following your cooking frozen chicken breasts recipe. I followed the instructions, but it has been 30 minutes and the float is still in the up position, which I think means it is still pressurrized. I did the two releases. What did I do wrong? When can I open the pot?
Hi Betty! If I understand you correctly, the chicken cooked and it has been 30 minutes pass cook time has elapsed. If that is the case, it should never take more than 20 minutes for this particular recipe for pressure to release. It may be that the float valve is stuck. Be sure your vent knob is moved from sealing to venting (it sounds like you have) Then use the handle of wooden spoon to try to knock it down. Sometimes it can get stuck. Hope that helps